NEA Teacher-to-Teacher Series

96 pp. $9.95 NEA Members, $12.95 nonmembers
NEA Professional Library, www.nea.org/books

[ Book Excerpt]

According to the Foundation Center, there are nearly 42,000 grantmaking foundations in the United States. In one year alone, those foundations gave $13.8 billion in funds to organizations. Of that amount, only 5.25 percent went to primary and secondary schools. That leaves millions of dollars untapped by educators. The money is there for the asking.

How To Get Grants and Free Stuff aims to make it easier for you to wade through the grant writing process. Six teachers share practical tips and step-by-step instructions for getting grants and free stuff for your classroom.

• Nancy Norem Powell, a high school math teacher, has become a whiz at completing grant applications and proposals. Powell describes what each section of a grant proposal requires and why grants get rejected.
• Elementary teacher Susan Midori Jones describes how she and her colleagues created a team to apply for grants. Team members are assigned specific parts of the grant application to complete. For educators who have trouble finding the time to write, she offers suggestions for creating a time line to meet grant deadlines.
• Janice Tolley describes how she brought a planetarium and a young astronaut program to her elementary school by applying for grants.
• Rhode Island civics teacher Maureen Spaight provides information on the types of grants available and sources to use in researching grant programs.
• Arkansas teacher Joan Reid and her colleagues at Skyline Heights Elementary School have received hundreds of free products and services from local businesses—by simply asking for them. She also gives tips on using parents as resources for free materials and offers advice on soliciting free donations from community businesses.
• Teachers from Seattle Alternative School #1 use corporate partnerships to get hundreds of dollars' worth of free materials for art, science, history, and drama projects. The educators explain how these donations help to fund an innovative experiential learning program.

To order this book or other books from the Teacher-to-Teacher series, visit the NEA Professional Library or call 800-229-4200.

Take Your Job Hunt to Cyberspace

Whether you're new to the profession or looking for a change in your teaching position, these Web sites can help you in your job search. For more information on employment in education, check out "J is for Job."

Grants and Awards

NEA Friend of Education Award Nominations Due April 2

Letters of nomination must include:

• Name of the nominee
• Nominee's position and/or organizational affiliation
• Nominee's mailing address (or organization mailing address)
• Name of the nominator or affiliate
• Signature of nominator or affiliate officer
• Name of nominator's local affiliate, if applicable
• Nominator's mailing address
• Nominator's telephone number

If the nominator is an NEA member, send proof of membership (such as an NEA Today mailing label that includes a membership number).

In 100 words or less, indicate the reason for your nomination and summarize the nominee's qualifications for the award. Nominees will be evaluated based on leadership, acts, and support of education on a national scale. Supporting materials, such as publications or videos, may be submitted along with the nomination information.

Submit all nomination information and materials to:
NEA Friend of Education Award Committee; Executive Office; Attn: Da'aiyah Bilal-Threats. National Education Association; 1201 16th Street, N.W.; Washington, DC 20036. Nomination information may also be faxed to 202-822-7012.

Tech Grants for ESPs

Has your local Association applied for an ESP Technology Grant yet? Well, time's running out to make the April 15 deadline. NEA offers technology grants in the amounts of $250 to $3,500 to local education support professional Associations. These ESP Technology grants provide an opportunity for ESP locals to involve members in the application of technology in projects that could help their locals, schools, and/or communities.

The application process is open to all NEA local Associations that have not been awarded an ESP Technology Grant in the past three years. (Individuals are ineligible for awards).

Grants are awarded, in part, based on the integration of the ESPIS—the ESP Information System created to provide ESP members and staff immediate and widespread opportunities to share data and information throughout all levels of the organization. The ESPIS includes, for example, the ESP Web site, the ESP Listserv, the ESP Data Book, and a variety of publications.

Other considerations when awarding grants include the level of involvement of ESP members and the merits of the proposed goals and projected outcomes. The proposed project's contribution to achieving the NEA Strategic Focus of restoring public confidence in public education and the completeness of the application form are also important factors.

ESPIS and the Technology Grant Program are overseen by a User Advisory Group comprising governance and staff who are available to provide training on the use of ESPIS.

College Help from the Brown Foundation

The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research offers financial support for minority education majors enrolled or enrolling in college. Entering freshmen may apply for the Lucinda Todd Book Award Scholarship, a one-time, nonrenewable book grant of $300. Students entering their junior year of college may apply for the Brown Foundation Academic Scholarship, a $500 award per year for two academic years. For eligibility criteria and application procedures, contact the Brown Foundation at 214 W. 6th, Ste. 306, Topeka, KS 66603; 785-235-3939; brownfound@juno.com. Applications must be received by March 30.

Ecology Curriculum Grants

Illustration by Bruce Worthington

To ensure that curricula are implemented, the Foundation will require a letter of endorsement from the science supervisor and/or principal of the school(s) involved to validate applications.

To apply, submit a formal proposal that includes:

1. Detailed goals and objectives of the curriculum that indicate its focus, mission, and/or philosophy
2. A budget
3. A letter of endorsement from the science supervisor and principal of the school involved or any other partners involved
4. A timetable of when work will be conducted and completed
5. Résumés of all individuals involved
6. A stated understanding that the Foundation will require a progress report.

Send four copies of your completed proposal, postmarked by April 9, 2004, to: The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation, P.O. Box 621, Skaneateles, NY 13152.

AIAA Foundation Classroom Grant Program

If you are a K–12 teacher interested in the development or application of science, mathematics, and technology within your educational curriculum, you may qualify for a grant of up to $200 per individual request to supplement your learning program. Each school is limited to up to $1,000 per calendar year.

Use your grant for classroom demonstration kits, classroom science supplies, or other materials to enhance the teaching—and learning—of science, mathematics, and related technology.

To become eligible, you must either be or be willing to become an AIAA Educator Associate (it's free to join). Next, complete and submit a one-page AIAA Foundation Educator Classroom Grant Proposal PDF form to the AIAA Foundation Educator Classroom Grant Committee. When your proposal is approved, a check for the proposed amount will be sent to your school on your behalf. Please submit a Feedback PDF Form with pictures of how the grant money was used! We want to share your good ideas with other teachers across the country. PDF forms can be accessed under the Classroom Grant Program Forms category.

For questions on an application, check with your local AIAA Section or call Lisa Bacon at 800-639-AIAA, ext. 527 (United States only), or 703-264-7527.

In Print

Celebrating Spring

Super Science

Math Wonders

Get Outdoors

U.S. History in Documents

Nurturing Young Artists

Mummy Mystery

OWL.org

An Educator's Best Friend

Learn more about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. OWL has a wide variety of articles related to NBPTS in the "My Profession" section, including profiles of successful candidates, a menu of pre-candidacy activities, and tips for those who are thinking about becoming a candidate.

Take an online course. OWL offers online courses and professional development opportunities though partnerships with Canter and Associates, Pearson Education, and the Center for Online Professional Development. NEA members receive special discounts on courses—only though OWL. You can find them in the OWL Marketplace.

Find ways to save money and be more financially secure. The "My Money" section of OWL has information on everything from buying drugs online to protecting your credit.

Support literacy activities. Shop online at OWLShopper and a portion of sales goes to NEA's Read Across America literacy grants.

So, beat those March doldrums. Log on to www.owl.org today!

What's Up at HIN Help Create Asthma-Friendly Schools! Did you know that at least two children in every class have asthma, and that asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism? Alarmingly, students miss approximately 14 million days of school per year because of asthma. To increase awareness about the asthma epidemic, the American School Health Association has recently published Health in Action: Asthma-Friendly Schools are Healthier for Everyone Vol. 2, No. 2. The publication includes tools, tips, and resources on asthma education and the basics for establishing an asthma-friendly school environment. You may purchase the publication for $10. Learn more about asthma. National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Every year in this country, close to 850,000 teenage girls become pregnant. The consequences of these pregnancies are enormous, as only one-third of these girls complete high school. To raise awareness about this troubling issue, NEA is once again a partner in the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 5, 2004. Teens can go online and take an engaging "quiz" that presents them with real life scenarios around the issue. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, sponsor of the event, has materials available to help you promote this important day in your community. Fitness Challenge Team Update The NEA fitness challenge, a joint venture of NEA HIN and NEA Today, has been successfully helping members to stay fit and healthy. Since October, 14 teams have joined the fitness challenge and have lost an average weight of 25 pounds per team. The fitness challenge provides a platform for teams to receive expert advice and to share experiences, success stories, and motivation. Congratulations and good luck to our Fitness Challenge Teams! Learn more or to join the NEA Fitness Challenge today.

On TV

Jane Goodall's Return to Gombe

Biography

A&E
Celebrate Women's History Month with Biography series episodes profiling notable women. Shows may be taped and used in the classroom for one year with teaching materials available at www.aetv.com/class. All shows air at 7 a.m., ET. "Amelia Earhart: Queen of the Air," March 1; "Barbara Bush: First Mom," March 2; "Rosa Parks: Mother of a Movement," March 9; "Eleanor Roosevelt: A Restless Spirit," March 10; "Gloria Steinem: Ms. America," March 15; "Hillary Rodham Clinton: Changing the Rules," March 16; "Katharine Graham: Pillar of the Post," March 18; "Helen Thomas: The First Lady of the Press," March 19; "Karen Silkwood: A Life on the Line," March 22.

Africa Today

Discovery Channel, March 1, 9 a.m., ET.
A look at students in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, the daily activities of an Ethiopian girl, the impact of AIDS on the people of Africa, and the effects of deforestation in Ghana and oil drilling in Nigeria. The hour-long program can be taped and used in the classroom for one year.

TLC Elementary School—Earth's Changing Surface

The Learning Channel, March 5, 6 a.m., ET, check local listings.
Designed for grades K–6, this series consists of segments edited from original documentaries. This episode, "Earth's Changing Surface," explores an innovative mapmaking technology, soil formation in the American prairie, and the geologic history of the Grand Canyon. Can be taped and used in the classroom for two years.

Wild West Tech

The History Channel, March 30, 10 p.m., ET.
"CSI meets The Lone Ranger," might describe this new series. Actor Keith Carridine hosts the program, which looks at how the lawless used technology to open safes, shoot accurately from long distances, and get away with the help of a good horse. The evolution of new techniques to trap and hunt down these gunslingers is also presented, which makes for a fair, balanced, and just plain fun show. Viewers get a real glimpse of 19th-century American life, which fifth-grade teachers will especially appreciate. Topics for other episodes include Cowboy Tech, Military Tech, Execution Tech, Hunting Tech, and Train Tech.

The Great Campaign of 1960

PBS, March 22, check local listings for times.
A survey of the presidential campaign of 1960 between Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy and Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon, the first national election campaign in which television and the Catholic religion played a major role. Can be taped and used in the classroom for one year.

Hong Kong Symphony: Heaven-Earth-Mankind

Ovation, March 23, 12 p.m., ET, check local listings.
Composer Tan Dun and cellist Yo-Yo Ma celebrate the passing of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule in this one-hour program, which can be taped and used in the classroom for one year with teaching materials from www.ovationtv.com/artszone.

Independent Lens: The New Americans

PBS, March 29–31, 9 p.m., ET, check local listings.
This series follows refugees and immigrants from five different countries, documenting their preparations as they travel to America, for work, for love, for safety. From Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams, these stories introduce us to Barine, a Nigerian mother of four, who moves to Chicago and works three part-time jobs to make ends meet. Other subjects include baseball players from the Dominican Republic, a computer programmer from India, a Palestinian woman, and a Mexican father of six. Episode 1 (March 29) establishes the backgrounds of the travelers and reveals their hopes for a better life in America. Episode 2 (March 30) shows how they confront the culture shock of modern, urban life. The last evening completes the tale of transition. The New Americans condenses four years in the lives of these hopeful people. Check out Web components for the series at www.pbs.org/newamericans and at www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans.

On TV listings are provided by KIDSNET, a national resource for children's media in Washington, D.C., www.kidsnet.org and by Cable in the Classroom's Access Learning magazine at www.ciconline.org.

On the Web

Women's History Resources

Biographies of notable women, history quizzes and timelines, and classroom activities pepper this Thompson Gale site honoring Women's History Month. Visitors can also find links to other Women's history resources.

March into Women's History

Visit Edication World for an overview of Women's History Month as well as links to lesson plans and other useful sites for teaching about women's issues and contributions to U.S. history.

Profiles of Women

Looking for brief but informative bios of famous women? Then check out the History Channel's Women's History Exhibit pages boasting more than 30 profiles and an online feature on women's suffrage.

Stream Studies

This Environmental Protection Agency site provides lessons and activities for studying how runoff affects streams, how to analyze what's upstream and downstream from your community, and how families can reduce "nonpoint source" pollution, which results from rainfall or snow melt moving over and through the ground. The site is especially geared toward middle school science teachers and students.

¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina!

This bilingual English-Spanish site provides information to help Hispanic/Latina girls ages 9–14 enhance decision-making and communication skills. The site, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, offers visitors homework tips, ways to explore family history and their futures, and information on a new Latina role model each month. Free activity books and posters may also be ordered.

Super science fair project help

Completing science fair projects can be a lengthy and complicated process. Madeline Binder, a Chicago-area educator, has developed an interactive site to make science projects more enjoyable and less difficult. Binder has created Detective ThinkMore, a cartoon character that guides visitors through the complexities of science fair projects.

Get More From Cable

Cable in the Classroom's new professional development site helps educators become familiar with cable's content, broadband technology, and educator technology resources. Visitors can view multimedia case studies of teachers using technology successfully in their classrooms, as well as link to television schedules, state and national standards, and other education resources.

Jolly Old England—Online

Want to go on a virtual trip to Britain? Visit the site maintained by the British Embassy, includes everything from history and geography information to a picture gallery of London and surrounding areas. The site also features activities kids can do if they visit London, and a sports section detailing the more popular sports in England today. A guide for teachers and students is also included, which may be useful for students working on related research projects.

Hangin' with Yak

Published by the Detroit Free Press, Yak's Corner, a magazine aimed at kids, now has an online version. The site contains plenty of activities, including a recipes section, an arts and crafts section, profiles of celebrities, and news and tips kids would be interested in. In addition, you can find teacher guides that assist in every section covered by the site.

Take Note

Online Lessons for Hope

ESP Quality Workforce Series

NEA's ESP Quality Department has released the final two publications in its Building A Quality Workforce Series—a series highlighting the challenges members of each ESP job group face, including job descriptions, downsizing, health and safety issues, and professional development. Technical Services gives an overview of the challenges faced by ESPs in this area, including mastering new technology, federal and state statutes, time management, and ambiguous reporting structures. Security Services highlights the tasks of ESPs working in security, such as protecting individuals from intolerance and guarding against larger crises, while facing a shortage in equipment and training resources. Read these publications online or download them.

Free magazine subscription? YES!

Are your students ready for some good news? Then sign up for a free, one-year subscription to YES!, an award-winning ad-free national journal filled with inspiring case studies of practical solutions to a broad range of environmental and social justice challenges. Published quarterly by the Positive Futures Network, an independent, nonprofit organization, YES! can help inform students about ecological and social problems while providing solutions and channels for constructive action.

New Online Newsletter for Priority Schools

A new electronic newsletter and discussion group—CAREshare—supports NEA members in their work to meet the needs of all students, particularly students in priority schools and schools not making adequate yearly progress under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Each month, subscribers receive an electronic newsletter that includes examples of what educators are doing around the country to improve teaching and learning conditions in their schools, promotes dialogue among educators, and shares research and best practices particularly applicable to struggling learners.

Each edition includes information about one of the "CARE" themes—culture, abilities, resilience, and effort—and features practical classroom applications. Participants will be encouraged to post success stories and engage in discussions about the shared information. NEA Human and Civil Rights Department staff will moderate the newsletter and discussion as part of the "C.A.R.E. for Priority Schools" project. To join CAREshare, e-mail mgreen@nea.org.

For more information, contact Linda Bacon or 202-822-7724.

Help Stop Bullying

NEA's National Bullying Awareness Campaign aims to reduce, and eventually eradicate, bullying in America's public schools. Research indicates that this goal can best be achieved by fostering the active involvement of teachers, administrators, school support personnel, parents, and the community. Your school can be a part of this campaign. NEA has a national cadre of trainers who can train members and assist the district in developing a Whole School Bullying Prevention/Intervention Program at no cost to the school district. For more information, contact Gaye Barker or 202-822-7732.

Books by NEA Members

The Story of Pup Daddy

By LaMonte Heflick, illustrated by John Lakey

21st Century Writing: An Accelerated Program to Help Students Develop Their Writing Skills

By Paul Heisher, Donna Fout, and Mary Ann Ready

Michael and Marie: Children With Prader- Willi Syndrome

By Valerie Rush Sexton and Debbie Erbe Fortin, illustrated by Bonnie Branson

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder that typically causes low muscle tone, short stature, incomplete sexual development, cognitive disabilities, problem behaviors, and a chronic feeling of hunger. Designed to be read to elementary school children, this book, shows the positive side of the syndrome, while helping children without disabilities understand the problems PWS kids face. Similarities rather than differences between children with and without this disability are stressed. 32 pp. $8 from the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association. To order, call 800-926-4797 or see www.pwsausa.org/publications/ index.htm.

What Men Do Right? A Guide for Improving Relationships

By Patrick A. Koneval

Get Ready to Read!

What do actors on Broadway, park rangers on Mount Rushmore, chefs in Atlanta, high school rodeo champs in Kansas, and miners in West Virginia have in common?

They'll all be donning their reading hats and sharing a book with kids to celebrate NEA's Read Across America. March 2 is Dr. Seuss's birthday and NEA's Read Across America celebration of the joy of reading will be bigger and better than ever. Check out the Read Across America Web site for more events and don't forget to let us know what you're doing to spread the joy of reading. You'll also find our latest video PSA featuring such well-known readers as James Earl Jones, Esai Morales, and Shaquille O'Neal, as well as reading resources to use all year long.