How To Get Grants and Free Stuff

The Multicultural Resource Series: Professional Development Guide for Educators

Paul Gorski, Gene-Tey Shin, and Martha Green, Editors

136 pp. $13.95 NEA members, $19.95 nonmembers

[ BOOK EXCERPT ]

The old people say being Indian today is like having your feet in two canoes. One foot in one canoe, one foot in another; one foot in one world, one foot in another. Trying to balance both canoes at the same time while the water underneath is constantly changing; trying to live in two worlds while the rules are constantly changing. This is what it is like for my students of color, as well as for me. Trying to live in the Western world while trying desperately to hold on to our cultural differences. Trying to hold on to a language that is not acknowledged as legitimate by the dominant culture, trying to hold on to traditions that appear irrelevant to the Western mind, and trying desperately to hold on to an identity that can become so easily consumed by Levi jeans, TV, and Big Macs.

So I try to integrate my world into my teaching methods. I try to build bridges between worlds instead of trying to exchange one for the other. I try to help students feel pride in where they come from so they don't feel ashamed of who they are or who they want to be. As I encourage them, I become encouraged. As I lift them up, they lift me up. As they become transformed, I become transformed.

About the Multicultural Resource Series

Real multicultural education is ongoing, inclusive teaching that validates the lives and experiences of all children. The Multicultural Resource Series is a practical guide for educators committed to quality learning for all students. The first book in the series, Professional Development Guide for Educators, features personal essays by educators who describe how multicultural education has transformed their teaching. The guide also serves as a comprehensive source for multicultural organizations, publications, videos, and Web sites. Resources for A Multicultural Classroom, the second book, is an annotated resource guide to help teachers choose the best print, video, and electronic resources for students.

To order, contact the NEA Professional Library or800-229-4200.

Commemorating Brown v. Board

If you're planning a lesson on the Supreme Court's 1954 ruling banning segregation in public schools, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision next month, or just looking for good civil rights resources, take advantage of the range of lesson plans, Web sites, videos, and publications focused on this event.

On the Web

Horizons of Opportunities

For a brief overview of Brown v. Board, a summary of the state of desegregation in the nation today, and a school integration timeline, check out NEA's jam-packed site 'Horizons of Opportunities: Celebrating 50 Years of Brown v. Board of Education, May 17, 1954–2004.' The site features a diversity timeline of NEA's support of and contribution to school integration and diversity, as well as a nationwide calendar of events commemorating Brown v. Board.

At the site you may order a classroom poster, in addition to accessing links to key reports, including:

• Brown at 50: King's Dream or Plessy's Nightmare?—NEA co-sponsored this 2004 Harvard Civil Rights Project report that examines the state of segregation in today's schools.
• Parsing the Achievement Gap—An ETS study presenting the links between student achievement and core factors that are often related to students' racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status.

Horizons of Opportunities also links to another notable resource—the Smithsonian Institution. In May, the National Museum of American History debuts a new exhibit co-sponsored by NEA: "Separate But Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education." To complement the exhibit, the museum will offer education programs and materials, including teacher resources for grades 4–12; school tours beginning fall 2004; a teacher workshop in the summer of 2004; and a Web site with a virtual exhibition and educational materials.

Teaching Tolerance Special Issue

Published twice a year, Teaching Tolerance magazine showcases innovative tolerance initiatives in schools across the country. The spring 2004 issue is a special anniversary edition of the Brown v. Board decision. Five articles and a timeline help students in grades 7–12 understand the legacy of the Supreme Court decision and the continuing struggle to integrate U.S. schools. Of particular note is a Q&A with prominent Americans (including Reg Weaver), who reflect on the legacy and impact of Brown v. Board. The magazine also includes classroom activity suggestions, project ideas, and resources that accompany the articles. The issue may be downloaded in PDF format. To subscribe to Teaching Tolerance, send a written request on school letterhead by mail or fax to: Teaching Tolerance, Order Dept., 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104; fax 334-956-8486. Magazine subscriptions are free to educators.

National Archives Lesson Plans

The National Archives and Records Administration presents lesson plans built around key documents in its collection, including the judgment rendered in Brown v. Board. The site's activities let students work with the documents to discern the Court's intent. Issues from Eisenhower's presidency that may have affected the outcome of Brown v. Board are also addressed, such as the nomination of Chief Justice Earl Warren.

Another section on the site, "Frontiers in Civil Rights," discusses a different 1950s civil rights court case, outlining activities in which students analyze historic photographs. Teaching activities are correlated to national standards and include bibliographies.

Dialogue on Brown v. Board of Education

The American Bar Association offers a guide to conducting a dialogue on Brown v. Board. The packet, which can be downloaded in PDF format and printed, includes discussion questions about the effects of the decision on students both then and now, as well as a series of discussions about other racial issues in education. Issues include the true nature of equality under the law, the role of schools in social change, racial preference in college admissions, and a discussion of who is guilty for the harms of slavery and segregation. The material can be used together or separately. Also included is a set of ground rules for participants, outlining appropriate behavior for discussing different viewpoints.

Civil Rights Chronology

A companion to Yale Law professor Jack Balkin's What Brown v. Board of Education Should Have Said (NYU Press, 2001), this Web site provides an exhaustive timeline of civil rights history. Covering the time period from 1502 when the first slaves arrived in the New World through 2000 when the Confederate flag was lowered from the state capitol in South Carolina, the timeline succinctly traces the steps leading to how we got to where we are today.

Civil Rights Lecture Notes

Educators can review this set of lecture notes from an online history class taught at the University of Wisconsin in Madison by Stanley Schultz. "Civil Rights in an Uncivil Society" describes the history of the civil rights movement from the 1920s through the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Also be sure to check out the "Hitchhiker's Guide to American History," which includes hundreds of links on various topics, including African Americans and civil rights.

Jefferson and Brown v. Board

This Web page from PBS discusses Brown v. Board of Education with Thomas Jefferson's belief in universal education in mind. In addition to providing a succinct summary of the issues facing the court, it urges students to consider the issue of de facto segregation, pointing out that—just as Thomas Jefferson believed in equal rights for all but still owned slaves—simply saying that something is wrong does not necessarily solve the problem.

Civil Rights and Our National Parks

Ever wanted to visit the places you read about in your history books? The National Park Service has compiled a map of important civil rights venues from the National Register of Historic Places. A click on any of the locations on the map reveals photos and a description of the events that transpired there. An overview of the civil rights movement can also be found on this site.

Examining the Issues

Help students understand the key issues of the Brown v. Board decision by visiting the Landmark Supreme Court Cases site. The site includes background information, excerpts from the Court decision, and student activities. Activities are organized according to how much instruction time a teacher has and range from simple reading and discussion assignments to moot court activities, political cartoon analysis, and Web site evaluation.

For the Younger Crowd

Created by The Brown Foundation, the Brown v. Board online activity booklet for young children includes a word search, an object hunt, and a maze that leads students to the U.S. Supreme Court. Each page includes a brief description of the activity's relevance to Brown v. Board and the civil rights movement. An online exhibit, "In Pursuit of Freedom: Kansas and the African American Public School Experience, 1855–1955," accompanies the booklet and features photographs with captions describing notable schools and figures in Kansas' struggle for equal opportunity in public education.

Monroe Elementary

The Web site of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site of Monroe Elementary gives information about the historic school. Also, find out about Bolling v. Sharpe, Briggs v. Elliot, and other cases related to the Brown v. Board case.

Ruby Bridges Foundation

The official Web site of the Ruby Bridges Foundation brings visitors face-to-face with the now-grown 6-year-old girl who integrated New Orleans' schools. Articles by and about Ruby Bridges are on this site.

NAACP Honors Brown

The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Web site commemorates Brown v. Board with a chronology of the case, background information, and articles describing the legacy of the famous ruling after 50 years.

NPR Series

National Public Radio presents a three-part series, which can be listened to online, that looks behind the scenes at the Supreme Court deliberations that produced the landmark 1954 ruling. Segments include:

"Bringing the Case to the Supreme Court," "The Court Gets a New Leader," and "The Justices Rule, and Face New Challenges." The site also links to other related NPR stories and Web resources.

Hear the Brown Decision

Tired of reading about the court case? Then listen to an excerpt of the Brown v. Board of Education decision as it is being read. This site also gives a brief background on Linda Brown and the Brown case.

In Print

Through Her Eyes

In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges tells her own story about how she, as a 6-year-old, became the first Black student ever at the William Frantz Public School in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 14, 1960. 64 pp. $5.95 from Scholastic. To order.

History of Brown

Brown v. Board of Education: A Brief History with Documents by Waldo E. Martin Jr. can supplement lessons on Brown. It offers versions of relevant legal briefs and court decisions. The paperback provides the social history brought to life by newspaper editorials, political cartoons, and other materials from the Brown decision era. 254 pp. $16.95 from Bedford/ St. Martin's. To order.

Oral History Guide

Keeping the Struggle Alive: Studying Desegregation in Our Town by Bernadette Anand, Michelle Fine, Tiffany Perkins, and David Surrey chronicles how students in a New Jersey public middle school learned about their community's history of desegregation through a project that had them not only researching, but interviewing townspeople who participated in the struggle to desegregate schools up North. The volume includes a curriculum guide for teaching oral history that can be adopted to any classroom and shows teachers how to perform social action projects that involve youth in the complex issues concerning race relations and integration. 96 pp., $12.95 from Teachers College Press. To order.

On Film

The Road to Brown

This 56-minute video from California Newsreel details the story of Black lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston, guiding high school students step by step from the world of "separate but equal" sanctioned by the Plessy Supreme Court decision through Houston's precedent-setting cases, which chipped away at Jim Crow education and set the stage for the Brown ruling. Schools can purchase the video for $49.95. Free preview copies are available for two weeks. To order.

A Separate Place

This hourlong documentary from the Hagley Library outlines the ambiguous legacy of segregation and desegregation in African-American education, focusing on schools built by P.S. du Pont. The video features contemporary images and compelling interviews with teachers and students. $10.95. To order.

Grants and Awards

The NEA Foundation June Grants

Do you have an innovative idea that will improve student achievement, but lack the funds to bring it to life? The NEA Foundation's Innovation Grants can help.

Have you discovered a professional development opportunity that will benefit you and your colleagues, your students, and your school? Look to the Foundation's Learning & Leadership Grants.

Apply by June 1 for Innovation Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants and you will be notified by November 15. Applications are accepted on an ongoing, year-round basis, so proposals received after June 1 will automatically be included in the next review cycle. Grants fund activities for 12 months from the award date.

NEA members just like you have applied for and received over a thousand grants through the years. Read about their projects at www.nfie.org, and then submit your own idea. Innovation Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants are available for all subjects, including the arts, literacy, science, and technology.

All members who are practicing U.S. public school teachers in grades K–12, education support professionals, or higher education faculty and staff at public colleges and universities are encouraged to apply. We now offer bigger and better grants—up to $5,000 per project—to fund your BIG ideas.

Applying for a grant is easy, so why wait? Visit the NFIE Web site today for more information on all of our grant programs, including guidelines and an application, or call 202-822-7840.

Holocaust Remembrance Essay Contest

The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a national essay contest for high school students designed to encourage the study of the Holocaust. Scholarships and other prizes will be awarded to students in first, second, and third place categories. First place winners will participate in an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. In addition, scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded to the first place national winners.

Students entering this year's contest should study the Holocaust and then, in an essay of no more than 1,200 words: (a) analyze why it is so vital that the remembrance, history, and lessons of the Holocaust be passed to a new generation; and (b) suggest what they, as students, can do to combat and prevent prejudice, discrimination, and violence in our world today.

Contest rules and submission requirements.

Send essays to Holocaust Remembrance Project, Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2877, Tampa, Florida 33601. Essays must be received at the address above no later than 5 p.m., ET, on April 30, 2004.

Books for Rural Libraries

The Libri Foundation helps rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Libraries are qualified on an individual basis but should serve a population under 10,000, have a limited budget, be in a rural area, and have an active children's department.

The Foundation works with the library's Friends of the Library or other local organizations to encourage local support of libraries. The Friends, or other sponsors, can contribute from $50 to $350, which the Foundation matches on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of hardcover children's books through the Foundation's Books For Children program. The local librarian then selects the books from the Foundation's 700-title booklist, which has been highly praised by participating librarians for the quality and variety of titles offered.

Applications are accepted from independent libraries; libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system; and school libraries only if they also serve as the public library.

To request an application packet, e-mail your name and your library's name and mailing address to librifdn@teleport.com. Or contact The Libri Foundation, P.O. Box 10246, Eugene, OR 97440; 541-747-9655; fax: 541-747-4348.

Unsung Innovators in Education

ING's Unsung Heroes program awards funds to K–12 educators generating new methods and techniques that improve student learning. Educators submit applications describing projects they have initiated or would like to create. Applications are judged on teachers' innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and ability to have a positive influence on students.

One hundred finalists will receive $2,000 awards made payable jointly to the recipient and to his or her school. Of the 100 finalists, three are selected for additional awards.

Download an application or call 866-464-8727. The application deadline is April 30, 2004.

Help Fight for Global Literacy

About one in five children around the world are not in school today, according to UNESCO. It's a sad reality, but NEA and Education International (EI), the world organization of educators' unions, are working to change it, and you can help.

As part of the Global Campaign for Education, an organized global literacy drive supported by EI and other organizations, NEA is working to encourage the U.S. government to honor its international commitment to fund Education For All in developing countries with $1 billion a year by 2006, roughly three times the current level.

To support this effort, you can celebrate Global Action Week, April 19–23, by talking with your students about what governments can do to achieve universal basic education by 2015. Links to information and lesson ideas for teaching about the global education drive, which features the Biggest Lobby Ever in 2004, can be found at www.nea.org/international. This year's campaign poster shows TV's West Wing actors Bradley Whitford (Josh) and Dulè Hill (Charlie) with photos of two girls who are not in school. The lesson materials include the stories of the girls.

Education is the key factor in economic development and human rights, particularly for those children most likely not receiving education—girls. And universal quality public education supports development and avoids the misery that can lead to terrorism, notes NEA staffer Joanne Eide.

To bring awareness to this situation and its remedy, teachers can celebrate Global Action Awareness Week, April 19–23, by talking with students about what their governments can do to achieve universal basic education by 2015. Education International, the world organization of educators' unions, and the Global Campaign for Education are organizing this project, called the Biggest Lobby Ever. In the United States, NEA is working with the Basic Education Coalition to have our government honor its international commitment to funding education for all in developing countries with $1 billion a year by 2006, roughly three times the current level.

Links to information and lesson ideas you can use to teach about the global literacy drive. You can also get posters that portray TV show West Wing actors Bradley Whitford (Josh) and Dulè Hill (Charlie) holding photos of two young girls from India and Kenya who are not in school. The lesson materials will include the stories of these two girls and other children.

OWL.org

Too Busy for Professional Development? Try an Online Course

Spring—and an educator's mind turns to thoughts of—professional development!

Every year, educators across the United States participate in professional development courses to attain an advanced degree or obtain continuing education credits to meet state licensing requirements. As a busy teacher or education support professional, you may be thinking about taking a course or two yourself, but you know how daunting it can be to take classes on weeknights and weekends in addition to keeping up with your other responsibilities. That's why we've created an online solution for busy educators. Through OWL.org, NEA's professional Web site for members, you can enroll in a wide variety of online education courses provided by widely recognized companies such as Cantor and Associates, Pearson Education, and the Center for Online Professional Development. Best of all, NEA members receive special course discounts available nowhere else. Check out the convenience and savings at www.OWL.org.

What's Up at HIN

Tips for Dealing with Crisis, Trauma, and Loss

When a traumatic event happens, how do you handle it with kids? Decisions about how to respond can be a very personal matter for teachers and families. Much depends on one's personal style, past experience, nature of the crisis event, and the social/emotional climate. With support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the NEA Health Information Network has developed a one-page handout that offers guidance on turning crisis events into teachable moments. For more information on the topic, e-mail mentalhealth@neahin.org. View or download a copy.

"Working Together, So Everyone Can Breathe Better"

Mark your calendars—May 2004 is Asthma Awareness Month and May 4th is World Asthma Day. NEA HIN is joining with the U.S. EPA and other federal and nonprofit organizations to sponsor asthma education events around the country. The events will raise awareness about the indoor and outdoor pollutants that trigger asthma episodes and how to avoid or eliminate them. Join NEA HIN and the EPA by sponsoring an asthma awareness program

in your school, local association, or community. Free copies of EPA's World Asthma Day Event Planning Kit. To learn more about NEA HIN's asthma initiative or contact Jennie Young to learn how to sponsor an asthma event in your school.

Good Health Boosts Test Scores

New research emphasizes the strong connection between student academic achievement and student health and well-being. A new promotional poster from NEA HIN sends this key message and highlights programs available to NEA members. If you would like to receive a free copy of the poster for your school, contact NEA HIN at 202-822-7570. You can also visit the HIN website to download a free 8 1/2- by 11-in. copy and to learn more about the link between student achievement and health.

On TV

The True Story of Seabiscuit

A&E Classroom, April 26, 7 a.m., ET. Seabiscuit was a smallish brown "runt" with an attitude some teachers will know quite well. His lack of interest in racing changed when he was purchased by enigmatic horse trainer Tom Smith, who "read" Seabiscuit and understood that he had to be coaxed rather than prodded. Smith gave Seabiscuit plenty of rest, plenty of animal friends, and better food. Seabiscuit repaid the kindness by winning most of his races. He would race to the front, slow down to let the second-place horse catch up, and then race off again. This documentary includes many interviews: a horse trainer who befriended Smith, a jockey who trained with him, and a fan present at the famous Santa Anita race when Seabiscuit finally won the $100,000 purse. A&E Classroom has developed a teacher's guide for middle and high school social studies students (Look under "T" for the lesson plans).

Confident for Life: Kids and Body Image

Disney, April 6, 3 a.m., ET. Designed for kids and teens, this documentary explores the relationship between body image and self-esteem as well as the influence of peers and the media on self-worth. Can be taped and used in the classroom for one year with teaching materials.

Restore America: A Salute to Preservation

HGTV, April 19, 5 a.m., ET. In partnership with The National Trust for Historic Preservation, this series recognizes restoration efforts at 12 national sites. This month's program features the Conservatory of Flowers, the oldest public conservatory in the Western Hemisphere, boasting a collection of rare tropical plants; the Bodie Island Lighthouse, a classic example of an American light station; and Cranbrook House, an outstanding example of early 20th century design and craftsmanship, still in use for its original purpose. The show can be taped and used in the classroom for one year.

General George C. Marshall: Soldier and Statesman

A&E Classroom, April 22, 7 a.m., ET. Marshall never led a major military engagement, but as Roosevelt's Army Chief of Staff, he did create the order of battle during World War II. Marshall was a visionary who understood that the army had to mature and that this second war had to be fought globally. Later, as Truman's Secretary of State, he envisioned a plan to help win the peace in Europe. Marshall's reasoned and stirring speech to Congress led to what became known as the Marshall Plan, and the rebuilding of Europe began. This documentary makes great use of actual footage of important events, along with interviews of Colin Powell, Paul Nitze, and others. A study guide is available.

The Call of the Wild

Hallmark, April 26, 3 a.m., ET, check local listings. Rick Schroder stars in this 1993 adaptation of Jack London's story of self-discovery in the Yukon, which can be taped and used in the classroom for one year. Teaching materials can be found online.

The Legacy of the Roman Empire

Discovery Channel, April 29, 9 a.m., ET, check local listings. This hourlong program chronicles Rome's growth, downfall, and legacy, including its expansion from military conquests, letters from Roman soldiers, and the Byzantine Empire. Can be taped and used in the classroom for one year.

American Perspectives

C-SPAN, Saturdays, 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., ET, check local listings for specific dates and times. This program includes coverage of cultural and historical events, such as tours of unique museums or speeches by notable figures. Can be taped and used in the classroom forever. Teaching materials are available.

Books by NEA Members

Texts and Tests: Teaching Study Skills Across Content Areas

By Rona F. Flippo

Developed for teachers of grades 1–8 by a professor of reading education, this book is a primer of strategies for studying and learning from text. You will be able to enhance your current teaching techniques to improve students' reading, writing, thinking, and learning across the curriculum. Chapters include test preparation and test-taking skills, as well as strategy systems for reading, studying, and learning. Each chapter has reflection and "try it out" activities, plus an appendix of the most-used studying and learning forms. 144 pp. $17 from Heinemann. To order, call 800-225-5800 or e-mail customer service.

Grandparent Poems

Compiled by John Micklos Jr., illustrated by Layne Johnson

In honor of the love and strength that grandparents bring to their families, John Micklos presents this collection of 22 poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Jeff Moss, Nikki Grimes, and Micklos himself, among others. The poems depict the fun and generosity that grandparents provide, focusing on the special bond that exists between children and their grandparents. 32 pp. $15.95 from Boyd's Mill Press. To order, call 877-512-8366 or fax 800-874-8817.

Paris by Bistro: A Guide to Eating Well

By Christine Graf and Dennis Graf

Here's a charming guide for anyone planning a trip to Paris who wants to experience a distinctive aspect of Parisian life, a leisurely meal in a bistro. Christine Graf, a French teacher for over 20 years, recommends where to find extraordinary (and inexpensive) service, food, and atmosphere, while avoiding the tourist traps. She also throws in a bit of history on each bistro. Included is a glossary of useful terms on French cuisine. 280 pp. $17.95 from Interlink Publishing Group, Inc. To order.

To see more, visit Books by NEA Members.

Heads Up From NEA Member Benefits

The NEA Home Financing Program®, provided exclusively by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, proudly introduces the Home Asset ManagementSM Account! It's a revolutionary new home financing tool that allows you to make the most of your home ownership investment from day one.

The Home Asset ManagementSM Account is a home equity line of credit that's taken out simultaneously with a new first mortgage or a refinance. As your home increases in value, or the mortgage is paid down, the home equity line of credit automatically increases. You won't need to re-apply for a larger line of credit down the road, and you'll receive detailed statements that will track important changes in your equity.

Call 1-800-NEA-4-YOU (1-800-632-4968) to learn more!

Always Felt You Were 'Above Average?'

Well, it's true! Statistics show that educators have better than average driving records: fewer accidents and fewer claims than the general population. To recognize this, the NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program®, underwritten by California Casualty, offers NEA members preferred rates and discounts to cover their auto and home insurance needs. Features include:

• low rates with your NEA member discount
• multi-policy discounts for Auto & Home coverage
• discounts for family members who are good students or mature drivers
• theft of personal property from your vehicle covered up to $250—including school supplies

It's easy to get a quick, no-obligation quote over the phone by calling toll-free: 1-888-744-9717. Start saving now!

Diversity Calendar April

April 2—International Children's Book Day

This day helps young children develop an understanding of other cultures through literature. For more, go to www.ibby.org.

April 6–7—Passover

This Jewish feast, which begins at sunset on April 5, celebrates the emancipation of Jews from Egyptian rule.

April 6—Mormon Church Founded

On this day in 1830, Joseph C. Smith and Oliver Cowdery founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

April 11—Easter

Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day, observed on the Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox.

May

May 5—Cinco de Mayo

The anniversary of the Mexican victory over the French army in the 1862 Battle of Puebla.

May 3—World Press Freedom Day

The independence of the international press and of journalists is celebrated on this day. For more, contact UNESCO at 212-963-5995.

May 17—50th Anniversary of School Desegregation Ruling

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional on this day in 1954.