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Volume 10, Issue 38
September 17, 2008

Apples for Teaching
Soon, reams of red construction paper will disappear from school supply rooms -- and the smells of cooking apples will permeate school hallways -- as teachers in many parts of the United States and Canada introduce their annual apple-themed lessons... and celebrate the September 26 birthday of Johnny Appleseed. Take your pick -- sample some of Education World's apple activities!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_special/apples.shtml

Constitution Day
Dozens of activities and resources for recognizing Constitution Day, September 17.
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson347.shtml

Punctuation Day
Recognize National Punctuation Day on September 24 with some of our "Grammar Without the Hammer" lesson plans, our Every-Day Edits, or this News for Kids article about some "punctuation police".

Quotation a Day
A quotation a day: just what the language doctor ordered. Many teachers have discovered the power of famous quotations. They use quotations to develop students' writing and critical thinking skills. Included: "Why use quotations?" plus a quotation a day for 180 days of school.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson132.shtml

Lesson Plan of the Day
Click the link above to see dozens of recent Lesson Plans of the Day, including the five lessons below that were posted last week.
Human Body - Create life-size diagram. (Grades K-12)
Piecing It Together - Learn U.S. state geography. (3-12)
Goldilocks - Write the sequel to a classic story. (3-8)
Music Video - Make a video for a familiar kid's song. (K-12)
Autumn Colors - Make these colorful window decorations. (K-5)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/dailylp.shtml

News for Kids
A new bike-sharing program in Washington, D.C., provides a healthy alternative to driving.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/newsforyou/newsforyou099.shtml

Friday Fun
Use this lively, team-based game to reinforce spelling skills.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/friday/friday006.shtml

Vicki Cobb’s Show-Biz Science
Learn about Isaac Newton by cutting an apple midair.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/showbiz_science/showbiz_science008.shtml

Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks Math Games With Joanne and Jane
This week: "A-Ten-Tion" teaches place value.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/boxcars/boxcars001.shtml

Learning Game of the Week
Match words with their definitions in "I Am…" game.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/learninggame/learninggame014.shtml

From the Math Machine
Long Line o' Math Cats is a fun Web site for teaching basic operations and problem solving. (Grades 5-12)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/mathmachine/mathmachine018.shtml

Reader's Theater
Can Humpty Dumpty Be Saved?
When Humpty Dumpty is injured in a fall, prospects for recovery look grim until twin computer geniuses use technology to put Humpty together again.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reading/ReadersTheater/ReadersTheater003.shtml

From the Writing Center

How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay
Step-by-step instructions for planning, outlining, and writing a five-paragraph essay.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev109.shtml

Now Performing at Kool-Aid House...
Jan McManus’s students share their writing "coffee house" style.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/teacher_feature/teacher_feature052.shtml

Writing Lessons
Adelita: A Bio Poem
Write a bio poem about Tomie dePaola's Adelita. (Grades K-2)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson027.shtml
Art Imitates Life
Study postcards of World War I; create postcards that reflect your life. (Grades 3-12)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2200.shtml

Writing Bugs
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
Choose a weird headline; be a news reporter.
Time for a Change
If I could change one thing about myself, I would...
A Really Bad Day
Tell about a time when an adult was very upset with something you did or did not do.
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/archives/writing_bugs.shtml

Go Figure
The Hot Dog Stand
How much -- or how little -- can Harry charge for the items on the menu?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/math/go_figure/go_figure006.shtml

Math Mnemonics
How Many Feet in a Mile?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/mnemonics/mnemonics006.shtml

Tech Lesson of the Week
Formatting Fun
Students practice formatting basics as they use them in classroom writing activities.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techlp/techlp003.shtml

*Early Childhood Center*
Rhyme Time
This week's poem for Early Childhood educators: Awesome Apples
Early Childhood Teaching Themes
Autumn
Apples
http://www.educationworld.com/a_earlychildhood/newsletters/

Teacher-Submitted Lesson Plans
Teacher-Submitted Lesson #1 Compare bottled water and pond water.
Teacher-Submitted Lesson #2 Students create pizza-box biographies.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/index.shtml

Bulletin Boards That Teach
Boggle Your Mind
Update this bulletin board once each week for spelling fun.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/bullboard/bullboard018.shtml

5-Minute Fillers
Volume #13
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/fillers.shtml

Every-Day Edits
Primary Edits Animals A to Z: Cheetah
Ele-Middle Edits Gershwin, Titanic, Jesse James…
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/animalsAtoZ.shtml
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/edit.shtml

Fact Monster Hunts
Primary Hunt September Hunt #3
Ele-Middle Hunt Hunt #3
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/factmonster.shtml

Vocab-ulous!
Words that begin with F
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/vocabulous/vocabulous004.shtml

Work Sheet of the Week
"Coin Combinations" -- printable money activities.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/worksheets/TCM/math_6_8.shtml

Best Books for Teaching About…
Each week, Education World presents our Editors’ Choices for the best books for teaching about popular classroom themes. Check out our choices and add your own recommendations to the Readers’ Voices section of this week’s themed booklists:
Best Books for Teaching About...
Spelling
Fitness
http://www.educationworld.com/a_bestbooks/archives/students.shtml

FROM OUR PRINTABLES LIBRARY

Backpack-tivities
These @ home learning activities are great family fun -- and learning. (Grades K-4)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/archives/homework.shtml

Math Cross Puzzles
Just like crosswords, but with math. (Grades 4-9)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/numbercross.shtml

Geography A to Z
Learn about world geography one letter at a time. (Grades 4-8)
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/geography_az.shtml

Just for This Month!
See our September Month of Fun, September Word Search, and September Coloring Calendar. PLUS: Create-your-own work sheet templates.

Alma Row's Gadget of the Week
SketchUp
This tool allows students and teachers to explore, explain, and present ideas using 3D models; to create structures to compliment Google Earth tours; and even to submit creations for addition to Google's collection.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/gadget/gadget005.shtml

Brenda Dyck's Blog
My Weary Query
For many educators, technology initiatives invoke feelings of dread, anxiety, or apathy. That often has perplexed me. How can the very thing that invigorates my teaching serve as a draining experience for another teacher?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/dyck/dyck031.shtml

Lorrie Jackson's Techtorial
Using Excel Spreadsheets to Create Interactive Gradebooks
Learn how to create a basic Excel spreadsheet and how to use it to record, average, graph, and print students' grades.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial009.shtml

Dr. Fred Jones: Tools for Teaching
Responsibility Training
The goal of Responsibility Training is to make responsible behavior in the classroom a matter of routine.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/columnists/jones/jones027.shtml

Emma McDonald: The New Teacher Advisor
Classroom Management: Freedom and Responsibilities
Discover how to empower students and open the door to mutual respect, positive attitudes, and good behavior.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/columnists/mcdonald/mcdonald028.shtml

Angela Powell: Getting It Together
Organize Classroom Aides
Make classroom paraprofessionals or volunteers feel welcome, appreciated, and well-informed.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/organization/organization006.shtml

Cathy Puett Miller: The Reading Coach
The Face of Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Did you know that student vocabulary should increase by 2,000-3,000 words a year -- and about 400 of those words should be taught directly? But how?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reading/ReadingCoach/ReadingCoach006.shtml

The Principal Poet
Mr. Ivan, Education World's Principal Poet, presents this week’s poem, “A New Way of Thinking.”
If our ears were little funnels
That hooked up to our brains,
I'll bet all our school learning
Could be done with little pain…
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/columnists/ivan/ivan001.shtml

Cooking with Joy
This Year’s Lunchbox: Waste Not, Want Not
"'What's for lunch?' has become a loaded question. Shall we pack it, run out for a sandwich, or brave the school cafeteria? This year, as the cost of food continues to rise, more of us will pack a lunchbox for ourselves and for our kids."
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/columnists/joy/joy010.shtml

Reading Feature
Shared Reading
Reading expert Dr. Janet Allen and two teachers offer tips for a successful start to shared reading.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev083.shtml

Featured Articles
Goal Setting: The Process in Action
The best way to help students see the goal-setting process in action is to set a class goal and work together to achieve it.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev151b.shtml

Partners for Student Success
"White Elephant Bingo" Is Jumbo-Sized Fun
On "White Elephant Bingo" night, everyone brings a "gently used" prize. Kids who win bingo games choose a prize. At the end of the night, the rest of the students pick a "new-to-them" prize too. The event is a great opportunity to bring together kids, parents, and teachers.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/partners/partners041.shtml

A New Spin on Back-to-School Night
Brenda Dyck describes a new model for Back-to-School Night in which students take the lead. Included are ideas to help you plan a student-led Back-to-School Night.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/voice/voice092.shtml

Rockin' Back With Style
In Carolyn Beitzel’s classroom, Back-to-School Night rocks with PhotoJam.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/teacher_feature/teacher_feature003.shtml

Fit To Be Taught, Vol.45

Revamped P.E. helps students set, meet fitness goals
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/fittobetaught/fittobetaught045.shtml

StretchBreak for Kids
Learn about this free software designed to help children avoid injuries associated with computer use.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat068-5.shtml

Responsive Classroom Success
A report on one school's success with Responsive Classroom strategies.
Do you have a comment about this video -- or a favorite online video you'd like to recommend to other educators? Click here to let us know about it.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/archives/videooftheweek.shtml

Better Students Through Technology
Technology-planning expert Dixie Conner explains how technology coordinators, by extending the use of technology beyond the classroom, can increase students' chances to reach -- and surpass -- today's stringent education standards.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech149.shtml

Newsletters 'R Us
Copy and paste this free content into your teacher or school newsletters.
The ABCs of Student Success F is for Failure
Caught on the Web Time Clock (Grades 2-up)
Newsletter Clipart Library Autumn
Math @ Home Great Games Online
Parent Pointers Emphasizing the Importance of Reading
quotED "Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/archives/newsletters.shtml

 

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Each week, we ask readers to cast their votes in The Weekly Survey. Cast your vote in this week's question of interest to all educators.

This Week's Survey Question
In the past, districts have exempted a few students from vaccinations for medical or religious reasons. Now the number of parents seeking waivers is rising. Should districts clamp down on vaccination waivers?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/survey/survey183.shtml

Last Week's Survey Results
A recent report notes that more than 200,000 children were spanked or paddled in U.S. schools last year. Should corporal punishment be banned in all U.S. schools?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/survey/survey182.shtml

 

Each week, Education World spotlights books of interest to educators. This week, read a brief summary of two more of our "top 50 books for educators."

Home, School and Community Relations: A Guide to Working with Families
Said to be for students as well as teachers, administrators, and parents, this book is probably of most use to teachers and principals. Author Carol Gestwicki is revisiting this topic in this 2006 book, having published a similar title in 1996. With practical guidance on such topics as how to deal with "Troublesome Attitudes and Behaviors," the book can certainly help schools navigate the tricky waters of community relations. With research showing that community engagement is highly correlated with better school performance, this guidance can be very valuable indeed.
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.

Paideia Proposal
First published in 1982, this book by philosopher Mortimer J. Adler is a modern classic. Taking the ancient Greek word paideia as its touchstone, this very brief book (under 100 pages) powerfully links education with democracy and proposes that society must make education the very center of its energies if it is to truly be democratic. Written before the technology revolution, the underlying argument of this book is, interestingly, even more important 25 years later.
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.

Click the icon to the right to see more books and many other products that are available in the Education World MarketPlace.

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The Best of LEARNING GAMES

If you enjoy Education World's weekly LEARNING GAMES feature, you'll love this book! Education World and the National Education Association (NEA) have joined forces to create a handy, pocket-size booklet of more than 30 of our most popular learning games. PLUS an extra bonus -- ten more games for classroom fun!

These classroom games span the grades and the major subject areas -- and inject a healthy dose of fun into the serious business of teaching and learning. Looking to fill the end of a hectic day with something fun and educational? Looking for a great reward for students that will make valuable use of free time? Looking to reinforce basic skills with a fun activity? These games will fill the bill!

Included in this 80-page booklet you'll find these games and more:

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Printables Library You're sure to find great resources here. Hundreds of printables!
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Teaching Themes for Early Childhood Sue LaBella offers teaching ideas for popular EC themes.
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