Education Newswatch May 2006

Get Caught Reading
Most teachers know that May is Get Caught Reading Month, a nationwide literacy initiative sponsored by the American Association of Publishers (AAP). But you may not be aware of the resources for teachers available on the program's website, www.getcaughtreading.org Included are teacher-submitted suggestions on how to celebrate this occasion in your classroom or school; teachers may also request up to 12 free full-color posters of celebrities who have been "caught" – including Dolly Parton, First Lady Laura Bush, Alicia Keyes, Maya & Miguel, Tiki Barber and Batman. (There is a $5.00 fee for s/h.)

The Go!Temp probe may "help develop an interest in exploration and scientific process."

Go!Temp Giveaway
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Vernier Software & Technology is launching a campaign to place a free Go!Temp temperature probe and accompanying Logger Lite® data-collection software in every single elementary, middle and high school in the country. "Research shows that data-collection technology in the science classroom helps promote student engagement and achievement...we believe this technology helps develop an interest in exploration and scientific process," says former physics teacher and company cofounder David Vernier.

Every state-accredited, private or public K-12 school with 50 students or more is eligible to receive one probe and the software. For more information and to register, go to www.vernier.com/giveaway

A "Cool" Job
Did you know that the frozen pop was invented by an 11-year-old boy, back in 1905? In celebration of kids' creativity and ability to come up with ingenious – and sometimes incredibly weird – flavor combinations, Nestlé Ice Cream is inviting children ages 6-12 to enter to become a "Flavorologist for a Day." Kids are encouraged to submit their ideas for the world's coolest frozen pop (including clever name, interesting shape and unique flavor description), as well as a "flavorful resumé" explaining why they are uniquely qualified for the position. Ten winners and up to three family members of each will be awarded all-expense-paid trips to the Nestlé Ice Cream Factory in Bakersfield, CA, to take a turn in the cool job title of Flavorologist and to learn about the science behind flavor creation. Each winner will also receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and frozen treats, including a special batch of his or her own flavor invention.

Students can enter online at www.icecream.com or by sending their submissions to Flavorologist for a Day, Nestlé Ice Cream, 5929 College Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. Entries must be postmarked by July 28, 2006.

One abominable snowman, 27 possible book endings.

Choose Your Own Adventure® Returns
Choose Your Own Adventure®, the popular book series originally published in the 1980s that puts readers in the protagonist's seat, is being re-released this spring. With their interactive, adventurous plots and multiple endings, these books have long been favorites of reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike. Author R.A. Montgomery has updated the texts, which are non-gender-specific and geared toward readers in grades 4-8, to reflect technological advances, recent historical discoveries and current political realities.

To request a copy of the first book in the series, The Abominable Snowman, by R.A. Montgomery (Chooseco Books, 2006), and an accompanying Teacher Guide sampler, go to www.sundancepub.com/choosebookoffer. The offer ends July 31, 2006 or while supplies last.

Make a Wish
Classroom Wishlist was created in 2004 as a nonprofit organization providing individuals, corporations and other organizations in the private sector a vehicle to identify and fill material needs of schools. Teachers select items they need for their classroom from an online catalog, creating a classroom wishlist. Generic or customized flyers are available to print out and give to your students' families or other possible wish granters. Parents, grandparents, companies and benefactors browse the wishlists, select the items they would like to see provided to the classroom and make a tax-deductible donation to Classroom Wishlist, which then purchases the selected items and delivers them to the classroom.

Additionally, for every dollar donated to Classroom Wishlist to fill the need of a classroom, Classroom Wishlist will buy 10¢ worth of products to fund the neediest schools in the country.

For more information and to register your classroom, visit www.classroomwishlist.org

"In an alphabet of 26 letters, D isn't that far from the top."

Health on the Web
Learntobehealthy.org is an online health education center designed to help teachers communicate important health concepts to children in grades K-6. The website promotes healthy lifestyle practices through fun, interactive games and activities. The goal of this health education website is to inspire children – and their families – to make healthy choices that will last a lifetime.

The website is free to join and provides teachers access to standards-based lesson plans, web-based activities and interactive games.

Classroom activities are organized into several health education kits based on specific health science-related topics. (Some sample areas of study are The Five Senses, Tobacco and Inhalants, Adolescence, Dental Health and Eating Healthy.) These kits offer a series of Internet-based educational activities along with the corresponding lesson plans. Each kit employs a variety of media and educational modalities, such as games with animation, vivid graphics and sound effects, to make learning engaging and fun. The kits also address specific learning objectives, State and National Health and Technology Education Standards and the diverse learning styles of all students. The detailed lesson plans accompanying each activity give teachers information and ideas to extend the learning experience beyond the online game and activity. To register, go to Learntobehealthy.org

Back-to-School Scholarships
Horace Mann, the insurance company that caters specifically to educators, is offering 36 scholarships totaling $30,000 to help teachers continue their educations. Applicants must be currently employed by a U.S. public or private school district and planning to take classes at a two- or four-year accredited college or university.

Applicants must have at least two or more years of teaching experience. Scholarship applicants will be judged on a written essay, school and community activities and letters of recommendation. The program is not open to residents of Hawaii, New Jersey and New York.

For more information and to apply, contact your local Horace Mann representative or visit www.horacemann.com, click on Educator Resources and go to the Scholarship section. All applications must be received by May 16, 2006.