Education Newswatch October 2005

In Brief
Born Learning
According to the U.S. Department of Education, nearly half of all kindergartners enter school with underdeveloped learning skills and lag behind their peers when learning essential skills like reading. In response, the United Way, in partnership with Civitas and the Ad Council, has launched a campaign called Born Learning. Designed to help parents and caregivers, Born Learning emphasizes fun early learning opportunities in everyday situations. The campaign includes advertisements, printed educational materials and a website (www.bornlearning.org) with action tips and resources. Most materials will also be produced in Spanish. According to United Way President and CEO Brian Gallagher, "Experts agree that a parent is a child's first and most influential teacher, and that they can foster childhood development long before a child enters the classroom."

Putting out Fires
"When you go out, blow out!" is the slogan for The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) campaign to promote candle safety. October 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week, and the NFPA's website provides several fire-retarding resources for teachers, including age-appropriate lesson plans and a bilingual, downloadable letter to send home to kids' caregivers. Go to www.nfpa.org and click on the Fire Prevention Week picture, where you'll find a link for teachers.

Middle Schoolers Go Bananas
The Rainforest Alliance, an international not-for-profit conservation organization, recently launched new standards-based environmental curriculum for seventh and eighth grade students. The new middle school programs were designed to educate students about the environmental and socioeconomic effects of banana production in Honduras. Students will have the opportunity to explore the origins of the banana, as well as the communities and wildlife affected by production of the world's most popular fruit. This program, as well as K-6 curriculum on topics from migratory songbirds to chocolate, are available on the Rainforest Alliance Learning Site, www.rainforestalliance.org/programs/education

UNICEF Trick-or-Treat Turns 55
In 1950, a Philadelphia youth group went door to door on Halloween night and collected $17 to help children their age in developing countries. Thus, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was born. Through this now-nationwide, month-long program, kids have raised more than $127 million for children in need around the world and become active global citizens in the process. You can learn how to involve your students in this effort this Halloween at UNICEF's new website for educators. Visit www.TeachUNICEF.org for free educational materials and, of course, UNICEF collection boxes.