Here is a copy of the Newsletter. Scanning through I saw a couple of items I thought could be interesting.
FUNDRAISING PROGRAM Target's Take Charge of Education program was launched in April 1997 to bring the Target tradition of giving to the heart of its communities. Through the program, Target donates an amount equal to 1 percent of REDCardSM (Target Visa and Target Card) purchases made at Target stores and Target.com, and 1/2 percent of Target Visa purchases made elsewhere, to the eligible K-12 school of the shopper's choice. Schools have used these unrestricted funds for everything from student recognition programs and new playground equipment to library books and school musical costumes. Since the program was launched, Target has donated more than $120 million through fundraising efforts. Now promoting this fundraising program for your school is simple with Target's new online fundraising tools. Download and print posters, flyers, clip art and more-everything you need to spread the word. Web: http://www.target.com/tcoe And an idea for a programming class LEGO SCIENCE COMPETITION The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) series of science competitions includes the FIRST LEGO League. Teams of no more than 10 students, aged 9 -14, and one adult coach develop solutions to an annual "challenge." In essence, students design a LEGO-constructed programmable robot. Field Setup Kits, shipped in late summer, provide a printed plastic field map that robots interact with, as well as the LEGO elements to build the robot and a CD of instructions. The tsunami in the Indian Ocean inspired this year's theme: 2005 Ocean Odyssey Challenge. Students are challenged to "find solutions that will sustain the health, biodiversity and productivity of the world's oceans." There are fees to participate. For more information, contact: US FIRST, (800) 871-8326 or visit these sites. Deadlines: Teams register from May through September; local and state tournaments are held from November through January; World Festival (finals) takes place the following April Web: http://www.firstlegoleague.org Web: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_chal.htm Web: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_gi.htm The entire Newsletter is below. ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 1 May 2005 16:03:45 -0500 BIG DEAL BOOK of TECHNOLOGY for K-12 Free Resources - Grants - Contests - Training - Web Sites Now you can access all of the Big Deal Book resources ONLINE! Visit our redesigned Web home @ http://www.bigdealbook.com. Subscribe for yourself or for your entire school. Browse our eBookstore too! You'll receive an automatic discount on some 3,000 e-book titles from major educational publishers. BDB's biweekly E-letter Timely reminders, fabulous freebies, best sites & more "worth the surf" GRANTS AND FUNDING ONE YEAR OF FREE VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE Discovery Education is offering a risk-free opportunity to sign up for a free year of unitedstreaming, a video-on-demand service proven to increase student achievement in math, science and social studies. Unitedstreaming provides teachers and students with access to more than 26,000 videoclips correlated to state standards and spanning all areas of the K-12 curriculum. This free subscription is available to one school in every district that does not currently subscribe. School district technology coordinators can sign up for the offer at this site or call (800) 261-9200. Web: http://www.vod.unitedstreaming.com FUNDRAISING PROGRAM Target's Take Charge of Education program was launched in April 1997 to bring the Target tradition of giving to the heart of its communities. Through the program, Target donates an amount equal to 1 percent of REDCardSM (Target Visa and Target Card) purchases made at Target stores and Target.com, and 1/2 percent of Target Visa purchases made elsewhere, to the eligible K-12 school of the shopper's choice. Schools have used these unrestricted funds for everything from student recognition programs and new playground equipment to library books and school musical costumes. Since the program was launched, Target has donated more than $120 million through fundraising efforts. Now promoting this fundraising program for your school is simple with Target's new online fundraising tools. Download and print posters, flyers, clip art and more-everything you need to spread the word. Web: http://www.target.com/tcoe SUPPORT FOR INVENTION The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative that provides a unique opportunity for high school youth to gain hands-on experience in the exciting and rewarding world of invention. High school science, mathematics and technology teachers and students at public, private and vocational schools may apply online for the $10,000 award. Deadline: May 6, 2005 Web: http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/ MENTAL HEALTH CARE The U.S. Department of Education's Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program provides grants funds to increase student access to high-quality mental health care by developing innovative approaches that link school systems with the local mental health system. State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs) and Indian tribes are eligible for awards ranging from $150,00 to $350,000. Deadline: May 16, 2005 Web: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan2051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/ 2005/05-6744.htm PARENT RESOURCE CENTERS The Community Parent Resource Centers program designed by the U.S. Department of Education is intended to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information to help improve results for their children. Local parent organizations, which must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities in planning, implementing and evaluating the projects, are eligible for grants of up to $100,000. Deadline: May 20, 2005 Web: http://www.taalliance.org/centers/ Web: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/ 2005/05-6747.htm FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY The CIGNA Foundation has partnered with Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC), a nonprofit organization that assists schools, programs and communities in creating healthful eating and physical activity opportunities for children in an effort to help fight childhood obesity. The program will offer two-year grants to provide tools, guidance and ongoing support to help schools develop a school wellness policy and create a healthier school environment. All elementary schools in Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia and Richmond are eligible for the grants. Deadline: May 27, 2005 Web: http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/showcase.php READING AND ART PROGRAMS The Target Local Giving Program promotes a love of reading and encourages children to read together with their families. Awards recognize programs that inspire young readers (birth through third grade) and programs that bring the arts to schools or schoolchildren to the arts. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000 and are based on a quiz. Deadline: May 31, 2005 Web: http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/local_giving.jhtml INNOVATIONS IN TEACHING The NEA Foundation provides grants for the purpose of engaging in high-quality professional development or implementing project-based learning and break-the-mold innovations that raise student achievement. All public school teachers and education support personnel, as well as faculty and staff in higher education institutions, are eligible to apply for a maximum $5,000 award. Deadline: June 1, 2005 Web: http://www.nfie.org/grants.htm CONTESTS, AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS LEGO SCIENCE COMPETITION The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) series of science competitions includes the FIRST LEGO League. Teams of no more than 10 students, aged 9 -14, and one adult coach develop solutions to an annual "challenge." In essence, students design a LEGO-constructed programmable robot. Field Setup Kits, shipped in late summer, provide a printed plastic field map that robots interact with, as well as the LEGO elements to build the robot and a CD of instructions. The tsunami in the Indian Ocean inspired this year's theme: 2005 Ocean Odyssey Challenge. Students are challenged to "find solutions that will sustain the health, biodiversity and productivity of the world's oceans." There are fees to participate. For more information, contact: US FIRST, (800) 871-8326 or visit these sites. Deadlines: Teams register from May through September; local and state tournaments are held from November through January; World Festival (finals) takes place the following April Web: http://www.firstlegoleague.org Web: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_chal.htm Web: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_gi.htm FREE AND INEXPENSIVE RESOURCES ONLINE "SCIENCE TOOLBOX" At its convention in April 2005, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) unveiled Webwatchers SciGuides, an online "science toolbox" for science educators. Each SciGuide, available to members for $4.95 and to nonmembers for $5.95, breaks down a major topic, such as "genetics" or "organisms," into subcategories with links to age-appropriate Web sites and suggestions on how to integrate the Internet into classroom activities. Don't miss the online multimedia demo. Web: http://sciguides.nsta.org/ REAL-WORLD MATH Bring real-world mathematics into your classroom with Measurement in Motion, an interactive software package that allows students to define measurements on top of QuickTime movies, and connect and work with those measurements in multiple representations, including tables, bar charts, line graphs, histograms, scatter plots and statistical views. Web: http://www.learn.motion.com/products/measurement/ *******************************EBOOK DESTINATION******************************* www.ebookdestination.com Find fabulous resources at eBook Destination. Hit a homerun with these engaging digital books! Sports Brain Teasers from Teacher Created Resources (Intermediate, Challenging) Individual or whole-class activities that develop logic, critical thinking, research, spelling and vocabulary skills, while popular topics interest even reluctant learners. [title links to this page: http://www.ebookdestination.com/EBK4645/estore/product/TCR3352] Sports Page Scavenger Hunts from Teacher Created Resources (Challenging) Ideas for using the newspaper's sports page to enhance students' reading, math and research skills. [title links to this page: http://www.ebookdestination.com/EBK4645/estore/product/TCR2391] www.ebookdestination.com *******************************EBOOK DESTINATION******************************* BILINGUAL PICTURE BOOK Author Tim Hoppey is a veteran New York City firefighter of 19 years. He is stationed in East Harlem, which is the setting for his first children's book, Tito, the Firefighter / Tito, el bombero. In this bilingual picture book (English text embedded with Spanish words), a boy admires his neighborhood bomberos (firefighters). He dreams of being a bombero someday, but he never dreamed that his ability to speak both English and Spanish would actually help the firefighters save the day. This motivating children's book is a great way to extend the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. For the month of May, order through the Raven Tree Press Web site and receive free shipping. Web: http://www.raventreepress.com PROGRAM FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Language First!, LeapFrog Schoolhouse's multisensory program for English language development, combines the interactive technology of the LeapPad(r) personal learning tool with 36 leveled books to develop oral language skills and essential vocabulary at all levels of English proficiency. The curriculum units teach more than 2,500 essential vocabulary words that touch on nine universal themes. Native language support allows students to hear instructions in their primary language. Web: http://www.leapfrogschoolhouse.com/do/findsolution? detailPage=overview&id=languagefirst OF SPECIAL INTEREST NATIONAL TEACHER DAY / TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK May 3, 2005 is National Teacher Day, a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make in our lives. While it takes many people to make a school succeed, this day focuses on the teachers who work to make public schools great places for students to succeed. This year the day is especially dedicated to those teachers who are serving in the U.S. military forces. The entire week of May 1-7, 2005 has been designated Teacher Appreciation Week by the National PTA. Web: http://www.nea.org/teacherday/index.html GET CAUGHT READING MONTH Get Caught Reading is the nationwide campaign sponsored by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. Although the campaign is promoted year-round, May has been set aside as Get Caught Reading Month. Former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder launched the campaign in 1999; AAP launched the Spanish version, Ajá leyendo!, in 2003. Many celebrities and members of Congress support the campaign; some appear in promotional posters. The most recent poster features singer/ songwriter Alicia Keys. The posters are free (with a $5.00 charge for postage and handling); they can be ordered or downloaded from this site. Web: http://www.getcaughtreading.org/ REPORTS AND ARTICLES OF INTEREST "COMMON SENSE" APPROACH TO NCLB Under a new approach to implementing the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law, states will have alternatives and flexibility if they can show they are raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings made the announcement on April 7, during a meeting with the nation's state education chiefs and other education leaders at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Secretary Spellings said the new guidelines, Raising Achievement: A New Path for No Child Left Behind, are a comprehensive approach to implementing the law, and she reiterated that "the bright lines of the statute"- such as annual testing to determine student achievement, reporting results by student subgroups and highly qualified teachers-are not up for negotiation. States that show results and follow the principles of NCLB will be eligible for new tools to help them meet the law's goals of getting every child to grade level by 2012-2014. Visit this site for more information about the April 7 announcement, including the secretary's speech and fact sheets on the new policy. Web: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2005/04/04072005.html PERFORMANCE OF INNER-CITY SCHOOLS The Council of the Great City Schools has prepared the fifth edition of Beating the Odds to give the nation another look at how inner-city schools are performing on the academic goals and standards set by the states. This analysis examines student achievement in math and reading through spring 2004. It also measures achievement gaps between cities and states, African Americans and whites, and Hispanics and whites. And it includes new data on language proficiency, disability and income. Finally the report looks at progress. Data are presented for each city and state. Download the full report, in PDF format, from this link. Web: http://www.cgcs.org/pdfs/BTOVFINALFULLCOPY3.30.05.pdf STUDENT PROGRESS UNDER NCLB According to a Northwest Evaluation Association study involving a "broad but not nationally representative" sample of students in 23 states, student math and reading scores have improved somewhat under NCLB, but within grades over the course of the school year, students made less academic progress than they did before the law was implemented. Researchers found that minority students' growth lagged behind that of whites, a troubling trend, which, they said, could widen the achievement gap. Read the report "The Impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on Student Achievement and Growth: 2005 Edition" at this site. Web: http://www.nwea.org/research/nclbstudy.asp AYP SANCTIONS A first-of-its-kind analysis by the Education Commission of the States (ECS) shows how many-and what percentage of-schools face sanctions for failing to meet the adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. This new 50-state compilation, StateNotes, presents the number of schools facing sanctions in each state during the 2004-2005 school year, and the level of sanctions they face. Sanctions range from being required to provide their students an opportunity to transfer to a better school to having to undergo full-scale restructuring. Check out the details at this site. Web: http://www.ecs.org/html/educationIssues/ECSStateNotes_2004.asp PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS Direct parental involvement in school decreases dramatically when a child reaches his or her teen years, writes Sue Blaney. Yet such involvement is essential at the middle and high school levels and can be one of the strongest predictors of a teenager's scholastic achievements. What's to be done? What really drives this parental behavior? And how can middle and high school educators improve communication with, and involvement from, parents? "Strengthening Parental Involvement in Middle and High Schools: Cultivating Communication and Connections" explores the dynamics of the often-tentative relationship between parents of teenaged students and their child's school, and offers some prescriptive advice on what educators can do to improve connections and build trust and new relationships. Visit this site and scroll down to Special Report to download the entire document. Web: http://www.pleasestoptherollercoaster.com/Parenting-teenagers.htm F FOR ASSESSMENT Throughout the country, students and teachers are preparing for another round of standardized testing. As this annual ritual takes on increasingly high stakes for children, educators and schools, it behooves us to know everything we can about assessments. So, before you sharpen your No. 2 pencil, click and read the full story in the April/May issue of Edutopia. Web: http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/ed1article.php?id=art_1267&issue=apr_05 DISTANCE EDUCATION IN K-12 SCHOOLS During the 2002-2003 school year, an estimated 36 percent of the nation's school districts had students taking online classes, according to a recently released U.S. Department of Education study, the first national survey of distance education courses and enrollment in K -12 schools. The study found that cybercourses help schools reduce students' scheduling conflicts and allow districts to offer courses students normally can't get at their schools. Download, view and print the full report, as a PDF file, from this site. Web: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2005010 KEEPING PACE WITH ONLINE LEARNING Online learning-also referred to as e-learning, virtual learning and a mode of distance learning-provides opportunities for students whose choices may be limited to their rural location, who are unable to attend classes due to physical illness or expulsion, who seek credit recovery or advanced courses or who have scheduling conflicts in their home school. Online learning also can be a good alternative for students who have work or family obligations outside of school. In addition, students who have social or behavioral issues in school find that online learning allows them to focus more on content. High school reformers in particular look at online learning as a means of providing new options to students. This policy brief highlights K-12 online learning policy and practice based on the report "Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning: A Snapshot of State-Level Policy and Practice." The publication will help education stakeholders be proactive in shaping policies in order to ensure success in broad access, equitable opportunities and high-quality online learning options. Web: http://www.ncrel.org/policy/pubs/html/pivol17/index.html NEWSPAPER USE IN SCHOOL Young adults who remembered using the newspaper in school were more likely to develop lifelong readership habits than those who said they had no exposure to newspapers in school, according to a study of 1,500 18- to 34-year-olds released in fall 2004 by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) Foundation. The study, "Growing Lifelong Readers," was part of the NAA Foundation's continuing efforts to document how using newspapers in schools can foster literacy and readership in children and help to develop lifelong reading habits. For further information about the NAA Foundation or the Newspaper in Education program, visit the NAA Web site. Web: http://www.naa.org/artpage.cfm?AID=6432&SID=2037 "WORTH-A-LOOK" WEB SITES PETITION FOR READER PRIVACY Section 215 of the Patriot Act gives the FBI expanded authority to search business records, including the records of bookstores and libraries. The FBI may request the records secretly; it is not required to prove that there is "probable cause" to believe the person whose records are being sought has committed a crime, and the bookseller or librarian who receives an order is prohibited from revealing it to anyone except those whose help is needed to produce the records. The Campaign for Reader Privacy, sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association and PEN American Center, is a nationwide effort to obtain 1 million signatures in support of legislation to allow Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act to expire on December 31, 2005, as it is scheduled to do. To sign the petition, go to this site. Web: http://www.readerprivacy.org ONLINE CLUBHOUSE FOR KIDS At AOL Online's KOL(tm) Service for Kids, children aged 6-12 can design and build their own virtual clubhouses and invite friends in to chat, draw and do other activities, all in a parentally supervised setting. Web: http://aolcvc.kol.aol.com/hg_mn.adp NATIONAL EDUCATION DATA SERVICE SchoolMatters.com is the largest easily searchable collection of education performance data ever assembled. In addition to student achievement information, financial data and demographic breakdowns, the service includes powerful analytical tools and objective analyses provided by Standard & Poor's. Web: http://www.schoolmatters.com STEROID ABUSE A good deal of the focus of recent news events has been on steroid abuse. In this timely animated movie from BrainPop, Tim and Moby explain the reasons some people may abuse steroids and the harmful side effects of doing so. In the end, Tim and Moby explain that abusing steroids is simply a bad idea. To view the movie online, click on this link. Web: http://www.brainpop.com/health/personalhealth/steroids/ WINSTON CHURCHILL'S SPEECH Winston Churchill's historic "Iron Curtain" speech, given in Missouri in 1946, may be heard in its entirety online, thanks to a partnership among the Churchill family, Cisco Systems, researchers and the Imperial War Museum in London. The online archive includes the former British prime minister's speech notes. Web: http://www.churchillspeeches.com/ PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS IN AP COURSES The College Board recently introduced Springboard(tm), a comprehensive and integrated program for students in grades 6-12 designed to increase the number and broaden the diversity of students prepared to succeed in college and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This unique math and English language arts program helps students develop the critical thinking, reasoning and writing skills that they will need to succeed in college. It incorporates rigorous standards, professional development, instructional resources and diagnostic assessments, delivered through a Web-based program, which is infused with the College Board Standards for College Success(tm) and directly linked to all state standards. For more information, call (800) 999-9149 or visit the K-12 professional pages on the College Board site. Web: http://www.collegeboard.com NATIONAL ANTHEM PROJECT Americans are going to get a refresher course on the lyrics and importance of "The Star Spangled Banner," courtesy of the nation's music teachers. The National Association for Music Education kicked off its campaign, the National Anthem Project, in March 2005. In addition to teaching the words and history of the anthem, the project aims to raise awareness about the importance of music education in schools. The multiyear effort will include education initiatives, special performances and alliances with professional sports teams, and an extensive mobile marketing tour. Web: http://www.thenationalanthemproject.org/ VISIT TO COOPERSTOWN The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an independent nonprofit institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the history of baseball and its impact on our culture. The next best thing to visiting the Hall of Fame is participating in a videoconference. The EBBETS (Electronically Bringing Baseball Education To Students) Field Trip Series transports the wonders of Cooperstown to your classroom. Choose any of the 10 thematic units-women's history, character education, math, geography, economics, U.S. history, technology, diversity, fine arts and communication arts-and participate in a live, interactive lesson with a museum educator. Learning objectives and artifacts abound in this hour-long visit to one of America's premier education destinations. Web: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/education/videoconference.htm ADVERTISING GIMMICKS Teach youngsters to be media savvy by lifting the veil on popular advertising gimmicks. Don't Buy It: Get Media Smart is a media literacy Web site for young people that encourages them to think critically about media and become smart consumers. Activities on the site are designed to provide youth with the skills and knowledge needed to question, analyze, interpret and evaluate media messages. Web: http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/ If you received a forwarded version of this newsletter and wish to subscribe for FREE, visit: http://www.bigdealbook.com Copyright (c) 2005 The Big Deal Book Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Toll free: (800) 650-0034; Fax: (847) 991-8086 --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus on the server aea8.k12.ia.us] --------------------------------------------------------- Archived messages from this list can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us/ ---------------------------------------------------------
