 |
Spotlight: July and Beyond
Space Travel
The year 2009 has been designated as Year of Science and Year of Astronomy -- and also marks the 40th anniversary of NASA's dramatic moon landing by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on the Sea of Tranquility, viewed on television by an estimated 500 million people worldwide on July 20, 1969.
Observe this major anniversary with Annenberg Media resources related to the moon and space exploration.
See a picture of the Apollo 11 moon landing
in the American Passages archive. The page mentions connections to the literature of Thomas Pynchon and the shifting lines of demarcation between science and science fiction. Mathematics Illuminated Unit 13, "The Concept of Chaos," explains how mathematics made space flight and moon missions possible in the past — and how an understanding of chaos can propel the next generation of space travel technologies.
Learn about the psychosocial dynamics of space missions with Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition Program 24, "Applying Psychology in Life." Increase your understanding of the moon and our solar system — and learn strategies for addressing children's own conceptions of the heavenly bodies — with Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science Sessions 7 and 8.
To demonstrate the role and necessity of exponents, Algebra: In Simplest Terms Program 3 discusses the space shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986 and how the problem — O-ring failure — might have been predicted. The physical laws that lay the foundation for space travel are explained in The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond Programs 8, "The Apple and the Moon"; 24, "Navigating in Space"; and 26, "The Harmony of the Spheres."
The second half of the program Calculating Change spotlights a statewide educational program in New Mexico in which students are asked to build model space shuttles. The segment also features an interview with Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female astronaut.
Ununbium: It's Elementary!
The periodic table of the elements will now have its 112 cell filled with the superheavy element Ununbium. Originally created from zinc and lead in an accelerator in Germany on February 9, 1996, the new element was officially recognized in May 2009 and has a mass number of 277. Ununbium, abbreviated to Uub, literally means 112; a permanent name is expected to be chosen sometime this July.
Teach about Ununbium with the help of our resources on atoms, chemistry, and the Periodic Table.
Essential Science for Teachers: Physical Science reviews the basics of the particle/atomic model of matter as well as common children's ideas about matter and how to address them in your teaching. For a basic understanding of atomic structure, watch The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond Program 49, "The Atom."
The World of Chemistry Programs 6 and 7 cover various aspects of atomic structure and the periodical table. Reactions in Chemistry Workshop 1, "Atoms and Molecules," features a panel of teachers discussing their own strategies for teaching about atoms. Observe the actual lessons of high school teachers Tom Pratuch; Pernell Williams; Leslie Pierce, Ph.D.; and Sharon Walton.
Learn the history and specifics of the periodic table, plus the characteristics of its elements, with our Periodic Table interactive.
Distance Learning
Welcome to summer! As you plan for upcoming semesters, take note of the
following information regarding your use of Annenberg Media distance
learning resources.
//What's New//
Coming fall 2009. (Available for licensing spring 2010) Art Through
Time, a new 13-part series that includes a free online textbook, guide,
and coordinated Web site. Call 1-800-LEARNER (532-7637) for a free preview.
//Important Reminders//
We would like to remind colleges that a license fee has been required
as of fall 2006 for the use of our video content in your distance
learning program.
The following distance learning courses are each supported by an
in-depth coordinated Web site — complete with an accompanying guide or
textbook — to enhance teaching and your students' learning experience:
American Passages, Bridging World History, Democracy in America, Ethics
in America II, The Habitable Planet, The Learning Classroom, Mathematics
Illuminated, Rediscovering Biology.
Our DVDs and online Video on Demand (VoD) are closed captioned.
Audio-described DVDs for your visually impaired students are available
upon request.
//Special Incentives//
Summer 2009 special incentive on math and science courses. For schools
currently licensing Against All Odds: Inside Statistics or College
Algebra/Algebra: In Simplest Terms, we are offering a 20% discount on
your license fee to adopt our new course Mathematics Illuminated. For
schools currently licensing Earth Revealed or Planet Earth, we are
offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course The
Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science.
We have combined the licensing for the original
Ethics in America and Ethics in America II. This will allow you to use
any of the hypothetical cases from either series to create an exciting
course highlighting new and historical debates from eminent leaders in
government, business, science, and academia.
In view of the current economic situation facing everyone this year,
there will be no price increase for licenses. Also, don't forget to
order your DVDs in time for the fall semester at our special pricing for
students enrolled in a distance learning course.
//Talk to Us//
We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your enrollment
numbers for the summer semester. You can send them via email to Nancy
Williams at nwilliams.learner@gmail.com.
Visit us at the following conferences over the next few months: Kansas
Summer Institute, July 30-31; and Wisconsin Distance Learning, August
5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our presentation. We would love
to connect!
Independence Day (July 4)
"Revolutionary Perspectives," the fourth unit of America's History in the Making, examines several facets of the political context in which the Declaration of Independence was signed. Watch A Biography of America Programs 4 and 5 to review the history of American political and national independence. Within each unit explore Web-based resources such as maps, timelines, and interactive activities.
Fireworks aren't just an exciting show — they're also chemistry! Learn about the science behind fireworks displays with Reactions in Chemistry http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/chemistry/workshop3/ Workshop 3, "Energetics and Dynamics." See the events surrounding American independence not in isolation, but as developments of Western civilization. Watch The Western Tradition Program 37, "The American Revolution," and Program 38, "The American Republic."
Explore the literature of independence with American Passages: A Literary Survey Unit 4, "Spirit of Nationalism: Declaring Independence, 1710-1850." Authors include Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Phillis Wheatley. Read the lyrics to all four verses of the U.S National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner and hear (or sing along) to a rendition of the song in the American Passages archive and read the lyrics to all four verses.
Chocolate Day (July 7)
Read about Europeans' first impressions of chocolate in the article "Conquests of Chocolate." Then visit this page which links to a radio program on the history of chocolate. See page six of this reading in PDF format from the "Food, Demographics, and Culture" unit of Bridging World History.
Today, chocolate is so popular that candies made from cocoa are used to raise money for school events and charities. The book The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is one the texts featured in "Asking Questions," the third unit of the Making Meaning in Literature video library. The unit includes a Venn diagram for comparing The Chocolate War with the book Tears of a Tiger.
Parents' Day (July 26)
Every fourth Sunday in July has been Parents' Day since 1994, when a Congressional Resolution was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The day was set aside to celebrate good parenting and honor parents who make sacrifices for the wellbeing of their children. The following resources can help parents better understand their children's psychological development and meet their educational needs and challenges:
The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years
Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition
Seasons of Life
Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1
Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2
School Testing—Behind the Numbers
Calculating Change
List for New Teachers
If you're new to teaching, you might benefit from a this new list of online
resources. Find the Learner.org Web site listed under "Video Sites," along with
other pages you may find helpful as you embark on your new career.
Established teachers looking for professional development or online
resources may also find material they can use in the classroom.
VOD Now Log-In Free
Visitors to Learner.org who want to see video online will no longer need
to sign on to watch. The video on demand feature has been converted to a
click and play system whereby users click on a video icon and the video
starts playing automatically. Future enhancements to the system will
include video in a Flash format that will make the content more easily
accessible for Mac users.
Learner.org -- Now a Brochure!
Annenberg Media has developed a handy brochure for professional development leaders, teacher coaches, and resource teachers to let their colleagues know about the wealth of professional development resources they can find on Learner.org for FREE. The compact (4x7") brochure shows the steps for accessing video and other resources at Learner.org. To view a copy of the brochure, go to this page and click on the brochure link.
If you would like to receive multiple copies of the brochure in packs of 50 or 100, send an email to pdbrochure@learner.org and include the following information:
- Your name
- Your institution
- Your mailing address (can be your home address, if that is more
convenient)
- The phone number that matches the mailing address (for UPS shipments)
Please also let us know where you are going to use the brochures (conference, staff development, etc.) and the date by which you need to receive them.
Habitable Planet Users' Comments Requested
Annenberg Media would like to hear from any users of the video or Web materials from The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science. We would especially like your comments on the effectiveness of the materials with students or for professional development. Please send any comments by June 24, 2009 to info@learner.org. Thank you!
[next: New Releases]
|
