Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for August ***
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 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  Telecourse/e-Learning Bulletin
 -  This Month on the Channel
 -  Connect Learning with Special Days
     o Anniversary of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
     o Slavery Remembrance Day
     o Women's Equality Day
     o Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
     o Harvest Month
 -  Famous August Birthdays

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Harry Potter: The End of an Era

The publication of the seventh and final Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," marks the end of an era. Over the last decade, millions of children have developed a love of reading through their encounters with the characters in Harry Potter's magical world.

How to make the most of the Harry Potter books in the classroom? Find out with our video series "In Search of the Novel" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/nove1.html>, which features author J.K. Rowling in Program 3, "Are Novels Real?," Program 4, "Where Do Novels Come From?," and Program 7, "Who Am I in this Story?" The programs also feature the real classroom of 7th and 8th grade teacher Dirk Detlefsen, who both explains and models his approach to teaching "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone."

"In Search of the Novel" begins this month on the Channel. Check the broadcast dates <http://learner.org/redirect/august/novel2.html> for details.

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Immigration Reform

New Haven, Connecticut -- home to Yale University -- is now offering identification cards to its residents, including thousands of illegal immigrants. This comes at a time when many municipalities nationwide have been moving in the opposite direction -- for example, instituting measures to penalize those who employ or rent to immigrants who are without legal status. An immigration reform bill, which would have stepped up border security measures yet allowed the possibility for illegal immigrants to become citizens -- failed in the Senate in June.

If you plan to discuss immigration issues with your students, you may be interested in the following resources:

> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tml3.html>, particularly Workshops 7 and 8, which introduce authors, literary works, and key references related to immigrant issues.

> "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/pop4.html> Program 2, "Boundaries and Borderlands," which looks into the forces behind border crossings and migration patterns.

> Articles providing background on the immigrant experience in the U.S.: "Coming to America: Immigrants at Ellis Island" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass5.html>, "How the Other Half Lived: The Lower East Side" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass6.html>, and "Unionism and the Farm Workers Movement" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass7.html>. These pages also include links to historical images and poetry, which can be used to create a slideshow.

> Draw ideas from the 10th-grade geography lesson of Mavis Weir <http://learner.org/redirect/august/sslib8.html>. The Web site includes a Lesson Background page offering information on "Migration Trends in Six Latin American Countries," as well as links to Video on Demand and NCSS Standards.

> Immigration issues are not a new, but an integral part of the ongoing process of interpreting constitutional rights. Watch a lively discussion between distinguished discussants of differing perspectives in "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/cons9.html> Program 11, "Immigration Reform."

> History offers clues as to the power of the economics forces driving immigration. See "Capital and Labor" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/boa10.html>, Program 17 of "A Biography of America."

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Go to <http://learner.org/redirect/august/view11.html> for information about viewing options, including free Video on Demand.


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*** TELECOURSE/E-LEARNING BULLETIN ***

// Coming Fall 2007 //

NEW FOR LICENSED COLLEGES: VIDEO DOWNLOADS of Annenberg Media Distance Learning Telecourses through the ACT Media Web site. Enrolled telecourse students will be able to download course programs onto their personal computers, and then onto their Windows compatible mobile video players.

Students without mobile video players? Not a problem; videos may also be viewed directly on desktop computers. We will also continue to offer programs on both DVD and VHS. Annenberg Media and ACT Media are always striving to provide you and your students with high quality, progressive services and products. Go to <http://www.actmedia.org> for pricing information.

New Distance Learning Telecourses Available Fall 2007:

"Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/rbio12.html> explores recent advances in the field of biology that will continue to have a major impact on our lives. Multimedia components include:
   o 13 thirty-minute video programs
   o free online text and guide
   o coordinated Web site
   o free interactive Web activities

"The Learning Classroom: Theory into Practice" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tlc13.html> is a course designed to explore learning theory in grades K-12 and all subject areas. The series is an excellent course for students enrolled in pre-service education courses. Multimedia components include:
   o 13 thirty-minute video programs
   o coordinated Web site
   o free online guide for faculty and students

"American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass14.html> places literary movements and authors within the context of history and culture. The series takes an expanded view of American literary movements, bringing in a diversity of voices and tracing the continuity among them. Multimedia components include:
   o 16 thirty-minute programs
   o coordinated text, study and faculty guide
   o free coordinated Web site


// Coming in 2008 //

"The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science"

What makes Earth unique among the planets? This course explores the natural functions of Earth's systems: geophysical, atmospheric, and oceanic and ecosystems, as well as Earth's ability to sustain life -- especially human life. It also looks at the effects of human actions on different natural systems. Components include 13 half-hour video programs featuring two documentary case studies describing current environmental science research, and an extensive Web site providing content, activities, and resources to help educators deepen and extend their understanding of environmental science. "The Habitable Planet" is produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in association with the Harvard Center for the Environment, 2007.


// Telecourse Licensing Requirements //

When is a Telecourse License required for Annenberg Media courses? There are two ways to use Annenberg Media content in teaching:

1) Using "The Western Tradition" as an example, if the *majority* of the content of the course is made up of "The Western Tradition," then your institution must purchase a telecourse license. Students enrolled in this course may go to the Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/august/home15.html> and use Video on Demand (VoD) to view the programs.

2) In the second type of Western Civilization course, *some* of the content is made up of Annenberg Media's "The Western Tradition" resource, but the bulk of the course content comes from other sources. In this case, your institution does not need to purchase a telecourse license. Students in this course may also go to the Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/august/home16.html> and use VoD to view "The Western Tradition."

Visit our Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tlcrs17.html> for more information.


// Upcoming Events //

- 23rd Annual Conference on Distance Learning and Teaching, Madison, Wisconsin, August 8-10, 2007
  Booth #404

- National Media Market, Mesa Hilton in Mesa, Arizona, October 7-11, 2007
  Suite 702

We look forward to meeting you!


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*** THIS MONTH ON THE CHANNEL ***

The following series begin this month on the Annenberg Channel. Be sure to scroll down on the pages linked below for specific broadcast dates and times. Consult the full broadcast schedule <http://learner.org/redirect/august/sched18.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in August.

ARTS
> "American Cinema" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/cine19.html>
> "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/aec20.html>
> "Exploring the World of Music" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/music21.html>

EDUCATION THEORY & ISSUES
> "The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tlc22.html>
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/lala23.html>
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/lal2_24.html>
> "Minds of Our Own" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/minds25.html>
> "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/child26.html>

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tfl27.html>

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ewll29.html>
> "In Search of the Novel" (middle/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/novel30.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Video Library, Grades 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/mmll31.html>
> "Teaching Reading, K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/readk32.html>

MATHEMATICS
> "The Missing Link: Essential Concepts for Middle School Math Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/link33.html>
> "Private Universe Project in Mathematics" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/pupm34.html>

SCIENCE
> "Reactions in Chemistry" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/rchem35.html>
> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/rbio36.html>
> "Science in Focus: Energy" (K-6) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/energ37.html>
> "Science in Focus: Force and Motion" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/force38.html>
> "Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science" (K-5) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/shed39.html>
> "Teaching High School Science" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/hssci40.html>
> "Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ulife41.html>

SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "America's History in the Making" (middle/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ahist42.html>
> "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/const43.html>
> "Ethics in America" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ethic44.html>
> "Ethics in America II" (middle school-college) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ethii45.html>
> "Growing Old in a New Age" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/gold46.html>
> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/hgeo47.html>
> "Seasons of Life" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/august/seas48.html>
> "Social Studies in Action: A Methodology Workshop, K-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ssw49.html>

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Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/august/chnl50.html>.

With a broadband Internet connection, watch the Channel simulcast <http://learner.org/redirect/august/sim51.html> -- also closed captioned <http://learner.org/redirect/august/simcc52.html>.


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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Anniversary of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945)

> The dropping of the bomb remains highly controversial. War presents dilemmas at all levels. Where is the line between the duty to follow orders and basic moral action? How much does the public have a right to know about what's really happening on the battlefield and behind the scenes? Watch interesting discussions of war ethics in "Ethics in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ethic53.html> Programs 6 and 7, "Under Orders, Under Fire" Parts I and II, featuring key figures from the military, journalism, politics, and the clergy.

> If you're considering raising this issue with your students, read the article "Creating Strategies and Conditions for Civil Discourse About Controversial Issues" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/civic54.html> by John Rossi, which focuses on the use nuclear weapons as a controversial topic that can be used as a valuable teaching opportunity.

> Try our interactive activity on the Biography of America Web site, "You Decide: The Atom Bomb" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/boa55.html>.


Slavery Remembrance Day (August 23)

This international observance marks the date of the Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) slave uprising of 1791. The uprising is considered a turning point in the struggle to abolish slavery in the Americas.

> Learn about the development and codification of race-based slavery laws with "America's History in the Making" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ahist56.html>. Several units contain relevant information in the form of text (including downloadable textbook chapters), photos, documents, and Video on Demand.

> Programs 9 through 12 of "A Biography of America" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/boa57.html> explore slavery and its aftermath.

> For a lecture and related discussion about the various factors that led to the fall of slavery, watch Workshop 4 of "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/prim58.html>. Also find links to lecture transcripts and primary source documents.

> On the American Passages Web site, watch "Slavery and Freedom" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass59.html>. Then follow other links on the page for various resources related to literature on the topic.

> "The Africans" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/afri60.html> Program 4, "Tools of Exploitation," looks at the institution of American slavery from an African perspective. "The Africans" can be purchased online at <http://learner.org/redirect/august/afri61.html>.


Women's Equality Day (August 26)

Women were finally given the vote in the United States on August 26, 1920. To commemorate this event, representative Bella Abzug (D-NY) initiated Women's History Day in 1971, which was established by joint resolution of Congress. The observance is now proclaimed each year by the President of the United States.

> How was the status of women in America around the time of the Revolution? Get a glimpse with a 1776 letter to John Adams from his wife, Abigail Adams <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ahist62.html> on the Web site for "America's History in the Making." For the sake of contrast, also see an excerpt from "The Young Woman's Guide to Excellence," 1846 <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ahist63.html>.

> Try an activity on the Biography of America Web site: "You Decide: The Women's Movement" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/boa64.html>. After learning the statistics and the pros and cons, vote on whether or not the Women's Movement truly improved the lives of American women.

> For a brief overview of the Woman Suffrage Movement, watch "Democracy in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/dia65.html> Program 2, "The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?" Downloadable readings are also available on the Democracy in America Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/august/dia66.html>.

> Observe Tim Rockey's 12th-grade AP Government and Politics class grappling with civil rights through gender equity issues in "Gender-Based Distinctions," Program 27 of "Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12." Find links to the video, background on the topic, and teaching ideas on the series Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ssl67.html>.

> "Describing Distributions," Program 3 of "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/odds68.html>, shows how mathematics can be used to identify gender inequities.


Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

> Look to "Teaching Reading K-2 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/trkw69.html> and "Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/trkl70.html> for research-based teaching methods that can prepare kindergarteners to become successful, eager readers.

> "Teaching Math, Grades K-2" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tmk2_71.html> and "Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/tmk4_72.html> offer examples of sound math teaching at the kindergarten level.

> Consider the role of psychological development in children's learning readiness with "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/psych73.html> Program 5, "The Developing Child," Program 6, "Language Development," and Program 8, "Learning."

> A lot goes into preparing a child for a positive kindergarten experience. Review the basics of early childhood development and sound caregiver practice with "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/child74.html>.


Harvest Month

> With the programs of "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/pop75.html>, learn about agricultural practices and challenges in Spain, Russia, China, Japan, Côte d'Ivoire, Guatemala, and the United States.

> In "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/hgeo76.html> Program 1, "Imagining New Worlds," see how Mayan maize rites are still practiced. Programs 7, "Water is for Fighting Over," shows how a scarce resource and competing interests can impact on farming.

> "Rural Communities: Legacy & Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/rural77.html> Programs 2, 4, and 12 show both the continuity of traditional farming and the economic strains increasingly felt by farmers in rural America.

> Learn how the ancient Egyptians' control of water through drainage and irrigation made agriculture possible. Watch "The Ancient Egyptians," Program 2 of "The Western Tradition" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/west78.html>.


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*** FAMOUS AUGUST BIRTHDAYS ***

The following well-known figures of past and present have birthdays in August. Honor their legacies with our recommended resources on topics linked with their renown:

 James Baldwin, writer (August 2, 1924)
   > "The Expanding Canon" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/canon79.html>
   > "Voices & Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/vv80.html>

 Louis Armstrong, jazz musician (August 4, 1901)
   > "American Passages" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/apass81.html>

 Helen Thomas, reporter (August 4, 1920)
   > "News Writing" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/news82.html>

 Andy Warhol, artist (August 6, 1928)
   > "Art of the Western World" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/art83.html>

 Jean Piaget, developmental psychologist (August 9, 1896)
   > "Looking at Learning Again...Part 1" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/lala84.html>
   > "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/psych85.html>

 Erwin Schrödinger, physicist (August 12, 1887)
   > "The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/mech86.html>

 Linda Ellerbee, journalist (August 14, 1944)
   > "News Writing" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/news87.html>
   > "Ethics in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/ethic88.html>

 Mary Shelley, writer (August 30, 1797)
   > "In Search of the Novel" <http://learner.org/redirect/august/novel89.html>


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