Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

-------------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for August ***
-------------------------------------------------------

 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  Learner.org Brochure
 -  Distance Learning
 -  Connect Learning with Special Days
     o Anniversary of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
     o Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
     o Harvest Month
 -  Famous August Birthdays

-------------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Supreme Court Nominee

In July 2009, the Senate Judiciary Committee finished hearing testimony from the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's first nominee to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the nation's highest court. The Senate is expected to vote on her confirmation in August.

If you plan to discuss current events related to the Supreme Court with your students, draw on our resources related to Supreme Court justices, the judicial branch of government, and the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the US Constitution.

> Democracy in America Unit 9, "The Courts: Our Rule of Law" http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_9/ looks at various court systems in America, the origins of judicial power, and how judges are selected. The video includes a segment on the role of the Supreme Court in determining the outcome of the 2000 presidential election.

> Watch Ethics in America II http://www.learner.org/series/ethics2/ Program 4, "Choosing Justice: Elections & Judicial Independence." Programs 1 and 5 also feature judges as panel participants.

> Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia presents his reasoning on hypothetical cases in Ethics in America http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html Programs 1, 2, 8, and 9.

> Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers http://www.learner.org/workshops/civics/ introduces the Supreme Court in Unit 1, "Freedom of Religion." Find a detailed lesson plan, and click on Essential Readings for the article "Teaching About the United States Supreme Court." Also see Workshop 8, in which students apply their knowledge of Supreme Court cases to a hypothetical case. The Tools for Teaching section includes PDF files of the cases used in the workshops.

> Wendy Ewbank's middle school students learn about the Constitution through landmark Supreme Court cases in Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12. http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/6_8/ewbank/ Click on About the Class and Lesson Background for brief summaries of five landmark cases.

> The Constitution: That Delicate Balance http://www.learner.org/resources/series72.html offers lively debates on important topics raised in the recent confirmation hearings, such as gun control, campaign spending in presidential elections, the right to abortion versus the right to life, and affirmative action versus reverse discrimination. Participants include U.S. Court of Appeals judges, prominent members of Congress, and major figures in the fields of law, government, journalism, law enforcement, and education.

---
Health Care Reform

Reforming the U.S. health care system has emerged as a top priority for the Obama administration -- at a time when more and more Americans are losing their jobs and their health insurance coverage.

> Growing Old in a New Age http://www.learner.org/resources/series84.html Program 12, "Societal and Political Aspects of Aging," examines the health care system and the key role of older Americans in influencing policy.

> Learn about the history and economic rationale behind national health care programs for vulnerable Americans -- Medicare and Medicaid -- in Economics U$A http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html Program 26, "Public Good and Responsibilities."

> Against All Odds: Inside Statistics http://www.learner.org/resources/series65.html Program 2, "Picturing Distributions," considers the mathematics of soaring health care costs.

> In Ethics in America II, Program 1, "Three Farewells: Medicine & the End of Life," http://www.learner.org/series/ethics2/three_farewells/ discussants weigh various considerations in the delivery of health care.

> For a glimpse at how both citizens and government structure can influence what options are made available to the public, see Democracy in America http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/ Unit 14, "Interest Groups: Organizing to Influence," and Unit 8, "Bureaucracy: A Controversial Necessity."

> Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition Program 23, "Health, Mind, and Behavior," http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/23/e23expand.html explores how behavior can affect individual and public health as well as treatments for disease.

---
Controversial Arrest

A renowned Harvard professor was recently arrested by police after a neighbor reported a possible break-in at his home. Although the charges were later dropped, the case has widely been cited as an instance of possible racial profiling, and controversy over the incident has even drawn comment from the White House.

We have the following programs that may be of interest if you plan to address the topic of racial profiling with your students:

> Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers, Workshop 7, "Controversial Public Policy Issues" http://www.learner.org/workshops/civics/workshop7/ in which high school teacher JoEllen Ambrose of Champlin Park High School in Minnesota actively engages her 12th-grade law class in the issue of racial profiling. The Web site includes the lesson plan, student perspectives, and more.

> For literature that addresses racial profiling, see the work of Ishmael Reed http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session5/aw/work1.html in The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School.

> Democracy in America Unit 9, "The Courts: Our Rule of Law," http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/dia_9/dia_9_video.html examines the 1991 Rodney King case -- representing alleged racial profiling by police -- in which police were acquitted and then later found guilty on federal charges.

---
Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseids are an annually observed meteor shower associated with Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteor shower can be seen from the latter part of July until the latter part of August, this year peaking around August 12. For a peak experience on August 12, observe the sky just before moonrise to avoid a glaring gibbous moon's interference with the display.

For information about meteors and their impact on Earth, visit the following Learner.org resources:

> Mathematics Illuminated http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/13/textbook/03.php

> Essential Earth and Space Science, Session 7 http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/session7/closer2.html and Session 8 http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/earthspace/session8/closer3.html

> Planet Earth, Program 6 "The Solar Sea" http://www.learner.org/resources/series49.html# includes footage of astronomers tracking the brief appearance of a comet in Earth's atmosphere.

> Rediscovering Biology http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/biodiv/biodiv_8.html

> The Habitable Planet http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/visual.php?shortname=meteorite

---
Watch our programs free of charge through video on demand. Find out more: http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html


-------------------------------------------------------
*** LEARNER.ORG 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: http://www.learner.org/about/learnerbrochure.html and click on the brochure link.

This brochure has been extremely popular with staff development leaders for use in workshops and will help schools that have had to cut back their budgets.

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.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

The dog days of August remind us that fall is just around the corner, with the fresh prospect of a new semester and school year ahead! 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, available this fall.

VOD. After your first registration for use of our VOD, users no longer need to continue to enter their user name and password. Using our online streaming service has never been easier. And coming soon, we'll be moving to FLASH which will improve access for both our PC and MAC users.

//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 continues through September 30th. 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.

- Ethics in America. 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 <mailto:nwilliams.learner@gmail.com> .

- Visit us at the Wisconsin Distance Learning conference, August 5-6. Our presentation will focus on the past, present, and future of distance learning with the inclusion of video as a key component. If you are unable to attend the event, email us at distancelearning@learner.org <mailto:distancelearning@learner.org> and we will be happy to coordinate a session with your school.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Anniversary of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima

On August 6, 1945, as World War II was coming to a close, the crew of the U.S. Army Air Forces B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped a uranium bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. A plutonium bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki three days later. Approximately 220,000 people were killed by the bombings, more than half of these instantly. Many deaths resulted from injuries and sickness following the initial blasts. Hundreds of thousands more survived with lasting injuries and disfigurements.

> "Postwar Tension and Triumph," http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/19/themes/2.html Program 19 of America's History in the Making, traces the development of the new nuclear threat. Click on OAH Talking History -- or on this direct link http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/mp3/atomic_bomb.ra -- to listen to the radio program Atomic Bomb Cinema featuring Jerome Shapiro, the resident Cinema Studies scholar at Hiroshima University in Japan. In addition, hear a brief radio commentary by Ira Chernus in Looking Back (Part Two) on myths on nuclear weapons, the Cold War, and Post-Cold War history; to listen, advance to 20:35.

> Mathematics Illuminated traces the origins of game theory http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/9/textbook/02.php to the work of Hungarian mathematician and physicist John von Neumann, who worked on the Manhattan Project, the top-secret plan to build the first atomic bomb.

> The atomic bombings of Japan remain controversial. Watch vigorous discussions of war ethics in Ethics in America http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html Programs 6 and 7, "Under Orders, Under Fire" Parts I and II.

> The article "Creating Strategies and Conditions for Civil Discourse About Controversial Issues" http://www.learner.org/workshops/civics/workshop7/otherlessons/index$2.html by John Rossi is valuable reading if you're facilitating class discussions specifically on the use of atomic weapons or on other controversial topics.

> Have your students try our interactive activity, "You Decide: The Atom Bomb." http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog23/

> In this interview, http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/genom/experts/eisen.html researcher Jonathan Eisen, Ph.D. discusses current research on the biological and mutagenic effects of radiation.

> Read "Living with the Atomic Bomb: Native Americans and the Postwar Uranium Boom and Nuclear Reactions," http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit14/context_activ-3.html which delves into the human and cultural consequences of the nuclear weapons race.

> Consider how the use of nuclear weapons fits within the both World War II and the broader framework of Western Civilization -- watch "The Second World War," Program 48 of The Western Tradition. http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html


Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

> "Chicken Pox," http://www.learner.org/libraries/tfl/french/scott/ the fourth program in the Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 video library, shows a kindergarten French language class based on Marc Brown's story, Arthur a la varicelle (Arthur has the chicken pox).

> Find research-based language instruction methods that point kindergartners in the right direction in Teaching Reading K-2 Workshop <http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/readingk2/> and Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices <http://www.learner.org/channel/libraries/readingk2/>.

> For examples of sound math instruction at the kindergarten level, see Teaching Math, Grades K-2 <http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/teachingmath/gradesk_2/> and Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4 <http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html>.

> Better understand children's psychology and development to better address their learning needs. Explore Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/ Program 5, "The Developing Child," Program 6, "Language Development," and Program 8, "Learning."

> Set down a solid foundation for kindergarten with the principles outlined in The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years <http://www.learner.org/resources/series59.html>.


Harvest Month

> Learn about the environmental impact -- and potential -- of agricultural practices with "Agriculture," http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=7&secNum=0 Unit 7 of The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science.

> Learn about the different agricultural practices and challenges in several countries including Côte d'Ivoire, China, Guatemala, and Russia through the programs of The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century. Read program descriptions here http://www.learner.org/resources/series180.html and enter the series Web site for additional resources.

> See a Mayan Shaman performing an ancient maize harvest ceremony in Human Geography: People, Places, and Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html Program 1, "Imagining New Worlds." Program 7, "Water is for Fighting Over," shows how much disputes over scarce water resources in the southwest United States can affect farmers.

> Rural Communities: Legacy & Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series7.html looks at farming in rural America in Programs 2, 4, and 12, showing both the continuity of traditional ways and how major economic shifts have strained farmers' ability to maintain those traditions.

> The agricultural revolution in ancient Egypt, made possible through drainage and irrigation, is detailed in "The Ancient Egyptians," the second program of The Western Tradition. http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html

> In this interview http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/gmo/experts/toenniessen.html Gary H. Toenniessen, Ph.D., explains why some scientists like himself are looking to genetic manipulation of staple crops such as rice to address aspects of malnutrition in developing countries.

> First–grade teacher David Kitts teaches on the Santo Domingo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. In "Historical Change," http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/k_2/kitts/ Kitts guides his students through a lesson on the history of farming. From Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12.

> The program "Perfect Competition and Inelastic Demand" in Economics U$A http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html examines crises in American agriculture from the 1920s to contemporary times.

> Add to your understanding of history and its cultural impact in America -- read "Promises Unfulfilled: Sharecropping in the South." http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit13/context_activ-5.html

> Our Collapse interactive http://www.learner.org/interactives/collapse/mesopotamia.html illustrates the interdependence of agriculture and civilization, explaining how civilizations have died out as their agricultural techniques eventually failed.


-------------------------------------------------------
*** 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:

 Herman Melville, author (August 1, 1819)
   > American Passages http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit06/authors-8.html

 James Baldwin, writer (August 2, 1924)
   > The Expanding Canon http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session3/aw/author2.html
   > Voices & Visions http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html

 Louis Armstrong, jazz musician (August 4, 1901)
   > American Passages http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=3074&fullsize=1

 Helen Thomas, reporter (August 4, 1920)
   > News Writing http://www.learner.org/resources/series44.html
   > News Writing Interviews http://www.learner.org/catalog/extras/interviews/hthomas/hthomas.html

 Andy Warhol, artist (August 6, 1928)
   > Art of the Western World http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html

 Jean Piaget, developmental psychologist (August 9, 1896)
   > Looking at Learning Again...Part 1 http://www.learner.org/resources/series106.html
   > Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html

 Erwin Schrödinger, theoretical physicist (August 12, 1887)
   > The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html

 Linda Ellerbee, journalist (August 14, 1944)
   > News Writing http://www.learner.org/resources/series44.html
   > Ethics in America http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html

 Marcus Garvey, pan-Africanist (August 17, 1887)
   > Bridging World History http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_video_25-2.html
   > Teaching Multicultural Literature http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop6/authors_key.html

 Claude Debussy, composer (August 22, 1862)
   > Teaching 'The Children of Willesden Lane' http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/music.html

 Mary Shelley, writer (August 30, 1797)
   > In Search of the Novel http://www.learner.org/workshops/isonovel/Pages/Frankensteinpage.html


******************************
You are receiving this email update either because our records show you asked to be placed on our mailing list, or a colleague forwarded a copy to you. Each month, subscribers will receive a message highlighting the news, events, and programming of Annenberg Media, as well as ideas for using our resources in the classroom.

If you wish to subscribe to this list, please send email to mailto:updates-subscribe@learner.org  To be removed from this list, send email to mailto:updates-unsubscribe@learner.org from the same address that was originally subscribed. If you encounter any problems subscribing or unsubscribing, or if you have any questions, contact us at mailto:info@learner.org .