Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.
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*** In the Spotlight for February ***
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- Linking to Current Events
- New! "America's History in the Making" Part II
- A Note on Workshop/Course Certificates
- This Month on the Channel
- Black History Month
- Connect Learning with More Special Days
o Weatherperson's Day
o Darwin Day
o Valentine's Day
o The Academy Awards
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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***
Primaries, Polls, Money, and Media
With the highly televised debates, Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards withdrawing from their parties' respective races, and Ralph Nader considering jumping into the ring, things are heating up just in time for the Super Tuesday primaries, February 5.
> Bolster your understanding of the role of media in a democracy and how opinion polls affect election outcomes. Watch "Democracy in America"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/dia1.html> Program 10, "Understanding Media: Inside Story," and Program 11, "Public Opinion:
Voice of the People."
> In "Ethics in America II" Program 4, "Choosing Justice: Elections and Judicial Independence"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ethii2.html> prominent figures in law and government discuss the case of judges, but the implications of fundraising, campaigning, and advertising apply equally to other kinds of elections.
> How and how much do a candidate's financial resources impact election outcomes? For a lively discussion of the topic, watch "The Constitution:
That Delicate Balance"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/const3.html> Program 7, "Campaign Spending."
> "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers" offers lesson plans, Video on Demand, and more for high school teachers in Unit 2, "Electoral Politics" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/civic4.html>.
Subprime Lending and Economic Crisis
Subprime lending practices over the last few years have led to an ever-mounting crisis for many home owners with mortgages to pay. Federal investigations have been launched into bank practices that are now costing many Americans their homes as they are forced into foreclosure
-- minorities being hit the hardest. Amid discussion of the subprime mortgage crisis are reports of a general slowing of the economy; even President Bush in his State of the Union Address admitted that "our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty" and that "economic growth...is slowing."
What's happening, and how can students learn about it?
> Find ways to help your students understand economic principles and policies, as well as the consequences of their own financial decisions, with "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/econc5.html>. In particular, see Workshops 4, "Learning, Earning, Saving," and 7, "Monetary and Fiscal Policy." Click on "Workshop Descriptions" to access programs.
> Visit our Math in Daily Life interactive <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/dmath6.html> for a discussion of how compound interest can make credit cards and loans difficult to pay off.
> For an understanding of the lending crisis within the larger context of history and the U.S. economic system, watch "Economics U$A"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/econ7.html>. In particular, see "The Banking System," "The Federal Reserve," and "Monetary Policy,"
and, for insight into the meaning of the falling dollar, "Exchange Rates."
> For an account of how home ownership became a more central part of the "American dream," read the article, "Suburban Dreams: Levittown, New York" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass8.html> on the American Passages Web site. Examine earlier incarnations of the "dream"
in Unit 12, "Migrant Struggle"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass9.html>. Click on "Activities" for Video Activities related to the American dream, plus the Context Activities articles, "The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl" and "The Works Progress Administration (WPA)" which offer an historical glimpse into mass economic losses and the government response.
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To use our free Video on Demand feature, go to <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/vod10.html>. For more information, see our FAQ <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/faq11.html>.
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*** NEW! "AMERICA'S HISTORY IN THE MAKING" PART II ***
Now the 2007 addition to our history repertoire, "America's History in the Making," has been expanded to include nine new units covering the period from Reconstruction through contemporary times. "America's History in the Making" Part II <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ahist12.html> includes eight half-hour programs featuring themes and movements, individuals who shaped history, and the vital work of historians. Several non-video units help teachers find and use digital resources and to apply the thematic strands in their teaching.
Don't miss "Taming the American West," the first video program of "America's History in the Making" Part II airing on the Channel February 7. Click on "Broadcast Dates" for scheduling details.
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*** A NOTE ON WORKSHOP/COURSE CERTIFICATES ***
Please note the following changes regarding the issuing of Certificates of Participation: Groups of educators can register to receive certificates of participation for Annenberg Channel courses and workshops until March 31, 2008. For those who have registered, certificates of participation will be issued through June 30, 2008. No certificates will be provided for those who register as individuals.
After June 30, 2008, no certificates will be provided for group members.
For information about registering for courses/workshops and receiving certificates, please visit our registration page <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/reg13.html>.
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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 the broadcast dates and times of specific programs. Consult the full broadcast schedule <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/sch14.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in February.
ARTS
> "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Workshop for Elementary School Teachers" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/aec15.html>
> "Connecting With the Arts: A Workshop for Middle Grades Teachers"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cwaw16.html>
EDUCATION THEORY & ISSUES
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1" (K-12) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/lala17.html>
FOREIGN LANGUAGE & ESL
> "Fokus Deutsch" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/fokus18.html>
LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" (college level) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass19.html>
> "English Composition: Writing for an Audience" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/eng20.html>
> "Voices & Visions" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/vv21.html>
MATHEMATICS
> "Insights Into Algebra 1: Teaching for Learning"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ialg22.html>
> "Learning Math: Geometry" (K-8)
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/geom23.html>
SCIENCE
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science" (K-6) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/space24.html>
> "Reactions in Chemistry" (high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/rchem25.html>
> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" (high
school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/rbio26.html>
SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "Bridging World History" (high school/college) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/bwh27.html>
> "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/psych29.html>
> "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/econc30.html>
> "Ethics in America II" (middle school-college) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ethii31.html>
> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/hgeo32.html>
> "Inside the Global Economy" (college/high school) <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/igeco33.html>
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Watch the Channel simulcast online
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cc34.html>, closed captioned.
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*** BLACK HISTORY MONTH ***
Black History Month got its first start in the mid-1920s. In 1926,
apparently inspired by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's observance of
Frederick Douglass's birthday on February 14 and the establishment of
"Negro Achievement Week" by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1924, Harvard
scholar Carter G. Woodson initiated Negro History Week. The purpose was
to call attention to the oft-overlooked history and contributions of
Black people in America. Negro History Week was observed until 1976,
when the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History
expanded the week into a month-long celebration. On January 29, 2008,
President George W. Bush officially proclaimed February 2008 as
"National African American History Month." The theme of this year's
Black History Month is "Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of
Multiculturalism."
The following resources provide material and ideas for teaching about
Black history.
> "America's History in the Making"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ahist35.html> covers the eras
of African enslavement, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. A new
addition to the series, the program "Egalitarian America," discusses
Brown v. The Board of Education and other historical efforts aimed at
ending discrimination. The program airs on the Channel February 21 at
1pm and February 28 at 8am, Eastern Time. Click on "Enter the Series Web
Site" for additional materials.
> "A Biography of America"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/boa36.html> surveys American
history including American slavery and its aftermath in Programs 9
through 12. Program 19 discusses the visions of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker
T. Washington, the Jim Crow system, and the efforts of Ida B. Wells to
enforce prosecution for lynchings; Program 24 discusses the Civil Rights
era.
> Gain more background on the origins of the African presence in
America with "The Africans"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/afr37.html> Program 4, "Tools
of Exploitation." The program gives an African perspective on the
trans-Atlantic slave trade. Other programs in the series are also
helpful to understanding African history and culture. To purchase the
series, click on "Buy Videos and Materials."
> Watch a beautiful hour-long documentary about the life, work, and
significance of renowned poet Langston Hughes in "Voices & Visions"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/vv38.html>.
> On the Web site for "American Passages: A Literary Survey"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass39.html>, click on
"About" and "How to Use This Site" to find author-based materials
including biographies of Frederick Douglass, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale
Hurston, Harriet Jacobs, and other African American authors. The Web
site also offers links to Video on Demand, lesson activities, and
"Context Activities" articles associated with each unit, like "Harlem in
the 1920s: The Cultural Heart of America"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass40.html>.
> Search thousands of historical images in the American Passages
archive for photos of Malcolm X, fugitive slaves, prominent figures in
art and literature, and more. Examples include this 1943 Harlem street
scene <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass41.html> alongside
verses of a poem from Countee Cullen's "From the Dark Tower," and this
colored entrance to a movie theater in Mississippi, 1939
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass42.html>.
> "Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature" Workshop 3,
"Social History" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/artf43.html>
shows how primary source documents -- actual slavery documents -- can be
used to enrich students' understanding of literature at the high school
level.
> Who freed the slaves? Untangle the complexities of the question with
"Primary Sources: Workshops in American History"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/prim44.html>. The Web site
includes lecture transcripts, documents, and classroom applications. For
a sample, read "An Appeal from the Colored Men of Philadelphia to the
President of the United States, August 1862"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/prim45.html> -- a reply to
President Lincoln's proposal to colonize free blacks in lands outside
the United States.
> Learn about several African American authors including Octavia Butler
and Ishmael Reed with "The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural
Literature in High School"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/canon46.html>.
> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/tml47.html> features Nikki
Grimes, Christopher Paul Curtis, and other authors speaking directly to
students about their work, as well as teachers' approaches to literature
in the classroom. On the series Web site
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/tml48.html>, find relevant
lessons through the workshops, with particularly rich materials in
Workshop 5, "Historical and Cultural Context: Christopher Paul Curtis,"
and Workshop 6, "Historical and Cultural Context: Langston Hughes and
Christopher Moore."
> Observe an 8th-grade lesson based on a reenactment of the Amistad
trial in "Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12"
Program 18, "The Amistad Case"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ssl49.html>. Click on "About
the Class" and "Lesson Background" for information on the class and the
topic.
> See effective teaching of historical fiction in a 4th and 5th grade
classroom in "Engaging with Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5"
Program 6, "Building Community"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ewll50.html>.
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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH MORE SPECIAL DAYS ***
Weatherperson's Day (February 5)
> "The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/hab51.html> looks at weather
in Unit 2, "Atmosphere," and covers climate change in Unit 12, "Earth's
changing climate."
> Our Weather interactive
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/weath52.html> discusses many
aspects of weather, including forecasting. Try out the Storm Chaser
activity and visit Related Resources for a good list of links related to
weather.
> In "Learning Math: Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability"
Session 2, "Data Organization and Representation," meteorologist Kim
Martucci discusses the importance of statistics in weather prediction
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/data53.html>.
> Elementary teachers can deepen their understanding of what causes
changes in the weather with "Science in Focus: Shedding Light on
Science" Program 8, "Wind and Weather"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/light54.html>. Meteorologist
Mishelle Michaels explains the difference between weather and climate,
the effects of proximity to water, and how contrasting air masses
interact to affect weather.
> A weatherperson is an important member of any broadcast news team.
For techniques in developing the news aspects of the weather, watch
"News Writing" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/news55.html>.
Darwin Day (February 12)
This February 12 marks the 199th birthday of Charles Darwin, the English
naturalist and major proponent of evolutionary theory. Mark the occasion
with our resources related to Darwin and evolution.
> Harvard Professor Andy Knoll discusses Darwin's theory and a long,
long history of animal life on earth in this interview
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/hab56.html> on the Web site
for "The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science."
> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/rbio57.html> covers evolution
in Units 3 and 9. Also read these expert interviews on the human genome
project <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/rbio58.html> and
evolution <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/rbio59.html>. Click
on "Case Studies" to find out about the evolution of túngara frog mating
calls.
> K-6 teachers can benefit from "Essential Science for Teachers: Life
Science" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/life60.html> Session
5, "Variation, Adaptation, and Natural Selection," and Session 6,
"Evolution and the Tree of Life." Session 5 includes a photo and brief
biography of Darwin.
> Extremophile microbes prompt scientists to peer back into the ancient
past, to discover what they believe may have been the first life forms
on Earth. Explore the topic with "Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction
to Microbiology" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/unsee61.html>
Program 6, "Microbial Evolution."
> Watch "Earth Revealed"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/earth62.html>
Program 10, "Geologic Time," and Program 11, "Evolution Through Time."
Program 11 discusses changes in Earth's species over time, plus the
development of "punctuated equilibrium," a concept added to Darwin's
theory to account for the lack of intermediate forms between species in
the fossil record.
> Find a photograph of Darwin
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass63.html> and one of the
Scopes Monkey Trial
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass64.html> on the American
Passages Web site. Professor Abby Werlock's remarks about the role of
Darwin's "survival of the fittest" notion in the development of literary
realism <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass65.html> may also
be of interest.
Valentine's Day (February 14)
> Can love be quantified? It can with our Teachers' Lab activity, "How
Many Valentines?" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/val66.html>.
> Find a 4th-grade Valentine's Day math lesson in "Teaching Math: A
Video Library, K-4"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/k4tm67.html> Program 42,
"Valentine Exchange."
> Connect Valentine's Day with reasoning and proof using this
interactive activity
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/35tm68.html> on the Web site
for "Teaching Math: Grades 3-5."
> See how Valentine's Day can be turned into a hands-on learning
activity to promote oral language development in a bilingual setting in
"Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/k2trl69.html>.
> Listen to the music of romantic composers Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy,
and Liszt through the piano performances of Mona Golabek
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cowl70.html> on the Web site
for "Teaching 'The Children of Willesden Lane.'"
> "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" Program 12, "Motivation and
Emotion" <http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/psych71.html>, offers
a strictly biological explanation for the mystery of love.
> Instead of seeing a movie with your sweetheart, take a look behind
the scenes with "American Cinema"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cine72.html> Program 5, "The
Romantic Comedy."
The Academy Awards (February 24)
> Learn about different film genres, film history, and how movies are
made with "American Cinema"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cine73.html>. Programs feature
clips from 300 great movies and interviews with famous filmmakers
including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Spike Lee.
> Visit our "Cinema" interactive
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/cinei74.html> for more
information about what goes into filmmaking.
> "In Search of the Novel"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/ison75.html> studies
well-loved novels, several of which have been made into motion pictures
– such as "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Bridge to Terabithia," "Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer's Stone," and "Flowers for Algernon."
> Read "Documentary Photography and Film"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass76.html> and "Mass
Culture Invasion: The Rise of Motion Pictures"
<http://www.learner.org/redirect/february/apass77.html>, articles
analyzing the cultural significance of movies.
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