Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.
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*** In the Spotlight for January ***
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- Three Brand New Series!
o "Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5"
o "Ethics in America II"
o "America's History in the Making"
- This Month on the Channel
- Connect Learning with Special Days
o New Year's Resolution Week
o Martin Luther King Day
o Financial Wellness Month
o Poverty in America Awareness Month
o International Creativity Month
o Learn Spanish Month
- Linking to Current Events
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*** THREE BRAND NEW SERIES! ***
> "Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/iwc1.html>
"Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5" is a video workshop that uses classroom
footage to demonstrate the effectiveness of a writing workshop approach with
upper elementary students. Ten teachers from across the country model and
discuss teaching strategies, while nationally known experts in writing
instruction comment on the research and theory behind the strategies being used.
The workshop is produced by Kentucky Educational Television, which also produced
"Write in the Middle: A
Workshop for Middle School Teachers" and "Signature: Contemporary Writers."
On the Inside Writing Communities Web site
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/iwc2.html>, find links to Video on
Demand, a downloadable Workshop Guide in PDF format, interactive
activities, and more.
> "Ethics in America II"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/ethicsii3.html>
This brand-new sequel to our popular "Ethics in America" series explores ethical
dilemmas through the discussions and debates of leading figures in government,
business, science, and academia. As in the original "Ethics in America" series,
ethical dilemmas in "Ethics in America II" are probed using the Socratic method.
It is produced by Fred Friendly Seminars at Columbia University.
The Ethics in America II Web site
<http://www.learner.org/series/ethics2/> offers a Discussion Guide and an
Ethics Reader in PDF format, plus program summaries, links to related articles,
and other resources to help teachers guide their students in
the process of ethical reasoning.
> "America's History in the Making"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/amhist4.html>
This course for middle and high school teachers focuses on the teaching of
American history from the Pre-Columbian era through Reconstruction. The
exploration is divided into three segments: Historical Perspectives, an overview
of the historical era; Faces of America, in which biographies of individuals
illustrate larger events; and Hands-on History, a behind-the-scenes look at how
history is studied, documented, and presented. The course is produced by Oregon
Public Broadcasting with funding from the U.S. Department of Education's
Teaching American History grants.
"America's History in the Making" is scheduled to premiere in February. Look for
links to Video on Demand and the series Web site in the coming weeks.
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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 linked pages for specific broadcast dates and times. Consult
the full broadcast schedule
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/sched5.html> for many more programs
and partial series airing in January.
ARTS
> "American Cinema" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/cine6.html>
EDUCATION THEORY & ISSUES
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1" (K-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/lala7.html>
> "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/child8.html>
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/tflw9.html>
LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "Conversations in Literature" (grades 6-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/conlit10.html>
> "English Composition: Writing for an Audience" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/comp11.html>
> "The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School" <http://learner.org/redirect/january/expan12.html>
> ***NEW! "Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/iwc13.html>
> "Literary Visions" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/litv14.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 6-8"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/mmlw15.html>
> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/tml16.html>
> "Teaching Reading K-2 Workshop"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/readw17.html>
> "Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/write18.html>
MATHEMATICS
> "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/odds19.html>
> "Insights Into Algebra 1: Teaching for Learning"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/algeb20.html>
> "Learning Math: Geometry" (K-8)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/geom21.html>
> "Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra" (K-8)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/pattern22.html>
> "Mathematics Assessment: A Video Library, K-12"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/massess23.html>
SCIENCE
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science" (K-6)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/space24.html>
> "Planet Earth" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/planet25.html>
> "Science in Focus: Force and Motion" (K-8)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/force26.html>
> "Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/january/life27.html>
SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/const28.html>
> ***NEW! "Ethics in America II" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/ethicsii29.html>
> "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers" (high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/civic30.html>
> "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History" (high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/prim31.html>
> "Social Studies in Action: A Methodology Workshop, K-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/ssw32.html>
---
Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free
licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/january/chnl33.html>.
Be sure to download the Channel Program Guide
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/guide34.html>, available in PDF format.
The Guide contains satellite and signal information, plus daily
and month-at-a-glance program schedules.
With a broadband Internet connection, watch the online Channel simulcast
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/view35.html>, also closed captioned
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/viewcc36.html>.
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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***
New Year's Resolution Week (January 1-7)
> Make one of your New Year's resolutions to take a free course or workshop for
teachers
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/wkshp37.html> and earn professional
development hours in the process. Or, opt for graduate credit
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/credit38.html> through Colorado State
University. For additional information, see our Workshops and Courses FAQ <http://learner.org/redirect/january/faq39.html>.
> While setting this year's goals and your plan to achieve them, consider what
psychology says about human motivation and the workings of the mind with
"Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/psych40.html>. Program 12, "Motivation
and Emotion," airs January 18 on the Channel at 5:00 p.m.
and January 25 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
Martin Luther King Day (January 15)
> Find compelling ways to teach about the Civil Rights era through literature in
"Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/tml41.html> Workshop
5, Historical and Cultural Context.
> "I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr." and other books related
to civil rights are featured in "Building Community"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/ewll42.html>, Program 6 of
"Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5."
> "The Sixties"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/boa43.html> on the Biography of America
Web site provides links to Video on Demand, a full video transcript, and a
Sixties timeline covering major events of the Civil Rights era, including Martin
Luther King's massive march on Washington in August 1963.
Financial Wellness Month
> Learn ways to help your students develop a basic understanding of economics --
and financial responsibility -- with "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for
Grade 9-12 Teachers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/econw44.html>.
> Teach your child how to spot a real bargain with our "Finding the Best Buy"
activity, from Math Activities to Do With Your Children
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/buy45.html>. Also, use our Video on
Demand feature to watch "Time and Money" from the series "Math for All"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/mfa46.html>.
Poverty in America Awareness Month
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 37 million people in America --
12.6 percent -- lived in poverty in 2005.
> What can be done through economic policy? See "Economics U$A"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/econ47.html> Program 24, "Reducing
Poverty" -- updated in 2003.
> "Teaching Geography" Workshop 3, "North America"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/tgeog48.html>, shows how government
grants to selected "empowerment zones" have been used to combat poverty
in inner city areas.
> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" shows the literary response to poverty
throughout U.S. history. In particular, see materials for Unit 9, "Social
Realism"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/apass49.html>, and Unit 12, "Migrant
Struggle" -- including this account of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/apass50.html>.
> See how the U.S. government dealt with poverty in the past in "FDR and the
Depression," Program 21 of America
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/boa51.html>.
> Learn about the various ways that economic disparities have affected schools
and learning with "The Merrow Report"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/merrow52.html> Program 3, "In Schools
We Trust," Program 52, "Promise of Preschool," and Program 54,
"First to Worst." Other programs in the series may also be of interest.
International Creativity Month
> Discover new ways to foster creativity with "The Art of Teaching the Arts: A
Workshop for High School Teachers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/arts53.html>.
> Observe real teachers nurturing artistic expression at the elementary and
middle school levels in "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/artecl54.html> and "Connecting With the
Arts: A Teaching Practices Library, 6-8"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/cwa55.html>, respectively.
> Learn how children's innate mathematical creativity was unleashed in a
remarkable 12-year study documented in the program "Surprises in Mind"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/surpr56.html>. Students who
participated in a specially designed math program showed more confidence in
their ability and a greater enjoyment of the subject. "Surprises in
Mind" airs on the Channel January 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
> See a fleshing out of children's own imaginative math -- and how teachers can
help to develop it -- in "Private Universe Project in Mathematics"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/pupm57.html> Workshop
3, "Inventing Notations," and Workshop 4, "Thinking Like a Mathematician."
> The critically important role of creative play in a child's healthy
development is explored in "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First
Five Years"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/child58.html>
Program 11, "Creativity and Play."
> "REM Sleep and Dreaming," Program 15 of "The Brain: Teaching Modules"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/brain59.html>, probes the
relationship between creativity and dreaming.
Learn Spanish Month
> Find Spanish language lessons in the programs of "Teaching Foreign Languages
K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/tfll60.html>.
> Resolve to finally start learning Spanish yourself this month with "Destinos:
An Introduction to Spanish"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/dest61.html>.
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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***
As the nation mourns the loss of former President Gerald R. Ford, you may wish
to get a glimpse of the part of his legacy that deals with constitutional and
ethical matters in "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/const62.html>, in which
President Ford appears as a distinguished discussant.
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On December 12, an international group of teachers and scientists, with the
backing of the U.S. National Science Foundation, left Chile on a 2-week cruise
to study the ocean and animals around the South Pole. The team is among the
first to participate in International Polar Year 2007-2008, a worldwide effort
to gain a better understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
A research blitz during Polar Year 2007-2008 may help scientists better
understand climate change and the significant shrinkage of ice sheets at
the poles.
> Find out more about glaciers and children's common ideas about them with
"Restless Landscapes"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/space63.html>, Session 6 of
"Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science."
> The Web site for "Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/light64.html> offers basic facts
about the poles, glaciers, and ice ages.
> Our Weather exhibit
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/weath65.html/> explores the basics of
glaciers, climate change, and more. For a sense of the cold that may be faced by
researchers during International Polar Year 2007-2008, try out our wind chill
calculator
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/chill66.html>.
> Gain a greater appreciation of the importance of glaciers -- watch Program 23
of "Earth Revealed"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/earth67.html>.
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Another piece of the mystery of Egypt's Great Pyramids of Giza has been chipped
away: Michel Barsoum, a Drexel University professor and native of Egypt, has
determined that some of the blocks used in building the pyramids were made not
of limestone, but of limestone-based concrete -- representing the earliest known
use of such concrete by any civilization. Insight into how these ancient blocks
were made could revolutionize the production of concrete construction materials.
> "Out of the Past"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/past68.html> explores many facets of
archaeology, including the building and architecture of ancient civilizations.
> See "The Western Tradition"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/west69.html> Program 2, "The Ancient
Egyptians," for background on the significance of the Great
Pyramids and other achievements of Egyptian civilization.
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While the President and others in Washington favor increasing the number of U.S.
troops in Iraq, some experts are advising against it. If you are planning to
discuss this issue with your students, consider drawing on our resources that
discuss war, military strategy, historical controversies, and the Constitution.
> See "Korea and the Cold War"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/prim70.html>, Workshop 8 of "Primary
Sources: Workshops in American History," and read about what primary sources can
tell us about past U.S. war strategies, dissenting
voices, and the role of various forces in shaping policy.
> On the American Passages Web site, read "The War in Vietnam: The War at Home"
in Unit 15
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/war71.html> for a comparison with
current events. Be sure to search the archive
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/arch72.html> for historical
war-related artifacts.
> "The Western Tradition"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/west73.html> provides a broad context
for understanding events, with Professor Eugen Weber's illustrated lectures
covering the wars and political upheavals in the
West going all the way back to ancient Egypt.
> "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance"
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/const74.html> offers a rich exploration
of wartime decision-making issues in Program 2, "War Powers and Covert Action."
---
The programs above can be viewed free of charge through Video on Demand. Visit
our Web site
<http://learner.org/redirect/january/view75.html> for
more information about viewing options.
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