Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.
--------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for March ***
--------------------------------------------------
- Linking to Current Events
- This Month on the Channel
- Connect Learning with Special Days
o Pi Day
o Birthday of Albert Einstein
o International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
o American Chocolate Week
o National Women's History Month
o National Ethics Awareness Month
o Music in Our Schools Month
--------------------------------------------------
*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***
A New Cinematic Bridge to Well-loved Literature
A new film version of the award-winning novel "Bridge to Terabithia" hit
theatres nationwide February 16. The new film by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden
Media offers elaborate visual effects to flesh out Terabithia, the imaginary realm described by characters in the novel.
> Our workshop "In Search of the Novel"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/novel1.html> features the novel "Bridge
to Terabithia" and its author, Katherine Paterson. Paterson appears throughout
the series, most prominently in Workshops 2, 4, 7, and 8, the same workshops in
which 6th grade teacher Pauline Moller also models effective techniques for
teaching the novel. Program 5, "Why Do I Have to Read This Book?" may also be of
interest, since it deals with the common problem of students' taking the "easy
way out" by watching the movie version of a novel rather than reading the book.
Consult the broadcast schedule
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/novel2.html> for
programs airing on the Channel in March.
> How did they turn the book into a movie? "American Cinema"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/cine3.html> provides a good overview
of the moviemaking process.
---
A Collage of Math and Science
There have recently been some stories in the press on interesting intersections
of math, science, and art -- just in time for Youth Art Month. Two researchers,
Peter J. Lu at Harvard University and Dr. Paul J. Steinhardt of Princeton
University, have concluded that designs in medieval Islamic architecture consist
of complex decagonal quasi-crystalline patterns -- created 500 years before such
patterns were understood in the West. Also of note, the February 2007 issue of
Discover Magazine spotlights the metallic creations of mathematical sculptor
Bathsheba Grossman, along with the work of artist Laura Splan, whose digitally
designed doilies are based on the symmetrical structures of viruses.
March is Youth Art Month, a good time to consider our resources that can help
you stretch the boundaries of math or science to include an artistic dimension.
> Our "Connecting with the Arts" workshop
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/conartw4.html> and video library
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/conartl5.html> help teachers devise ways
of integrating the arts with subjects across the curriculum in the
middle grades.
> Elementary teachers will find ways of integrating art with math and science in
"The Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/aecl6.html>.
> Our hour-long documentary "Surprises in Mind"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/sim7.html> demonstrates that mathematical
creativity -- expressed in art, architecture, and music -- is hard-wired in the
human brain. A 12-year study shows the positive impact of instruction aimed at
facilitating children's natural mathematical inclinations.
> For a general overview of geometry covering polygons, dissections, symmetry,
and more, see "Learning Math: Geometry"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/geom8.html>.
> Observe a first-grade class experimenting with polygons and patterns to create
a work of art in "Thanksgiving Quilt," Program 18 of "Teaching Math: A Video
Library, K-4"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/tmvlk4_9.html>. Also see the related
session of our "Teaching Math: Grades K-2" workshop
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/tmk2_10.html> and our Teacher's Lab,
"Shape and Space in Geometry"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/shape11.html>.
> "Mathematics: What's the Big Idea?"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/math12.html> Program 4 looks at aspects
of geometry that appear in art and architecture, with visits to
real classrooms engaging in hands-on activities.
> Explore the science-inspired artwork -- "Quantum Aesthetics" -- of June Wayne,
featured in "A World of Art: Works in Progress"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/art13.html>.
---
For an overview of our viewing options -- including free Video on Demand
-- go to <http://learner.org/redirect/march/view14.html>.
--------------------------------------------------
*** 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/march/sched15.html> for many more programs
and partial series airing in March.
ARTS
> "Exploring the World of Music" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/music16.html>
EDUCATION THEORY & ISSUES
> "The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice" (K-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/tlc17.html>
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2" (K-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/lala2_18.html>
FOREIGN LANGUAGE & ESL
> "Connect With English" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/cwe19.html>
LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature" (high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/artif20.html>
> "Developing Writers: A Workshop for High School Teachers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/dwrit21.html>
> "Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/ewll22.html>
> "Engaging With Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 3-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/ewlw23.html>
> "Inside Writing Communities, Grades 3-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/iwc24.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Video Library, Grades 6-8"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/midlit25.html>
> "Signature: Contemporary Writers" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/sig26.html>
> "Teaching Reading 3-5 Workshop"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/35read27.html>
MATHEMATICS
> "Learning Math: Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability" (K-8)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/data28.html>
> "Private Universe Project in Mathematics" (K-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/pupm29.html>
SCIENCE
> "Reactions in Chemistry" (high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/rchem30.html>
> "Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science" (K-5)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/light31.html>
SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "A Biography of America" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/bio32.html>
> "America's History in the Making" (middle-high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/amhist33.html>
> "Bridging World History" (high school/college)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh34.html>
> "Death: A Personal Understanding" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/death35.html>
> "Democracy in America" (high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/dia36.html>
> "Growing Old in a New Age" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/gold39.html>
> "Seasons of Life" (college/high school)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/season40.html>
> "Teaching Geography" (grades 7-12)
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/tgeo41.html>
---
Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free
licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/chnl42.html>.
Be sure to download the Channel Program Guide
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/guide43.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 Channel simulcast
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/viewc44.html>, also closed captioned
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/viewcc45.html>.
--------------------------------------------------
*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***
Pi Day (March 14)
Pi Day is observed in the U.S. on March 14 -- 3/14 -- in recognition of the
value of pi. Celebrations can begin at approximately 1:59 p.m. as a
further reminder of pi's approximate value, 3.14159.
> With "Learning Math: Measurement"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/meas46.html> Session 7, "Circles and Pi,"
investigate the irrational number pi and its relationship to the
circumference and area of a circle.
> Watch "The Brain: Teaching Modules"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/brain47.html> Program 20, "A Super-Memorist
Advises on Study Strategies." This short clip features Rajan Mahadevan, who has
memorized the first 99,000 decimal places of pi -- and, amazingly, can jump in
and continue from any point within that set of digits!
> Our exhibit "Math in Daily Life"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/mathex48.html> shows how important
the number pi can be in home decorating.
> Scroll down on this page
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/pi49.html> for the lesson "Round
About pi" for elementary students.
Birthday of Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879)
> Appreciate the scope of Einstein's impact on physics and related fields with
"The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/mech50.html>. In particular, watch
Program 25, "Kepler to Einstein," and Program 43, "Velocity and Time."
> Elementary and middle school teachers can explore central ideas in physics
with "Science in Focus: Force and Motion"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/force51.html> and "Science in Focus:
Energy" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/energy52.html>.
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Physical Science"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/phys53.html> equips teachers with
ways of dealing with children's preconceived ideas about matter.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21)
This year's theme is "Empowering Youth to Fight Racism" -- a great reason to
bring the nature and scope of racial discrimination to the
fore in classroom discussions.
> "America's History in the Making"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/amhist54.html> Program 3, "Colonial
Designs"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/amhist55.html>, shows how legal
distinctions between the races were developed in response to economic and social
changes, facilitating the development of slavery as
an institution. The series begins this month on the Channel.
> Our series "Teaching 'The Children of Willesden Lane'"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/cwl56.html> presents the use of
biographical literature to examine what happens when a racist logic is carried
to its logical, extreme conclusion -- and helps teachers guide
their students through ethical questions related to prejudice.
> In "Political History," Workshop 2 of "Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in
American Literature"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/artif57.html>, mining camp laws enacted
in California in 1853, along with a novel and artifacts from the same era,
provide means of understanding the history of legalized racism in the U.S. Visit
the series Web site
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/artif58.html> for coordinated materials.
> See how one high school teacher approached the subject of racial profiling
with her students in "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/civic59.html>.
> On the Web site for "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the
Middle Grades"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/tml60.html>, read about author Shirley
Sterling and her celebrated novel, "My Name Is Seepeetza," which addresses
issues of identity, institutional racism, and assimilation.
> Why does discrimination happen, and how is it perpetuated? An informal
experiment in 1968 by a teacher in her own 3rd grade classroom in Riceville,
Iowa provides insight in "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/psych61.html> Program 20,
"Constructing Social Reality."
> Hear what students of different backgrounds have to say about race and how it
affects their lives in "Growing Up in the City, Part II: Discovering Race,"
Program 35 of "The Merrow Report"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/merrow62.html>.
> In attempts to end discrimination or compensate for its injuries, where do the
boundaries lie? Consider the different answers offered in "Affirmative Action
Versus Reverse Discrimination," Program 12 of "The Constitution: That Delicate
Balance"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/const63.html>.
> See what statistical measures were used to prove discrimination against
Hispanic government officers in "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/odds64.html> Program 20,
"Significance Tests."
American Chocolate Week (March 18-24)
> Listen to a radio show about the history of chocolate at the bottom of this
page
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/choco65.html>, or read about Europeans'
introduction to cacao by the Mesoamericans in the article "Conquests of
Chocolate" in Word format
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/cacao66.html>.
National Women's History Month
This year's theme for National Women's History Month is "Generations of
Women Moving History Forward."
> On the Web site for our new series "America's History in the Making," gain
insight from correspondence between Abigail Adams and her husband, John Adams,
from 1776
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/adams67.html> and from speeches by
Sojourner Truth
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/truth68.html>
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/truth69.html> addressing women's rights.
> Get an overview of the struggle for women's voting rights, with historic film
and photos, in the third segment of "The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible," the
second program of "Democracy in America"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/dia70.html>.
> For an example of how women have been used in the past to advance an
industrial agenda, watch "The Lowell System: Women in a New Industrial Society,"
the third program of "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/prim71.html>. Find documents,
transcripts, and activities on the Primary Sources Web site at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/prim72.html>.
> Take the Biography of America interactive survey: "Did the feminist movement
improve American women's lives?"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/boa73.html> ... and find out what
other people think, too!
> Search the American Passages archive
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/arch74.html> using "feminism" as a key
word to find over a hundred interesting and diverse images and
artifacts related to women's history in America.
> "Literature," our online exhibit, is based on the short story "A Jury of Her
Peers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/lit75.html> by Susan
Glaspell. The early 20th century story addresses women's roles in society.
National Ethics Awareness Month
> "Ethics in America II"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/2ethic76.html>, new this year, deals with
some of the biggest gray areas in American society today, using the Socratic
method to query by leaders in the political, medical, business,
media, academic, and religious spheres.
> "Ethics in America"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/ethic77.html> is the original acclaimed
series in which distinguished figures in various fields debate ethical dilemmas.
> What factors can affect a person's ethics in everyday situations, for better
or for worse? Find out with "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/psych78.html> Program 19, "The Power of
the Situation." This program also covers research ethics
and the protection of study subjects.
> For a look at journalistic ethics, see "News Writing"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/news79.html>, particularly Program 14,
"The Ethics of Journalism." Be sure to also read the News Writing interviews, in
which several journalists like Helen Thomas
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/ht80.html> offer their personal
thoughts on ethical matters.
> Key personalities discuss key ethical issues related to constitutional rights
in "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/const81.html>.
> For an illustration of the role ethical concerns play in how animal research
is carried out, see "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/odds82.html> Program 19, "Confidence
Intervals."
Music in Our Schools Month
> "Teaching 'The Children of Willesden Lane'" features the work of author and
classical pianist Mona Golabek. For musical selections, go to
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/cwl83.html>.
> Learn ways to strengthen your teaching and assessment of performance and
musical technique with "The Art of Teaching the Arts: A Workshop for High School
Teachers"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/arts84.html>; Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/march/arts85.html>.
> "Bridging World History"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh86.html> Unit 25, "Global Popular
Culture" considers contradictions inherent in the globalization of traditional
forms. The program traces the history and popularization of
reggae music as an example.
> For examples of excellent music instruction at the elementary level, see "The
Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/aecl87.html> Program 4, "Teaching Music."
Also consider the related workshop
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/aecw88.html>.
> At the American Passages archive
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/arch89.html>, use search term "music" to
find historic songs and instrumental pieces, readable sheet music,
and images related to historic musicians and forms of musical expression.
> "Exploring the World of Music"
<http://learner.org/redirect/march/music90.html> looks at the elements of
musical forms throughout the world, as well as the connection between
music and culture. The series begins this month on the Channel.
*************************
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, plus ideas for using our resources in the
classroom. If you have any questions or wish to subscribe to this list, please
email
<mailto:info@learner.org>. To be taken off this list, please reply to this
email with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message.