Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for May ***
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 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  This Month on the Channel
 -  Telecourse/e-Learning Bulletin
 -  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
 -  Connect Learning with More Special Days
     o World Press Freedom Day
     o International Day for Biological Diversity
     o National Geographic Bee
     o Weights and Measures Week
     o Teacher Appreciation Week
     o World Trade Week
     o Older Americans Month
     o Learn German Month

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Teaching is about more than academics; it deals with life. With the recent tragic events at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, teachers may find themselves searching for ways to discuss the tragedy meaningfully with their students. Can anything be learned from such loss of life -- its causes, its human impact, or how such violence might be prevented in the future?

We have a number of programs you may find helpful, either as general resources or for addressing recent events with your students:

  > "The World of Abnormal Psychology" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/abno1.html> Program 13, "An Ounce of Prevention," looks at programs that help parents and teachers better meet the emotional and psychological needs of young people, to prevent early problems that can lead to troubled thoughts and behavior or violent choices in adulthood. The program also addresses how adults can learn to cope more successfully with stressful situations and negative emotions. Other programs in the series explore aspects of abnormal behavior and the underlying psychological issues.

 > "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/psy2.html> covers many aspects of psychology that may lend insight. In particular, see Programs 5, 11, 12, 15, 20, and 21.

 > "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/chil3.html> demonstrates specific ways that caregivers can support healthy emotional development from the very earliest years. Watch Program 5, "Feelings Count: Emotions and Learning."

 > Sudden death can be especially difficult to cope with. Our series "Death: A Personal Understanding" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/dea4.html> shows how people in a variety of situations have dealt with loss of life. Program 6, "Sudden Death," Program 7, "A Child's View of Death," and Program 8, "Grief and Bereavement," may be particularly helpful.

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These programs can be viewed free of charge through Video on Demand. Visit our Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/may/view5.html> for general instructions and technical requirements.


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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/may/sched6.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in May.

ARTS
> "Art of the Western World" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/art7.html>
> "A World of Art: Works in Progress" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/woart8.html>

EDUCATION
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/lala9.html>
> "Minds of Our Own" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/minds10.html>
> "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/chil11.html>

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" (college level) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/apass12.html>
> "Engaging With Literature: A Video Library, Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/ewll13.html>
> "English Composition: Writing for an Audience" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/comp14.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Video Library, Grades 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/meanl15.html>
> "Signature: Contemporary Writers" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/sig16.html>

MATHEMATICS
> "Mathematics Assessment: A Video Library, K-12" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/mass17.html>

SCIENCE
> "Earth Revealed" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/earth18.html>
> "The World of Chemistry" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/chem19.html>

SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "A Biography of America" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/boa20.html>
> "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/psy21.html>
> "Economics U$A" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/econ22.html>
> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/hgeo23.html>
> "Inside the Global Economy" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/gecon24.html>

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Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/may/chnl25.html>.

Be sure to download the Channel Program Guide <http://learner.org/redirect/may/guid26.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/may/view27.html> -- also closed captioned <http://learner.org/redirect/may/cc28.html>.


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

// What's New //

- Get ready for a brand new telecourse in environmental science. "The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science" is a 13-part video series scheduled to debut in 2008. The series will be available as a telecourse/e-learning course, complete with a Web site and valuable coordinated materials. Check the Learner.org Web site periodically for updates.

- Our existing 13-part biology series, "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/rbio29.html>, is available as a telecourse/e-learning course starting fall 2007.

- What makes Annenberg Media unique? Get the facts with this new flier in PDF format <http://learner.org/redirect/may/pdf30.html>. Learn more about Annenberg Media telecourse/e-learning offerings at our FAQ <http://learner.org/redirect/may/faq31.html>, which includes a list of courses plus licensing forms and information.

// Upcoming Events //

Come visit us at the North Carolina Distance Learning Association meeting May 23-25, 2007 in Ashville, North Carolina. We look forward to meeting you there!


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*** ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ***

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month -- a good time to explore our resources that teach about the history, cultural legacy, and unique perspectives of Asian Pacific Americans.

> "Bridging World History" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/bwh32.html> looks at Asian civilizations within the broader context of global developments. Unit 26, "World History and Identity," includes a segment about the Chinese diaspora.

> "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/pop33.html> surveys contemporary geography of several Asian Pacific countries.

> Consider more recent cultural exchange between Asian Pacific cultures and America through media and industrial globalization with "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/hgeo34.html>.

Art and literature bring in interpretive and personal elements....

> Explore issues of identity, race, tradition, and cultural adaptation through the writings of several Asian Pacific American authors in "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/tml35.html>.

> "The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/canon36.html> offers material that high school teachers can draw upon in teaching the works of several Asian Pacific Americans. For example, read and hear the work of poet Russell Leong <http://learner.org/redirect/may/leong37.html>, whose poem "Aerogrammes" is discussed by Professor Barbara Chin of the University of Montana in Missoula. The related lesson plan is also available online <http://learner.org/redirect/may/plan38.html>.

> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/apass39.html> considers the historical significance of the writings of Asian Pacific Americans, particularly in Program 12, "Migrant Struggle," and Program 16, "Search for Identity." Other materials include biographical sketches -- such as this one of author Sui Sin Far (Edith Maud Eaton) <http://learner.org/redirect/may/far40.html> -- and an artifact archive containing photos, historical documents, and other artifacts related to Asian Pacific American history.

> See painter Hung Liu's approach in commenting on the Qing imperial court -- using historical photos, oil paint, and a blend of techniques -- in "A World of Art: Works in Progress" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/woart41.html>.


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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH MORE SPECIAL DAYS ***

World Press Freedom Day (May 3)

> This World Press Freedom Day, draw on our newest program about the press: "War Stories: National Security & the News" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/ethii42.html>, the second program in our "Ethics in America II" series, new this year.

> Our original "Ethics in America" series <http://learner.org/redirect/may/ethic43.html> is also relevant to current issues; see Program 10, "Politics, Privacy, and the Press."

> What are the boundaries of freedom of the press -- if any? See how one middle school teacher addressed First Amendment issues with her students in "Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library, K-12" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/ssl44.html> Program 20, "Landmark Supreme Court Cases."

> "News Writing" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/news45.html> covers many aspects of journalistic writing, including ethical and legal issues. Read the News Writing interviews, too <http://learner.org/redirect/may/newsi46.html>.

> Venture into the First Amendment vicariously through the discussions of former CIA director and secretary of defense James Schlesinger, former attorney general Griffin Bell, and other key figures. Watch "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/const47.html> Program 8, "National Security and Freedom of the Press."


International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22)

This year's theme is "Biodiversity and Climate Change."

> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" Unit 12, "Biodiversity" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/rbio48.html>, discusses the vital importance of the diversity of Earth's species and the maintenance of complex ecosystems.

> Enrich your understanding of life science concepts such as biodiversity, variation, ecosystems, and energy flow with "Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/life49.html>. Materials on the series Web site include "bottle biology" projects and ideas for addressing students' preconceptions in your teaching.

> Channel your enthusiasm for biodiversity (and that of your students) into "Journey North" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/jno50.html>, an international participatory investigation of cyclical wildlife change. The Journey North Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/may/jno51.html> offers many resources for studying wildlife and seasonal change, and explains how to get your students involved in the discovery.


National Geographic Bee (May 22-23)

The National Geographic Bee is an annual nationwide competition for students in grades 4 through 8 that tests knowledge of world geography. While the competition is going on in Washington, D.C., you can hold your own geography bee right where you are. Our resources can serve as sources of raw material.

> Expand your knowledge with the documentaries of "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/pop52.html>. Find maps, standards, and more on the series Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/may/pop53.html>.

> Observe effective teaching at the middle and high school levels, with an eye to covering standards, in our "Teaching Geography" workshop <http://learner.org/redirect/may/tgeo54.html>. Lesson plans, transcripts, maps, interactive slideshows, and other resources are available on the series Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/may/tgeo55.html>.

> Our Biography of America Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/may/boa56.html> includes maps of the U.S. showing the changes in territorial boundaries between Pre-colonial American and contemporary times.

> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/hgeo57.html> examines geography within the rapidly expanding context of media and economic globalization.

To find out where you stand geographically, try the online GeoBee Challenge <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/>, a daily quiz composed of ten questions from the National Geographic Bee.


Weights and Measures Week (May 1-7)

The observance of Weights and Measures Week marks the passage of the first weights and measures law by the U.S. Congress on March 2, 1799. This year's theme is "Weights and Measures: The Foundation of Commerce in a Global Economy."

> "Learning Math: Measurement" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/meas58.html> covers everything from the meaning of measurement, to the metric system, to how to find specific measures such as area and volume. The series also provides K-8 classroom case studies.

> On the Web site for "Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra," see this demonstration of equivalence through weights and balance <http://learner.org/redirect/may/patt59.html>, plus interesting algebra homework related to weights <http://learner.org/redirect/may/patt60.html>.

> Explore numerous contexts for exploring measurement with elementary students in "Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/tmk4_61.html>.

(Note: Considering the theme of this year's Weights and Measures Week, you may also be interested in the resources listed below under World Trade Week.)


Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-12)

> Gain new appreciation for dedicated teachers through the documentaries of "The Merrow Report" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/mer62.html>, which offer a window onto the lives of real teachers and the challenges they face.


World Trade Week (May 20-26)

> Go back in time to the early beginnings of global trade with "Bridging World History" Unit 15, "Early Global Commodities" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/bwh63.html>. Unit 8, "Early Economies" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/bwh64.html>, may also be of interest.

> For an historical look at the development of world trade within the context of increasing interactions between Native peoples, colonizers, and other groups in the Americas -- leading to the Columbian Exchange -- watch "Mapping Initial Encounters," Unit 2 of our series "America's History in the Making." This page <http://learner.org/redirect/may/hist65.html> offers Video on Demand plus written material on the subject.

> For ideas of how to introduce world trade topics to your students, watch "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/econw66.html>. Program 5, "Trading Globally," is particularly relevant.

> See "Economics U$A" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/econ67.html> Program 27, "International Trade."
This program discusses aspects of international trade, such as tariffs and quotas versus free trade, and how legal issues are handled.

> "Inside the Global Economy" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/gecon68.html> covers many aspects of global economics and international trade.

> "Artisans and Traders," Program 3 of our archaeology/anthropology series "Out of the Past" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/past69.html>, looks at economic systems -- their diversity, history, and social functions. Learn how the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia developed symbols for economic record keeping purposes -- and how these symbols led to the creation of alphabets and writing systems -- in Program 4, "Signs and Symbols." Program 2, "The Hearth," and "Program 5, "Power, Prestige, and Wealth," also relate to the topic.

> Learn about the impact of global economic trends on rural communities with "Rural Communities: Legacy & Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/rural70.html> Program 6, "Think Globally."


Older Americans Month

The theme for Older Americans Month this year is "Older Americans: Making Choices for a Healthier Future."

> "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/psy71.html> Program 18, "Maturing and Aging," covers psychological theories and studies about aging, current societal attitudes toward aging and older people, and how the challenges of aging can be met effectively.

> "Growing Old in a New Age" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/gold72.html> takes a candid look at the aging process and dispels myths about the limitations and experiences of older people. The series features 75 elders who talk about different aspects of life from their own perspective.

> Watch our lifespan development series "Seasons of Life" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/seas73.html> Program 5, "Late Adulthood (Ages 60+)," which interviews several members of the "young old" -- those who continue to live actively and pursue dreams well into their later years.

> "An Ounce of Prevention," Program 13 of "The World of Abnormal Psychology" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/abno74.html>, takes a look at Austin Groups for the Elderly in Austin, Texas, which can serve as a model for effective inter-organizational cooperation to support the health and wellbeing of older people.

> "The Mind: Teaching Modules" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/mind75.html> Program 16, "The Effect of Aging on Cognitive Function: Nature/Nurture," looks at how lifestyle can contribute to individual differences in the aging process. Program 17, "Aging and Memory," discusses what scientists are learning about aging from studies of changes in memory functions.


Learn German Month

> Find three video programs showing the teaching of German, along with related resources, on the Web site for "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/tfll76.html>.

> Choose May as the time to start learning the German language with "Fokus Deutsch" <http://learner.org/redirect/may/fokus77.html>.


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