Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for May ***
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 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  German Language Series to Be Discontinued
 -  Distance Learning
 -  Connect Learning with Special Days
     o World Telecommunications Day
     o Weights & Measures Day
     o International Jazz Day
     o Memorial Day, Observed
     o Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
     o Older Americans Month
 -  National Geographic Bee
 -  Editor's Note

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

'Hobbit' Hominid Controversy

In 2003, a team of scientists discovered the fossilized remains of what appeared to be a hominid of tiny stature -- a "hobbit-like" specimen similar to ancient human predecessors, but smaller than any other yet found. The hominid has been called "Homo floresiensis," in keeping with the notion that the bones represent a newly discovered species.

As the fossils' characteristics contradict common theories of human evolution and migration, the find has stirred up intense debate. If this is a new species -- an idea some refute -- then how did it evolve? Did H. floresiensis evolve from H. erectus, H. habilis, H. sapiens? or from Australopithecus? How did it come to coexist with Homo sapiens or modern humans? It is a mystery paleoanthropologists are racing to solve.

> Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives outlines major ideas in human evolution in Unit 9. http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/humev/  Click on Animations & Images for a chart showing the "Hominid Family Tree" and another showing the "Human Fossil Bush."

> The migrations of early modern humans are traced in "Bridging World History" http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_video_3-1.html Unit 3. The archive includes numerous charts and images related to human evolution, such as photos of Australopithecus, H. erectus, and Neanderthal skulls; photos of cave art and stone tools; artistic renderings of evolutionary stages; and views of excavation sites; and maps showing early migration routes.

> For a more general discussion on evolution and evolutionary trees, see "Evolution and the Tree of Life" http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session6/ -- Session 6 of Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science.

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Policy Toward Cuba

Sending the first signal of change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, President Obama announced an easing of travel restrictions to the island nation. Americans with family in Cuba will now be allowed to travel unrestricted and to send money and gifts to family members living in Cuba. The U.S.-imposed trade embargo, in place since the 1960s, has not been lifted, though the Obama administration is in the process of facilitating diplomacy that could lead in that direction.

> Gain historical background on Cuba with Bridging World History Unit 19 http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_video_19-1.html which looks at slavery on Cuban sugar plantations in the 19th century. The unit readings include an article in PDF format http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/support/reading_19_2.pdf about historical economic and cultural links between Cuba and the American South.

> For more on 19th century Cuba and the role of the American military expedition there in launching the U.S. into the realm of global colonial powers, listen to the Talking History radio program of 22 June 1998 http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/16/addtlResources/#ARnchs -- "The Charge Up San Juan Hill: a talk with Mathew Oyos." The reading on the Philippine-American War, available on the same page, may also be of interest.

> In the program "Migration From Latin America," tenth-grade geography and world history teacher Mavis Weir engages her class in a group project to explore factors in immigration to the U.S. from Latin American countries, including Cuba. This page http://www.learner.org/libraries/socialstudies/9_12/weir/background.html offers a paragraph about Cuba and a link for viewing the video.

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Influenza Outbreak

After suspicious cases of illness in New York and other states were positively identified as swine flu -- a specific strain of influenza virus containing avian, swine, and human elements -- U.S. officials were quick to declare a public health emergency. The appearance of the new virus, which is believed to have spread from Mexico to other countries in North America, is already raising concerns that it could become a global pandemic.

> Find out about flu viruses and why disease outbreaks occur in Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives Unit 5, Emerging Infectious Diseases. http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/infect/  Click on Animations & Images for a Quicktime movie showing how the influenza virus infects cells. http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/archive/animations/hires/a_infect8_h.html  Also read this interview with University of Virginia professor Lukas K. Tamm http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/infect/experts/tamm.html in which he discusses types of influenza, virus mutations, epidemics, pandemics, and related topics. The online textbook offers additional information.

> Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology http://learner.org/redirect/november/life3.html covers microbes and their ever-changing relationship to disease in Program 12, "Microbes and Human Diseases." Other programs in the series cover major topics related to organisms.

> Our Disease Lab interactive http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/interactives/disease/ offers a look at the dynamics of viral contagion and how different factors can affect the spread of disease. From The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science.

> Take a look back at how epidemics and disease outbreaks were dealt with and what lessons were learned in previous eras by watching Primary Sources: Workshops in American History http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/disease/introduction.html. Lecture transcripts are available onsite.

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


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*** GERMAN LANGUAGE SERIES TO BE DISCONTINUED ***

After December 31, 2009 Annenberg Media will no longer distribute Fokus Deutsch: An Introduction to German Language and Culture http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html either on DVD or as a video stream. Those who would like to purchase a copy of the series can do so at a 50% discount. Series can be ordered through 1-800-LEARNER or www.learner.org.


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*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

May 2009 Distance Learning Newsletter

We realize schools are busy getting ready for the end of the spring semester and looking toward summer and fall. As you are planning for upcoming terms, we would like to remind you that the following distance learning courses are each supported by an in-depth coordinated Web site -- complete with an accompanying guide or textbook -- to enhance your 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.

Special Incentive on Math and Science Courses. 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. Be on the lookout for similar offers in the months ahead.

Remember that 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.

Visit us! We will be at the following conferences over the next few months: Georgia Distance Learning Association, June 22-24; NUTN, June 21-23; Kansas Summer Institute, July 30-31; and Wisconsin Distance Learning, August 5-6. Please stop by our booth or attend our presentation. We would love to connect.


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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

World Telecommunications Day (May 17)

> Take a look back at early mass media with the article "Black, White, and Yellow: Coloring the News in Late-Nineteenth-Century America" http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit08/context_activ-3.html -- from American Passages: A Literary Survey.

> Economics U$A http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html Program 25, "Economic Growth," looks at the extent to which the telecommunications industry has driven economic growth -- beginning with the 1960s space race that led to the development of satellite technology.

> Learn how the tiny city-state of Singapore has become a telecommunications hub and manufacturing giant, in The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century, Program 15. http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/page15.html

> "Reflections on a Global Screen," the second program of Human Geography: People, Places, and Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html looks at television broadcasting from the perspective of cultural and economic globalization.


Weights & Measures Day (May 20)

> Our British and Metric Conversions interactive http://www.learner.org/interactives/metric/ reviews the names and symbols for different measures as well as how to convert between the two systems. At the end, test your knowledge with the Konversion Kingdom Mania game.

> Learning Math: Measurement http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/measurement/index.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.

> Find scale- and weight-related problems that demonstrate algebraic thinking http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/algebra/session10/part_d/index68.html on the Web site for our professional development series Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. Click on "Homework" for related problems. On this page http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/algebra/session6/part_c/index.html find an interactive balance scale activity.

> An activity demonstrates variation in measurement, and links to the corresponding video clip. http://www.learner.org/courses/learningmath/data/session1/part_b/index.html

> Find new contexts for exploring measurement with young students in Teaching Math: A Video Library, K-4, http://www.learner.org/resources/series32.html Programs 23 through 27.

> What does the moon weigh? http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/physicalsci/session1/closer1.html explains how we can weigh the moon -- and what gravity has to do with how we measure mass on earth.

> What's a Newton? Find out on the Science in Focus: Energy Web site. http://www.learner.org/workshops/energy/workshop2/newtons.html


International Jazz Day (May 23)

> Learn about the historical significance of jazz with the articles "Jazz Aesthetics" http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit14/context_activ-4.html and "Cultural Change, Cultural Exchange: The Jazz Age, the Depression, and Transatlantic Modernism." http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit11/context_activ-3.html

> Also on the American Passages Web site, visit the archive http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php to see photos of famous jazz figures including Duke Ellington, June Christy, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Toots Thielemans, Billie Holiday, Tony Parenti, Count Basie, and The Machito Orchestra, or listen to clips of early jazz in MP3 format, such as "The Jelly Roll Blues." http://www.learner.org/amerpass/archive/9000s/9195.mp3  Enter keyword "jazz" for many more jazz-related items.

> Several programs of Exploring the World of Music http://www.learner.org/resources/series105.html include segments on jazz to demonstrate how musicians control timbre, build upon structure, use harmony, improvise, and hone their craft.

> The influence of jazz on the life and works of poet and author Langston Hughes is explored in a documentary in the series Voices & Visions. http://www.learner.org/resources/series57.html


Memorial Day, Observed (May 25)

> America's History in the Making http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/ outlines the cultural and economic factors in World War I -- including the beginnings of a powerful business-military partnership -- in Unit 16, "A Growing Global Power." Unit 19, "Postwar Tension and Triumph," covers World War II, the atomic bomb, and the American effort to combat communism.

> Learn more about the history war veterans helped to shape. Watch A Biography of America http://learner.org/redirect/may/boa85.html -- particularly Programs 18 and 22, which cover the First and Second World Wars. Program 18, "TR and Wilson," discusses Wilson's war message in which he argues that the world must be made safe for democracy.

> The Western Tradition http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html examines the significance of the two world wars within the broader context of Western civilization. See Program 37, "The First World War and the Rise of Fascism," and Program 48, "The Second World War."

> Not all effects of war are physical, and not all wounds are the direct result of combat. The World of Abnormal Psychology http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html presents several Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and presents research on its causes and treatment.

> For background on the Korean war, watch "Korea and the Cold War: A Case Study." http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/coldwar/introduction.html  The Web site includes lecture transcripts, activities, reflection questions, and primary sources such as speeches and official communications.


Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

This May, take time to explore and teach about the history, experience, and rich cultural heritage of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island descent. The following resources can help you:

> Read about the experience of Asian immigrants in America in the articles (in PDF format) "Early Chinese Immigration and the Process of Education" http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/Early-Chinese-Imm_L-One.pdf and "Asian Immigration to the United States" http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/pdf/Asian-ImmigrationL-One.pdf from the National Center for History in the Schools. On the Web site for America's History in the Making. http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/

> Aspects of Asian civilizations are examined within the broader context of world history in Bridging World History. http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/  Unit 26, "World History and Identity," includes a segment about the Chinese diaspora.

> Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/ studies the unique perspectives of several Asian Pacific American authors. Meet the authors in the videos, and read their works in the downloadable readings (click on Support Materials).

> Read about the work of author Ruthanne Lum McCunn http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/session7/aw/work2.html on the Web site for The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School. Visit the home page for a list of other featured authors.

> Learn about the historical significance of the writings of Asian Pacific Americans with American Passages: A Literary Survey http://www.learner.org/amerpass/ -- particularly Unit 12, "Migrant Struggle," and Unit 16, "Search for Identity," which feature authors Carlos Bulosan and Maxine Hong Kingston, respectively.

> The work of painter Hung Liu, who comments on the Qing imperial court and traditional Chinese society, is showcased in A World of Art: Works in Progress. http://www.learner.org/resources/series64.html


Older Americans Month

> Growing Old in a New Age http://learner.org/redirect/may/gold72.html dispels myths about the experiences of older people. Learn firsthand from 75 elders who talk about different aspects of their lives.

> Our lifespan development series Seasons of Life http://learner.org/redirect/may/seas73.html looks at late adulthood in Program 5. The program features several people who continue to live actively and pursue dreams well into their later years.

> Learn what research has revealed about aging and elderly people in "Maturing and Aging" http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/18/e18expand.html from the series Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition. The page includes a link to video on demand and a quiz on myths and realities of aging.

> In "An Ounce of Prevention," Program 13 of The World of Abnormal Psychology, http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html the organization Austin Groups for the Elderly in Austin, Texas is shown as a model for effective inter-organizational cooperation to support the health and wellbeing of older people.

> For a short clip about aging, see The Mind: Teaching Modules http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html Video 16, "The Effect of Aging on Cognitive Function: Nature/Nurture."


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*** NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE ***

The National Geographic Bee http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/ is a nationwide competition in geography knowledge held each year for students in grades 4 through 8. This year the event is scheduled to take place on May 19 and 20 in Washington, D.C. If your school is not participating, our resources can help you craft a geography game or competition right in your own classroom.

> Learn more about the world's many regions with programs that zero in on specific locales -- watch The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century. http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/  Click on program titles for links to video on demand and more.

> Teaching Geography http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/ features effective teaching at the middle and high school levels. Lesson plans, transcripts, maps, standards, interactive slideshows, and other resources are available on the series Web site.

> Find maps of the U.S. showing the changes in territorial boundaries between Pre-colonial America and contemporary times on our Biography of America Web site. http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/

> Human Geography: People, Places, and Change http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html presents topics in geography from a globalization perspective.

To find out where you stand on geographic knowledge, try the online GeoBee Challenge http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/ -- a daily quiz of ten questions from the National Geographic Bee.


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*** EDITOR'S NOTE ***

The update email from Annenberg Media for March 2009 included a reference to ongoing conflict in Gaza. The purpose of listing the news item was to refer teachers and individuals to background video that includes scholars commenting on the history and geography of that region. We apologize to those who felt that the conflict was misrepresented in any way.


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