Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for November ***
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 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  Now Available on DVD
 -  This Month on the Channel
 -  National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
 -  Connect Learning with More Special Days
     o Veterans Day
     o National Young Readers Day
     o Africa Industrialization Day
     o Thanksgiving Day
     o Black Friday
     o National Farm-City Week


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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Even as hopes are high among people in Congo, Serbia, and Bulgaria that their recent votes will usher in greater peace and stability in their respective countries, in the United States some are concerned about the election modernization process -- new voting technologies, procedures, and requirements -- and how these could affect election results this November 7.

> Consider election procedural changes in the light of Constitutional principles, with the help of "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/const1.html>.

> "Democracy in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/democ2.html> provides an overview of the two-stage electoral campaign system in Program 13, "Elections: The Maintenance of Democracy." Consider the theoretical underpinnings of the American system of government with the help of downloadable readings (Tocquesville, Machiavelli, Jefferson, and Douglass) on the series Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/november/democ3.html>.

> Watch "Electoral Politics" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/civic4.html>, Workshop 2 of "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers." Find a link to Video on Demand, a voting-related quiz, relevant lesson plans, and discussion about civic involvement.

> Even underage students can vote at our Statistics exhibit <http://learner.org/redirect/november/stat5.html>, which uses voting as a springboard for demonstrating the statistical principles behind polling, random sampling, confidence, and errors.

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Around the same time that an international group of scientists has announced it has completed the genome sequencing of the honey bee, another research team announced the discovery of a 100 million-year-old bee fossil.

> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/bio6.html> offers images, animations, videos, online text, and expert interviews related to genetics and genomics.

> "Reactions in Chemistry" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/rchem7.html> (Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/november/rchem8.html>) Unit 8, "Chemistry at the Interface," -- discusses the chemistry of DNA and genomics.

> Find ways to make the news relevant to elementary students with the help of "Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/life9.html> Session 6, "Evolution and the Tree of Life."

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According to U.S. government scientists, the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica has reached record proportions. Although this dramatic depletion has raised concerns, scientists still believe international pollution control measures now in place will allow the ozone layer to recover within about 60 years.

> Find out what ozone is, how it is produced, and how it can affect human health with "Reactions in Chemistry" Workshop 7, "Chemistry and the Environment" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/rchem10.html>.

> "The World of Chemistry" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/wchem11.html> Program 17, "The Precious Envelope," explains the process of ozone depletion.

> Our popular online Weather exhibit <http://learner.org/redirect/november/weath12.html> discusses ozone depletion within the broader context of climactic change.

> Link this topic with social studies in upper elementary grades with "Making a Difference Through Giving" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/sslib13.html>. In this lesson from our "Social Studies in Action" video library, students are prompted to consider their responsibilities as global citizens.

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With a broadband Internet connection, these programs can be viewed anytime -- FREE -- through Video on Demand. To get started, go to <http://learner.org/redirect/november/view14.html>.


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*** NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD ***

We are pleased to announce that the following titles are now available on DVD:

- "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/odds15.html>

- "Algebra: In Simplest Terms" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/alg16.html>

- "The Art of Teaching the Arts: A Workshop for High School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/hsart17.html>

- "Connecting With the Arts: A Teaching Practices Library, 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/cwartl19.html>

- "Conversations in Literature" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/conlit20.html>

- "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/econw21.html>

- "Looking at Learning, Again...Part 1" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/lalai22.html>

- "Looking at Learning, Again...Part 2" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/lalaii23.html>

- "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/tml24.html>

For more information about a series, click on the link to "Overview."


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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/november/sched25.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in November.

ARTS
> "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Workshop for Elementary School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/artsw26.html>
> "Connecting With the Arts: A Teaching Practices Library, 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/conart27.html>

EDUCATION ISSUES
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/lalai28.html>

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/tflw29.html>
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/tfll30.html>

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "News Writing" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/news31.html>
> "Signature: Contemporary Writers" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/sig32.html>
> "Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/readl33.html>
> "Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/write34.html>

MATHEMATICS
> "For All Practical Purposes: Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/fapp35.html>
> "Private Universe Project in Mathematics" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/pupm36.html>

SCIENCE
> "Earth Revealed" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/earth37.html>
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science" (K-6) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/life38.html>
> "Science K-6: Investigating Classrooms" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/k6sci39.html>
> "Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/micro40.html>
> "The World of Chemistry" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/wchem41.html>

SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "Democracy in America" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/dia42.html>
> "Ethics in America" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/ethic43.html>
> "Inside the Global Economy" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/gecon44.html>
> "Out of the Past" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/past45.html>
> "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" (high school/college) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/pop46.html>
> "The World of Abnormal Psychology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/november/abnor47.html>

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Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/november/chnl48.html>.

Be sure to download the Channel Program Guide <http://learner.org/redirect/november/guide49.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/november/simul50.html>, also closed captioned <http://learner.org/redirect/november/simulcc51.html>.


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*** NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH ***

November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Draw on our varied resources to celebrate and learn about the culture and history of the Native peoples of America.

Learn about history and culture through literature:

> "Native Voices," the first program of "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/apass52.html>, features of the work of three contemporary authors: Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), Simon Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo), and Luci Tapahonso (Navajo). On the series Web site, find information on the Chippewa Songs, Ghost Dance Songs, and several authors <http://learner.org/redirect/november/apass53.html>. And don't forget to click on "Archive" to search for relevant artifacts.

> In "Ceremonial Artifacts," Workshop 8 of "Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/afict54.html>, Professor Greg Sarris demonstrates the use of cultural artifacts -- in this case, Native American Pomo baskets -- to enhance the teaching of literature.

> Learn about the works of Native authors Joseph Bruchac, Shirley Sterling, and Laura Tohe with our series "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/tml55.html>.

> With "The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/canon56.html>, discover the writings of authors Mourning Dove, N. Scott Momaday, and James Welch.

> In "Literary Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/lit57.html> Program 9, "Suggested Meanings: Symbolism and Allegory in Short Fiction," watch an interview with celebrated author N. Scott Momaday in which he discusses mythology in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "House Made of Dawn."

Learn history, geography, and cultural anthropology, too:

> With "Bridging World History" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/bwh58.html>, discover civilizations of the Americas within the broader framework of human history. Find images related to the Turquoise Roads, the Mississippians, and other Native societies in the Bridging World History archive <http://learner.org/redirect/november/bwh59.html>.

> "A Biography of America" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/boa60.html> (Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/november/boa61.html>) does not begin with Columbus! The first program, "New World Encounters," looks at the development of civilizations from ancient times through the deleterious conquests of Columbus and his cohorts.

> "Rural Communities: Legacy & Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/rural62.html> shows both the losses experienced by Indian communities -- see Program 4, "Legacy" -- and the successes of survival and growth -- see Program 5, "Act Locally...and Invest."

> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/hgeog63.html> Program 5, "Alaska: The Last Frontier?" looks at the history of settlement in Alaska and exploitation of the region's natural resources, then focuses on the struggle of the people of Kenai Peninsula to reclaim their history and preserve their language and culture.


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

Veterans Day (November 11)

> "A Biography of America" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/boa64.html> chronicles America's wars and ponders the complex issues surrounding them. Extend the exploration with the Biography of America Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/november/boa65.html>.

> Read about the experiences of World War II veterans of diverse backgrounds in the article "With Justice for All: From World War II to the Civil Rights Movement" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/apass66.html>.

> See how primary source documents can be used to enliven students' understanding of history with "Public Opinion and the Vietnam War" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/sslib67.html>, from "Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practicing Library, K-12."

> Visit "Global War and Peace" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/bwh68.html> on the Bridging World History Web site for a link to Video on Demand, a discussion of factors in past wars, and archival photos related to World Wars I and II.

> "Korea and the Cold War: A Case Study" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/prim69.html> from our series "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History" offers a model for studying the Korean conflict -- and other similar events -- using primary source documents.


National Young Readers Day (November 14)

> Our "Teaching Reading 3-5 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/35read70.html> offers useful information on how to effectively engage students in reading. Link to tips for new teachers, interactives, and much more.

> "Teaching Reading K-2 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/readw71.html> demonstrates proven methods of developing your students' reading, writing, and oral language skills.

> "Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/readl72.html> begins this month on the Channel -- November 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

> Explore excellent teaching of excellent literature for children in grades 3-5 with our "Engaging With Literature" workshop <http://learner.org/redirect/november/ewlw73.html> and video library <http://learner.org/redirect/november/ewll74.html>, both part of Dr. Judith Langer's research-based Envisioning Literature series. For coordinated materials, click on the links to "Enter the Series Web site."


Africa Industrialization Day (November 20)

> Our series "The Africans" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/afr75.html> documents African progress toward industrialization, as well as the challenges faced by African societies on this transformative path. "The Africans" is now on DVD and is available for purchase at <http://learner.org/redirect/november/afr76.html>.


Thanksgiving Day (November 23)

Thanksgiving feasts, with origins in the traditional harvest feasts of Europe, were celebrated in America first by Spanish explorers and Native Americans, and later by the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts. A national annual Thanksgiving Day in November was first declared by President Lincoln in 1863 and has been celebrated ever since.

> On the American Passages Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/november/apass77.html>, find information about Puritan author William Bradford others, and probe the cultural meaning of Thanksgiving with related discussion questions. Then search the archive for artifacts like this painting <http://learner.org/redirect/november/apass78.html>, the "First Thanksgiving 1621."

> Observe a "typical" American Thanksgiving dinner in the countryside, complete with a traditional toast, in "Thanksgiving," Episode 37 of "Connect With English" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/eng79.html>.


Black Friday (November 24)

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is hailed as the busiest shopping day of the year and the official start of the holiday season in the U.S. Many stores hold special Black Friday sales in the hopes of drawing crowds and boosting profits.

> Review basic economic concepts with "Economics U$A" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/econ80.html>. In particular, see Program 2, "Markets and Prices," and Program 16, "Supply and Demand."

> With "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/econw81.html>, see how you can give you students an economist's macro view of consumption.


National Farm-City Week (November 17-23)

> "Rural Communities: Legacy & Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/rural82.html> explores many issues pertaining to rural life in America.

> For a comparison with global rural-urban issues, see "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/november/pop83.html>, particularly Programs 9, 12, and 16.


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