Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

--------------------------------------------------
*** In the Spotlight for September ***
--------------------------------------------------

 -  The New Fall Catalog Is Here
 -  Make the Most of Constitution Day
 -  National Hispanic Heritage Month
 -  Distance Learning Telecourse Bulletin
 -  This Month on the Channel
 -  Connect Learning with More Special Days
     o Anne Bradstreet Day
     o National Punctuation Day
     o Self-University Week
     o National Piano Month
 -  Join the Journey South

--------------------------------------------------
*** THE NEW FALL CATALOG IS HERE ***

The new catalog for Fall 2007 is now available! The catalog includes a number of updates, including video series new in 2007 and options added to existing video series.

To receive a new catalog, you may request one online <http://learner.org/redirect/september/cat1.html> or call 1-800-LEARNER (1-800-532-7637).


--------------------------------------------------
*** MAKE THE MOST OF CONSTITUTION DAY ***

The year Constitution Day is Monday, September 17. As you know, educational institutions receiving funding through the Department of Education are required to participate by holding educational programs pertaining to the U.S. Constitution (find the original announcement in the Federal Register <http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html> volume 70, page 29727).

Consider using the following resources as part of your educational programs:

> This Constitution Day, watch "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/con2.html>. The following programs air on the Channel prior to Constitution Day, if you wish to record them: Program 3, "Nomination, Election, and Succession of the President"; Program 4, "Criminal Justice and a Defendant's Right to a Fair Trial"; Program 5, "Crime and Insanity"; and Program 6, "Crime and Punishments." Click on "Broadcast Dates" for specifics.

> In the roundtable discussions of "Ethics in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/eth3.html>, well-known figures in government, law, media, military, business, health care, and religion puzzle through constitutional issues and their application to realistic hypothetical situations.

> "Ethics in America II" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ethii4.html> offers the same Socratic method format as the original ethics series, only featuring new personalities and updated topics. Click on "Enter the Series Web Site" for coordinated materials, including a guide and a reader available for download.

> "America's History in the Making" -- new this year -- looks at the historical role of Enlightenment thought, the rhetorical use of revolutionary discourse, and the early development of state versus federal government in Unit 4, "Revolutionary Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ahis5.html>. Watch Video on Demand, and click on "OAH Talking History" to listen to the radio programs "Revolutionary Mothers" and "Washington's Slaves."

> Observe excellent lessons at the high school level in "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/civ6.html>. Be sure to explore the coordinated materials including a lesson collection, student and teacher perspectives, essential readings, and primary source documents (Supreme Court cases).

> "Democracy in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/dem7.html> features lectures and historical footage to illustrate constitutional ideals. Programs cover individual liberties, the modern Presidency, the courts, the media, elections, global politics, and more. Find related readings on the series Web site.

> "The Western Tradition" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/west8.html> Program 5, "The Rise of Greek Civilization," Program 6, "Greek Thought," Program 37, "The American Revolution," and 38, "The American Republic."

> Learn about the beginnings of the U.S. Constitution in "A New System of Government," Program 5 of "A Biography of America" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/boa9.html>.

> Search the American Passages archive <http://learner.org/redirect/september/arch10.html> to find historical artifacts related to the U.S. Constitution. You can also create one or more slideshows on constitutional topics.

---
Go to <http://learner.org/redirect/september/view11.html> for information about viewing options, including free Video on Demand.

More information about Constitution Day and additional programming for your school's events can be found on the Justice Learning Web site <http://www.justicelearning.org/constitutionday/index.asp>.


--------------------------------------------------
*** NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ***

Since 1988, the 31 days from September 15 through October 15 have been officially celebrated as National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. Observe the month by exploring our resources that teach about Hispanic history, culture, and experience.

> "America's History in the Making" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ahis12.html> provides materials covering the Native peoples of North and Central America, as well as interactions between Native peoples, Europeans, and Africans. See Units 1 and 2, "Pre-Columbian America" and "Mapping Initial Encounters."

> Mesoamerican trade routes and the civilizations of the Maya and Inka are explored in "Bridging World History" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/bwh13.html>. Visit the Bridging World History archive to find images by region and/or time period.

> Get an historian's perspective on the early Spanish explorers and Native peoples in "New World Encounters," the first program of "A Biography of America" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/boa14.html>.

> To learn about U.S.-Mexico borderland issues, watch Program 2 of "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/pop15.html>. Program 21, "Population Geography," looks at factors in Mexican migration and economic and population issues in Guatemala.

> "Teaching Geography" Workshop 2, "Latin America" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tgeo16.html> considers population issues and factors in migration, then shows classroom footage. Find lesson plans, program transcripts, National Geographic standards, and a Guatemala slide show on the series Web site.

> Learn about the complex civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya with "Out of the Past" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/past17.html>, narrated by actor Stacy Keach.

> The hour-long documentary "Lost in Translation: Latinos, Schools, and Society," Program 33 of "The Merrow Report" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/mer18.html>, looks at the ideals and realities of bilingual education, plus the long-term educational challenges and roots of identity issues faced by Spanish-speaking students in U.S. public schools.

> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tml19.html> introduces the writings of Julia Alvarez, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and other distinguished writers, and offers real classroom lessons and author insights.

> "The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/exp20.html> features the works of authors Rudolpho Anaya, Graciela Limón, Pat Mora, and Tomás Rivera.

> The programs of "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ap21.html> discuss the work and influences of several Latino and Chicano authors of past and present. The series Web site includes author biographies and archived artifacts related to Hispanic literature and history.

> "A World of Art: Works in Progress" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/woa22.html>, showcases the provocative works of painter/activist Judy Baca and performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña (program intended for older students and adults).

> Our popular language series "Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/dest23.html> presents lessons in the form of a telenovela, or Spanish soap opera, and introduces the geography and culture of the Spanish speaking world in the process.

> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tfl24.html> offers eight programs featuring the Spanish language and Latin American culture.


--------------------------------------------------
*** DISTANCE LEARNING TELECOURSE BULLETIN ***

// Coming Fall 2007 //

New for licensed colleges: VIDEO DOWNLOADS of Annenberg Media Distance Learning Telecourses through the ACT Media Web site. Enrolled telecourse students will be able to download course programs onto their personal computers, and then onto their Windows compatible mobile video players. Videos may also be viewed directly on desktop computers, and we will continue to offer programs on both DVD and VHS. Go to <http://www.actmedia.org> for pricing information.

New Distance Learning Telecourses Available Fall 2007:

- "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/rbio25.html>
   o 13 thirty-minute video programs
   o free online text and guide
   o coordinated Web site
   o free interactive Web activities

- "The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tlc26.html>
   o 13 thirty-minute video programs
   o coordinated Web site
   o free online guide for faculty and students

- "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/apas27.html>
   o 16 thirty-minute programs
   o coordinated text, study and faculty guide
   o free coordinated Web site

Visit our FAQ <http://learner.org/redirect/september/faq28.html> to access the Distance Learning Telecourse Intent to License Form.


// Upcoming Events //

- National Media Market, Mesa Hilton (Suite 702) in Mesa, Arizona, October 7-11, 2007

- Oregon Community College Distance Learning Association (OCCDLA) meeting in Bend, Oregon, October 11-12, 2007

- Kentucky Convergence Conference (Pre-Conference Workshop) in Somerset, Kentucky, October 31, 2007

We look forward to seeing you there!


--------------------------------------------------
*** 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/september/sch29.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in September.

ARTS
> "Art of the Western World" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/art30.html>
> "The Art of Teaching the Arts: A Workshop for High School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ata31.html>

EDUCATION THEORY & ISSUES
> "The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tlc32.html>
> "The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide to the First Five Years" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/chi33.html>

FOREIGN LANGUAGE & ESL
> "Connect With English" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/cwe34.html>
> "Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/dest35.html>
> "Fokus Deutsch" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/fd36.html>
> "French in Action" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/fia37.html>
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tflw38.html>

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" (college level) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/apas39.html>
> "Artifacts & Fiction: Workshop in American Literature" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/afic40.html>
> "English Composition: Writing for an Audience" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/eng41.html>
> "Inside Writing Communities, Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/iwc42.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/mmlw43.html>
> "News Writing" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/news44.html>
> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tml45.html>
> "Teaching Reading K-2 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/trw46.html>

MATHEMATICS
> "Against All Odds: Inside Statistics" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/odd47.html>
> "Insights Into Algebra 1: Teaching for Learning" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/alg48.html>
> "Learning Math: Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/data49.html>
> "Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/pat50.html>

SCIENCE
> "Earth Revealed" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/er51.html>
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Earth and Space Science" (K-6) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ess52.html>
> "The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/mec53.html>
> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/rb54.html>
> "Science in Focus: Force and Motion" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/forc55.html>
> "The World of Chemistry" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/chem56.html>

SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "A Biography of America" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/boa57.html>
> "Bridging World History" (high school/college) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/bwh58.html>
> "Democracy in America" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/dia59.html>
> "Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition" (college/ high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/psy60.html>
> "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ec61.html>
> "Growing Old in a New Age" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/age62.html>
> "Inside the Global Economy" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ige63.html>
> "Primary Sources: Workshop in American History" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ps64.html>
> "Teaching Geography" (grades 7-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tgeo65.html>
> "The Western Tradition" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/west66.html>
> "The World of Abnormal Psychology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/september/abno67.html>

---
Find general information about the Annenberg Channel -- including free licensing -- at <http://learner.org/redirect/september/chn68.html>.

With a broadband Internet connection, watch the Channel simulcast <http://learner.org/redirect/september/vid69.html> -- also closed captioned <http://learner.org/redirect/september/vidcc70.html>.


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

Anne Bradstreet Day (September 16)

Anne Bradstreet, a 17th century Puritan, is widely considered to be the first American poet. Her exact birth date is not known; September 16 marks the day of her death in 1672.

> Find a biography of Anne Bradstreet on the Web site for "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/apas71.html>. Also make use of the author activities and search the archive for images related to Anne Bradstreet and Puritan life.

> "Literary Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/lv72.html> Program 14, "Seeing Anew: Rhetorical Figures in Poetry," features a dramatization of Bradstreet's reading of her poem, "The Author to Her Book," to illustrate how metaphor can be employed strategically to approach the reader.

> To Anne Bradstreet Day, add the birthdays of William Carlos Williams (September 17, 1883) and T. S. Eliot (September 26, 1888). Our series "Voices & Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/vv73.html> includes documentaries covering the lives and works of Williams and Eliot and eleven other American poets.


National Punctuation Day (September 24)

> Learn about more about the proper use of punctuation with "English Composition: Writing for an Audience" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/eng74.html> Program 26, "Editing: Mechanics."

> Consider how the whole-class teaching strategies exemplified in Videos 7 and 8 of "Inside Writing Communities, Grades 3-5" as part of Workshop 4, "Teaching the Writing Craft" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/iwc75.html>, can be tailored to the teaching of correct and strategic use of punctuation.

> Draw on ideas presented in "Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/writ76.html> to reflect on your assessment of student work, including how to address the use of punctuation.

> You may find the "Top Ten Myths of Writing" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/dw77.html> a helpful starting point in prioritizing various issues -- including punctuation -- in writing lessons and assessment.

> The effects of unconventional punctuation are explored in "American Passages: A Literary Survey" Unit 10, "Rhythms in Poetry" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/apas78.html>, and in the works of Emily Dickinson and Diane Glancy <http://learner.org/redirect/september/apas79.html>.


Self-University Week (September 1-7)

As young students are beginning the school year, adults of all ages are encouraged to recommit to their lifetime learning goals.

> Learner.org is a perfect starting point for independent self-study, with free Video on Demand for viewing instructional series on many different subjects. Our list of telecourses <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tc80.html> is a good place to begin.

> Teachers may wish to pursue independent professional development <http://learner.org/redirect/september/pd81.html> or view programs from our video libraries to observe the sound practices other teachers. Browse our resources <http://learner.org/redirect/september/brs82.html> for library titles.

> For inspiration, watch "The Merrow Report" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/mer83.html> Program 15, "Starting Over," and Program 22, "Learning Everywhere."

> Unsure where to start? Take our site tour <http://learner.org/redirect/september/tour84.html>, which explains our varied resources and how to get started.


National Piano Month

> Listen to the performances of acclaimed concert pianist Mona Golabek on the Web site for "Teaching 'The Children of Willesden Lane'" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/cwl85.html>. The performances accompany lessons based on the true story of Lisa Jura, a young pianist who escaped Nazi persecution.

> What do pianos have to do with mathematics? And ... what's a whippen? Watch "Learning Math: Patterns, Functions, and Algebra" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/pat86.html> to see the inner workings of a piano and how algebraic equations can help to even out the action on a keyboard.

> In the American Passages archive, find famous piano images, such as this one showing Duke Ellington <http://learner.org/redirect/september/ell87.html>, as well as this one <http://learner.org/redirect/september/pian88.html> illustrating the historical cultural significance of the piano in American life. The archive also contains sound files of piano performances (clear the search and use keyword "ragtime").

> "Exploring the World of Music" <http://learner.org/redirect/september/mus89.html> shows the use of keyboards in a variety of musical contexts.


--------------------------------------------------
*** JOIN THE JOURNEY SOUTH ***

This year, get your students actively involved with the natural world by participating in Journey South, the fall portion of our "Journey North" program <http://learner.org/redirect/september/jn90.html> for K-12 students and teachers. The actual Journey North begins in the spring.

This unique program allows you to join in an international tracking of wildlife migrations and seasonal growth and change. The series Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/september/jn91.html> explains this season's projects and how you can participate.


*************************
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, as well as ideas for using our resources in the classroom.

If you wish to subscribe to this list, please send email to <mailto:updates-subscribe@learner.org>. To be removed from this list, send email to <mailto:updates-unsubscribe@learner.org> from the same address that you originally subscribed. If you encounter any problems subscribing or unsubscribing, or if you have any questions, contact us at <mailto:info@learner.org>.