Dear Education Professionals,

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This week's newsletter is sponsored by HP.

HP knows successful 1:1 computing takes more than just computers, it takes great planning. That’s why HP offers a range of services like ongoing training for educators and innovative financing to help keep technology current. It’s just a part of the bigger picture HP considers to make 1:1 computing work for both students and educators alike. Learn more

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Volume 12 Issue 11
March 11, 2008

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THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS
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This week, Education World reviewed three Web sites of interest to educators.

The Life of a Vertebrate Fossil
Follow a fossil from discovery to museum display on this Smithsonian site.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-07.shtml

The Big Read
Online resources plus grants for communities to join "The Big Read."
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-05.shtml

Astronomy and Space
National Science Foundation site explores the biggest of big questions.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-03.shtml

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REVIEWS
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The Life of a Vertebrate Fossil
Follow a fossil from discovery to museum display on this Smithsonian site.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-07.shtml

REVIEW: A+
The Life of a Vertebrate Fossil is an interactive multimedia site where visitors of all ages will enjoy learning about vertebrate fossils and how they are discovered and prepared for display. The site uses video clips, interactive diagrams and high quality photographs to show visitors how paleontologists search for fossils, decide if they are worth the time, the tools that are needed to collect the fossils, how old the fossils are, how to dig it out of the sediment, prepare it to be moved, prepare the fossil for display in the museum, and how they unravel the story of the fossil. Along the way visitors are given the opportunity to plan their own fossil hunt.

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The Big Read
Online resources plus grants for communities to join "The Big Read."
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-05.shtml

REVIEW: A+
The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Communities can apply for a grant to implement the program. All the materials needed for application are on the Web site. Beyond that it also provides teachers and students some excellent resources for reading and studying such literary works as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, The Call of the Wild, The Grapes of Wrath, The Joy Luck Club, Their Eyes Were Watching Heaven, and others. More are to be added in September of 2008. Each featured book is accompanied by a reader’s guide that includes the historical context, a note about the author, other works/adaptations, discussion questions, and a teacher’s guide that includes lesson plans, project ideas, essay topics, standards, and other resources. You will want to bookmark this one to return often.

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Astronomy and Space
National Science Foundation site explores the biggest of big questions.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0308-03.shtml

REVIEW: A+
This site provides resources and information for teachers and students who are teaching and learning about astronomy and space. There are four “big questions” that it addresses: What is the universe made of, and how does it work? Where did it all come from? What is our place in the cosmos? and Are we alone? Each question is answered in a short essay with hypertext links to additional information. The highlight of the site is the interactive telescope that allows users to view a series of images from NSF-funded observatories that include galaxies, sunspots, and an area that is thought to mark the location of a super massive black hole and images from the moon that scientists can use to study the properties of the Moon's dusty surface layer. Additionally, visitors to the site will find a link to the 2007: Year in Review that includes all the advances and activities reported for the year, all the latest astronomy and space news and more resources i ncluding NSF classroom resources pertaining to astronomy and space.

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NEW! FROM EDUCATION WORLD
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Each week, Education World spotlights books of interest to educators. This week, read a brief summary of two more of our "top 50 books for educators."

Shakespeare: To Teach or Not to Teach -- Teaching Shakespeare Made Fun From Elementary to High School
Shakespeare probably accounts for more shelf space than any author in history, including lots of books about teaching Shakespeare at all levels. This book focuses on making Shakespeare fun to teach and to learn, and on elementary through high school. It's a particularly good book for the non-drama specialist or for a teacher who might feel reluctant to tackle Shakespeare "too early."
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time
Greg Mortenson is an American who tried to climb K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, but didn't make it. Dangerously ill after this effort, he was sheltered for seven weeks in a Pakistani village and promised to return to build its first school. This grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has built more than 50 schools across Pakistan and Afghanistan. An engaging story about reaching across cultures through education.
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.

Click the icon to the right to see more books and many other products that are available in the Education World MarketPlace.

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Save We Must: Tips for Building Financial Security
Have the stock market roller coaster and plunging home prices got you queasy? Former teachers-turned financial planners discuss how they help people weather financial turbulence, set goals, and accumulate savings for retirement, education, or other goals.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lifestyle/

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The Best of the WRITING BUG

If you enjoy Education World's weekly WRITING BUG feature, you'll love this book! Education World and the National Education Association (NEA) have joined forces to create a handy, pocket-size booklet with 44 of the most popular Writing Bug story starters. Use these Writing Bug activities to engage your students in effective writing. Each writing prompt will spark students' imaginations, tickle their funny bones, and motivate their pencils.

Included: In this booklet you'll find these Writing Bug titles and many more:

• If I Could Interview Any U.S. President...
• The Best Lesson I Ever Learned
• I Got a Postcard from Another P***t
• A Week Without TV
• The Best Invention Ever/The Worst Invention Ever
• Plus 39 more Writing Bug writing prompts!

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Education World now incorporates www.SchoolNotes.com ~ "everybody on the same page!" The leading school-to-home communications platform, with FREE pages for teachers and automatic notification of parents and students when new homework is posted!

For a modest $24.95 PER YEAR, upgrade to Personal Edition, "Super SchoolNotes," with thousands of resources linked to your state's standards.

Click here for more information.

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MORE FEATURES OF INTEREST!

Professional Development Newsletter Sign up now!
Education World MarketPlace Books, electronics, insurance, travel, more.
Printables Library You're sure to find great resources here.
Meet Our Columnists Experts from many areas of the "education world."
Teaching Themes for Early Childhood Sue LaBella offers holiday ideas, more.
Classroom Organization Tips Ideas (and photos) that you can easily adapt.
Stress Relief Kit Take a deep breath. Then take a look here.
Classroom Management 101 Real teachers share what they are doing to manage real classrooms.
News for Kids News of our world written with kids in mind. Teacher's Guide included.

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