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This week's newsletter is sponsored by TEACHER’S HELPER®.

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Volume 12 Issue 20
May 13, 2008

This week, Education World reviewed three Web sites of interest to educators.

Rock Cycle Animations
"Rock Cycle" meaning granite and such, not resurgent 1980s music.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-09.shtml

In the Mix
Site based on PBS show by and for teens.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-07.shtml

Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age
Copyrights and copy wrongs for middle and high school.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-05.shtml

Rock Cycle Animations
"Rock Cycle" meaning granite and such, not resurgent 1980s music.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-09.shtml

REVIEW: A+
Rock Cycle Animations is a good resource for enhancing the earth science curriculum. These animations show some of the most common processes of rock formation including crystallization of magma to form igneous rock, rock erosion to create sediment, transportation of sediment, deposition of sediment to create sedimentary rock, and creation of a metamorphic rock in a subduction zone. Other animations show the formation of igneous rocks in different environments, classic sedimentary rock formation tracing the formation of sedimentary rock from a beach environment, the evolution of granitic igneous rock to a metamorphic rock, and view specimens of different igneous rocks classified according to texture and chemical composition. Teachers will want to check out the “Teaching Ideas” in the left side menu for essays, PowerPoint presentations, and topical resources.

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In the Mix
Site based on PBS show by and for teens.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-07.shtml

REVIEW: A+
In the Mix provides resources and materials for teens and teachers about issues and interests that affect them. Educators will find lesson plans and discussion guides that address such topics as alcohol, college, computers, dating violence, death and bereavement, diversity, ethics, family, nutrition and fitness, conflict resolution, self image, sports, and other health related issues including depression, drug abuse, smoking, and sex. The topics section includes an archive of show topics where users will find video clips, transcripts, useful info, resources and advice from experts and other teens. The 911 section offers contact information for crisis hotlines and other informational agencies. Included are “What’s New" and Frequently Asked Questions areas.

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Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age
Copyrights and copy wrongs for middle and high school.
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0508-05.shtml

REVIEW: A+
With students spending so much time online, it is vital that they understand how to act in this environment. “The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Education Curriculum program was developed to create awareness around the value of intellectual property, to foster a better understanding of the rights associated with creative content, and, ultimately, to instill in students a personal respect for IPR in a way that changes their behaviors and perceptions about digitally delivered content.” Teachers will find a set of cross curricular classroom activities that are organized into four thematic units: what is intellectual property, intellectual property rights and the laws that protect the creative process, copyright infringement as it pertains to downloading music, and how to use intellectual property in a legal and responsible way. The units include background information, guiding questions, case study, and assessments. Students will enjoy the int eractive Website, MyBytes, where they can experiment with their own creativity by creating, publishing and sharing their own ringtones, and learn what artists, singers and songwriters think about intellectual property rights.

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."

The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher
Harry and Rosemary Wong are, of course, among the deans of education writing in America, and this book is evidence of why. In addition to providing a lot of practical advice -- brought to life with more than 300 photos and illustrations -- the book focuses on three essential characteristics of a successful teacher, namely, positive expectations, classroom management, and lesson mastery, as well as on basic and future "understandings" that are part of the teaching life.
Click to learn more or to purchase this book.

How We Think
John Dewey's classic treatise on what exactly "thinking" means, and how, starting from that definition, it makes sense to educate students to actually do it, is not light beach reading, but this relatively brief book is well worth a rainy weekend. Together with Dewey's "Democracy and Education," "How We Think" provides the modern reader with a clear understanding of the foundations of American educational thought.
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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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:

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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!
Reader’s Theater More than two dozen scripts, perfect for the classroom.
Best Books for Teaching About… Booklists for 30 popular teaching themes.
Sign Up for Our Newsletters Ten free newsletters full of practical ideas.
Special Education Center Tools for the special education community.
TGIF Kick back and start your weekend off on a light note.
Education World Techtorials Our tutorials take the terror out of technology.
The Template Library A wide variety of templates to meet educators' needs.
Wire Side Chats Each week, Education World chats with an expert in the field.
Printables Library You're sure to find great resources here. Hundreds of printables!
Meet Our Columnists Meet our team of columnists from many corners of the "education world."
Teaching Themes for Early Childhood Sue LaBella offers teaching ideas for popular EC themes.
Stress Relief Kit Take a deep breath. Then take a look here for great reading.
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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