Instructor (1990) articles from January 2003

Instructor (1990) archives from January 2003

Introducing the first light-weight die-cutter from a real heavy-weight. (Sizzix from Ellison).
January 1, 2003... Introducing Sizzix, the personal die-cutter from Ellison. You have relied on the Ellison Machine for over 25 years to inspire your students and enhance your curriculum. Now with the portability and affordability of Sizzix, you'll have more...

He was a star. (Editor's Note).
January 1, 2003... Milton, one of my third graders, struggled in reading. Like most of my kids, he desperately wanted to improve. Milton went through the motions of the reading work we did in class, but nothing seemed to engage and motivate him enough to help him...

Your voices.
January 1, 2003... Classroom Organized Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for showing how teachers organize their classrooms ("Classroom Organizing Tips From Roe Wrubel," August 2002). I am an elementary education major who will begin student teaching soon, and...

Left Brain, Right Brain Raves.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... We were overwhelmed by the response to this article-thanks to all our readers for their enthusiastic letters In the Middle Thanks again for the enjoyable article by Dr. Diane Connell ("Left Brain, Right Brain," September 2002). After...

Connect with kids. (Educational Products).
January 1, 2003... These new building sets from K'NEX are designed for younger minds and smaller hands. Each set features easy-to-assemble chunky building rods and connectors, special feature parts like big buggy eyes, and a picture book filled with building...

Magnetic learning. (Educational Products).
January 1, 2003... For older students, it's easy to put their science learning into practice with new GEOMAG's seemingly impossible-to-build projects. Each of the set's magnetic building rods has the power to both repel and attract--and amazing connective...

Feeling inspired? (Educational Products).
January 1, 2003... The latest version of Inspiration software is a great writing and comprehension tool for teachers as well as students in grades 6 and up. Use to develop ideas, build new knowledge, organize thinking, and analyze complex topics. Perfect for...

The play's the thing. (Educational Products).
January 1, 2003... Playstages' marionette theater set includes everything you need for an expressive, interactive classroom experience for all ages. The 27" x 20" x 23" stage, arch, and red velvet curtains fold easily into a suitcase-size package. Sets include...

Best practices. (Educational Products).
January 1, 2003... Literacy educator Jeff Wilhelm's new book, Action Strategies for Deepening Comprehension, will change the way you teach reading! Includes exciting, activities and techniques designed to get students working together for reading comprehension...

Quilts Across America. (Contests).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The American Craft Museum is holding its second Quilts Across America program, designed to get fifth and sixth graders to explore the roots and origins of their families, and to tell their stories through quilts. Special quilt kits contain a...

ExploraVision Awards. (Contests).
January 1, 2003... The Toshiba Corp. and the National Science Teachers Association are sponsoring the annual ExploraVision Awards. The competition is open to students in grades K-12. Students in teams of two to four must select a current technology--such as a...

Handwriting contest. (Contests).
January 1, 2003... Zaner-Bloser Educational Publishers is sponsoring a national handwriting contest for students in grades 1-8 who use the Zaner-Bloser handwriting program. Eight winners--one from each grade level--will receive a $500 savings bond, a pen, and a...

Wilton Art series. (Giveaways).
January 1, 2003... Wilton Art Programs is giving away to seven lucky teachers a video series chronicling African-American art through the ages! The series, "African-American Art: Past & Present," is suitable for grades four and higher. It includes three 30-minute...

Free books & more. (Giveaways).(internet site)(Check out the Penguin Putnam publishers Web site at www.penguinputnam.com/static/html/us/frees tuff/index.html for free books and other goodies for your students and your classroom. The Web site has monthly updates of freebies.)
January 1, 2003... Check out the Penguin Putnam publishers Web site at www.penguinputnam.com/static/html/us/frees tuff/index.html for free books and other goodies for your students and your classroom. The Web site has monthly updates of freebies.

Real men read books. (Giveaways).
January 1, 2003... After reading the Instructor feature "Getting Boys to Read" (October 2002), by Jeff Wilhelm, inspire your students further with a free Guys Read poster. Created by author Jon Scieszka, the poster is part of a literacy initiative to further...

Sharpen geography skills. (Grants).
January 1, 2003... The National Council for the Social Studies and the George F. Cram Company are sponsoring a $2,500 grant for plans to encourage geography education in schools and the integration of geography in social studies curricula. Applications must be...

Excellence in teaching. (Grants).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Curriculum Associates, publishers of supplemental classroom materials, will honor three educators who have exhibited excellence in teaching practices with an appointment to the Excellence in Teaching cabinet, As members, each teacher will...

Teaching Tolerance grants. (Grants).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Teaching Tolerance program of the Southern Poverty Law Center offers grants of up to $2,000 to K-12 teachers for implementing tolerance projects in their schools and communities. For information, visit...

Read to help Feed. (News & Trends).
January 1, 2003... As they sharpen their reading skills first graders at Houghton Elementary School, in Sterling, Massachusetts, are helping people in far-off lands feed their families. The students are participating in Read to Feed, a service learning and...

PBS series: the History of US. (News & Trends).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... In the past year, the importance and meaning of freedom has been discussed in classrooms around the country. Now, a new PBS documentary, "Freedom: A History of US," chronicles the history of freedom in America through stories of pilgrims,...

Clapping and chanting help kids stay on task. (New & Trends).
January 1, 2003... Schools around the country are using music not only to teach kids about rhythm and different composers. Instructors are also using music to help raise kids' attentiveness and engage them in ways that help them learn and excel in subjects such...

Portable lessons in the palm of your hand. (Electronic Learning).
January 1, 2003... Almost everywhere you look nowadays, someone has a Palm[TM] or some other type of handheld computer. No longer thought of as merely electronic datebooks, handheld devices are now used in many classrooms around the country. Veteran teacher...

Multipurpose photos & frames: teachers at New Jersey's Dutch Neck school motivate, celebrate, demonstrate, decorate, and more--with photos and picture frames. (Classroom Snapshots).
January 1, 2003... My Personal Pictures On my desk I have photos of my family and friends and a few personal mementos. I believe in bringing my own life into the classroom so that my kids see me as a person. They ask questions about the photos and it starts...

A free literacy and science program: just one blistering sunburn can double a child's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
January 1, 2003... Kids spend a Jot of their lives outside--playing sports, hiking, swimming--but they often don't think about protecting themselves from the sun. Even many parents don't know that using sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) as a child can reduce the risk...

The power of reader's theater: an easy way to make dramatic changes in kids' fluency, writing, listening, and social skills.
January 1, 2003... Watch very young children at play, and you'll often see some fine dramatic work. Quite naturally, young children invent characters, scenes, and stories, infusing their creations with expressive voices and invented dialogue. Settings are...

Liberty and access for all. (Now Accepting Grant Applications).(Beaumont Foundation of America )
January 1, 2003... As an educator, you are acutely aware of the frustration many of your students can experience trying to access the information they need to complete their classwork, conduct research or just keep up with homework assignments. If you have...

Flat stanley goes cyber: easy web projects motivate kids to use new technologies to read, write, and go global.
January 1, 2003... What it means to be literate continuously changes as new technologies rapidly appear, creating new opportunities and new challenges for teachers. The central question for each of us is "How do we help children learn the new literacies...

Grammar that'll move you! with motivating brain-based activities, kids will say, "grammar? awesome! let's get started.".
January 1, 2003... The moment I even whispered the word grammar, sounds of moaning and groaning reverberated through my sixth-grade language-arts class. When I asked students why they hated grammar, they invariably replied, "Worksheets!" Challenged by the...

Strategies for getting the most from textbooks.
January 1, 2003... While many students are absorbed when reading and discussing novels, engagement can often plummet when textbooks and nonfiction come out. But by teaching powerful strategies--ones that enhance comprehension before, during, and after...

From our readers.
January 1, 2003... January/February Activities Winter Sunshine Party A great activity to help get my second graders through the rainy and cold winter months is a sunshine party! Before the coldest weather sets in, we make "sunshine boxes" out of velum and...

Create 3-D artwork in the style of Marc Chagall.
January 1, 2003... Students from the Oneida Castle School in upstate New York create a cooperative, dreamlike art project bursting with color Art teacher Linda Evans and her fifth-grade students engrossed themselves in learning about stage design and drew...

Marc Chagall. (Masterpiece of the Month).
January 1, 2003... Meet the Artist Marc Chagall was born July 7, 1887 to a poor Jewish family in a suburb of Vitebsk, a western city in Russia. Although Chagall studied in Russia, his personal style evolved after he moved to Paris in 1910. He used the vivid...

A walk through the painting.
January 1, 2003... Movement Can you feel the breeze in this scene? Look at the rippling folds of Bella's skirt. Chagall was influenced by Futurism, a movement of the time that sought to convey dynamic energy and motion in artwork. Cubism Kaleidoscope The...

Super-duper synonyms. (Poetry Workshop).
January 1, 2003... Inspire students to spice up their writing with this rib-tickling poem by Colin McNaughton. "Big" offers up a crowd-pleasing lesson on the importance of synonyms and shows kids how to enrich their writing with fresh, thoughtful word choices....

Patrick Valentines: explore patriotism through poetry.
January 1, 2003... The juxtaposition of Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day provides the perfect opportunity for students to compose from-the-heart valentine poems that communicate their feelings about America. Getting Started Invite children to spend a...

My Valentine.(Poem)
January 1, 2003... My Valentine I made a valentine, So different and new. The heart isn't red, But red, white and blue. It's real patriotic And real loving, too. I almost forgot; I made it for you.

Hang Out the Flag.(Poem)
January 1, 2003... Hang Out the Flag This is Flag Day. Hang out the flags; Watch them rise with the breeze And droop when it sags. Hang them from short poles; Hang them from long. See their bright colors Shimmering strong, Drifting along....

Storybook 100 days: activities for the book Emily's First 100 Days of School.
January 1, 2003... Read Rosemary Wells's book Emily's First 100 Days of School (Scholastic, 2000) with your students and join Emily as she counts up the days until the hundredth day of school. Along the way, Emily examines each "number friend" as it relates to...

Sparkling crystal creations: crystallize science and math concepts into fun, factual learning.
January 1, 2003... Some of the most fascinating and fun crystals are snowflakes. These six-sided crystals result when the air temperature drops below freezing and causes water droplets to crystallize. They only remain solid as long as the surrounding temperature...

Red color fun! integrate art, science, and writing with these color-filled activities.
January 1, 2003... Mixing Colors Try this exciting-yet-easy color experiment! Create red, blue, and yellow ice cubes by adding food coloring to water before freezing it. Divide the class into pairs, and distribute three clear plastic cups to each. Ask each pair...

Imagine going home without a single math paper to grade.
January 1, 2003... Breakthrough Technology Automatically Scores Assignments and Helps Teachers Get Students More Excited About Math Thousands of teachers across the United States now have more time to teach. They no longer lug home armloads of paperwork day...

Gigantic learning with giants: go colossally creative with these fun, brain-stretching fairytale activities.
January 1, 2003... Fee Fi Fo Fum! What kid doesn't tremble with anticipation at the thought of a cross-curricular unit on the big boy of the fairy tale, the infamous giant? Beanstalk of Books Everyone knows Jack and the Beanstalk, but you may be...

Ancient China. (Cyberhunt Activities).
January 1, 2003... Bring some of the history and accomplishments of this extraordinary culture into your classroom with these Internet-based activities, suitable for middle- and upper-graders. Before you begin, distribute the Reproducible on page 68. Chip...

Liberty and access for all.(the Baumont Foundation of America provides grants for computer related education)
January 1, 2003... INTRODUCING THE BEAUMONT FOUNDATION OF AMERICA The Beaumont Foundation of America is an extraordinary example of how the civil justice system can work to make a difference in the lives of Americans. The Foundation's core purpose is to grant...

I have a dream: an original play about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Read-Aloud).
January 1, 2003... Sheltered by his loving family, young Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up happily unaware of racism--until a callous and prejudiced neighbor opened his eyes. This original play (page 72) dramatizes a true episode from Dr. King's childhood and...

I have a dream.(curricula planning for studies about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
January 1, 2003... CHARACTERS: Martin: Martin Luther King, Jr. as a boy Clark and Wallace: The sons of the local grocer Daddy King: Martin's father Mrs. King: Martin's mother Viola and Lorraine: Older women in Martin's church Narrator...

Classical Archives. (Get the Beat of Music Online).(internet site)
January 1, 2003... www.classicalarchives.com/index.html With tens of thousands of full-length recordings, the Classical Archives is an important stop for students who are interested in classical music. The Featured section contains a collection of MP3s by...

The rock + roll hall of fame for teachers. (Get the Beat of Music Online).(internet site)
January 1, 2003... Cindy Kicielinski www.rockhall.com/programs/plans.asp With 78 interdisciplinary topics, from the Salem Witch Trials to the Bill of Rights, teachers will find music connections that are sure to engage students. Consider using the music...

Creatingmusic.com. (Get the Beat of Music Online).(internet site)
January 1, 2003... Cindy Kicielinski www.creatingmusic.com In this creative online environment, children of all ages can play with virtual musical instruments as well as enjoy games and puzzles. This site strives to help kids compose music with the same...

PBS JAZZ. (Get the Beat of Music Online).(internet site)
January 1, 2003... www.pbs.org/jazz/index.htm. Looking to find out more information about legendary jazz figures such as Count Basie? Check out this companion site to the Ken Bums PBS documentary Jazz. The extensive biographies feature audio samples and...

A guide to medieval and renaissance instruments. (Get the Beat of Music Online).
January 1, 2003... www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/instrumt.html This fantastic site features musical instruments that were played during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Click on an instrument's name to view it, read about it, and listen to a sound...

PlayhouseRadio.com. (Get the Beat of Music Online).(internet site)
January 1, 2003... www.playhouseradio.com At PlayhouseRadio.com, students can listen for free to hundreds of original children's songs. From toe-tapping instrumentals to silly singalongs such as Roger Day's It's a No No to Kiss a Rhino, this site is teeming...

Get well, Good Knight. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Review)
January 1, 2003... By Shelley Moore Thomas; illustrated by Jennifer Plecas. Dutton, 2002; 48 pages; $13.99; (PreK-2). In the sequel to Good Night, Good Knight (2000), the three little dragons are sniffling and sneezing. When the old wizard's awful...

David gets in trouble. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Review)
January 1, 2003... By David Shannon. Scholastic, 2002; 32 pages; $14.95 (PreK-1). David skateboards in the house, hits a baseball through a window, and saunters down the street in his underwear, always making an excuse: "I didn't mean to." "It was an...

You're a good sport, Miss Malarkey. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)
January 1, 2003... By Judy Finchler; illustrated by Kevin O'Malley. Walker, 2002; 32 pages; $15.95 (K-2). Amiable Miss Malarkey, neophyte coach of the new school soccer team, doesn't know how to respond to parents who lose it when the opposing team scores....

Eight animals bake a cake. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... By Susan Middleton Elya; illustrated by Lee Chapman. Putnam, 2002; 32 pages; $15.99 (PreK-2). With Spanish words cleverly incorporated into this jaunty rhyming story, children will learn Spanish animal names, numbers, and foods...

Time stops for no mouse. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... By Michael Hoeye. Putnam, 2002; 250 pages; $14.99 (Gr. 4-8). In this irresistible mystery, industrious watchmaker Hermux Tantamoq has lived a quiet life. When the attractive Linka Perflinger fails to pick up her watch, Hermux is by turns...

The rudest alien on earth. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... By Jane Leslie Conly. Henry Holt, 2002; 264 pages; $16.95 (Or. 4-7) On a secret mission from a distant galaxy, Oluu is able to take on many forms. Disguised as a border collie, she befriends Molly-a ten-year-old farm girl who is eager to teach...

A Week in the Woods. (Cooperation Counts).(Book Review)(Children's Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... By Andrew Clements. Simon & Schuster, 2002; 190 pages; $16.95 (Gr. 4-6). New student Mark is angry, bored, and arrogant, slouching through his classes, staring out the window. Labeled a spoiled slacker by his teacher, Mr. Maxwell, Mark...

The Presidents.
January 1, 2003... These informative and fun titles serve as a primer on the presidency. Don't be surprised if some of your students are inspired to run for office! BOOKS TO SHARE If I Were President By Catherine Stier; illustrated by DyAnne...

Yikes! after a dreaded outbreak, a teacher declares war on lice. (End of the Day).
January 1, 2003... There is no more dreaded word to parent, teacher, or child than lice. Every year that I've taught, no matter which grade, one of my students has had head lice. I had managed to stay lice-free myself and felt confident that I was somehow beyond...

Boost your lesson plans all year long with fresh, fun ideas from fiskars!
January 1, 2003... Recommended by Teachers Nationwide! There's only one brand of scissors that show up year after year on school supply lists. Discover why Fiskars for Kids scissors are recommended by over 69 percent of teachers nationwide. Project ideas...

Winter wonderland of art: celebrate the sights and sounds of winter with these cold-weather crafts.
January 1, 2003... Winter Wear Mobile Warm up winter days while exploring weight and balance with these light, airy mobiles. For each mobile, you'll need scissors, markers or crayons, yarn, glue, hole punch, several 12" wooden barbecue skewers (snip off...

Valentine's Day: roses are red, violets are blue, these Valentine's Day projects are fun to do!
January 1, 2003... "Be Mine" Valentine Puzzles Invite children to make and share these heart puzzles with secret Valentine's Day messages. For each puzzle, you'll need scissors, a red or pink paper heart, markers, decorative stickers, and an envelope....

Spectacular spring: greet the spring with floral favorites arranged in a cleverly-crafted vase.
January 1, 2003... Festive Flowers Celebrate spring by creating a glorious bouquet of cut-paper flowers. To make flowers, you'll need crayons, scissors, hole punch, 3" to 6" squares of brightly colored paper, colored hole reinforcers, fuzzy pipe...

Fun festivites.
January 1, 2003... 17 Project Ideas 1. New Year Pop-Up Card 2. Martin Luther King Day Mobile 3. Chinese New Year--Hanging Red Lantern 4. Black History Month--African Fabric 5. Valentine's Day--Ladybug & Mouse Treat Bags 6. St. Patrick's...

Fun curriculum.
January 1, 2003... (17) Project Ideas 1. Arachnids 2. Snowflakes 3. Marine Life 4. Scientific Journal 5. Embossed Hieroglyphs 6. Native American Masks 7. An All-American Quit 8. Mexican Maracas 9. Fun Scrapbooking ...

The winter times. (Instructor Reproducible).(article discusses events that happened during winter)
January 1, 2003... Grand Central Terminal Opens February 2, 1913--Grand Central Terminal opened in New York City, creating a grand gateway to both New York and America. It was built to run electric trains that helped reduce noise and air pollution. The...

Fun bulletin boards.
January 1, 2003... Bulletin boards can be used across the curriculum to make learning fun for children through visual stimulation. In addition tone-inforcing fundamentals, bulletin boards can be used as reminders, announce pertinent events and record various...

Fun masks.
January 1, 2003... Lesson Plan Idea: Native American Masks Grade Level: Intermediate through Jr. High Subjects: Social Studies, Art Duration: One Hour Theme: Native American Cultures Benefit: Creates an awareness of the arts and crafts,...

Essay organizer. (Student Reproducible).
January 1, 2003... IN ORDER TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY, YOU NEED TO BE ORGANIZED. USE THIS STEP-BY-STEP ORGANIZER TO TAKE A RUN AROUND THE BASEBALL FIELD AND LEARN HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR ESSAY IN 9 EASY STEPS! START HERE 1. CHOOSE Choose your topic (try to...

Essay starter.
January 1, 2003... SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO WRITING IS SIMPLY GETTING STARTED. Your essay will begin with a topic sentence. That sentence can do different things: * It can set a mood. For example: "Rain beat down and the wind howled outside my...

Welcome, Teachers!(article examines character education and literacy program: Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life)
January 1, 2003... We're thrilled to present to you Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life, a free character education and literacy program for students of all ages. Developed by Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Trust for Children, and...

Scrapbook autobiography.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... What better subject is there for scrapbooking than students' life stories? Children enjoy the opportunity to write about their own ideas, feelings, and experiences. It's the one subject in which they truly are the experts! Give your...

Major league players discuss barriers. (Student Reproducible).
January 1, 2003... EVEN TOP MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS FACE BARRIERS. HERE, SOME OF THE GREATS DISCUSS THE BARRIERS IN THEIR LIVES. JACKIE ROBINSON (Brooklyn Dodgers, second baseman, 1947-1956) DISCRIMINATION: "As Americans, we (African...

Jackie Robinson: an agent for change. (Student Reproducible).
January 1, 2003... DEAR STUDENT: Let's Look back in time. In 1945, blacks and whites were kept apart, or segregated, by "Jim Crow Laws." These laws set up separate schools, hotels, bathrooms, buses--even water fountains--and also denied African Americans the...

Scrapbook learning.
January 1, 2003... Making scrapbooks as a way of preserving favorite family memories is becoming one of the most popular home crafts across the country. Scrapbookers combine photographs, journaling, and the careful placement of art elements to create original...

Making memories: sixth graders scrapbook their fondest memories in a quilt collage.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Good stories can generate truly great art! Using Faith Ringgold's picture book Tar Beach as inspiration, students in Tracey Clarke's sixth-grade art class at The Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies in New York City scrapbooked story quilt...

"Too bad Billy doesn't have a non-stick coating".(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... "Every year I have a 'Billy' in my class--that one kid who seems to be a magnet for messes. If there's an open bottle of glue, you know he's going to tip it over, and you can count on more paint on his clothes than on the paper. He's probably...

From the editor.(column introduces Scrapbooking in the Classroom supplement)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... AS WE VISIT SCHOOLS ALL OVER, we are continually amazed and excited at the innovative and fun projects we see in so many classrooms. This year, scrapbooking is hot, hot, hot! Teachers are introducing cool scrapbooking...