Instructor (1990) articles from January 2005

Instructor (1990) archives from January 2005

Meeting the standards.(Illustration)
January 1, 2005... ARTICLE PAGE THE ARTS GRADES Art in the 21 Understands and applies media, K-8 Classroom: Make techniques, and processes related to It Part of Your the...

Art matters.(EDITOR'S NOTE)
January 1, 2005... THAT THE ARTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN a child's life can no longer be considered a matter of opinion. Numerous studies testify to the power of an education that incorporates dance, music, drama, painting, and more. According to Americans for the...

Multicultural awareness.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I am writing to commend you on the excellence of Instructor. Your magazine does a wonderful job of not being biased toward any particular group or gender. It is very refreshing to see many different cultures and ethnicities represented in the...

Immigration resources bonanza.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... The article about immigration ("Immigration: Then and Now," November/December 2004) was fabulous! All the sixth-grade students in our district are required to complete a research project that integrates technology. This year, and for the next...

Keep on truckin'.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... We really appreciate the exposure from your piece about our organization, Trucker Buddy International ("News & Trends," October 2004). We're especially thrilled that we acquired 57 new teachers because of your efforts. These new teachers are...

Don't forget librarians.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Thank you for Meg Lundstrom's wonderful article on media literacy ("Media-Savvy Kids," November/December 2004). I enjoyed reading it. I was disappointed, however, that there was no mention of collaborating with the school library media...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2005... The URL for the IRA Teacher as Researcher Grants listed on page 11 of the November/December 2004 issue is not functional. The correct URL is www.reading.org/association/awards/research_teacher_as_researcher.html On page 40 of the...

Correction and apology.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2005... Instructor regrets to report that mistakes on the part of its editorial staff caused the article "Different Learners, Different Lessons" (September 2002) to be published in violation of the author's and the copyright owner's rights, with a...

Presidential poster quiz.
January 1, 2005... Congratulations to the students of Gerald Gallagher and Ann Fredal, the grand-prize winners of our "Presidential Prize Pack" Sweepstakes (September 2004)! Hundreds of students took our challenge to learn more about the U.S. presidency. You can...

Longest letter.
January 1, 2005... The World's Longest Letter will soon be on its way to the White House. Addressed "Dear Mr. President," the letter expresses the hopes and dreams of the nation's third and fourth graders concerning America's future. The letter still needs...

Pandas go mobile.(www.globio.org/glossopedia)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Pandas, you're on candid camera. Researchers in China's Wolong Nature Reserve are using Intel Centrino notebook PCs with mobile technology to chronicle the activities of the reserve's endangered giant pandas. Students can view the images and...

Hey, Play Attention!(News & Trends)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... It's better than a dose of strong coffee: Space-age technology similar to that used by NASA astronauts and U.S. Air Force pilots for staying alert in the cock-pit is now being used to help kids--especially those with ADHD--stay on task. Using...

The numbers.(News & Trends)
January 1, 2005... $7,827 The amount the Harrison School in Los Angeles earned for allowing camera crews to shoot the school's exterior for the Tom Cruise movie Collateral. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 17% of children and adolescents are seriously...

Mr. Woodhead.(News & Trends)
January 1, 2005... [c] John P. Wood [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From Classroom Comics: The Learning Laffs Cartoon Collection, by John P. Wood (PageFree Publishing, 2004); www.learninglaffs.com

Libraries as partners.(NEWS TO PERUSE)(Role of school libraries in childrens)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Scholastic Library Publishing has recently released a research paper that supports the effectiveness of school libraries. "School Libraries Work!," available at www.scholasticlibrary.com/download/slw_04.pdf, indicates that when school...

Parent primer.(NEWS TO PERUSE)(National Center for Learning Disabilities produced a handbookfor disabled children)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and Schwab Learning have produced a handbook (available at www.LD.org/NCLB) that provides simple, accessible information for parents on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). "The need for...

Stay safe.(NEWS TO PERUSE)
January 1, 2005... To help debunk myths associated with abduction, Honeywell and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have distributed more than 50,000 Got 2B Safe kits to third-grade classrooms. The kits reinforce four key rules: Check First;...

Tip of the month.(News & Trends)
January 1, 2005... Projects that are most likely to yield higher-level results from kids: * Create a model * Make a game * Build a planetarium * Present a mock trial * Put on a puppet show * Write a new law * Compile a newspaper...

Recharging your class: Instructor readers share their favorite ways to beat the second-semester doldrums.(TEACHER TALK)
January 1, 2005... Getting Cozy [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During January, I keep students engaged by scheduling a special read-a-thon afternoon. Children bring in their favorite pillows and stuffed animals. After lunch, we settle in with our books, taking a...

"This year my room has a revolving door. For as many students who move on, new ones arrive to take their place. How can I make their transitions easier?".(CAN YOU HELP?)
January 1, 2005... Teach Related Social Skills. I find that students often don't know how to introduce themselves, invite someone to sit with them at lunch, or ask someone to play. I have student "actors" model and practice these skills, so that when our new...

Instructor's 6th annual poetry contest for kids.(CONTESTS)
January 1, 2005... Don't miss the chance to enter our poetry contest, sponsored by Wendy's Deletree Conmigo. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Deadline: Now extended to January 31, 2005 Categories: K-3; 4-8; Spanish K-3; Spanish K-8 How it works: K-8 poets...

2005 National KIND Teacher award.(CONTESTS)
January 1, 2005... The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education is recognizing teachers who incorporate humane education into their curriculum. Deadline: February 15, 2005 How it works: K-6 teachers are eligible by nomination. ...

Ellison exceptional award.(CONTESTS)
January 1, 2005... Each year Ellison recognizes one educational program that works towards the betterment of students and/or the community. Deadline: March 1, 2005 How it works: The program must incorporate Ellison equipment. Prizes: One grand-prize...

Freida J. Riley teacher award.(CONTESTS)
January 1, 2005... This award is named for a teacher who for most of her career taught with Hodgkin's disease. She was the inspiration for the film October Sky. Deadline: March 4, 2005 How it works: The program honors teachers who have overcome...

Online language lab.(GIVEAWAYS)
January 1, 2005... Free to teachers: Conceived by a high-school student as a service-learning project, www.repeatafterus.com is a bank of online audio clips from children's literature, nursery rhymes, and more--and a terrific resource for reading or ESL lessons....

CD-ROM simulation game.(GIVEAWAYS)
January 1, 2005... Free to teachers: Building Homes of Our Own, a computer game that requires crucial critical-thinking skills, challenges students to design and build a house from start to finish. Grades: 6-8 How to get it: Go online to...

Sea turtles video and kit.(GIVEAWAYS)
January 1, 2005... Free to teachers: Educators can receive a free copy of a documentary about endangered sea turtles called Last Journey for the Leatherback? and an accompanying teaching guide. Grades: 6 and up How to get it: E-mail...

Free donations from businesses.(GIVEAWAYS)
January 1, 2005... Free to teachers: Schools can sign up with the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources to receive excess inventory, including school supplies and toys, at no charge from participating U.S. businesses. How to get it:...

NASA Explorer Schools program.(GRANTS)
January 1, 2005... Each spring, NASA begins a three-year partnership with 50 new Explorer Schools. These schools receive tools, content, and support from NASA in order to provide hands-on math and science learning opportunities. Grades: 4-9 Deadline:...

Holocaust Museum teacher fellowship.(GRANTS)
January 1, 2005... The United States Holocaust Museum sponsors an annual fellowship for social studies, literature, and foreign language teachers. Fellows travel to Washington, D.C., for a five-day enrichment program and then return to their schools to develop...

CiviConnections grants for service learning.(GRANTS)
January 1, 2005... In this three-year initiative, cosponsored by the National Council for Social Studies and the Corporation for National and Community Service, grantees receive $7,500 to support a unit combining service learning and historical research. ...

Jeopardy in the classroom!(Giveaway of the Month)
January 1, 2005... With this easy-to-set-up Jeopardy game, test review becomes interactive and fun--as long as kids remember to answer in the form of a question! YOU CAN WIN: One reader will win this complete package, which comes with a console, buzzers,...

Just imagine! All you need to make these outrageous projects are basic art materials and a dose of creativity.(IDEAS THAT STICK)
January 1, 2005... When it comes to enriching classroom learning, hands-on projects win hands down. Many studies conclude that student learning improves when classroom lessons incorporate interactive craft activities. Invite your students to try these creative,...

Artist tools for the classroom: warm up your classroom this winter--and inspire creative fun--with the hottest new art supplies and colorful project kits for kids.(NEW & NOTEWORTHY)
January 1, 2005... T-Shirt Art Everything kids need to create their own unique, washable, iron-on designs. $19.95; www.klutz.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Squeeze & Brush Creative projects made easy with colorful paints that are fun to hold and...

Bringing lessons to life.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2005... Imagine being able to find and use the exact video clip you need exactly when you need it. With unitedstreaming, a digital video-on-demand service from Discovery Education, you can. When your school district or state purchases unitedstreaming,...

Art in the classroom: make it part of your curriculum!
January 1, 2005... Teachers have long known that when kids delve into learning projects with their hands as well as their minds, the process promotes creative thinking, problem-solving, self-expression, risk taking, and cooperation. Studies back up their...

Music in the classroom: a user's guide for every teacher.
January 1, 2005... In the popular film School of Rock, Jack Black, as substitute teacher Dewey Finn, leaps to the front of the classroom, whips out an electric guitar, and plays an original Led-Zeppelin-esque tune for his stunned fifth graders. Most teachers'...

Scholastic Professional Magazines presents chalk talk: an exclusive member service from Teachers' Insurance Plan[TM], Winter 2005.
January 1, 2005... Dear Colleague: I'm pleased to share with you this special, Scholastic Professional Magazines edition of "ChalkTalk", a quarterly newsletter that's written and produced exclusively for Teachers' Insurance Plan members. [ILLUSTRATION...

Traffic calming: slow and easy does it. (Ba-bump).
January 1, 2005... "There are no traffic jams when you go the extra mile." ANONYMOUS Increasingly, the impact of vehicle traffic in built-up areas is hitting a speed bump. Literally. Communities across the nation are reclaiming their streets from drivers...

Snow bound? How to get unstuck ... or stick it out.(Bad weather driving)
January 1, 2005... Want our very best advice? If it's snowing heavily, don't drive. However, in case you somehow find yourself in your car, in the snow, and in trouble, here's advice from the experts. Getting unstuck... * Use the shovel and traction...

Safe bet: buying a safer car has never been easier.
January 1, 2005... While many of today's cars boast dazzling features like satellite navigation, DVD entertainment centers and high-output engines, what really thrills us is that terrific safety engineering and technology is now available for cars and SUVs in...

Dress for success? Do school uniforms make a difference?
January 1, 2005... The hotly debated issue of school uniforms seems to flare up every few years. By now, you would think there would be enough evidence to settle the arguments once and for all. Does wearing uniforms have any effect on student behavior,...

Choice words: the language of learning.(Choice Words, How Our Language Affects Children's Learning)(Book Review)
January 1, 2005... As we all know, words have the power to inspire, persuade, excite, calm, direct, comfort, stimulate interest, reward... Well, yes, educators know that. But, which words? And how should we use them? In a slim volume, Choice Words, How Our...

Short and sweet.
January 1, 2005... The Smart car is the offspring of an improbable marriage of Swatch, the Swiss fashion design company and Mercedes Benz. Measuring only 98 inches long (about half the length of a Ford Taurus), the smile-catching two-passenger run-about is often...

From our readers.(Activities)
January 1, 2005... Snip, Snip, Snowflake We celebrate the winter season with Nancy Poydar's Snip, Snip... Snow (Holiday House, 1998), a story about a girl who eagerly awaits the season's first snowfall by creating her own paper snowflakes. After sharing the...

You can quote me on that: invite students to practice their dialogue-writing skills with these engaging and fun punctuation activities.(ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... Quotable Quotes [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] News writers often use lots of direct quotes in their stories. Students can become intrepid reporters as they conduct "on-the-street" style interviews with their classmates. Provide them with...

Heart smarts: Celebrate Valentine's Day with science activities that pump up students' heart knowledge.(ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... Our hearts beat nearly 100,000 times every single day--that's 2.5 billion times during an average lifetime. This amazing muscle and organ never takes a break! Share the fun heart trivia below with students, then invite them to try the...

Chinese New Year: Celebrate China and the most widely celebrated holiday on earth with these purposeful activities from across the curriculum.(CHINA ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... Building Background Begin your unit by sharing this statistic: China has a population of about 1.3 billion. This means that if your class represented the earth's total population, 25% of students would be from China! With this number in...

The poetry of Nikki Giovanni: celebrate the season and Black History Month with a frosty gem by Nikki Giovanni.(POETRY WORKSHOP)
January 1, 2005... Warm kids' souls this winter with rich offerings from African-American writers, especially from acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni. This remarkable woman has more than a dozen collections of adult and children's poetry to her credit. Her distinctive...

Teaching with ... Barbara Park: give Junie B. Jones books a learning boost with our language arts activities and exclusive mini-poster.(MINI-POSTER ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... ACTIVITIES Junie B. and Me (Compare/Contrast): Develop students' abilities to make personal connections to characters with this easy compare/contrast graphic organizer. Pass out large sheets of construction paper and have each student draw...

Math songs: reinforce essential math knowledge with these familiar tunes.(ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... Old MacDonald's Polygon Barn [TUNE: "OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM"] Old MacDonald had a barn, full of polygons! And in that barn a polygon, called a triangle. Three sides here, Three sides there, Triangle, triangle, Three-sided...

Teaching with the Saturn CyberHunt.(CYBERHUNT ACTIVITIES)
January 1, 2005... Invite students to take off on NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission with the CyberHunt Reproducible. To begin, send students online to www.scholastic.com/cyberhuntkids. Then try these extension activities. Moon Mythology ...

Web cam magic: use live cameras to bring the world to your classroom.(WEB SITINGS)
January 1, 2005... Cam Headquarters www.camcentral.com Whether you'd like to show your students the zoo across town or ruins halfway around the world, this site has it all. Search by category or location to access cams in all 50 states, more than 90...

Books with character: character education builds tolerance and respect. These new stories can help teach these valuable lessons.(BOOKTALK)(Book Review)
January 1, 2005... Wallace's Lists By Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik, illustrated by Olof Landstrom. HarperCollins, 2004; 40 pages; $15.99. PreK-2. When his new neighbor embarks on a dangerous journey, adventure-averse Wallace faces a tough decision....

Under the sea.(THE CLASS PICTURE)
January 1, 2005... "The sharks in the ocean go chomp, chomp, chomp!" Nancy Karpyk's kindergartners at Weirton Heights School in Weirton, West Virginia, sing a song (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus") to wrap up their ocean unit. Happy swimming to these...