Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Teachers' Domain News - September 2008

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Teachers' Domain News - September 2008

Teachers' Domain Has Expanded!
Just in time for back to school, Teachers' Domain has expanded resources in Science, Math, Social Studies, Art, & English Language Arts for grades K-12. We have also added a Teachers' Domain College Edition, which includes resources in science and engineering for higher education, and VITAL New York, K-12 resources for NY state educators. Click here to read the full story press release.
Let Teachers' Domain help supplement your lesson plans this school year! Browse our expanded collection now.
OR
Recommend Teachers' Domain to a friend
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Online Science Professional Development for K-12 Teachers!Check out our graduate-level online science courses that feature digital media from public broadcasting shows such as ZOOM, NOVA, A Science Odyssey, and more.
Online - access anytime, anywhere
Graduate credit available
Discussion Boards connect you with your colleagues
Trained Facilitators lead the way
For information or to enroll in a course in your area, visit our course catalog at http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/67df1f8d5e/3ac4c25250/e52d653d06. Click “Science” in left bar, input your zip code, then click “Scheduled Courses” directly above the “Key Words” window on the left.Questions? Call (617) 300-3631.
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Attention New England Elementary Teachers!
Earn three graduate credits October 1st – December 17, 2008. Dr. Christopher Cratsley facilitates “Science and the Living World”, a Teachers’ Domain online course offered in collaboration with Fitchburg State College and Merrimack Education Center. For further information and to enroll contact Isabelle Kunselman at 978-528-7800 x238 or ikunselman@meccorp.mec.edu.
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NSDL K-6 Science Refreshers
Whether you want to build your content knowledge or need a quick refresher just in time to teach a topic, NSDL K-6 Science Refreshers provide quick and easy access to high-quality science content. Includes interactive tutorials, diagrams, and articles that are selected and organized by grade level and subject area.http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/67df1f8d5e/3ac4c25250/1f54835e41
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Teachers' Domain @ MTA Conference

Last month we visited the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) conference in Williamstown, MA. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth and shared your stories about Teachers' Domain in the classroom.

Our featured teacher of the month is Brockton High School Science Teacher Eleri Merrikin (pictured below) who said:

"When I teach a topic like the nitrogen cycle, I supplement the textbook with a Teachers' Domain video segment, diagram or Flash interactive, and the resources often become the centerpiece of our class lesson. They are invaluable because they support about 45% of my students who have a visual learning preference and have difficulty reading science text. My students directly benefit from the resources and I know for sure that without them, they would continue to struggle."


Science Teacher & TD Fan, Eleri Merrikin, stops by our booth at the MTA Conference.
Top 5 New Resources
You Can't Miss
A Science Odyssey - Bubonic Plague
From The Top - Young Musician Joshua Jones
Wide Angle - Neeraj
CyberChase - Solving the Sphinx's Fraction Problem
NOVA ScienceNOW - Geneticist Pardis Sabeti


New Featured Special Collection: From The Top at Carnegie Hall


Meet America's most extraordinary young musicians aged 8 to 18, and witness the excitement of their debut performances at Carnegie Hall! To access background essays, discussion questions for the classroom, and more, click here.

Teachers' Domain users now receive 10% off Shop WGBH

Take advantage of this special discount on media for your classroom by simply clicking on the shop logo from any Teachers' Domain resource page. This will direct you to the Shop WGBH homepage. At checkout, type in the Promo Code WEBTD. You will see automatic savings appear in your shopping cart! Also, from now until September 30th, save 15% on all NOVA DVDs.
Teachers' Domain Comes To YOU!
Look for a Teachers' Domain representative in your area at any one of the following conferences this fall:
MAST/ MSELA Fall Conference
NHSTA Fall Conference
Connecticut Science Educators Professional Development Day
Selected Partner Organizations:





WGBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning and the power of diverse perspectives.



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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Youngshin Gittings will be the featured "Child Care Provider of the Week" on the Emmy nominated programs, A Place of Our Own and Los Niños En Su Casa on July 18, 2008.

The episode will air on a Friday which always features the “Week in Review.” Communicable Diseases will also be a topic covered on the July 18th show entitled:

Week in Review (Preventing Communicable Diseases) – A Place of Our Own

5:00AM on GPB

www.aplaceofourown.org

Recuento Semanal (Enfermedades Contagiosas) – Los Niños en Su Casa

4:30 AM on GPB

www.losninosensucasa.org

“Child Care Provider of the Week” is a national recognition featuring:

  • Child Care Providers nominated by someone through a PBS station (in this case, GPB) or the program’s website.
  • Youngshin Gittings was chosen after a careful review of all nominations received nationwide.
  • A television crew traveled from KCET in Los Angeles to Youngshin’s house to capture her nurturing environment and record her marvelous work with children.
  • In addition to being featured on the July 18th program, Youngshin will travel to Washington, DC to receive further recognition by members of the legislature.
  • GPB and all of Georgia are proud and honored to have Youngshin Gittings recognized for her excellent work as a Child Care Provider.

Monday, June 9, 2008

TeacherLine Online Professional Development


PBS TeacherLine online courses offer the standards-based professional development opportunities that teachers need, in an accessible, online format that makes learning fun, flexible, and collaborative.

Why TeacherLine?

Online Course Delivery is Convenient and Flexible

§ Learning online is as easy as sending and retrieving email

§ No scheduled login requirements for weekly assignments

§ No travel or books to buy!

Courses Directly Impact Your Classroom and Student Outcomes

§ Courses incorporate assignments and activities to use in your classroom right away

§ Learners acquire new technological tools and strategies ready to integrate into their lessons

Collaborative Learning Environment

§ Learners benefit from the best practices and practical knowledge of course peers

§ Trained facilitators guide discussions, encourage participation, and provide ongoing feedback

Professional Development Credit Available

§ Approved for re-certification PLU credit by GA State Department of Education

§ Graduate credit is available

§ Ask your administrators for reimbursement!

Regional Courses Running June 18 – July 29, 2008

RDLA157.23 Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics (PK-3) – 45hr

Bring the ideal balance of oral language, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, and written language to your language arts instruction. Study the stages of literacy development and practice assessing the performance of budding young readers. Learn to design instructional activities that strengthen students' skills in phonemic and phonological awareness.

TECH160.156 Putting Technology to Work in the Classroom: Where to Start (K-12) – 30hr

Gain a better understanding of key issues surrounding technology integration, such as how to meet technology standards and choose the most suitable technology for a specific purpose. Identify lessons or concepts in your classroom that may benefit from technological enhancement. Learn to devise a strategy for integrating technology into your lesson plans.

RDLA152.18 An Intro. to the Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction (K-8) - 45hr

Meet NCLB's requirements for research-based literacy and reading instruction by analyzing in-depth studies of the use of phonemic awareness, phonics, and word recognition to develop the skills required for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and fluency, and gain independence.

SCIE520.8 Teaching High School Biology (9-12) 45hr

Learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching standards-based science topics, including genetics, evolution, and cell biology. Gain practice using multimedia to explore novel learning environments and methodologies that foster student interest, involve them in the research process, advance their critical thinking skills, and develop their conceptual understanding.

www.teacherlinesoutheast.org 1-800-277-0829


Online Professional Development for K-12 Educators

Cost and Credit Information

Course Hours

Regional Course Cost

National Course Cost

GA PLUCredits

Graduate Credit

After using $100 discount promo code

Regular price

15

$169

$169

$269

1

1 credit for additional $65

30

$199

$199

$299

3

2 credits for additional $130

45

$249

$249

$349

4

3 credits for additional $195

* Regional courses are for SC, NC and GA learners; national courses are open to anyone. The course content is the same from both providers, however the courses offered regionally by TeacherLine Southeast feature a regional facilitator and allow for a more regional emphasis.

National Courses Running June 25 – August 5, 2008

SC, NC & GA Educators: Save $100 off the nationally offered courses listed below!

Enroll using this promo code: “ZP8TLSE”


* All courses listed below are 30hr courses, except as noted.

Instructional Strategies Courses:

▪ Differentiated Instruction ▪ Using Assessment and Evaluation

▪ Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs ▪ Improving Learning Through Collaboration

▪ Curriculum Mapping II by Heidi Hayes Jacobs ▪ Connecting Family, Community and Schools

▪ Utilizing Technology in Creating a Problem-Based Curriculum

Reading/Language Courses:

▪ Integrating the Internet into the K-2 Language Arts Curriculum ▪ Teaching Reading in Science

▪ Children's Authors on the Web: Online Sites that Motivate Students to Write ▪ Teaching Writing in the Content Areas

▪ Teaching Phonics and Spelling for Beginning and Transitional Readers, 45hr ▪ Teaching Reading in the Content Areas

▪ An Intro to Underlying Principles & Research for Effective Literacy Instruction ▪ Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics, 45hr

Math Courses:

▪ Making Comparisons with Data Analysis for Grades 6-8 ▪ The Concept of Function for Grades 9-12, 15hr

▪ Enabling Students with Special Needs to Succeed in Math Class ▪ Math in Everyday Life for Grades 6-8, 15hr

▪ Rational Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, and Percents in Grades 6-8, 15hr ▪ Developing Algebraic Thinking in Grades 3-5

▪ Understanding Numbers & Operations: Addition & Subtraction in Grades PK-3 ▪ Seeing Math™: Linear Functions

▪ Seeing Math™: Linear Equations ▪ Seeing Math™: Quadratic Equations


Technology Courses:
▪ Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start ▪ Teaching with WebQuests for Grades K-12

▪ Teaching and Learning with Graphic Organizers: Featuring Inspiration ▪ The Computer for Personal Productivity

▪ Using the Computer for Cooperative Experiences ▪ Publishing on the Web

▪ Evaluating and Organizing Internet Resources and Content ▪ Capstone Introduction, 6hr, $25 (no discount)

▪ Collab. on the Internet:Keypal Projects that Promote Cultural Awareness (4-8)
▪ Contemporary Issues - Using Technology for Discussion, Debate, & Problem Solving in the Middle School Curriculum
▪ Online Fac.Trng I: Mastering the Skills of OnlineTeaching, 45hr, $525 (no discount)


Science Courses:
▪ Science and the Living World ▪ Designing Effective Lessons

▪ Motion and Forces in Your World ▪ Understanding Waves

▪ Structure and Function ▪ Structure of the Earth System
▪ Fostering Collaboration, Inquiry, and Critical Thinking in Middle School Science

www.teacherlinesoutheast.org 1-800-277-0829


Thursday, June 5, 2008

Arts Integration Workshop for Educators

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA)
Across the Disciplines: The Permanent Collection of MOCA GA

MOCA GA is pleased to offer an Arts Integration Workshop for educators.

Available Course: Visual Journaling: Creating, Exploring, Reflecting, through the creative process of visual journaling.

Visual Journaling is turning written word into visual imagery through the technique of collage, printmaking, photography, and artifact exploring. Facilitators and participants will work together to explore various approaches for infusing visual journaling into the classrooms, to create a stimulating and challenging learning environment. Georgia artists will share their artwork to stimulate, and reinforce creative ideas with high school educators. Participants will develop lesson plans based on the permanent collection of MOCA GA as well as the visual, biographical, and historical materials housed in the Museum's Education/Resource Center.

* 3 PLUs will be awarded.

Location: The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
75 Bennett Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Dates: June 9-13, 2008

Time: 9:30-3:30

Cost: $100.00

To register, or for more information, please contact Jo-ann Lawrence at jlawrence@mocaga.org or call (404) 367-4542.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Summer TeacherLine Courses

Ready for summer fun and relaxation? Perhaps you're planning a vacation at the beach or looking forward to more time in your garden. Did you know that you can have your fun and still make progress on your professional development goals this summer? It's true, with PBS TeacherLine summer courses.
Our online courses are flexible so you can garden in the morning and do your coursework in the hot afternoons. Or maybe you're spending your days at the pool, no problem - you can do your coursework in the evenings and/or weekends.
As long as you complete your weekly assignment and participate regularly in the discussion board, when you do your coursework is up to you! You can even go on a week-long vacation and still participate in your course if you have internet access during your trip (hello beach, mountains, Italy??).
Don't forget to ask your school or the district if they'll reimburse you for your course fees; those year-end funds need to be spent somehow - hurry!
Courses running June 18 - July 29, 2008:
* RDLA152.18 [This course qualifies for NC reading credits & the SC PACE program.]
An Introduction to Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction
* RDLA157.23 [This course qualifies for NC reading credits.]
Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
* MATH160.28
Gender Equity in the Mathematics Classroom
* TECH160.156
Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start
* SCIE520.8 (Ends August 26th) [This course qualifies for the SC PACE program.]
Teaching High School Biology

Plus, we have 42 courses running from June 25 - August 5, 2008!!

Visit us at TeacherLineSoutheast.org (http://www.teacherlinesoutheast.org)

Monday, May 19, 2008

June 2008 Satellite Schedules

Click to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

Students in Atlanta Defying the Odds

Defying the Odds tells the story of 5 inner-city students in Atlanta that were given a chance to receive a full scholarship to the college of their choice! All they had to do was graduate and get accepted into college. This may sound simple, but during this honest, candid look into the lives of these students, you will learn that the intervening years were anything but simple.

This documentary will air on GPB, Sunday, May 25 @ 4 PM.

Download a complete Resource Guide for Defying the Odds.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year Named

Congratulations to Leanne Maule, English teacher from Cartersville High School, for being selected as the 2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year! Her selection was announced by State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet held Friday, May 9 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Maule will spend the 2008-2009 school year serving as an ambassador and advocate for the teaching profession. She will also be Georgia's entry in the 2009 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Free 5-12th Grade Lesson Plans and Educational Resources Offered With New Touring Exhibition

In connection with its touring exhibit, Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art, the Southern Arts Federation is offering free educational resources developed by the exhibit's education curators Martin Rollins, Isaac Shelby Elementary School, Louisville, KY, and Judy Sizemore, Kentucky Arts Council.

Educators can select from a variety of resources to suit their needs. From one-off presentation slides and classroom activities to complete lesson plans that span an entire semester, these education resources connect to national arts standards and provide cross-curricular connections to vocabulary, math, geography, science, history and social studies as well as an exploration of particular media such as fiber arts, book arts, baskets, wood, clay, glass and metal. Materials can be used in conjunction with an in-person or online gallery visit, or as a stand-alone activity.

Click here to access the Free Educational Resources

Click here to access the Virtual Galleries

Click here to view the Exhibition Tour Schedule
(Georgia Exhibition is
March 1- May 18, 2008 at the Atlanta History Center)

Featuring more than 100 artworks created by masters living and working in the South today, Tradition/Innovation will tour to nine museums throughout the Southeast, January 2008 – Spring 2010. American Masterpieces, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, is a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Watch the Future of Teaching in Georgia Forum!

As you may have read in a blog posted earlier this week, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) convened at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, May 9 for an education leadership forum, “The Future of Teaching in Georgia,” to discuss how transforming teaching can meet the learning needs of 21st century students.

You can now watch this forum online!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Emmy Nominee at GPB Education!

Congratulations to GPB Education’s Emmy nominee Barbara O’Brien for State of the Arts - José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best. Barbara shares this nomination with Pamela Roberts, Jennifer Houston Wood, and Dan Hodlick of Georgia Public Broadcasting. The nomination is in the Category of News and Program Specialty Excellence: Arts & Entertainment. There are 3 programs competing in this category and the final announcement of the Emmy winners will be made June 21 at the 2008 Southeast Regional EMMY® Awards 34th Annual Black Tie Gala in Atlanta, Ga.

You can check this link to stream José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best. http://www.gpb.org/stateofthearts/2007/05


Good Luck to Barbara and all of the GPB Nominees!


GPB’s Emmy Nominees:


Daryl Wattley
Television Crafts Achievement Excellence
Category: 49
Lighting


Brandon Arnold, Keely Walker Muse
Television Programing Excellence
Category: 31
Informational/Instructional
Georgia Outdoors: Suwanee Watershed


Pamela Roberts, Jennifer Houston Wood, Barbara O'Brien, Dan Hodlick

Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 13
Arts/Entertainment
State of the Arts: José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best


Brandon Arnold, Keely Walker Muse
Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 19DE
Health/Science Program
Georgia Outdoors: Citizen Science


Pamela Roberts, Charlene Fisk, Rickey Bevington, Mitchell Zastrow
Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 20
Historic/Cultural
State of the Arts: Flannery O'Connor


About State of the Arts:

State of the Arts is an award-winning program that takes viewers on a journey into the vibrant world of art produced in Georgia. In every show, State of the Arts goes behind the scenes to meet artists and performers - from painters and poets to dancers and dramatists – who tell their stories of what it takes to make art. State of the Arts also brings viewers the latest and greatest art exhibits, performances and cultural happenings.

About José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best:

One of the pioneers of modern dance was a Mexican American named José Limón. A contemporary of Martha Graham, Limón was the first official cultural ambassador sent by the U.S. State Department around the world to share his knowledge and passion for the art of dance. Before his death in 1972, Limón was famous not only as a dancer but as an innovative choreographer, and “the Limón Technique” became known far and wide for its unique contribution to modern dance.

The José Limón Dance Company survived the death of its illustrious founder and today is under the guidance of artistic director Carla Maxwell in New York City. Recently, members of the José Limón Dance Company came to Emory University, where they shared secrets of the Limón technique with some of Atlanta's best dancers. Working alongside those who had once danced with the great José Limón, the Atlanta dancers were challenged to learn and then perform one of Limón's original masterpieces, Missa Brevis in Tempore Belli, or "Brief Mass in Time of War." To learn more about José Limón, visit his website.


Watch State of the Arts upcoming program:

  • Wed. May 14, 2008 at 9pm
  • Fri. May 16, 2008 at 7pm
  • Sun. May 18, 2008 at 4pm
  • Mon. May 19, 2008 at 1am

Education Leadership Forum Focuses on the Future of Teaching in Georgia

Preparing all students to participate in a knowledge-based economy is a demanding challenge. As pressure is continually placed on teachers to meet this challenge alone, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) convened at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, May 9 for an education leadership forum, “The Future of Teaching in Georgia,” to discuss how transforming teaching can meet the learning needs of 21st century students.

This forum, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, is the first in a series of conversations that NCTAF is holding across the country to call attention to the fact that quality teaching should not be looked at as an individual accomplishment. Instead, there is a need to bring the spirit and power of teamwork to schools – teamwork that builds the capacity to improve performance, increase teaching effectiveness, and close achievement gaps.

“No teacher should be expected to do this job alone,” said NCTAF President Tom Carroll. “Quality teaching results from the collective effort of teachers who join forces to improve performance beyond what any of them can accomplish on their own.”

At the forum, two panels addressed existing challenges and highlighted initiatives and strategies that offer better support for new teachers.
And a range of topics were covered, including pathways to teaching, mentoring and induction, coaches and instructional leaders, collaborative teaching and learning, higher education/K-12 partnerships, strong principal leadership, math and science instruction, closing achievement gaps, teacher compensation, teacher preparation and certification, and workforce pipeline issues.

Donna Lowry, Education Reporter, WXIA-TV 11Alive (NBC Affiliate), moderated both panels. Panelists included: Wheda Acolatse, Teacher, Alonzo F. Herndon Elementary School; Andrew Broy, Assoc. Superintendent, GA Department of Education; Ann Cramer, Director North America, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs; Beverly Hall, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools; Carolyn Hall, Principal, Kimberly Elementary School; Bill Haskin, Teacher, Hahira Middle School; Patricia Paterson, Executive Director for the P-16 Office of the University System of Georgia; Jennifer Rippner Buck, Executive Director, The Governor's Office of Student Achievement; and Steve Smith, Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools.

For more information about NCTAF, please visit www.nctaf.org

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Join GPB Education at the Fernbank Museum!

Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Georgia Tech K.I.D.S. Club invite you to a day full of fun and adventure at the Fernbank Museum on Saturday, May 10, 10 AM - 2PM! Enjoy screenings of Design Squad, a hot new engineering show for kids from PBS, meet cast members of the show, and participate in cool hands-on activities! For more information and an admission discount coupon, CLICK HERE.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

RSVP Today!

The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, MetLife Foundation and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to participate in a discussion focusing on strengthening teaching quality in ways that directly impact and address the student dropout rate.

Don't miss your chance to RSVP -- there are only a few spaces left!


WHAT: The Future of Teaching in Georgia


WHEN: May 9, 2008

Continental Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Forum begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.


WHERE: Georgia Public Broadcasting

260 14th Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318


RSVP: astanley@nctaf.org or 202­-429­-2570

Monday, April 21, 2008

May Satellite Schedules

Click to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

Friday, April 18, 2008

Georgia Stories Now Available on DVD!

That’s right – we’ve upgraded our award-winning series on the history of Georgia into sleek, easy-to-use DVDs! A favorite among educators throughout the state, Georgia Stories is correlated to Georgia Performance Standards and takes viewers on a journey through Georgia’s past with dramatic recreations of events, archival film and photographs, current documentary footage, and interviews with Georgia residents, historians and authors.

Order your copy today!
Download the order form and fax it to 404-685-2556, or call 404-685-2550 (Atlanta area) / 1-888-501-8960, ext. 2550 (Toll free).

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Looking to Earn PLUs this Summer . . . While Strengthening Your Theater Skills?

Look no further! The Alliance Theatre is offering two courses for Summer PLU credit:

PUPPETRY IN THE CLASSROOM

June 16-20, 2008

3 PLU Credits * 30 contact hours

9:30am -3:30pm * Woodruff Arts Center * $250.00

  • Puppetry is an excellent art form for meeting performance learning standards while creating joyous and meaningful lessons.
  • Learn how to integrate puppetry with language arts, social studies and science. During the week-long workshop, participants will learn how to make a variety of puppets and create units and lessons for them.
  • Each teacher will also build a classroom character puppet of their own design, and puppets will be built for a culminating performance.
  • Students remember lessons that they are fully involved in, and the hands-on ideas learned during this week will strengthen and deepen existing classroom lessons.
  • All supplies are provided.


STORYTELLING, IN & OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

July 21-25, 2008

3 PLU Credits * 30 contact hours

9:30 am- 3:30 pm * Woodruff Arts Center * $250.00

  • Interactive class, with study and performance of folktales & myths, fairy tales, literary stories, and personal narrative.
  • Explore the history and significance of story in the development of human culture and experiment with ways of telling the stories that have come down through the oral tradition, as well as modern stories that reflect current society.
  • No prior storytelling experience required.

Register and learn more at www.alliancetheatre.org

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Future of Teaching in Georgia Forum

The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, MetLife Foundation and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to participate in a stimulating discussion about the future of teaching in Georgia. The forum discussion will focus on ways to strengthen teaching quality in ways that directly impact and address the student dropout rate.

Please join us on May 9, 2008 for a moderated two-panel discussion featuring: Andrew Broy, Assoc. Superintendent, GA Department of Education; Ann Cramer, Director North America, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs; Dr. Beverly Hall, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools; Carolyn Hall, Principal, Kimberly Elementary School; Jennifer Rippner (invited), Executive Director, The Governor's Office of Student Achievement; Dr. Steve Smith, Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools.

WHAT: “The Future of Teaching in Georgia

WHEN: May 9, 20008

Continental Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Forum begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Georgia Public Broadcasting

260 14th Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

RSVP: April 26; astanley@nctaf.org or 202-429-2570


TeacherLine Wins Awards!

PBS TeacherLine Wins Two Prestigious Awards

PBS TeacherLine is the winner of:

2007 CODiE Award Winner image
  • the prestigious 2007 CODiE Award for "Best Online Instruction Solution" presented by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA); view the press release
2007 USDLA Award Winner image
  • the 2007 21st Century Best Practice Distance Learning Awards by the USDLA; view the press release

New Science Courses

PBS TeacherLine is now offering a special collection of science courses designed to give teachers what they need to inspire as well as educate students. The courses, available in Physical, Life and Earth Sciences and at the elementary, middle school and high school levels, are Teachers' Domain Professional Development courses produced by WGBH Educational Foundation and developed by educators and advisors specializing in science teaching and curriculum.

Teachers' Domain Professional Development courses support K-12 science teachers in their quest to engage students with media-rich resources incorporating practical real world applications, using their free collections of nearly 1,000 resources developed from high-quality, critically-acclaimed and trusted information sources such as the award-winning PBS science programs NOVA, ZOOM, and A Science Odyssey.

Courses are available in two formats to best meet specific science learning needs:

  • 45-hour Courses, 10-weeks
    Provide a comprehensive understanding of a subject and of the inquiry method, leading to a systemic change in approach to curriculum design and teaching strategies. The 45-hour courses are equivalent to 3 graduate-level credits.

  • 30-hour Courses, 6-weeks
    Offer a quick immersion into teaching a particular topic. The courses are derived from the 45-hour courses but adapted to stand on their own with a special final assignment. Courses focus on science content in the context of teaching strategies and inquiry. The 30-hour courses are equivalent to 2 graduate-level credits.

All course content corresponds to the National Science Education Standards and the McREL Compendium of K-12 Standards. Elementary and middle school courses focus on three elements – content knowledge, inquiry methodology, and using technology in the classroom. High school courses assume a basic knowledge of subject matter, and emphasize inquiry methodology and the use of technology in lessons.

  • Life Science Courses
    • Teaching Elementary Life Science - 45-hours
    • Science and the Living World - 30-hours
    • Plants and Animals 30-hours
    • Heredity and Adaptation - 30-hours
    • Ecosystems and Human Impact - 30-hours
    • Teaching Middle School Life Science - 45-hours
    • Structure and Function - 30-hours
    • Regulation and Behavior - 30-hours
    • Reproduction and Genetics - 30-hours
    • Natural Selection and Applied Genetics - 30-hours
    • Teaching High School Biology - 45-hours
    • Inquiry in Science Education - 30-hours
    • Teaching About Genetics - 30-hours
    • Teaching About Evolution - 30-hours
    • Designing Effective Lessons - 30-hours
  • Physical Science Courses
    • Teaching Elementary Physical Science - 45-hours
    • Motion and Forces in Your World - 30-hours
    • Understanding Motion and Force - 30-hours
    • Understanding Properties and Structures 30-hours
    • Teaching Middle School Physical Science 45-hours
    • Understanding Energy Transfer - 30-hours
    • Understanding Waves - 30-hours
    • Understanding Heat Transfer - 30-hours
    • Understanding Solubility and Density - 30-hours
    • Teaching High School Physical Science - 45-hours
    • Inquiry in Physical Science Education - 30-hours
    • Assessing Understanding - 30-hours
    • Building Understanding - 30-hours
    • Teaching Effective Lessons - 30-hours

  • Earth and Space Science Courses
    • Teaching Earth and Space Science - 45-hours
    • Introduction to the Earth System - 30-hours
    • Structure of the Earth System - 30-hours
    • Earth in Time and Space - 30-hours
    • Weather and Climate - 30-hours

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Georgia Improves on National Writing Test

Georgia's 8th graders are scoring at the national average in writing, according to the 2007 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) results. Released last week, the results showed that 88 percent of Georgia 8th graders scored at or above basic proficiency levels, one point higher than the nation. This was a six-point jump for Georgia since 2002, the last time the NAEP writing test was given.

The NAEP is given to a representative sample of students in every state. Scores are on a scale of 0 to 300 and are broken into four categories -- below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. Georgia students in grade 8 took the NAEP writing exam last year. The students who were tested had been taught using the state's new Reading/English Language Arts curriculum for two years.

"These NAEP results offer further proof that our new curriculum is making a big difference," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "There is no doubt in my mind that the rigor and focus of our new standards is having a positive impact in the classroom."

Superintendent Cox said Georgia has a strong commitment to building students' writing skills. For instance, Georgia is one of few states that tests students in writing at every level of education -- elementary (grades 3 & 5), middle (grade 8) and high school (grade 11).

For more information about NAEP results, CLICK HERE.

Monday, April 7, 2008

How well do you know economics? Challenge yourself!

High school students throughout the state challenged their knowledge in economics on Saturday, March 22 at Georgia Public Broadcasting in the Georgia Championships of the National Economics Challenge. The competition highlights the strong economic education program in Georgia and winners move on to compete in the regional competition and winners of the regional competition move on to the national finals in New York City.

The competition has four rounds – three rounds of rigorous written questions and a final Quiz Bowl round – and is divided into two divisions – the Adam Smith Division is students currently taking an Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, honors, college level, or two-semester class, and the David Ricardo Division for students enrolled in all other general economics or one-semester economics classes.

Winners of this year’s Georgia Championships include Starr’s Mill High School in the David Ricardo Division and Davidson Fine Arts Magnet in the Adam Smith Division. Congratulations!

View the Georgia Economics Challenge 2008 Quiz Bowl.

For more information about the National Economics Challenge, please click here.