Dear Educator:
We have had quite a year here at PeachStar for 2001-2002. This year we expanded our satellite offerings to three separate channels programmed by grade level in order to provide more content and make recording easier for media specialists became Georgia's exclusive resource for Ready to Learn trainings and support materials brought character education into Georgia classrooms through our CONNECT! video series brought you SmARTistic: Experiencing Academics Through the Arts, a video created in conjunction with the Georgia Council for the Arts designed to help teachers integrate arts into the curriculum helped to change the face of technology in the classroom with the advent of our video streaming capabilities developed a multimedia distance learning program in Interrelated Special Education that allows certified teachers to add-on certification in special education in as little as one year redesigned our website, transforming it into a phenomenal resource for Georgia teachers and students.
We anticipate surpassing this outstanding record with an even better 2002-2003 school year! To begin with, we look forward to seeing many of you this summer as you visit us in Atlanta to participate in one of our many professional development offerings as part of our Educator-In-Residence program. Last year's Teacher-In-Residence program was such as success, that we decided to expand our summer offerings to include all educators, including media specialists and staff development coordinators. See the article on page X for more information about each of the workshops being offered.
PeachStar will be printing a special August issue of Pipeline to help Georgia educators start the school year right with important information about how to use PeachStar resources to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom.
PeachStar thanks all Georgia educators for their hard work and commitment over the last academic year. We eagerly await the opportunity to continue working with you in the Fall to further enhance the use of educational technology in Georgia classrooms.
Sincerely,
C. Blaine Carpenter, Ph.D
Saturday, June 1, 2002
Extra! Extra! Read All About It
You've had almost two months now to feel your way around PeachStar's great new website. We hope you find it as useful as we do! While we're sure you've already discovered them, we wanted to take a moment to really explain two features we feel will be particularly helpful to you as teachers: the new Program Guide and Teacher Toolbox. These two resources will make the integration of PeachStar technology into the classroom a cinch!
Program Guide
When PeachStar staff sat down to begin planning for our new Program Guide, we asked Georgia teachers what would be most helpful to you and used your input to direct the design and functionality of the new guide. Some of what you told us you needed from an online program guide was
* a more dynamic search engine
* more information about program content
* detailed episode descriptions
* program provider information
* copyright information
Well, we've provided all of that and more! To recap from the April article, you can get to the Program Guide in just one step from any page on the PeachStar website. Links to the Program Guide are located on the main toolbar at the top of each page and also on the bottom toolbar of each page to make it easy for you to find the guide no matter where you are on the website. Once you've found the Program Guide main page, it's simpler than ever to locate all the information you ever wanted about the programs you're looking for. You can search for programs in two ways: by grade level and subject area or by keyword.
First let's look at the search wizard, which lets you search by grade level and subject area. This is a big improvement over our old program guide search, because it gives you the ability to run dynamic searches. That means that instead of having to choose to search by either grade level or subject area, you can search by both at the same time! For example, if you were searching for kindergarten math programs on the old website, you had to search for kindergarten programs or math programs because the search engine lacked the capability to look for both criteria at once. Never again! As a matter of fact, our new search wizard allows you to search by grade level and not only one, but two subject area categories, called the primary and secondary categories. Once you've selected the grade level, the search engine will present you with all of the primary and secondary categories that apply to that specific grade level. After you have selected your grade level and primary and secondary categories you are ready to search!
Searching by keyword is also a great way to find information because it allows you to really narrow the scope of your search. All you have to do is type in a word or phrase you would like to find information about and click GO!
Now that you know how to search, let's take a look at the kind of results you can expect. For every search you do, you will be given a list of the series and specific episodes that meet your criteria. In addition, you will be given a brief description of the series as well as grade levels, information about closed captioning, and relevant episode titles. For more detailed information, simply click on the series or specific episode title.
Let's look first at what information you will find on the series results page. For any given search, you will find
* primary subject, secondary subject, and grade range for the series
* episode duration
* broadcast rights information
* series provider information
* URLs to series websites and resources where available
* detailed description of the series
* a listing of all episode numbers and titles with descriptions and broadcast times for each episode
That's a lot of information! And to make it easier for you to use and catalog that information, we've put a special print icon on the screen. When you click on this icon, it launches a new window with all of the series information so that you can print a clean copy of it without also capturing the website graphics. Take advantage of this special feature and have important series information at your fingertips even when you're not online!
Once you decide which particular episode you're interested in, click on the episode title and that will bring up the episode results page. There you'll find even more helpful information.
* primary subject, secondary subject, and grade range for that particular episode
* series provider information
* episode description and broadcast dates
* segment titles, durations, and relevant QCC correlations where available
Teacher Toolbox
This feature may be one of the most helpful ones for Georgia teachers who are learning about PeachStar and the integration of technology into classroom teaching and learning. You can reach the Teacher Toolbox in two ways: from the homepage or under the News tab. To view all of the resources under the Teacher Toolbox in either of these locations, simply click on view all.
The Teacher Toolbox is organized into four main sections:
* Summer Workshop
* Featured
* Workshop In A Box
* Other
Each of these sections contains important information you need to stay on top of what PeachStar is doing for Georgia educators.
The Summer Workshop section contains detailed information about the 2002 Educator-In-Residence program as well as online applications for each of the workshops. In addition to this information, you may also find highlights from the 2001 Teacher-In-Residence program, including a description of the work accomplished in each workshop, participant photos, and brief bios of past participants.
Under the section entitled Featured you will find updated information each month about something new and exciting PeachStar has to share. For example, in April we featured special activities for Georgia educators to use in the classroom to celebrate Earth Day 2002. Look at this section each month to find out what's new at PeachStar!
You may already be familiar with Workshop In A Box, but if not, now is the time to get to know it! Under the Workshop In A Box section of the Teacher Toolbox you will find a link to the Workshop In A Box website, a guide for writing lesson plans, and a guide for developing PowerPoint presentations. Follow the link to the website to learn everything you ever wanted to know about PeachStar Education Services!
Under the Other section, we currently have an informative PowerPoint presentation about Bloom's taxonomy as well as the satellite reauthorization form for media specialists.
The Teacher Toolbox section contains valuable resources to help educators in the classroom. We will continue to update this area with additional tools as they become available, so be sure to check the Teacher Toolbox regularly for updates!
Well, there you have it: the all new Program Guide and Teacher Toolbox. We just know these new additions will make it easier for you to find what you need when you visit our new website! Log on today and start learning with PeachStar!
Program Guide
When PeachStar staff sat down to begin planning for our new Program Guide, we asked Georgia teachers what would be most helpful to you and used your input to direct the design and functionality of the new guide. Some of what you told us you needed from an online program guide was
* a more dynamic search engine
* more information about program content
* detailed episode descriptions
* program provider information
* copyright information
Well, we've provided all of that and more! To recap from the April article, you can get to the Program Guide in just one step from any page on the PeachStar website. Links to the Program Guide are located on the main toolbar at the top of each page and also on the bottom toolbar of each page to make it easy for you to find the guide no matter where you are on the website. Once you've found the Program Guide main page, it's simpler than ever to locate all the information you ever wanted about the programs you're looking for. You can search for programs in two ways: by grade level and subject area or by keyword.
First let's look at the search wizard, which lets you search by grade level and subject area. This is a big improvement over our old program guide search, because it gives you the ability to run dynamic searches. That means that instead of having to choose to search by either grade level or subject area, you can search by both at the same time! For example, if you were searching for kindergarten math programs on the old website, you had to search for kindergarten programs or math programs because the search engine lacked the capability to look for both criteria at once. Never again! As a matter of fact, our new search wizard allows you to search by grade level and not only one, but two subject area categories, called the primary and secondary categories. Once you've selected the grade level, the search engine will present you with all of the primary and secondary categories that apply to that specific grade level. After you have selected your grade level and primary and secondary categories you are ready to search!
Searching by keyword is also a great way to find information because it allows you to really narrow the scope of your search. All you have to do is type in a word or phrase you would like to find information about and click GO!
Now that you know how to search, let's take a look at the kind of results you can expect. For every search you do, you will be given a list of the series and specific episodes that meet your criteria. In addition, you will be given a brief description of the series as well as grade levels, information about closed captioning, and relevant episode titles. For more detailed information, simply click on the series or specific episode title.
Let's look first at what information you will find on the series results page. For any given search, you will find
* primary subject, secondary subject, and grade range for the series
* episode duration
* broadcast rights information
* series provider information
* URLs to series websites and resources where available
* detailed description of the series
* a listing of all episode numbers and titles with descriptions and broadcast times for each episode
That's a lot of information! And to make it easier for you to use and catalog that information, we've put a special print icon on the screen. When you click on this icon, it launches a new window with all of the series information so that you can print a clean copy of it without also capturing the website graphics. Take advantage of this special feature and have important series information at your fingertips even when you're not online!
Once you decide which particular episode you're interested in, click on the episode title and that will bring up the episode results page. There you'll find even more helpful information.
* primary subject, secondary subject, and grade range for that particular episode
* series provider information
* episode description and broadcast dates
* segment titles, durations, and relevant QCC correlations where available
Teacher Toolbox
This feature may be one of the most helpful ones for Georgia teachers who are learning about PeachStar and the integration of technology into classroom teaching and learning. You can reach the Teacher Toolbox in two ways: from the homepage or under the News tab. To view all of the resources under the Teacher Toolbox in either of these locations, simply click on view all.
The Teacher Toolbox is organized into four main sections:
* Summer Workshop
* Featured
* Workshop In A Box
* Other
Each of these sections contains important information you need to stay on top of what PeachStar is doing for Georgia educators.
The Summer Workshop section contains detailed information about the 2002 Educator-In-Residence program as well as online applications for each of the workshops. In addition to this information, you may also find highlights from the 2001 Teacher-In-Residence program, including a description of the work accomplished in each workshop, participant photos, and brief bios of past participants.
Under the section entitled Featured you will find updated information each month about something new and exciting PeachStar has to share. For example, in April we featured special activities for Georgia educators to use in the classroom to celebrate Earth Day 2002. Look at this section each month to find out what's new at PeachStar!
You may already be familiar with Workshop In A Box, but if not, now is the time to get to know it! Under the Workshop In A Box section of the Teacher Toolbox you will find a link to the Workshop In A Box website, a guide for writing lesson plans, and a guide for developing PowerPoint presentations. Follow the link to the website to learn everything you ever wanted to know about PeachStar Education Services!
Under the Other section, we currently have an informative PowerPoint presentation about Bloom's taxonomy as well as the satellite reauthorization form for media specialists.
The Teacher Toolbox section contains valuable resources to help educators in the classroom. We will continue to update this area with additional tools as they become available, so be sure to check the Teacher Toolbox regularly for updates!
Well, there you have it: the all new Program Guide and Teacher Toolbox. We just know these new additions will make it easier for you to find what you need when you visit our new website! Log on today and start learning with PeachStar!
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
Never Forget: Holocaust Remembrance Day
Tuesday, April 9, 2002 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day set aside to honor the six million Jews who were killed between 1933-1945 in what is known as the Holocaust. In addition to memorializing the fallen, Holocaust Remembrance Day pays tribute to those who survived the horrible ordeal.
This day is about remembering. It is crucial that we, as citizens of the world, remember those who died. And, lest history repeat itself, it is essential that we not forget the horrors humans are capable of perpetrating against one another. Each new generation is further removed from the reality of the Holocaust; this day of remembrance stresses the importance of revisiting not only the horrific results of this tragedy, but also the circumstances that allowed it to happen. We must examine past mistakes in order to understand them and prevent their reoccurrence.
Use this day as an opportunity to start the important dialogue of remembrance and commemoration for those who suffered in the Holocaust.
This day is about remembering. It is crucial that we, as citizens of the world, remember those who died. And, lest history repeat itself, it is essential that we not forget the horrors humans are capable of perpetrating against one another. Each new generation is further removed from the reality of the Holocaust; this day of remembrance stresses the importance of revisiting not only the horrific results of this tragedy, but also the circumstances that allowed it to happen. We must examine past mistakes in order to understand them and prevent their reoccurrence.
Use this day as an opportunity to start the important dialogue of remembrance and commemoration for those who suffered in the Holocaust.
Sunday, April 7, 2002
Up Close and Personal
PeachStar and Georgia Public Radio (GPR) recently joined together to enhance the educational experience of 25 fifth grade students from Glennwood Elementary School (City Schools of Decatur). On February 7, 2002, PeachStar invited this group of students to be the first-ever live audience during the broadcast of Soundscapes, on Georgia Public Radio. Soundscapes is GPR's daily classical music program, which features pieces from the most famous to the most obscure composers in music history. In addition, the program features live recordings of local artists here in the studio at Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Chosen to participate in this special occasion was Mrs. Tanner's fifth grade class, who quietly filed into the GPB building that morning along with their teacher plus Glennwood principal, Jan Goodloe. After taking a tour of the GPB broadcast facility, the group made its way into the radio production studio where guitarist and cellist Jonathan and Jennifer Adams were preparing themselves for the broadcast! For one full hour, these lucky fifth graders listened as the Adams Duo performed key pieces of music from the Baroque period, asked questions of both artists, and shared information about their own music pursuits with our statewide radio audience.
PeachStar would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Ida Love, Superintendent of City Schools of Decatur; Chuck Miller, Director of Georgia Public Radio; Mrs. Tanner's class; Emilie Bush, who assisted the children in the studio; and Georgia Public Radio's Terrance McKnight who graciously hosted and produced the studio broadcast.
Chosen to participate in this special occasion was Mrs. Tanner's fifth grade class, who quietly filed into the GPB building that morning along with their teacher plus Glennwood principal, Jan Goodloe. After taking a tour of the GPB broadcast facility, the group made its way into the radio production studio where guitarist and cellist Jonathan and Jennifer Adams were preparing themselves for the broadcast! For one full hour, these lucky fifth graders listened as the Adams Duo performed key pieces of music from the Baroque period, asked questions of both artists, and shared information about their own music pursuits with our statewide radio audience.
PeachStar would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Ida Love, Superintendent of City Schools of Decatur; Chuck Miller, Director of Georgia Public Radio; Mrs. Tanner's class; Emilie Bush, who assisted the children in the studio; and Georgia Public Radio's Terrance McKnight who graciously hosted and produced the studio broadcast.
Make a Difference: Earth Day 2002
Save the Date! Earth Day 2002 is Monday, April 22. Begun in 1969 by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day is a nationwide holiday to celebrate the Earth and bring attention to the environmental challenges and perils facing the world today. Though initially a grassroots effort, Earth Day has become an icon in mainstream culture, with millions of people around the world participating in events and activities designed to raise awareness about the current and future plight of planet Earth. In addition to offering students an opportunity to participate in the international dialogue about conservation and environmental restoration, scholars at the Woodrow Wilson Biology Institute say Earth Day provides an excellent occasion for interdisciplinary teaching and "school-wide participation in the learning process."
Environmental efforts are important not only on a global scale, but on a local one as well. Georgia has its very own environmental concerns, and Earth Day can serve as a springboard to help get your students and community involved in local clean up and conservation efforts. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the greatest ecological challenge facing Georgia is "protecting Georgia's environmental resources during this period of rapid population growth." With a population of more than 8 million, Georgia was the sixth fastest growing state in the U.S. in the 1990's. A constantly growing population means constantly increasing strains on natural resources such as water as well as an increase in the overall pollution of air, water, and land resources.
There are lots of things you can do in your school or even your classroom to celebrate Earth Day with your students. Activities range from poster contests to organizing nature hikes and community clean ups.
This April 22, celebrate Earth Day and bring the whole world into your classroom.
Environmental efforts are important not only on a global scale, but on a local one as well. Georgia has its very own environmental concerns, and Earth Day can serve as a springboard to help get your students and community involved in local clean up and conservation efforts. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the greatest ecological challenge facing Georgia is "protecting Georgia's environmental resources during this period of rapid population growth." With a population of more than 8 million, Georgia was the sixth fastest growing state in the U.S. in the 1990's. A constantly growing population means constantly increasing strains on natural resources such as water as well as an increase in the overall pollution of air, water, and land resources.
There are lots of things you can do in your school or even your classroom to celebrate Earth Day with your students. Activities range from poster contests to organizing nature hikes and community clean ups.
This April 22, celebrate Earth Day and bring the whole world into your classroom.
Wednesday, April 3, 2002
The Secret Seashore: Not a Secret Anymore!
Did you know that Georgia is home to the largest sand dune on the East coast? Or that troops of wild horses have run across parts of the state since the 1500s? Or that Georgia still has intact communities of the direct descendants of former slaves? You can find all of these things and more on Georgia's barrier islands.
In honor of Earth Day 2002, PeachStar will be airing The Secret Seashore, a Georgia Public Television original program written and produced by Frank Loose. The Secret Seashore tells the story of Georgia's 17 barrier islands. This hour-long program looks at each of these islands in both a historical and environmental context, offering an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary teaching and learning.
Barrier islands are large deposits of sand and sediment just off the coastline that serve to protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wind and waves and that also harbor a wide variety of plant and animal life. Stretching along the Atlantic coastline, Georgia's barrier islands are replete with natural and American history:
- Cumberland
- Little Cumberland
- Jekyll
- St. Simons
- Sea
- Little St. Simons
- Wolf
- Egg
- Little Egg
- Sapelo
- Blackbeard
- St. Catherines
- Ossabaw
- Wassaw
- Little Tybee
- Williamson
Georgia's barrier islands have several distinct ecosystems and biomes: the ocean beach, salt marsh, maritime forest, and freshwater slough. They exhibit plant life ranging from giant oaks and magnolias to marsh elder, cord grass, and, of course, sea oats. Wildlife include many imported as well as native species, ranging from Eastern Diamond rattlesnakes on Blackbeard Island and wild horses on Cumberland to lemurs and wildebeests on St. Catherines.
The Secret Seashore does a lot more than tell the story of the barrier island's natural history, though. The stories of these islands are full of Georgia's rich cultural history, exhibiting its African, European, and American influences. Through this intriguing documentary, your students will explore different eras in Georgia history, visiting such sites as St. Andrew's Lighthouse, the Gichi community of Hog Hammock, and the home of John Wesley, founder of Methodism.
In honor of Earth Day 2002, PeachStar will be airing The Secret Seashore, a Georgia Public Television original program written and produced by Frank Loose. The Secret Seashore tells the story of Georgia's 17 barrier islands. This hour-long program looks at each of these islands in both a historical and environmental context, offering an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary teaching and learning.
Barrier islands are large deposits of sand and sediment just off the coastline that serve to protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wind and waves and that also harbor a wide variety of plant and animal life. Stretching along the Atlantic coastline, Georgia's barrier islands are replete with natural and American history:
- Cumberland
- Little Cumberland
- Jekyll
- St. Simons
- Sea
- Little St. Simons
- Wolf
- Egg
- Little Egg
- Sapelo
- Blackbeard
- St. Catherines
- Ossabaw
- Wassaw
- Little Tybee
- Williamson
Georgia's barrier islands have several distinct ecosystems and biomes: the ocean beach, salt marsh, maritime forest, and freshwater slough. They exhibit plant life ranging from giant oaks and magnolias to marsh elder, cord grass, and, of course, sea oats. Wildlife include many imported as well as native species, ranging from Eastern Diamond rattlesnakes on Blackbeard Island and wild horses on Cumberland to lemurs and wildebeests on St. Catherines.
The Secret Seashore does a lot more than tell the story of the barrier island's natural history, though. The stories of these islands are full of Georgia's rich cultural history, exhibiting its African, European, and American influences. Through this intriguing documentary, your students will explore different eras in Georgia history, visiting such sites as St. Andrew's Lighthouse, the Gichi community of Hog Hammock, and the home of John Wesley, founder of Methodism.
Monday, April 1, 2002
Reserve Your Space for PeachStar's
Summer 2002 will be an exciting time for Georgia educators. PeachStar will be hosting a number of "Educator-In-Residence" programs this summer, including concentrations in the following areas:
Multimedia Integration Training - This training for K-12 educators includes video streaming, and the incorporation of graphics and original content into PowerPoint presentations.
Institute for New Media Specialists - Designed for new media specialists (less than 3 years of experience), this institute will provide an overview of PeachStar programs and services and includes strategies for effective media center operation.
Video Production - This training for K-12 educators held by GPB's production professionals, teaches the basics of television production .
Annenberg Professional Development Facilitator Training - This workshop for staff development coordinators provides participants with content knowledge and skills plus materials required for facilitating professional development telecourses at the district or school levels.
Strategies for Implementing SALSA in Elementary Curricula - This workshop for PreK-Grade 5 teachers Target Audience: PreK - Grade 5 teachers provides strategies on the effective use of SALSA in the classroom. SALSA is a Spanish foreign language program designed for elementary students.
Georgia Stories Curriculum Development - This workshop for fourth and eighth grade Social Studies teachers is a continuation of last Summer's Georgia Stories/ Georgia Studies: The Prime Connection Project. The focus is the teaching of history through primary sources.
Multimedia Integration Training - This training for K-12 educators includes video streaming, and the incorporation of graphics and original content into PowerPoint presentations.
Institute for New Media Specialists - Designed for new media specialists (less than 3 years of experience), this institute will provide an overview of PeachStar programs and services and includes strategies for effective media center operation.
Video Production - This training for K-12 educators held by GPB's production professionals, teaches the basics of television production .
Annenberg Professional Development Facilitator Training - This workshop for staff development coordinators provides participants with content knowledge and skills plus materials required for facilitating professional development telecourses at the district or school levels.
Strategies for Implementing SALSA in Elementary Curricula - This workshop for PreK-Grade 5 teachers Target Audience: PreK - Grade 5 teachers provides strategies on the effective use of SALSA in the classroom. SALSA is a Spanish foreign language program designed for elementary students.
Georgia Stories Curriculum Development - This workshop for fourth and eighth grade Social Studies teachers is a continuation of last Summer's Georgia Stories/ Georgia Studies: The Prime Connection Project. The focus is the teaching of history through primary sources.
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