Teaching about poverty
BeadforLife offers a free service-learning tool for the classroom: "Understanding Global Poverty, How Youth Can Make a Difference."
The curriculum includes five lessons that can be applied to many settings, including schools. The new edition also provides teachers the option to raise funds for their own school or community. Easy to download, BeadforLife includes support from start to finish with step-by-step instructions, reproducible handouts, videos, music and more.
The program is designed for grades 6-12 and is easily adapted for both younger and older students. The lessons explore the broader issues of resource scarcity and distribution as well as a new section about what it's like to live in extreme poverty. Visit http://beadforlifestore.org/curriculum.asp.
Can you add this?
XP Math features free math games aligned to Common Core State Standards. Let the games begin with numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurements, data analysis and probability. Play at http://www.xpmath.com/.
Book nook
Kathy Otto, a laid-off Oregon school librarian, has started http://www.teachingkidsbooks.com/, an online resource helping to connect teachers, librarians, and others interested in selecting children's books. The site is geared to educators working with students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Noting that 10,000 to 12,000 new titles are published yearly, Otto hopes her site is a resource for overburdened educators.
Become a dog listener
The American Kennel Club's Public Education Department offers several resources for educators, including lesson plans and educational videos.
One helpful lesson is The Dog Listener. Be safe around dogs: Become a Dog Listener!
The Dog Listener kit features a video and booklet that helps teach children how to properly greet a dog, what to do when they see a loose dog and how to understand a dog's body language.
For more information, and access to other education resources, visit www.akc.org/public_education.
Energy Star offers activity book
Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, offers several resources for educators including an activity book featuring the Dr. Suess Lorax character. The book is available for download or you may request copies at http://www.energystar.gov/ under the "Publications" tab.
Planet protectors to the rescue
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency makes available a wealth of information for teachers and students K-12. Visit www.epa.gov/osw/education/index.htm to find curriculum, activities, games, and other educational materials to teach students about waste generation and management. Student award and grant information is also provided, as well as information about environmental careers.