National Geographic Explorer Magazine Discover how and why flowers "call" to bats. Photographs by: Merlin D. Tuttle/Science Source (bat); Rhoberazzi/iStock (power station); Mark Garlick/Science Source (spinosaurus); Jim and Jamie Dutcher/National Geographic Creative (wolf). 2012 Skywatching Events Guide & 2012 Venus Transit This story was updated on Jan. 2. As the year 2011 comes to a close, some might wonder what is looming sky-wise for 2012? What celestial events might we look forward to seeing? I've selected what I consider to be the top 12 "skylights" for this coming year, and list them here in chronological order. 7 Great YouTube Channels for Science Below are some great YouTube channels for science. If you are a science teacher and you need some useful resources where you can search for and find educational science videos, then the list below would be of great help. Some of the channels listed below have thousands of subscribers featuring some of the best science videos online.
Maps Maps This group of interactive whiteboard resources utilises a number of maps that have passed into the public domain due to their age. When the map appears there is a green box in the top left. Drag this to the point on the map that you wish to zoom into.
About the project In 2003, after The Earth seen from the Sky, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, with Sybille d’Orgeval and Baptiste Rouget-Luchaire, launched the 7 billion Others project. 6,000 interviews were filmed in 84 countries by about twenty directors who went in search of the Others. From a Brazilian fisherman to a Chinese shopkeeper, from a German performer to an Afghan farmer, all answered the same questions about their fears, dreams, ordeals, hopes: What have you learnt from your parents? What do you want to pass on to your children? What difficult circumstances have you been through? What does love mean to you?
Google Documents and Common Core Standards As I mentioned in my previous post, today I spent the day working with teachers on using Google apps to address some Common Core standards. One of the things that I love about working with other teachers is the opportunity to learn from other teachers. During my afternoon workshop I talked with a Language Arts teacher who uses the commenting features in Google Docs and Google Presentations to have students identify and label bias and propaganda in examples that he shares with them. Prior to today's workshops I identified some Common Core standards that you can address while using Google Documents. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Walk through the Continents - Print Maps Large and Small - Free Print free maps large or small; from 1 page to almost 7 feet across; PC or Mac. For classroom and student use. MegaMaps requires Adobe Flash. Free online software—no downloading or installation. Print out maps in a variety of sizes, from a single sheet of paper to a map almost 7 feet across, using an ordinary printer.
Walking the Amazon On 9th August 2010, Ed Stafford became the first man to walk the length of the Amazon River in South America from the source to the sea. He walked for 860 days. No-one had ever done what he attempted. “Truly extraordinary… in the top league of expeditions past and present.” – Sir Ranulph Fiennes Ed filmed and blogged his deadly journey and engaged followers all over the world for two and a half years.
Some technology schools should stop buying TODAY For about as long as I can remember I have carried a Swiss Army knife in my pocket with my change. It has a small blade less than an inch and a half long, a screwdriver blade/file, a small pair of scissors, a toothpick, and tweezers. My understanding is that actual members of the Swiss Army can use such a knife to kill an enemy in a dozen different ways, but I use mine primarily for opening boxes, trimming my finger nails, and cutting tags off things. None of the tools is as good as having a dedicated tool. 101 Great Sites for Social Studies Class 1.) The Library of Congress is a great source to find historical documents, photos, art, maps, audio and video, artifacts and other items. The American Memory section organizes items based on topics, time periods and places of American history. The World Digital Library, a cooperative project with UNESCO, includes rare documents from around the world. 2.)
Global Learning This past year, students from around the world came together to collaborate on world issues affecting their communities, taking the concept of global learning and turning it into a reality. In GlobalCOlab (GCL), Students teaching students from around the world, has connected students and educators from different cultures and religions from around the world to cross-cut disciplines, curricula, and traditional subjects to empower participants through student-led and student-created topics. These topics are based around global issues affecting each student’s community. GCL educators will discuss the need for an educational paradigm shift towards a global classroom in a one hour panel format.
Infinity Ring: Read the books and play the games Today our guest post comes from Joy Burlak, Education Resource Centre Manager at Sunbury Downs College. Joy explains how the Infinity Ring series of books and games is taking her school library by storm. A poster came across my desk from Scholastic, promoting ‘Infinity Ring’ “Fix the past. Save the future. Read the book.