PBS Newsletter

Calling Preschool Teachers:
PBS KIDS PLAY! Pilot
Are you looking for preschool activities this summer? PBS is currently looking for preschool teachers interested in doing a pilot this summer for the PBS KIDS PLAY! Classroom Edition. (Broadband access is required) There is no cost to the school in exchange for feedback about the service. The pilot will run through August 31, 2010. If you are interested please send an email to pbskidsplay_teachers@pbs.org and include your name, school name, email address and phone number. Thank you.

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PBS Educational Media Engage Your World Sweepstakes
What a way to end the week. If you are feeling lucky checkout our PBS Educational Media Engage Your World Sweepstakes. It's easy to enter and no purchase is necessary. You could win a fabulous DVD collection valued at more than $3000!
Enter here: http://teacher.shop.pbs.org/home/index.jsp

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Sesame Street: Elmo's Special
InteractiveGrade Range: PreK, K-2
Help young children cope with feelings of sadness when they are separated from a working parent. Use games and stories to help children feel less anxious in such situations.
http://pbskids.org/sesame/games/elmocupcakes.html

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Nature: Man's Best Friend: Dog Sense
Audio/Video Grade Range: 3-5, 6-8
Compare dogs' senses of smell and hearing to those of humans. Consider how humans have relied on the instincts of dogs for survival.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/lessons/mans-best-friend/video-segments-dogs-that-changed-the-world/4803/

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Building Literacy Through Play
OnlineGrade Range: PreK, K-2
Playgrounds offer loads of fun, but they're also a place where literacy can happen. Use your next trip to the park or playground as an opportunity to build your child's literacy skills. See how kids can learn through play.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/quicktips/park.html

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Reproduction of PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online. Copyright 2010

PBS Teacher Previews

Design Squad Teacher's Guide

Design Squad, PBS’ engineering reality competition series, goes to school with the Design Squad Teacher’s Guide. Written specifically for middle school science and technology teachers, the guide features 3 units that focus on topics found in physical science curricula—force, electricity, and sound. In each of the guide’s open-ended challenges, students use the engineering design process and apply core science concepts. In the process, they develop a working understanding of these concepts, increase their enthusiasm for engineering, and see engineers as creative problem solvers who make a difference in the world. The challenges use low cost, readily available materials and are linked to national science and technology standards.

Order your free copy of the Design Squad Teacher’s Guide at: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/engineers/newsletter.html

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Gulf Oil Spill Resources for the Classroom
Local PBS station WSRE has compiled a list of parent, teacher and kid resources regarding the Gulf oil spill at http://wsre.org/OilSpill/teachers-students-kids.asp

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KAET: ASSET-Eight: MathActive: Navajo Rug Interactive
Grade Range: PreK, K-2
Examine the geometric shapes found in Navajo rugs and design your own rug using squares and triangles. Click on "Start Lesson" to begin the interactive. http://www.asset.asu.edu/new/mathactive/gradesk_2.html#

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NOVA: Mystery of the MegavolcanoOn-Air & Online
Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 8 - 9:00 pm
Grade Range: 6-8, 9-12
The Toba eruption during the Ice Age may have helped kick the climate into a freeze and perhaps pushed ancestral human populations to the brink of extinction. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/

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Secrets of the Dead: Airmen and the HeadhuntersOn-Air & Online
Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 8 - 9:00 pm
Grade Range: 6-8, 9-12
Explore the extraordinary survival story of a crew of airmen shot down over the jungles of Japanese-occupied Borneo during World War II. (CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/

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Save Money on BooksOnline
Grade Range: PreK, K-2
You know how important it is to read to your kids but also know how expensive books are. While libraries are a great resource, it's important for kids to have some titles they can call their own. Find out how to get more for less.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/booklights/archives/2010/05/have-i-got-a-deal-for-you.html

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Reproduction of PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online. Copyright 2010 PBS Online

Free Money for School,etc

Here is a list of some sites that I use to get items (books, supplies) for our homeschooling.

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As a member of OpinionSquare, you'll have the opportunity to earn valuable rewards like sweepstakes entries, points redeemable for exciting prizes, and cash just for taking surveys. https://www.opinionsquare.com/Default.aspx?Fn=ref&refID=ZJ_gD%

Points2Shop cash out is $5.50 or use points for items at Amazon.com
http://www.points2shop.com/?ref=PrpleHze

Mindfield: Cash out is a $5 check
http://mindfieldonline.com/referral/4ef64080

RewardTV: Take tests on TV/Movies that you watched the night/day before. I recently won on the Shopping Spree which happens twice a week. I got a Lowe's and a BP Gift Card.
http://www.rewardtv.com/join/default.sdo?refID=928017&join=friend


Valued Opinions: Cash out is $20 for Visa pre-paid gift card
www.valuedopinions.com/

BzzAgent: Try out new products and get awarded points to be used at MyPoints

My Points: Click to read emails, surveys, and more for points that you use to purchase gift cards.
www.mypoints.com

My books from Abebooks.com

My shipment of Teacher's Edition books from www.abebooks.com came in from UPS today.




I flipped through the pages, and they look great. There are no markings for damage or anything.

Meet the "Babies"

Scrubbing Bubbles® Extend-a-Clean™ Power Sprayer

I joined a website called "BuzzAgent" and they send you products to try and send in reports about. Well last week, they sent me the Scrubbing Bubbles® Extend-a-Clean™ Power Sprayer to try. The products states that it has the cleaning power to clean for 4 days before you have to clean again. It gets rid of soap scum and all of the little nasties in your tub. The sprayer is unique as well, you flip the switch on the handle to "unlock" and pull and hold the trigger. It automatically and continuously sprays. To clean just spray, let it foam for a few minutes and then wipe.
I was kind-of skeptical at this product until I tried it. It does exactly what it says it will do. I didn't clean the tub for about a week, so I could try out the cleaning solution. And now, the tub is sparkly clean agin, without the hard scrubbing.
Not only does the spray clean, it makes your bathroom smell and feel fresh. It is a sort-of a faint orange smell, not too strong but pleasant. I know as a parent you really don't have alot of time to be cleaning the house when the little ones are running around, but this is a MUST HAVE! You can spray it, and wiat about it for a few minutes and then go back to it.

Monday May 17th Freebies of the Day

Homeschool Freebie of the Day: "Blessed is the Man"


Walgreens - sign up for an account and get 25 Free photo prints: http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/welcome


CVS - 50 free photos code when you sign up: http://www.cvsphoto.com/home.aspx

Computer Science Unplugged

http://csunplugged.org/

Download a FREE book of lessons on how to teach computer science without having to use a computer

SciGirls on PBS

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/scigirls/

Quote from the above page:
"Every girl can be a SciGirl with a groundbreaking new TV show and interactive website that will transform the way tween girls look at science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The empowering series has the right formula to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers with an engaging combination of actual girls exploring real-world science and math alongside successful female mentors in the field – plus an online destination unlike any other where young viewers can share their own exciting ideas and projects."

Replay of PBS Webinars

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html

If you missed any of the Webinars that were offered on PBS, click the link above and it will take you to their archive list so you can watch a replay of them.

Diary of Anne Frank

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH2HxdnUdWE

Teacher's Guide: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/learn/guides.html

Free Money from AmyLynn.org

http://www.amylynn.org/home/

I know you have seen the banner over on the side of this blog, but I thought I would explain the site to you. This site has hundreds if not thousands of links to survey sites, product testing,etc. Where you can earn checks, prizes, points, and cash. As the US rules on taxes, as long as you do not make over $600 you do not have to claim it on your income tax.

When you click on Amy's site, you will see a list of links on the left hand side. One of them is called "Join us at our Forum". You do not need to register to view the forum. This is where the latest surveys, bulletin boards, etc that are only for a specific time frame are posted. They are generally posted under the "Local and Limited". I post a lot on these two with the money making surveys, group meetings, etc that I find.

Just recently I did a bulletin board, where I had to sign off and on throughout 3-days answering questions on a forum like board about products. After the 3 days were done, I received a $75 virtual Visa card. It's a gift card that you have to use online.

So, check it out, some of the $75 is what I used to buy the books at Abe Books.

BizKids- Helping kids

http://www.bizkids.com/show.aspx

I found this site while searching around for Economic teachings. This is a video series that encourages kids that they are inventive and there are ways to make money and successful.

Teaching Citizenship

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/as/citizenship/
This link is from the UK, but I found that there was no difference from our beliefs.

Abe Books - Low prices for books and textbooks

http://www.abebooks.com/

I found a site a couple of days ago with books and textbooks that were very low prices, even for the teacher's editions. I asked people in a Yahoo Group, (TNHomeEd), that I am a member of about it. And they said that they do shop from this place and it is legit. So I gave it a try. Since I am going to school my kids through High School (hopefully), I went ahead and started to buy what they will need. My oldest is now entering 7th grade so it's not that far away from 9th.

I spent a total of $18.76 for:

1. World History: The Human Experience-$4.15
2. Algebra I-$3.97
3. Glencoe Language Arts, Grammar and Composition-$6.67
4. Glencoe Physical Science-$3.97

All of these are Teacher Editions. They are used, but I see nothing wrong with using books that have been gently worn and used. The seller of the books contacted me late last night through email and said that I would be receiving them shortly, possibly next week. Plus the best thing is that the shipping was FREE!

My shipment from Points 2 Shop came in yesterday

Here is some pictures of the items that I have gotten from the site Points 2 Shop.

The Word Girl Definition Competition

http://www.scholastic.com/wordgirldefinitioncompetition/

So how did your class do with the Word Girl Definition Competition?

I had mine sitting at the table with a pencil and paper and jotted down the answers.

If you missed it, it will replay today at 3pm cst, 4pm est.

Free Dvd's & Posters For Teachers

The Foundation for a Better Life is giving out free posters and DVD's and select non-profit organizations.

http://www.values.com/media_requests/new/school

Free Homeschool ID Card

I made some ID cards for my kids by using Paint Shop Pro and a cheap digital camera from Wal-Mart. I saved the blanks into an online photo album. So, you can just print this one out and handwrite everything in, or save it to your computer and use your program to put everything in.

Conflict Resolution

PBS: HEALTH AND FITNESS

NewsHour: the.News: White House Campaign on Childhood Obesity
*Offline Activity
**Grade Range: 6-8, 9-12
Find out about First Lady Michelle Obama’s child obesity campaign. Consider the role of diet and exercise in developing a healthy lifestyle, learn basic nutritional and exercise needs for teens and investigate your school's health and fitness programs.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/thenews/foreducators/story.php?id=15418&package_id=636


Nature: Man's Best Friend
*Lesson Plan
**Grade Range: 3-5, 6-8
Examine the different ways dogs use their senses of smell and hearing to help humans. Discover the skills of different breeds of dogs and describe tasks performed by sheep dogs, sled dogs and service dogs.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/lessons/mans-best-friend/lesson-overview/4801/


Reproduction of PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online

Points 2 Shop

Points 2 Shop is a wonderful site! You complete offers, surveys, daily clicks, and can even play games for points and cash. I am using this site to purchase (actually get free) all of the books that I will need for the 2010-2011 school year. So far in the past month, I have cashed out for:

1. Everything You Need To Know About English Homework (Everything You Need To Know..)
2. a $1 bill
3. Pre Algebra: A Transition to Algebra: Teacher's Edition
4. The Condemned (Widescreen Edition) **gift for family member**
5. Science Voyages: Level Blue Florida Edition
**(proof below)**

2010 Census: It's About Us United States Lessons

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3752139&eml=TNL/e/20100429/Generic

2010 Census: It's About Us United States Lessons

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Summer can be a season full of fun memories, good times and also... declining reading scores! This summer, don’t go down the “Summer Slide,” stay on top by reading! Sign up today to take the Scholastic Summer Challenge to read books, log your minutes and READ FOR THE WORLD RECORD!

The Scholastic Summer Challenge is a free, Web-based program that helps kids find great books and provides a fun, multimedia platform for them to discover new authors, talk about books with other kids, and keep motivated to read all summer long.

This year's Summer Challenge unites students and schools to read in an attempt to set a new world record for summer reading. Kids sign up for their school, choose books they want to read, then log their reading minutes at the Summer Challenge headquarters. Schools that log the most minutes will be published in the 2011 edition of the Scholastic Book of World Records! Students will also be a part of a 50,000 book donation to Reading Is Fundamental.

More info: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=608

Sign up: http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.htm?eml=TNL/e/20100429/NL/Corp/SRC/Generic/120

Assignment: The World Program Review Survey: Deadline June 30, 2010

Assignment: The World Program Review Survey: Deadline June 30, 2010

Teachers can get free access to the Assignment: The World (ATW), a weekly 15-minute news and global issues program targeted at 3rd-8th grade classrooms and its web resources for the remainder of the school year in exchange for feedback on a national survey to provide directions on content, educational resources and interactive directions.

**Classrooms respond weekly to important issue questions which are featured on the show.
32 15-minute programs, one per week from September until MayCovering topics such as:

**Current Events, Civics, Geography, History, Science, Global Issues, and MORE!

**On Public TV & on the Web (http://atwonline.org)

WXXI is conducting a national survey of teachers focusing on the usability, content and resources available from Assignment: The World. Preview the Series and Give Feedback at: http://atwonline.org/survey.html


PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online

It's My Life is looking to hear kids' stories..

The It's My Life Blog: Share your Immigration story with IML!

It's My Life is looking to hear kids' stories about moving from one country to another. Do you have one to tell?

http://www.pbskids.org/itsmylife/blog/2010/04/share-your-immigration-story-with-iml.html
PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online

Online World History Book

Online World History Book
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/index.php