Curriculum Associates’ ‘Summer School Kits’ Provide Aid to Struggling Students

Curriculum Associates has created Summer School kits specifically designed to raise achievement in struggling students enrolled in summer school programs or after-school “extended day” programs. Designed for students in grades 2-8, the kits feature multiple components, including an overall Teacher Resource Guide, product for 15 students, and a rolling duffel bag. Components of the kits focus on research-based reading and math strategies, following a four-step program of diagnosing, instructing, practicing, and simulated testing. Spanish kits are also available for students in grades 1-5 for reading and mathematics.

Kits are available at an introductory price of $349 per kit until April 2, 2009.  A complete kit contains enough material for 15 students. After this date, the kits will sell for $389, with 5 pack add-ons sold for $89. The Spanish kits are also available at a special introductory rate of $199 per kit until April 2, 2009. After this date the Spanish kits will be available for $219 with 5 pack add-ons for $69. For a complete description of the Summer School Kits and to purchase, visit www.cainc.com.

Why...?

The "Why...?" series consists of three multilingual books created to support inquiry-based learning through science and social studies curricula. The books are currently available in English and Spanish or English and French. The two languages are present on each page and in each book in an effort to increase awareness of language diversity and forward multilingual learning.

In an effort to supplement, deepen, and forward a child's love for reading and learning, "Why...?" books also include supplemental journals, discussion questions, games, stickers. Book five also has an audio component.  "Why…?" hopes to foster a healthy questioning amongst kids and foster an appreciation for vivid imagination and incessant learning.  The "Why...?" series is current available on line at Amazon.com and many other venders.  It can also be purchased at Youthfulvisions.org.

Unique Reader and Unique Math

Everyday Mathematics' Online Games

Everyday Mathematics® offers a research-based program, Online EMGames. Students across the country can access the online games at school, in the library, and at home for added mathematics skill and concept practice. Everyday Math aims to  help children practice their basic facts and computation skills and develop increasingly sophisticated problem-solving strategies, with animated, interactive, electronic versions of the board games created by the author team. Students play the games independently against the computer, and receive accurate feedback on their understanding of mathematical concepts. The online versions give students unlimited access to the EMGames from home and school, and detailed, real-time reports let teachers and parents monitor student success at each game.

The Online EMGames are part of the Everyday Mathematics eSuite of resources for students and teachers. For demonstrations of some EMGames, visit: http://media.emgames.com/emgames/demosite/demolevel1.html

Free Microscope Kits: The Scope On A Rope

School Technology Resources has launched a program aimed at providing free loans of hand-held video microscopes to science teachers. The Scope On A Rope (SOAR) is a high-tech version of an "old school" microscope and features a touch & view camera which can output to a computer, projector, TV or LCD display. Using this digital microscope, there are many "instant discoveries" to be made (such as visibly-active sweat glands in fingerprints, micro-ecosystems found in drops of pond water, tiny fossils in rocks and sand, etc.). The SOAR also serves as a digital, video, document, and presentation camera. Developed at Louisiana State University, The Scope On A Rope™ (SOAR) is sold by School Technology Resources (STR). For more information on this new program, visit www.schooltr.com and click on the "Loan Program" page under Teacher Resources.

Things That Make Us (Sic)

Things That Make Us (Sic) addresses common language stumbling stones such as evil twins, clichés, jargon, and flab, and offers all the spelling tips, hints, and rules that are fit to print. Included are  letters to high-profile language abusers, including David Hasselhoff, George W. Bush, and Canada’s Maple Leafs [sic], as well as a letter to – and a reply from – Her Majesty, the Queen of England. This pop culture guide to grammar and language was penned by Martha Brockenbrough, founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG -- the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.  

ResponseCard® AnyWhere™ Makes Polling Students Fast and Easy

The new ResponseCard® AnyWhere™ by Turning Technologies is a handheld receiver that allows students, educators, consultants, and meeting facilitators to gather or poll feedback from the audience instantaneously. The system, which does not require a projector or a computer, is a solution aimed at teachers or anyone else in need of a portable polling solution. A presenter or educator simply needs to ask a question to the audience and press one button to start polling—attendees or students can then respond by selecting their appropriate response, and after polling, the hand-held receiver will automatically tabulate and display the results.

New VEX Classroom Lab Kits

The new VEX Classroom Lab Kits, by Innovation First and Autodesk, can be used by teachers to help spur interest in mathematics and the sciences, as well as engineering and robotics. The Lab Kits are for two to five students, for designing, building, powering, and operating robots. Additional expansion kits for advanced sensors, drive systems, and pneumatics are also available. The kits are aimed at middle and high school students and curriculum is also included.

A Greener Back-To-School

TheGreenOffice.com, a national office supply retailer, has partnered with Green School News to introduce a line of “green” back-to-school kits for both teachers and students. These kits, geared towards a variety of different grade levels, contain eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to regular school supplies and are made with materials that are recycled, biodegradable, compostable, and/or reusable.

Claymation Studio 2.0 and Audio Recorder 2.0

Honestech, Inc. has released Claymation Studio 2.0, a stop-motion studio for claymation, stop-motion videos, and cell-based videos from imported photographs, music, and recorded soundtracks. The company has also released Audio Recorder 2.0 Deluxe, a hardware and software solution, which enables for the transfer and conversion of audio files from LP's and Cassettes to CD or MP3 format.

Key Releases Sketchpad LessonLink

Key Curriculum Press now presents LessonLink, a new online (and searchable) library that allows teachers to better coordinate Sketchpad into their teaching curriculum with over 500 specifically-designed activities. Sketchpad, which has been in use for nearly two decades and can be found in over 50 percent of all U.S. high schools, has revolutionized the way in which students have been learning mathematics. Sketchpad enables math students to discover the key concepts behind the actual mathematics with a more hands-on approach, leading to much better learning and overall retention. Sketchpad has been named "the most valuable software for students" by mathematics teachers in a University of California study. Grades 3-12.

Online Math Assessment for Algebra Students

The Diagnostic Online Math Assessment ® (DOMA) is used to assess the comprehension of key concepts of Algebra I. Aimed at either students in middle school or high school, this online assessment is able to adapt to student input and adjust difficulty accordingly, leading to a more enjoyable and relevant user-experience. DOMA measures student abilities in 11 key areas of Algebra I math. Grades 6+. Go to Let's Go Learn.

Meaningful Science Experiments Lead to a New Homework Experience

The return to a new school year is a crucial time for both students and teachers alike. And with The Science Homework Series, Educational Insights makes it easy to send students home with creative and meaningful science-related homework assignments. The Physical Science Kit allows for students to take advantage of resources readily available at home such as freezers and kitchen sinks to conduct 20 safe experiments. The experiments are correlated to The National Science Standards and are supported by discussion prompts and detailed background information. Science topics include chemistry, electricity, sound, light, and more. Ages 8+ years.

Curriki—A High-Quality Online Curriculum Community

Curriki (a clever juxtaposition of curriculum and wiki), allows for curricula and programs in mathematics, science, and other areas to be shared amongst and available to educators around the world. The “open source educational materials” aimed at the K-12 range are an effort to provide high-quality educational materials via an online and collaborative community. Materials are designed and backed by the Education Development Center (EDC) and the National Science Foundation. Grades K-12.

‘Math Instant Messaging’ now at Hotmath.com

Hotmath, Inc. has added a new instant messaging feature to its award-winning Web site. Hotmath.com displays hint-step explanations for the actual, odd-numbered homework problems used in more than 200 math textbooks used in US middle schools, high schools, and colleges. And now, with Math Instant Messaging, students can study together in real time via the internet. Grades 6-12.

Software Reading Trainer

FLRT is a fluent reading trainer for beginning readers, struggling readers, average readers and English Language Learners. Designed for students who have used MindPlay’s My Reading Coach, or for any student who has mastered decoding. Grades 2 - up.

Logger Pro and InspireData Collaborate

Logger Pro, compatible with the Vernier LabQuest, computers, TI graphing calculators and Palm OS handhelds, allows for the collection of data from more than 60 sensors, and video or image capture from Logitech web cameras and the Bodelin ProScope. Now students can easily export data to InspireData from the drop-down menu in Logger Pro. Grades 4-12. More info at www.vernier.com and www.inspiration.com.

New Classroom Jeopardy!® StandardsLink for Science

The interactive format of these games, which are based on the popular game show, covers key content in life science, Earth science, physical science, unifying concepts and processes, and the history and nature of science. The clues and responses for each game have been carefully customized to curriculum standards in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina and Texas to ensure that educators are reviewing the specific science content in their state curriculum frameworks and testing on their high-stakes assessments. A national version of the games is aligned to National Science Education (NSE) standards for use in other states. Grades 3-8 for state-specific; national standards version for Grades 3-5. Check out www.etacuisenaire.com.

New SchoolVue 10 Classroom Management Software

CrossTec Corporation just released the latest version of its SchoolVue® classroom management software. SchoolVue software allows teachers to control classroom technology at all times and is feature-rich with solutions that enable educators to instruct, monitor, and interact with students individually, in groups, or as an overall class. A new journaling feature holds complete records of the information covered during lessons including teacher notes, screenshots, websites, survey results, and even in-class notes. SchoolVue also allows for IT maintenance and management of all computers in the school without the cost of separate additional software. All grade levels.

Promethean Planet Website Moves Into New Orbit

PrometheanPlanet.com is undergoing a major expansion of its web presence with an onslaught of new content, functionality, and resources. New features include the ability to preview flipchart lesson plans online, improved searching, monthly themes focusing relevant topics and events (e.g., July 2008 and “Sports and the Olympics”). The Web site will also feature a dedicated Activtips area to help you get the best out of your interactive whiteboard (the site does indeed claim to be “the worlds largest interactive whiteboard community”). Promethean recently won the 2008 Worlddidac Foundation Award for Excellence in Education and the prestigious UNESCO Award for Innovation [by the United Nations educational agency].

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