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| Volume Three Issue Four | February 2003 |
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Global Connections Inspiring Stories Featured Themes Teacher Discoveries Student Explorations The Lighter Side |
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Global Interactions Foster Talented Students
Welcome to February!
A wicked winter ice storm ushered in the month of February here in New Brunswick reminding us that we are still in the midst of winter’s throe. Major events in the news, however, overshadow the inconveniences of Mother Nature.
People from around the world were glued to their televisions this week following the developing news of the tragic explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia and here in Canada we were shocked to hear of the tragic deaths of seven Alberta students in an avalanche in British Columbia. For the second time in two weeks the Rocky Mountains have claimed the lives of seven adventurers.
The staff of Vital Knowledge extends sincere condolences to the families of these victims. In tribute of these victims, this month’s newsletter includes resources for exploring avalanches and the world of space. We also feature other resources relevant to the month of February.
In addition to this newsletter, keep checking Vital Picks. We have been highlighting resources teachers will find useful for the classroom. We have also been highlighting accomplishments of teachers and urge you to nominate teachers for our Vital Award.
Don't forget to visit our resource links! Visitors may now search for resources based on the grade level and subject they teach. We've included the best we can find on the World Wide Web. We will continue to add more and welcome any sites you may wish to submit.
This month we also have a special gift awaiting you and your students in the Activity section of Teacher's Corner. Check it out, and if you have activities that you would like to share with other teachers, please send them along. We'll make sure to post them immediately and to give you credit.
Send your ideas to teachers_corner@vitalknowledge.com.
Global Connections
The exploration of space knows no international boundaries and thus the tragedy of the Columbia Space Shuttle is certainly a global issue. Many of your students will want to discuss this horrific event and will want to delve further into our efforts to uncover the mysteries of space. We searched the Internet to find resources that may assist you in exploring this topic and found the following.
Perhaps the best place to begin is by visiting the official site of NASA. You will find great resources here including a section for kids, students, and educators. They also have pages for the developing story of the Columbia tragedy, and be sure to go on the virtual tour of the Columbia.
The explosion of the Columbia brings memories of the terrible disaster of the Space Shuttle Challenger and the loss of its crew. In particular educators were shocked with the loss of teacher Christa McAuliffe. Find resources for looking at this tragedy at A&E’s classroom study guide, the Maryland Technology Academy, Life Magazine, and I Remember Challenger.
The following sites, though not specific to space shuttles, contain great resources for exploring space:
Athena Curriculum offers an extensive look at our universe. The focus is primarily on our solar system. It offers general information and specific activities you can implement into your curriculum.
Discovery School offers suggestions for creating a three dimensional representation of our solar system, understanding the distance of planets from the sun, and understanding the size of planets in relation to the sun. They also offer several other lesson plans for implementing Space activities.
Pro Teacher has identified several sites you may choose to visit for space resources. A to Z Teacher Stuff also identifies activities for teaching about our solar system.
Visit Kids Astronomy for a universe of discovery about space.
You and your students may enjoy a visit to StarChild, which bills itself as a learning center for young astronomers.
Kid's Domain offers a Solar System Coloring Book. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this document and it can be downloaded for free at their site if you do not have it. Enchanted Learning also has solar system coloring pages.
Do you have questions for an astronomer? Ask the Space Scientist and see his answers to previously submitted questions.
Finally, take a visit to National Geographic's Virtual Solar System. You'll be impressed with the resources found there!
Inspiring Stories
Influence the Life of a Child
- Author unknown
When you thought I wasn't looking...
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.
I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.
I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.
I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.
I watched you, and I learned most of life's lessons I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.”
From: Inspiring Stories
Featured Themes
February is Black History Month. In recognition of the many accomplishments Black’s have made to our society you may wish to visit the following sites to incorporate Black history into your curriculum.
Pacific Bell Knowledge Network has created six web sites as models of ways to incorporate the World Wide Web into your curriculum. All six sites focus on African American history.
A wide variety of resources on Black history can be found at Info Please. Find history. Timelines, famous Black Americans, quizzes, puzzles, and more!
Thompson Gale has assembled a collection of activities and information about Black history to complement your curriculum. Find quizzes, timelines, biographies, a wide variety of activities, and more!
CNN has pages devoted to Black history. Find resources on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stories, quizzes, Timelines, and more! Time Magazine has similar resources. Indeed the Internet resources for celebrating this topic seem endless. Other sites include Biography, references from the Louisiana State University Library, the History Channel, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and Kid’s Domain.
Teacher Discoveries
The Canadian province of British Columbia has seen two avalanche tragedies in the past two weeks. While the majesty of the Rocky Mountains attracts adventurers from around the world, these terrible events serve as a reminder to the power and destruction of Mother Nature. The following resources will assist you in exploring these two tragic events and the topic of avalanches in general.
First you may wish to explore the tragic event that led to the deaths of three American and four Canadian climbers on January 20. Then a mere 11 days later, seven high school students from Dewington, Alberta were swept to their deaths while backpacking near Rogers Pass.
SportsScotland has a page about avalanches with information about how they are formed, how they are triggered and what to do if you are caught in one.
Discover the Rockies has a variety of resources about avalanches including recognizing the danger, traveling safely, danger scales, what to do in an avalanche, and more!
Visit Discovery School for a great lesson plan about Avalanches. Be sure to check their resource links to find other ideas for your class! CSAS also identifies links to resource pages.
Other resources about avalanches can be found at Avalanche Awareness, Natural Hazards, White Death, PLANAT, Avalanche, and All About Snow.
Student Explorations
Students from around the world will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14. The following are sites on the World Wide Web they can visit to find resources this exciting day:
Valentine Central has clip art, fonts, games, stories, history, quizzes, message boards, e-cards, recipes, screen savers, crafts, and more!
Visit Kids Domain for loads of Valentine fun. Find e-cards, coloring, graphics, activities, crafts, recipes, games, puzzles, links, and more!
Billy Bear wishes you a happy Valentines Day with clip art, games, activities, kissing booths, crafts, valentine cards, screen savers, story books, stationary, post cards, free downloads, and more!
Holiday Fun offers Valentine fun in the form of coupons, clip art, e-cards, games, crafts, puzzles, trivia, chat, and more!
The Holiday Spot extends Valentine wishes with recipes, greeting cards, gift ideas, history, screen savers, jokes, poems, letterheads, wallpaper, message boards, and more!
Finally, celebrate Valentines Day with ChildFun! Find coloring, e-cards, activities, recipes, crafts, games, songs, poems, and more!
The links above are just a few of the multitude of sites on the World Wide Web with resources to celebrate Valentines Day. Choose your favorite search engine, enter Valentines Day, and discover what the Internet offers!
The Lighter Side
Q: What do squirrels give for Valentine's Day?
A: Forget-me-nuts.
Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope?
A: I'm stuck on you.
Q: What is a vampire's sweetheart called?
A: His ghoul-friend.
Q: Why did the banana go out with the prune?
A: Because it couldn't get a date.
Q: What is a ram's favorite song?
A: I only have eyes for ewe, dear.
From: St. Valentines.Net
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