K-8 Siemens Challenge (Deadline 3/15)

There’s still time for elementary and middle school students to enter the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Just go to the We Can Change site and click on the appropriate grade level: K-2, 3-5 or 6-8. The site contains resources designed to help students learn how they can make a difference in the world. There is $100,000 in grants and prizes, including the “chance to appear on TV, journey on a Discovery trips, and tell their story at the United Nations.” In the Challenge, teams of students with an adult leader, select a current community environmental program, brainstorm solutions, engage in research, plan, carry out, analyze, and share.  Although there’s little time left for developing project ideas, perhaps you and your students have already been working on a project that will fit the Challenge criteria. It’s worth checking out.

Random Acts of Kindness Free Stuff

If you haven’t signed up for the Random Acts of Kindness Newsletter, head over to the RAK site. While there you’ll want to explore other “Free Stuff” such as lesson plans for all levels, service projects, arts & crafts projects, annotated and video bibliographies, kindness calendars, bookmarks, posters, and more. The site features inspirational stories and quotes, news, and ecards. There’s a discussion board and even a wonderful section on the health benefits of kindness. Learn about the “helper’s high”, the altruistic lifestyle, and the beauty of silence—all perfect to pass along to your students as they make their way through the stress of our world.

Help with Class Video Production

For great ideas about school video production, go to School Video News: the Online eMagazine for K-12 TV/Video News Production. There you’ll find information about use of copyrighted content, video and television equipment, and media resources or students and teachers. You can read about video production in schools throughout the nation, join in forums, and share your own ideas about the value of video in the curriculum. Events, including video competitions and free copyright webinars, are available on the site.

ING Unsung Heroes Educator Awards

One hundred K-12 educators who are involved in innovative educational projects or have ideas for innovative projects are eligible for awards of $2000. Three of the educators selected for the $2000 awards will win top awards of $5000, $10000, and $25000. The deadlines for applications in April 30, 2010. To Learn more about the awards, watch the ING Unsung Heroes video and the interview with the 2008 winner. There will be at least one winner in each of the 50 states in the US. Download the project booklet for additional information and the official application.

EELink for Environment Awards & Grants

The NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education provides educators with EELink, a site that lists links to information on awards and grant programs for K-12 students. Also listed on the sites are multi-site grants, environmental education-specific grants and grants for higher education. Some of the grants listed are: Young Environmental Hero (deadline 4/30/10), Siemens We Can Change the World (deadline 3/15/10), Brower Youth Awards (deadline 5/15/10), and the Rachel Carson Contest (deadline 6/16/10).  This is a great site to browse periodically for newly listed award and grant programs.

Powerful & Packed with Teaching Tools: Inspiration 9

Mind Maps to outlines. Brainstorming to presentations. Content to word processors. Like all of the previous Inspiration products, Inspiration 9 is all about creativity and organization, but this edition of the popular software features a Presentation Manager, a new visual environment called Map View, and more resources for helping students with visual learning support, outlining, organizing and writing. According to Inspiration’s leader Mona Westhaver,  “Inspiration 9 encourages creativity, comprehension and retention, helping students build the critical-thinking and communication skills necessary for success in school, higher education and life.”  If you want to learn more about his powerful learning tool, watch the Inspiration 9 video.

Is Anyone Listening to Teachers?

According to the Annual MetLife Survey, most teachers don’t feel their voices are heard. Part I of the report notes that “Teachers (69%) do not believe that their voices have been adequately heard in the debate on education.” Both teachers and administrators felt that collaboration between teachers and administrators was needed and that increased collaboration (teacher to teacher and teacher to administrator) would improve student achievement. In schools where a high degree of collaboration was evident, the survey report found that teacher job satisfaction was at a higher level. PDF downloads of the survey are available.  To browse previous MetLife survey reports on education, go to the MetLife site.

Do Students Have a Sense of Responsibility for their Education?

Yes, say most students Grades 3-12, actually 70%. No, say teachers, for only 42% (33% for secondary and 45% for elementary) thought most or all of their students have a sense of responsibility toward their own education. However, 72% of the principals in the survey thought their students had a sense of responsibility for their education.  Only 53% (the percentage was about 10 points less for secondary school) of the students felt that their teachers wanted them to succeed. In schools where there was a higher level of collaboration among teachers, students and administrators, 56% of the teachers reported that their students took responsibility regarding their education.  The findings are part of the Annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher conducted in the fall of 2009. It included over 1000 teachers, Grades K-12, and over 1000 students, Grades 3-12.

Free eBooks on 21st Century Learning

Atomic Learning, a company that provides online training for assistive technologies, software, and 21^st Century Learning, offers the free eBook, Creating 21^st Century-Ready Teachers.  The book features the following chapters: What are 21st Century Skills?, 21^st Century Themes, 21^st Century Concepts, Being 21^st Century-Ready Teachers, Teacher Preparation Programs, Professional Development and Reviews & Resources. Links to resources such as “Beyond the Three Rs: Voter Attitudes Toward 21^st Century Skills” and “Global Competition: U.S. Students vs. International Peers” are available in the eBook. To download this resource, you’ll need to give the name, address, and phone number of your school or district.

How Do You Think Our Students Are Doing?

Add your “two cents” to Teacher Magazine’s online discussion about how our students are doing in tech skills when compared to students in other parts of the world. China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Britain have plans in place for their students’ future with tech tools, and India and China are often said to be moving ahead in technology.  Third world countries are working hard to catch up. So where do you think our students are?  According to an article in Ed Week, Steve Andrews, manager of Intel’s U.S. Teach Program says, “…the U.S. has not given as much attention [to tech skills and learning] as the highest-performing countries around the world, which means our kids aren’t getting the opportunity to compete.” Go on the Teacher Magazine discussions and read what other educators have to say. Then add your thoughts about whether you believe our students are behind in tech skills, and if so, what we should do about this problem.