Following is a list of free or inexpensive resources that teachers can order.
and Turner Learning, the education division of Turner Broadcasting, announce the CNN Student Bureau, an international student newsgathering and reporting bureau. High school students write and produce stories for
, the Turner Learning Web site, the cable affiliates’ access channels, or the networks of the CNN News Group. Students receive assignments from a Turner Learning Web editor, and their stories are reviewed by a Turner Learning producer. School journalism departments or on-campus clubs may apply to become student bureaus. For more information, contact: Turner Learning Inc., One CNN Center, Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30348;
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College Guidance.
Going Right On is a free multimedia program offered by the College Board to junior high school students uncertain about whether to attend college. Topics covered include high school survival tips, life on a college campus, and the importance of college and graduate schools. The program is available in Windows and Macintosh formats and can be downloaded for free from the College Board Web site. For more information, contact: Mat- thew Cohen; e-mail mcohen@collegeboard.org; www.collegeboard.org.
Kids’ Television.
WGBH, the Boston PBS affiliate, is launching ZOOM, a series of 40 half-hour programs for kids premiering January 4. The series promotes a hands-on approach to learning, with an emphasis on science and math. Children ages 6-12 are encouraged to send ideas for science and math challenges, poems, videos, or games; their suggestions may be used on the series, the Web site, or in other ZOOM materials. Also available is a free resource guide for educators and parents and a booklet for kids, which offers games, interviews, recipes, and science and math activities. For more information, contact: Amy Burg, WGBH Educational Print and Outreach, 125 Western Ave., Boston, MA 02134; (617) 492-2777, ext. 3950; fax (617) 787-4733; e-mail amy_burg@wgbh.org; www.pbs.org/zoom.
Latino History.
Everything You Need To Know About Latino History, by Himilce Novas, offers an introduction to Latino culture and history. Presented in a question-and-answer format, it covers the contributions of Spaniards, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, and Central and South Americans. Cost: $13.95. For more information, contact: Plume Publicity, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014; (212) 366-2221.
Literacy Learning.
Organizing for a Literacy Hour: Quality Learning and Teaching Time, by Sandra Iversen and Tracey Reeder, discusses teaching children to read. The book offers suggestions for classroom setup, timetables, planning, and assessment. It also talks about how to establish and manage a literacy hour and describes several instructional methodologies. Cost: $19.95. For more information, contact: Wright Group, 19201 20th Ave. N.E., Bothell, WA 98011; www.wrightgroup.com.
Math And Science.
NASA Connect, designed for teachers of grades 4-8, is a series of live, interactive, 30-minute instructional satellite programs that use NASA projects, facilities, and researchers for math and science lessons. This free service includes five programs organized around an aeronautics and space transportation theme, four of which feature a live call-in segment. Each program supports the national math and science standards and features a lesson, a classroom experiment, an online interactive component, and a NASA guest researcher. For more information, contact: NASA Connect; (757) 864-6100; e-mail connect@edu.larc.nasa.gov; edu.larc.nasa.gov/connect.
Multimedia Guide.
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development introduces Only the Best: The 1998-99 Annual Guide to the Highest-Rated Educational Software and Multimedia, edited by Jamie Sawatzky. It highlights software programs and multimedia applications that meet criteria for excellence established by qualified evaluation agencies. Each program description includes information about appropriate grade levels, cost, and hardware requirements as well as a listing of organizations that have reviewed the product. Cost: $29. For more information, contact: ASCD, 1703 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714; (800) 933-2723 or (703) 578-9600; www.ascd.org.
Museum Guide.
The New York Hall of Science announces its first pre- and post-visit teachers’ guide to the museum. Exhibit Descriptions and Classroom Activities contains information on the museum’s more than 185 exhibits as well as suggestions for related classroom activities. The guide correlates each of the exhibition areas to local, state, and national standards, and provides an extensive listing of additional resources, including books, videos, and Web sites. Cost: $7. For more information, contact: New York Hall of Science, (718) 699-0301; www.nyhallsci.org.
Air Pollution.
The National Safety Council’s Environmental Health Center is offering the “Cleaner Cars Module,” a curriculum guide to instruct young drivers about the importance of proper car maintenance in reducing air pollution. The guide highlights ways that drivers can reduce air pollution, and it explains the environmental and health benefits of simple tasks such as keeping tires properly inflated, checking the air conditioning system for leaks, and changing oil regularly. The guide is available free for use in driver’s education, health science, and auto shop classes. For more information, contact: NSC, (800) 557-2366; www.nsc.org.
