Infonews n°249 du 28/08/2005
Welcome back for another fantastic, dynamic and enthusiastic school
year! To start, some information : discover the use of cell phones in
Africa….and in the classroom, read about Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory, and discover how intelligent design is developing. Then,
primary school teachers will find some ideas to start to school year
with ice breaking activities, secondary school teachers will find
resources about NY 9/11, the *** audio files and accompanying documents
about London and the British life, and ideas to talk about environment,
school uniforms, architecture or use mysteries to encourage the students
to communicate with a purpose. Then, discover a free picture bank, how
to ask the BBC about the English language, and how to teach writing
strategies. At the end of the letter, a special “Back to school” with
lots of tips for new ( and not so new) teachers and ideas to start the
school year.
Enjoy those last days of freedom…..and I wish you all the best for this
new school year!
Christine Reymond
~~~~~~~~
Sommaire
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A la Une : Cell Phones
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cellphones Catapult Rural Africa to 21st Century, (from NYTimes)
Schools try to draw the line for wired kids (from the Huston Chronicle)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Film : Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~
In the News
~~~~~~~~~
Will Intelligent Design come into the school?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resources for Primary School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Getting to know Each Other through Art (from Riverdeep's Classroom
Flyer, August 22nd)
Art Ideas for the Preschool Classroom (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 22nd)
Icebreaker Scavenger Hunt (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 22nd)
Discovery Bottles (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 22nd)
~~~~
9/11
~~~~
Inside 9/11 (from [LII New This Week] August 25)
The Memory Hole: 9/11 Transcripts and Police Reports (from [LII New This
Week] Aug25)
>From our colleagues on eTeachNet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resources for Secondary School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Mini Audio Series from the BBC
Superfund (from [LII New This Week] August 25)
What to Wear to School: The Great Debate Over Dress Codes and School
Uniforms
Mystery Net Kid’s Mysteries (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
ArchitectStudio3D (from The Scout Report -- August 26)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tools on the Internet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picto : Free picture Bank
Ask about English (from BBC Learning English Newsletter, august 26th)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teaching Practice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teaching Writing Strategies (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 25th)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Back to school
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten Ways to Break the Ice (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 25th)
New Teacher’s Guidebook, plans and forms (from Riverdeep's Classroom
Flyer, August 25th)
Me unit for teachers (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
New to school Activity (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
Going Back to School (from t [LII New This Week] August 25)
My favorite Things Self Portrait (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
Back to school across the curriculum (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
Tips to start off the school year (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
Back to school Art (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 26th)
Sayings for bulletin board (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 26th)
Back to School Special
**********************************
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A la Une : Cell Phones
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cellphones Catapult Rural Africa to 21st Century, (from NYTimes)
------------------------------------
Don’t miss this article by Sharon LaFraniere, published in the New York
Times on August 26, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20050826friday.html
Present this article to your students and discuss the way cell phones
are developing. Some of the information in this article are really
surprising : no water, no electricity, not even a bicycle, those people
can’t read but they have a mobile phone! Who would have thought that
possible?
The NYT also provides a lesson plan,
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050826friday.html
but I think just understanding the article and its implications can be
enough for our students: Use the full text only with advanced students.
And for you information, you might like this article from the Huston
Chronicle:
“Schools try to draw the line for wired kids”
------------------------------------
Read about what students do with their cell phone during lessons…. The
article doesn’t provide efficient answers, but it is thought provoking.
You can even consider studying parts of it in class, but it might
suggest your students new tricks ….
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/3308900
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Film : Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many of you have seen this film this summer, and suggested addresses
about it on the lists eTeachNet and eteach. Our colleague Laurence
Bernard has put them together in a page:
http://antice.apinc.org/article.php3?id_article=42
As for me, although I enjoyed the film, I keep wondering what our
students can make of it. Many of them have studied the book in previous
classes, in primary school or lower secondary, so the story is not new
to them. But they lack the film knowledge needed to spot all the
classical references : a hint of “the wizard of Oz”, glimpses of
“Phantom of the Opera”, “Bathing Beauty”, “fantastic voyage” and some of
Hitchcock’s films, a somewhat Dickensian atmosphere, a drop of Beatles
and so on. Roald Dahl’s novel is there, for sure, but this is first of
all a Tim Burton’s film, with its special atmosphere, its recurring
themes and its very special characters. To learn more about him, read.
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/03/burton.html
I also found this about an old Tim Burton’s film “Vincent” that some of
you mentioned on eTeachNet:
“This is fantastic: you can download the wonderful short film Vincent
directed by Tim Burton in 1982. The animation tells the history of the
young boy Vincent as a poem and is narrated by Vincent Price. The
beautiful mise en scène is a mix of classic horror films, expressionism,
Alan Poe's The Raven (cited in the end of the film) and the Burton's
characters style. Believe, if you didn't see it, you have to see it now.
Go download it.”
(from http://www.bibi.org/box/archives/2005_05.html)
download : http://greylodge.org/gpc/?p=54
and if you choose to present it in class, remember to introduce the
students to Dr Seuss ( you can show a book), the Gothic genre and Poe’s
atmosphere.
Dr Seuss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss and
http://www.seussville.com/
Gothic novels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_literature
Poe http://www.houseofusher.net/
the Raven http://www.comnet.ca/~forrest/raven.html
~~~~~~~~~
In the News
~~~~~~~~~
Will Intelligent Design come into the school? ( from http://news.google.com)
----------------------------
from the American Chronicle, CA “Intelligent Design, a
counter-productive exercise”
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=2095
from the Seattle Post Intelligencer “Burning Question: Should
intelligent design be taught in science class?”
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/238190_bqpromo28.html
from the Belfast Telegraph “Life according to... Gerry Anderson” ( full
of humor!)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=658706
from Newsday.com “Evolution again”
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpuno284401530aug28,0,1998223.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines
from ABC News “Brendan Nelson suggests 'intelligent design' could be
taught in schools”
(transcript of an Australian radio interview, with audio file in Real,
Wave and MP3)
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1447202.htm
from the New Zealand Herald “Intelligent design - coming to a school
near you”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10342658
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resources for Primary School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Getting to know Each Other through Art (from Riverdeep's Classroom
Flyer, August 22nd)
----------------------------
Great for PreK classes, students will create a self-portrait of some
kind (let them be as creative as they wish) after discussing differences
and similarities, while their parents
will use the letters of their children's names to describe their
children in an acrostic poem, to partner the portraits.Consider this
activity for a wonderful Open House Night exhibit.
http://www.kinderart.com/across/knowyou.shtml
Art Ideas for the Preschool Classroom (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 22nd)
----------------------------
Have you ever considered fingerpainting on your classroom windows?
Seriously... Find a way to do it without being horrified at the thought,
along with several other creative ideas for art in the preschool classroom.
http://www.gigglepotz.com/special.htm
Icebreaker Scavenger Hunt (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 22nd)
----------------------------
Adapt this creative activity to your own school yard or hold it in your
preschool classroom for a great back to school icebreaker. Students will
need to work in teams to locate all of the items on their list; make
sure you use pictures for the items for preschoolers.
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/activity/article.php?categoryId[]=4444&contentId=18086
Discovery Bottles (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 22nd)
----------------------------
Have fun this year making these wonderful, exciting Discovery Bottles.
Find ideas for glitter bottles, magnetic bottles, ocean bottles, desert
bottles, and numerous others.
http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/discoverybottles.htm
~~~~
9/11
~~~~
Inside 9/11 (from [LII New This Week] August 25)
--------------------------------
Companion website to August 2005 National Geographic programs that
provides a detailed look at the events surrounding the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks. Features biographies of key figures, photos,
over 50 videos of interviews, a timeline, and substantial bibliography.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/inside911/
The Memory Hole: 9/11 Transcripts and Police Reports (from [LII New This
Week] Aug25)
--------------------------------
"The Memory Hole has obtained 9/11 documents previously withheld by
the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. These transcripts of
phone calls and radio transmissions, and copies of police reports, were
finally released under a federal order resulting from a lawsuit brought
by the New York Times." Includes transcripts of transmissions from
LaGuardia Airport, Newark Airport, and police reports. From the author
of several books on disinformation.
http://www.thememoryhole.org/911/pa-transcripts/
>From our colleagues on eTeachNet
--------------------------------
Find addresses to work from on this page from our colleague Michèle
Henry from Nancy-Metz:
http://www.ac-nancy-metz.fr/enseign/anglais/Henry/911.htm
Here is an activity about 9-11 for lower intermediates, created by our
colleague Laurence Bernard from Martinique in August 2001.
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/absolutenglish-972/notes/uscivi/11sept/septindex.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resources for Secondary School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Mini-audio series
--------------------------
BBC Learning English Newsletter, august 26th invites English learners
to visit those sites to listen to interviews and music and learn useful
everyday English phrases.
Chart Show
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/1218_the_charts/
London Life
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/1128_london_life/
Entertainment!
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/1446_entertainment/
Weekenders
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/1412_weekender/
This is a news service from the BBC offering audio files for foreigners
who want to learn English and discover the British culture. For each
series, you find a short heading describing the content, an audio file
to download, a few words explained in English and a quiz. The scripts
are not provided, but the texts are short and easy and about topics like
the latest songs in the charts or a tour of London . Material fit to
motivate our students! For intermediate.
Superfund (from [LII New This Week] August 25)
--------------------------------
Superfund was established in 1980 "to locate, investigate, and clean
up the worst [hazardous waste] sites nationwide." This site provides
detailed information about Superfund sites, including site descriptions,
contaminants, clean-up, progress, and contacts. Also covers laws,
statistics, community involvement, local and tribal programs, and map,
risk assessment, and other databases. From the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/
[ to study environment and hazardous waste management. ]
What to Wear to School: The Great Debate Over Dress Codes and School
Uniforms
--------------------------------
This article discusses how "the most recent data indicates that 23% of
American public elementary schools have a school uniform policy, but a
new book makes the case that uniforms do not improve school safety or
academic discipline." Discusses the pros and cons
of school uniforms, and uniforms versus dress codes. Also includes
links to related articles about clothing shopping for back to school,
and to related sites. From Greatschools.net, a California nonprofit
organization.
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/ga/361
[ for intermediate or advanced students. Can be an interesting starter
for a class discussion or a debate. Here are some pros and cons ideas
for the debate that you could also use:
http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/school_uniforms.HTM (simple)
http://www.debatabase.org/details.asp?topicID=59 ( more complex) ]
Mystery Net Kid’s Mysteries (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
--------------------------------
Solve-it's, Quick-Solves, Magic Tricks, challenges and lists of kids'
mystery books round out this site on being super sleuths.
http://kids.MysteryNet.com/
ArchitectStudio3D (from The Scout Report -- August 26)
--------------------------------
When one thinks of the vast number of influential architects the world
has seen during the past centuries, one is reminded of Dies van der
Rohe, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, and of course, that Master from the
Midwest, Frank Lloyd Wright. It's hard to imagine that a website would
be able to conjure up the spirit of this famous and controversial
architect, but it does just that. With the assistance of a user-friendly
interface, the Architect Studio3D site allows users to build a model
home for a number of clients and their very specific needs. With a small
icon of the master residing in the bottom of the left-hand corner of the
screen, visitors will get the chance to create their own building for
one of these clients, and then submit it to a
design gallery for consideration by others. For those visitors who may
be less familiar with the world of architecture, there is a handy
section titled "About Architecture". Here they will find a glossary of
terms that provide brief descriptions of such important concepts and
design elements as site, wall, client, roof, and exterior material. Of
course, no such site would be complete without a brief biography of the
man himself, and as such, a nice overview of his work and life is
provided here as well. [KMG]
http://www.architectstudio3d.org
[ all those interested in architecture and home design will find this
site fascinating. It is informative, efficient, attractive, interactive,
far more useful than many Cdroms….and it is free !]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tools on the Internet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picto : Free picture Bank
-----------------------------
The « commission scolaire du Fleuve et des Lacs » for four counties in
Canada has put together this bank of illustrations free for educators.
you can use them in clss, include them in webpages or publish them any
way you like as long as it is not for commercial purposes . An address
to keep in your bookmarks!
http://www.picto.qc.ca/
Ask about English (from BBC Learning English Newsletter, august 26th)
----------------------------
This week Karen Adams answers this question from Martin in Singapore on
whether the correct form is 'learned' or 'learnt'.
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/1535_questionanswer/page2.shtml
[ listen to the questions and answers or read them, and you can also
email your questions. Very useful to keep up to date!]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teaching Practice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teaching Writing Strategies (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 25th)
----------------------------
Teaching and learning strategies for the writing process are outlined
and categorized in detail at this resource site. Look for a full
development of each stage of the writing process, as well as a peer
conferencing guide, mini-lessons, suggestions for writers' workshops,
and portfolio and assessment checklists. Quite a thorough resource on
the writing process.
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/ela20/teach4.html
~~~~~~~~~~~
Back to school
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten Ways to Break the Ice (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 25th)
----------------------------
These activities are sure to break the ice with all of your classes.
With number nine, Beach Ball Brainstorming, tailor the game to have each
student say his or her name when they first receive the ball. After a
couple of sessions of saying their own names, they must both say the
name of the person who threw the ball to them, and the name of the
person they will throw the ball to next.
http://www.susan-boyd.com/tenways.htm
[ discover some new ideas of ice-breakers.]
New Teacher’s Guidebook, plans and forms (from Riverdeep's Classroom
Flyer, August 25th)
----------------------------
How do you grade your various class projects? Do you have a solid and
effective classroom management plan all set up? Do you need some ideas
to help you get organized and started? Find ideas here for all of the
above, as well as a sample first day schedule to help you prepare for
your own entry into the classroom.
http://hannahmeans.bizland.com/
you can also add these tips for nervous new teachers:
http://teachers.net/gazette/AUG03/tip.html
Me unit for teachers (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
----------------------------
Here is a wonderful idea for easing young children into a back-to-school
mode, while encouraging sharing and discussion as well. Using a bulletin
board, teachers will bring in an all-about-her/him theme; find several
suggestions here to make it work.
http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1157.html
New to school Activity (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, July 19th)
----------------------------
In order to familiarize students with their surroundings and introduce
them to basic map skills, have them draw their own map of the school
playground. They will later pick one item to give directions to,
exploring cardinal directions through written instructions.
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/wenviron5.html
Going Back to School (from t [LII New This Week] August 25)
--------------------------
Article about the negative emotions children may experience when it
is time to return to school in the fall. Includes information about what
teachers may talk about on the first day of school, starting middle
school, and tips to help avoid some worries on the first day back.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html
My favorite Things Self Portrait (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
----------------------------
Students will design a self-portrait collage based upon the images and
events and ideas they think best defines who they are. They will then
write a few sentences explaining their self-portraits, a great idea for
Open House exhibits.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtLABeginSchoolFavoriteThingsSelfPortrait312.htm
Back to school across the curriculum (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
----------------------------
If you're looking for some special activities for that first week back,
this site offers some fresh ideas. From creating a classroom portrait
quilt, to a template for a game of "Mingo" where everyone gets to know
each other, to reading suggestions, pop-up name tags, and more art
designs, find plenty of great activities.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/profbooks/backtoschooltips.pdf
Tips to start off the school year (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer,
August 26th)
----------------------------
I love the idea for a "Take It Apart Party". This activity would make an
excellent and unique back to school exercise, where students could work
together to discover what their toaster or old hair dryer has in common,
and what's different. After taking things apart, students
collaborate for an art sculpture. Find several other tips and activities
for starting your school year on the right foot.
http://www.inspiringteachers.com/tips/beginning/organization.html
Back to school Art (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 26th)
----------------------------
Combine an All About Me back to school lesson with an art project. Find
instructions here to trace students, decorate the drawings, and use them
to write the students' favorite things. This project would make a great
display for parents' night.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtFavThingsK3.htm
Sayings for bulletin board (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, August 26th)
----------------------------
Even if you don't change your bulletin board decor very often during the
school year, you can still add interest by changing the sayings. Find
some suggestions here. Consider using the sayings for weeking journal
responses as well.
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/bulletinboards/theme/sayings/sayings.htm
Here is another list of quotations that you can also use to start a
discussion in class or just as “thought of the day”. Here is an example
: "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist." Indira Gandhi.
http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1860.html
Back to School Special
----------------------------
Don’t miss the « Dossier Rentrée » from Le Café Pédagogique, which
offers tons of addresses and ideas for the first day of school and
useful addresses for the whole year!
http://www.cafepedagogique.net
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réalisé par Christine Reymond
lycée Blaise Pascal, Rouen, France
Les commentaires et réflexions entre [ ] ne reflètent que mon opinion
personnelle.
Les archives sont momentanément indisponibles.
Pour vous inscrire :
http://listes.ac-rouen.fr/wws/info/liste-infonews
ou envoyez un message à
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**************************************