Infonews n°262 du 11/12/2005

A la Une this week, read about a problem with wikipedia; in the News, another plane security problem to reflect upon, and the reactions to the new resolutions around the Kyoto Agreement; then some sites about New year, including several about resolutions, and some sites to help younger children create Christmas decorations and poems. Many resources for secondary school this week, with sites about Christmas lighting and etiquette, Black history month, drink and drive prevention, Kwanzaa, the traditional conker game, with chestnuts, two sites about cars, one about France in the US and one for the visually impaired. At the end of the letter, a link to several blogs and advices to start your own, et l'appel à communication pour la conférence Cyber-Langues 2006 à Louvain cet été.
This is the last Infonews for 2006. You will receive n°263 on January 8th.
Until then, I wish you a merry Christmas and a very happy new Year!
Here is a New Year card for you: you can view it directly at
http://www.123greetings.com/view/7BN31211094402905
or Copy & paste the e-card number in the "View Your Card" box at
http://www.123greetings.com
Your e-card number is
7BN31211094402905

And by the end of this week, relax and enjoy the holidays!
Christine Reymond

Sommaire

A la une : a prank on Wikipedia

In the News

Does security means safer?
Kyoto's Agreement

New Year

New Year countdown
Traditions in the US and New year history around the world
Joke
New Year Resolutions

Resources for Primary School

Puzzle Christmas Wreaths (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)
Pointillist Snowflakes (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)
Color Poems (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)

Resources for Secondary School

Black History Month (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Epicurious: Etiquette Guide (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Etiquette Tips: Holiday Etiquette (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Safe Holiday Lighting (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Holiday Lighting News and Resources (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Kwanzaa (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Conkers: A Traditional Game (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Waste Free Holidays (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Hampshire, Inspirational Home of Jane Austen (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
History of Cars Timeline (from [LII New This Week] December 8)
Cars as a status indicator in india
France in America (from The Scout Report -- December 9)
National Federation of the Blind (from The Scout Report -- December 9)

Teaching Practice

Blogs
Appel à communication pour le colloque Cyber-Langues 2006


A la une : a prank on Wikipedia

Read this article about a man discovering that in his biography on wikipedia, he was suspected of taking part in John and Bobby kennedy's assassinations.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051209friday.html
This raises the question of the reliability of Wikipedia, but also of freedom and trust on the internet.
You can choose to study this article in that way in class, or use hte lesson prepared by the New York Times : "In this lesson, students write encyclopedia articles focusing on topics in American history. They practice fact checking, assess their own ability to read actively and skeptically, and write memos that educate others on how to do so."
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051205monday.html
here is the information again on CCN, with an article and a video
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/12/05/wikipedia.rules.ap/index.html
And here is the end of the story : the prankster confessed
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002677060_wiki11.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/business/media/11web.html

In the News

Does security means safer?

Read this article from the New York Times about what happened on a plane in Miami : "Marshals Shoot and Kill Passenger in Bomb Threat", By Abby Goodnough and Matthew L.Wald,December 9, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20051209friday.html
and you can do this lesson about "Exploring Issues of Security in Public Places" where the students will suggest their own security measures.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20051209friday.html

Kyoto's Agreement

Here are the last resolutions seen by:
Canada
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051210/kyoto_agreement_051210/20051210?hub=CTVNewsAt11
The US
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/international/americas/11climate.html?hp&ex=1134277200&en=991a229204907b3e&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Britain
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,9061,1664723,00.html

New Year

New Year countdown

http://www.123newyear.com/new-year-countdown/

Traditions in the US and New year history around the world

http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear/celebration.htm
http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear/around-the-world.htm
http://wilstar.com/holidays/newyear.htm
http://www.kidswebindia.com/newyear_history.php
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/class/ns/article/0,17585,407486,00.html (easy, for kids)
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/97/103973.htm (for adults :health and work resolutions)
http://www.mygoals.com/about/pressRelease012.html (statistics of adult's resolutions for last year)

Joke

how resolution goals reduce through the year
http://www.ahajokes.com/fp059.html

New Year Resolutions

fact, figure, history, and the poem Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns
http://www.goalsguy.com/Events/n_facts.html
a resolution form
http://www.goalsguy.com/Events/n_facts.html
examples of New Year Resolutions
http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm
http://www.tigerx.com/trivia/resolute.htm
http://www.kidswebindia.com/newyear_resolutions.php

Resources for Primary School

Puzzle Christmas Wreaths (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)

What should you do with all of those missing puzzle pieces? Don't throw out the puzzle. Instead, find a clever idea here
to turn those puzzle pieces into an easy-to-make Christmas wreath.
<http://info.riverdeep.net/Key=50112.ChP.H.GYh8qj>http://www.imagitek.com/xmas/crafts/puzwrth.html

Pointillist Snowflakes (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)

While this craft stretches the artistic concept and innovation of pointillism, it nevertheless will provide dramatic results for your classroom windows and bulletin boards. Design various patterns of snowflakes in all white or all silver, then proceed with these directions for a stunning winter art display.
<http://info.riverdeep.net/Key=50112.ChP.J.JPz4VR>http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/cutpaste/feature/famf38paper/famf38paper7.html

Color Poems (from Riverdeep's Classroom Flyer, Friday, December 9th)

The varied sensations inspired by colors become the subject for these poetry exercises, using metaphor and expressing feeling. Examples are included, along with color poem templates.
<http://info.riverdeep.net/Key=50112.ChP.G.Nklcwc>http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=375

Resources for Secondary School

Black History Month (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

It's not too early to begin building web pages, pathfinders, and other information resources for Black History Month (February). See LII's collection for high-quality websites across a broad spectrum of topics from the Amistad to Buffalo Soldiers and beyond.
http://lii.org/pub/topic/bhmonth

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Fact sheet on this month declared by presidential proclamation to prevent impaired driving, which "will affect one in three Americans during their lifetime." Includes statistics, a fact sheet on impaired driving, and links to the White House press release and to U.S. Department of Transportation information about the month. From the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/3d.htm
[ you can link this with the anti drink-and-drive sites in Infonews n°261.]

Epicurious: Etiquette Guide (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

"Learn how to avoid both humiliation and the dry cleaner" with these tips for eating foods such as artichokes, corn-on-the-cob, finger foods, shellfish, fondue, and pasta. Includes guidelines for using chopsticks, napkins, finger bowls, and utensils. From Epicurious.com
http://www.epicurious.com/cooking/how_to/etiquette_guide/

Etiquette Tips: Holiday Etiquette (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Collection of guidelines covering holiday etiquette topics such as gift giving, tipping, children and manners, thank-you notes, and office parties. Addresses questions such the appropriateness of "re-gifting," online greeting cards, and giving gifts to your boss and co-workers. Includes a tipping suggestion chart. From the Emily Post Institute.
http://www.emilypost.com/etiquette/holiday/
[ don't miss the part about the appropriateness of "re-gifting"!]

Safe Holiday Lighting (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

List of safety tips for using holiday lighting, accompanied by photos illustrating safe use of lights, cords, outlets, timers, and candles. From a Southern California utility.
http://www.sce.com/Safety/SafetyTips/HolidayLighting/

Holiday Lighting News and Resources (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Fact sheets and links to material about energy-efficient holiday lighting. Includes information about LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights, energy-related gift ideas, and other topics related to holiday energy use; also has some information about fiber optic lighting. From the Energy Ideas Clearinghouse, Washington State University Extension Energy Program.
http://www.energyideas.org/pages/default.cfm?o=h,ps&c=z,87

Kwanzaa (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Basic information about Kwanzaa, "a non-religious African American holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. It is celebrated for seven days: December 26-January 1." Describes the "seven principles" (such as unity, creativity, and purpose) and the "seven symbols" (including the ear of corn and the seven candles). From the website for the History Channel.
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/kwanzaa/

Conkers: A Traditional Game (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Information about this traditional British game played in the fall with "the seed of the horse chestnut tree (not the sweet chestnut tree where we get edible chestnuts from)." In the game, "each player has a conker hanging from a string. Players take turns hitting their opponent's conker." Includes images and suggestions for choosing a good conker and for making your conker harder. From Woodlands Junior School, in Kent, England.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/conkers.html

Waste Free Holidays (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

This collaboration between King County and Pierce County, Washington state, government agencies is focused on reducing holiday waste by offering holiday season discounts on "experience gifts" such as music, dance, theater, and other arts events, sporting events, recreation, restaurants, massages, and more. The website includes a list of participating organizations and businesses in both counties.
http://www.wastefreeholidays.com

Hampshire, Inspirational Home of Jane Austen (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

Tourism information about locations associated with the life and works of 19th century author Jane Austen. "It was in Hampshire that Jane Austen found inspiration to write such classics as 'Pride & Prejudice,' 'Emma,' 'Mansfield Park' and 'Sense & Sensibility.'" Includes information about places to visit, such as Chawton House ("where Jane wrote and revised her major novels"), events, and more. From the Hampshire County Council.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/austen/

History of Cars Timeline (from [LII New This Week] December 8)

A brief timeline of the invention of small engines and cars from 1769 to 1997. Includes information about a steam-powered vehicle built in 1769, the invention of the four-stroke and two-stroke engines in 1876, the formation of the Ford Motor Company in 1903, and the impact of the energy crisis of 1973. Also includes links to other materials about cars and car design. From the Discovery Channel, U.K.
http://discoverychannel.co.uk/cars/timeline/

Cars as a status indicator in india

In today’s India, status comes with four wheels. Read this article:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-12/05/content_500536.htm

France in America (from The Scout Report -- December 9)

A partnership between the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque nationale de France has produced this digital research library "that tells the story of the French presence in America and the interactions between the French and American peoples from the early 16th to the late 19th centuries."
Presented in both French and English, the collection includes maps and many types of documents and images, such as travel narratives, missionary accounts, administrative reports, prints, and drawings. The site is organized into several themes: Exploration and Knowledge; The Colonies; Franco-Indian Alliances; Imperial Struggles; The French and North America after the Treaty of Paris (1763-1803); and France in America: Chronology. An example of materials is "King's Daughters, Casket Girls, Prostitutes", an illustrated account of how, in an attempt to reduce the ratio of six male
colonists of marriageable age to every European-born female in the royal province of Canada in the 1660s, Louis XIV subsidized the emigration of over 700 young women, mostly orphans raised at the General Hospital of Paris.[DS]
http://international.loc.gov/intldl/fiahtml/fiahome.html

National Federation of the Blind (from The Scout Report -- December 9)

When thinking of blind persons in the United States, many people may immediately think of such notable figures as Stevie Wonder or the late Helen Keller. Currently, there are approximately 1.3 million people living with blindness in the United States, and one of the primary organizations dedicated to lobbying for the rights of the blind is the National Federation of the Blind. Their website contains a wide variety of materials, including information on employment and training for blind and visually-impaired individuals and a section titled “How Do You…?”. This section provides answers to questions that children may ask about blind people, such as “What is the White Cane Law?” and “How do blind people cook?”. Visitors will also want to peruse their publications area, which includes current and past issues of the Braille Monitor and Voice of the Nation’s Blind. The site also contains information about a free service that allows blind people to listen to hundreds of newspapers over the telephone. [KMG]
http://www.nfb.org/

Teaching Practice

Blogs

Discover over 60 blogs selected in different fields and topics at the address of the Edublog Awards 2005 recommended on e-teach by barbara Dieu
http://incsub.org/awards/the-edublog-awards-2005/
and read those two pages about blogs on the site of the académie de Paris, with all you need to start a blog for (and with)your students
http://lve.scola.ac-paris.fr/anglais/blogs.php
http://lve.scola.ac-paris.fr/anglais/creerblog.php

Appel à communication pour le colloque Cyber-Langues 2006

Titre : L'intégration des TICE dans l'enseignement des langues : quelles pratiques pour quels résultats ?
Dates : du mardi 22 au jeudi 24 août 2006
Lieu : LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE (Belgique)

Objectifs et contenu
· promouvoir et encourager l'usage des TICE.
· diffuser et dédramatiser les pratiques intégrant les TICE dans toutes les langues vivantes.
· faire connaître les initiatives de terrain, les actions innovantes.
· fournir aux élèves les moyens de construire leurs connaissances et de développer, sur des contenus précis, des capacités intellectuelles qui leur permettront d'apprendre tout au long de leur vie.

Principes d'organisation du colloque
L'organisation du colloque est conçue de manière à faciliter le rapprochement entre collègues utilisateurs et collègues désireux d'en savoir davantage sur les apports des TIC pour les élèves. Les ateliers offrent à tous les participants la possibilité de se retrouver avec les intervenants dans des conditions privilégiées pour des échanges de pratiques, de
questions, d'informations. Les conférences favorisent l'apport d'une réflexion plus théorique mais indispensable.
Il est demandé à chaque intervenant de remettre avant le 15 mars 2006, pour évaluation, un article présentant sa communication au bureau de l'association qui sélectionnera les propositions pour concevoir un programme adapté aux
besoins de nos collègues et avisera par courrier électronique chaque intervenant.
Nous invitons tous les enseignants de terrain à venir partager leurs expériences concrètes dans un esprit de mutualisation et d'entreaide à soumettre une communication pour présentation dans le cadre du thème retenu pour le colloque Cyber-Langues 2006.

Public
Dans un esprit de pluralisme, nous encourageons la participation des professeurs des écoles, de collèges ou de lycées, des professeurs conseillers pédagogiques ou formateurs, des universitaires. Nous invitons les corps d'inspection, les chefs d'établissements, les concepteurs et producteurs d'outils multimédia à contribuer par leur présence ou leur appui à ce temps de réflexion que nous voulons collaboratif et ouvert.

Responsables pédagogiques
Josiane LAVAL, Présidente josianelaval@gmail.com
Sylvie BAUDEQUIN, Vice présidente sylvie.baudequin@laposte.net
Katrin GOLDMANN, Webmestre katrin.goldmann@ac-versailles.fr
Guy MAZURAIS, Trésorier guy.mazurais@ac-rennes.fr
Alyne PIAZZA, Secrétaire alynepiazza@gmail.com
Domingo BAYON LOPEZ, Chargé de communication domingobl@free.fr

Coordinateur local
Alain MEURANT meurant@egla.ucl.ac.be

Pour en savoir plus:
http://www.cyber-langues.asso.fr/ (le site)
http://www.cyber-langues.asso.fr/blog/ (le blog)


Ceci est un message de la LISTE INFONEWS
réalisé par Christine Reymond
lycée Blaise Pascal, Rouen, France
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