The Gulf oil spill and the environment are hot topics this summer; when students come back to school, those topics are likely to still be on their minds. Plan ahead for how to cover topics like these with this rundown of science-related resources. Submit a comment to our blog by midnight EDT on Monday, July 5, 2010, to let us know how you’re using these resources. One lucky teacher will win a prize pack of science resources, including the new books from the National Science Teachers Association that are pictured above. Post your comment today!

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You’ll find all things related to the ocean at Ocean Portal, created by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The site offers lesson plans, background info, pictures and videos, plus a new e-newsletter. Click here now to “sea” more!

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Give your students a chance to make a difference with a Green Across America grant from the NEA and Target. Teachers of grades K-12 can receive grants of up to $1,000 for lessons and activities to teach students about going green. Hurry, the deadline to apply is July 30. Plus check out the free Eco Boys and Girls lesson plans for PreK-grade 2. Learn more!

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Looking for a one-stop solution for science resources? Visit Thinkfinity.com. Sponsored by Verizon Foundation, this site includes free activities for all grades from content partners such as Science NetLinks and National Geographic Xpeditions. Click here now to check it out!

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Let Ranger Rick be your guide in explaining the Gulf oil spill and other science topics to your students. At the National Wildlife Federation site www.nwf.org/oilspill/kids, students get kid-friendly info about the spill, learn about helping wildlife, find out why wetlands are important, and more.

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Here’s another grant that’s too good to pass up: K-5 teachers are invited to propose their ideas for improving science or math instruction—and to apply for grants of up to $1,000 from the Toshiba America Foundation. Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2010. Click here to learn more!

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Remember, share your thoughts about these resources (and others!) for a chance to WIN! Submit your comment today!

PS: There are just a few days left to submit your school supply list—including Westcott kids scissors—and receive a free surprise gift. Click here now for details!

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This weekend is the Great American Backyard Campout. And while I’m not much of a camper, when I read about the annual eventI immediately thought of a new book I just received from Sleeping Bear Press. Scare a Bear is a poetic romp across a campground with a bear who just keeps coming back for more camp activities. Submit a comment to our blog by midnight EDT on Monday, June 28, 2010, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win this fun new book!

Speaking of camping-related activities, here are s’more fun freebies that we just can’t bear for you to miss. They’re sure to make you and your students happy campers!

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Have you included Westcott kids’ scissors on your school supply list? If so, fax or email a copy of the list to Westcott, and you’ll receive a surprise gift! Click here now to get all the details. You’ll even find ready-to-use supply lists that you can complete and return to qualify for this great offer. Hurry, the offer ends June 30!

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Do your students love LEGO products? Then now’s the time to register for the 2010 LEGO Smart Creativity Contest. You’ll receive contest details and a free LEGO Smart kit in early August. However, you must register now! Click here to complete the form.

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Teaching summer school? Here’s a math resource that’s free for K-3 teachers this summer. DreamBox Learning K-3 Math provides more than 500 differentiated lessons covering key math standards. You’ll also get detailed assessment reports for each student. Don’t miss this great offer. Visit www.dreambox.com/summerschool to sign up!

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With the electronic field trips available from the National Park Foundation, you can take your students on free virtual visits to more than ten national parks including Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and Carlsbad Caverns. Virtual field trips fit any teacher’s budget, and you don’t need to worry about bears!

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Enjoy!

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This week I had the opportunity to take a tour of the newly enhanced Thinkfinity website. Sponsored by the Verizon Foundation, this site includes lessons and activities contributed by 11 education partners, including the International Reading Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Geographic, and The Kennedy Center. And best of all? It’s free. Thousands of resources, created and tested by experts, all just a few clicks away. Be warned: once you start clicking around, you might not be able to stop!

Here are a few of the fun resources I saw during my tour. Congratulations to Sara and Beth, who won our prize packs. Congratulations to them both! Keep posting comments for your chance to win!

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Kids love comics! With the Comic Creator, students can practice writing dialogue or recap what they’ve learned in a fun format. Students choose characters, add props, and put in speech bubbles. No doubt you’ll have lots of ideas for different ways to use the Comic Creator.

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Crossword puzzles work well for reviewing topics across the curriculum! With this interactive tool for grades K-12, students can play an existing puzzle or you can create your own puzzles to review vocabulary and other topics.

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Looking to add a little more social studies to your day? Check out the Today in History feature on the Thinkfinity home page. You’ll find an event for every day of the year. You can even add this feature as a widget on your class website or on your Google or Yahoo! home page.

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Students practice math skills of all types at Calculation Nation. Students in grades 3-9 can play math games with students across the country or around the world!

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Thinkfinity allows you to search for activities and resources by entering a keyword or by selecting specific standards for your state. As you discover resources you want to add to your lesson plans, register for the Thinkfinity Community and save your favorites.

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Thinkfinity has free webinars scheduled throughout June; sign up if you’d like a guided tour or a chance to ask questions about the site. Thinkfinity also offers on-demand webinars that you can view at any time. Click here now to learn more!

PS: Here’s something new at the Learning magazine website—enter for a chance to WIN Westcott school supplies for your entire grade level! The prize includes Westcott scissors, rulers, pencil sharpeners, paper trimmers, and more. Plus, if you add Westcott scissors to your school supply list, you’ll receive a surprise gift.  Click here now to learn more!

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