Posted by Karen on 23 Jul 2010 | Posted in: Farrar Straus Giroux, Freebies, HarperCollins, Learning Magazine, US Forest Service, Verizon Thinkfinity, Webinars, WhisperPhone
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 When does school start in your area? Let us know when your first day is and what’s on your mind for back-to-school. Submit your comment to our blog by midnight EDT on Monday, August 2, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of my favorite children’s books featured in the Learning back-to-school issue: Magnus Maximus, a Marvelous Measurer. Magnus revels in his role as the town’s official measurer as he counts the stinkiest socks and the bristles on his toothbrush. However, a little boy teaches Magnus that the most marvelous things aren’t to be measured at all. This book from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux provides lots of opportunities for cross-curricular lessons. Click here to learn more and to see the book video! |
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We’ll have lots of other resources to help you get ready for back-to-school. Keep reading!
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| Karen |
PS: If you haven’t heard, we’re hosting a free online workshop on Tuesday, August 3, at 2 p.m. Click here now to register!
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Posted by Karen on 16 Jul 2010 | Posted in: Barker Creek, Contests, Elmer's, Freebies, Grants, Webinars, Westcott
Wouldn’t it be great to win school supplies for your classroom? This blog post features a variety of contests and grants that provide opportunities to get the supplies you need. Scroll down to get started!!
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 Here’s your first chance to WIN: Let us know which contests you enter by posting a comment on our blog by midnight EDT on Monday, July 26, 2010. One lucky teacher will win a set of ABC Animals classroom decoratives from Barker Creek. This colorful set includes a matching incentive chart, bulletin board border, set of file folders, set of library pockets, ABC poster, and more. These decoratives will add a real burst of color to your classroom! |
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Don’t forget, post a comment on our blog to let us know which contests you enter. You’ll be eligible to win the classroom decor set from Barker Creek!
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| Karen |
PS: This just in! The editors at Learning® magazine and The Mailbox® magazine will host a free online workshop to tell you about award-winning products to make your job easier this school year. We’ll also give away LOTS of PRIZES! Click here now to register for this free event, which will be held on Tuesday, August 3, at 2 pm EDT. Register now; attendance is limited!
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Posted by Karen on 02 Jul 2010 | Posted in: Borders, Contests, Freebies, HarperCollins, Learning Magazine, LiveStrong, New Books, Special Events, StudentPublishing.com, SunWise, Webinars, Websites, What Works Clearinghouse
Summer is the time for books. There’s nothing like buying a best seller to pack in your beach bag or downloading an audiobook to listen to as you travel. With that in mind, this week I’m sharing freebies related to books and reading!
Which of these resources will you use? Submit a comment to our blog by midnight EDT on Monday, July 12, 2010; you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a new book from Candlewick Press. A Family of Readers: The Book Lover’s Guide to Children’s and Young Adult Literature provides a wealth of information on reading to kids, reading with them, and putting them on the path to reading on their own. The book won’t be released until September, but I’ll send you the advance copy that I received in the mail today. Post your comment right now! (Update: Congratulations to Darlene, who was our winner. Darlene, please let us know what you think about the new book from Candlewick!!)
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 Staying in touch with students via email over the summer? Teaching a summer reading program? Be sure to tell your students about the Borders Summer Reading Double-Dog Dare program. When a student age 12 or under reads ten books, he or she will be able to choose a free book at a local Borders or Waldenbooks store. Books on the list include Ramona the Brave, Flat Stanley, Dear Mr. Henshaw, Hoot, and others. Click here to learn more! |
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 Ready to hit the road? Download a free audiobook at BooksShouldBeFree.com. You’ll find recordings of lots of classics, including Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Secret Garden, The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle, and many others. I’ve found lots of titles that I’ve been meaning to read or reread; now I’ll be able to listen to them as I travel. Click here! |
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 Looking for a new way for students to share details on what they’re reading? Check out Wordle. Students enter words related to a topic, and then the site generates word clouds that show the terms. Here’s a Wordle that was created by someone who I’m guessing teaches fourth grade. The possibilities are endless for subjects across the curriculum! (Note: Read the Wordle FAQs on how to be sure students access only kid-friendly content.) |
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Happy reading!
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| Karen |
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Posted by Karen on 28 Jun 2010 | Posted in: Grants, National Education Association, National Science Teachers Association, National Wildlife Federation, Smithsonian, Toshiba America Foundation, Verizon Thinkfinity, Websites, Westcott
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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 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!
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| Karen |
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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Posted by Karen on 21 Jun 2010 | Posted in: DreamBox Learning, Great American Backyard Campout, Lego, National Park Foundation, Sleeping Bear Press, Westcott
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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 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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Enjoy!
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| Karen |
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The back-to-school issue of Learning magazine is in the mail! While you’re waiting for your copy, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at some of the goodies in this issue. There are 150 prizes, 22 contests, and 48 freebies. Wow! Click here now to visit our website to start entering contests and finding freebies before the school year begins!
As you’re doing your back-to-school planning, set aside time to check out Thinkfinity. This site from the Verizon Foundation includes thousands of free lesson plans that cover the curriculum. You’ll find interactive games, print-and-use pages, classroom-ready activities, and much more. Click here now to take a tour. Once school starts, you’ll be glad you checked it out!
Here’s another great way to start your school year: sign up for a free e-newsletter from WhisperPhone. WhisperPhone allows students to hear themselves as they read aloud, improving their skills and encouraging them to read with expression. The newsletter includes easy ideas for using WhisperPhone, giveaways, and more. Plus you’ll have a chance to share how you use WhisperPhone in your classroom and win free WhisperPhone products! Make sure you don’t miss out: click here now!
Smokey Bear is having a birthday! What better way to start your school year than by celebrating Smokey’s big day–August 9–in a big way with books, coloring books, DVDs, and more in English and Spanish from the US Forest Service. Visit www.symbols.gov to order these products and others. Mark your calendar!
