This Just In!

The Learning® magazine fall issue will go to press later this week. And yet the freebies, contests, and good deals keep coming. They may be too late for the fall issue, but they’re never too late for our blog! Here’s a rundown of some of my favorite late-breaking items.

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What makes each of your students unique? Challenge them to answer the question “What are the three coolest things about being you?” for a chance to win a copy of the new book Too Tall Alice by Barbara Worton. Seventy-five kids will win! Hurry; the contest deadline is August 31, 2009. You’ll find all the rules at www.tootallalice.com/contest.html. The contest is for fourth graders.

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Has your school participated in the popular Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign? Check out the free lesson plans, activity sheets, fundraising ideas, and more at www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat. The materials are designed to help students learn about and help children worldwide who are in need. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection boxes are available online; at retail locations including Baskin Robbins, Pier 1 Imports, and Hallmark Gold Crown Stores; and by calling (800) FOR-KIDS.

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Have you jumped into the world of e-books? Sylvan Dell Publishing is offering free access to its new e-book collection. To get started, go to www.sylvandellpublishing.com/ebooktrials.php and use access code MSBL9J. Click to view and read each page in English or in Spanish. There are 45 books to choose from! The code is good through October 31, 2009.

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A new grant from Playmobil rewards K-3 teachers for creative lessons that nurture a child’s imagination and incorporate Playmobil toys. For all the details, visit www.playmobilusa.com and click on Playmobil Grants for Teachers. The deadline is November 15, 2009.

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Here’s a website that will really get your fourth graders’ brains moving again! Dare to Compare, part of the Kids’ Zone on the website for the National Center for Educational Statistics, includes questions in math, science, civics, geography, and history. Students answer questions and then check to see how they compare with others nationally. The database includes more than 500 questions from the TIMSS, NAEP, and CivED assessments. Check it out at www.nces.ed.gov/nceskids/eyk. Tell parents about this site too!

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No doubt the flow of freebies will continue. I’ll keep you posted!

Karen

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