Grade 3

Factory Tour

mmorrison — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:05:01 GMT

A great "field trip" right in your classroom!

Mr. Jelly Belly's Factory Tour is now on DVD!

It's really tough these days to find time or money to take your students on that beloved field trip. Well, how about the next best thing - visiting a candy factory right in your classroom, complete with Jelly Belly jelly beans to help you teach. Available for grades K through 5th. http://www.vpw.com/educational/results.asp?SEARCH=ELEM

NOTE: All educators who already have the program in VHS are invited to order the new DVD version and receive a completely new kit including the jelly beans!

21st Century Civics

mmorrison — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:45:48 GMT

Our Courts is a free, interactive, web-based program designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy. Our Courts is the vision of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Justice O’Connor, in partnership with Georgetown Law and Arizona State University, has recruited experts in education, law, history, and technology to craft a program that teaches usable and engaging civics. On this site, you will find information and useful teaching resources for an engaging civics curriculum. http://www.ourcourts.org/about-our-courts

Social Studies Conferences

mmorrison — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:42:30 GMT

We are fortunate to have two Social Studies Conferences in our area! On December 11th Westchester-Lower Hudson Council for the Social Studies Conference will be at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. This one day conference features Dr. Joel Westheimer as the keynoter. He is Professor of Education, University of Ottowa and the author of Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in American Schools. Jo Ann Larson will give an update from NYSED, the publishers will be out in force, and there will be workshops for every grade level. Find out more at http://www.socialstudies.org/node/254

March 4-6, 2010 will find the New York State Council for the Social Studies at the Rye Town Hilton. This Conference only comes to our area about once in every 5 years, so you won't want to miss it.

Mirla

Civics Program

mmorrison — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:07:32 GMT

Amazing Virtual Tour of the Great Wall

linbrandon — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:06:12 GMT

http://www.thebeijingguide.com/great_wall_of_china/index.html

You can literally "walk" the wall, stop and look out various vistas, explore in further detail, and move on. An amazing website!

Great Resource for China Unit: Virtual Tours of Great Wall

linbrandon — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:42:44 GMT

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/china/map.html

This site (World Heritage Tours) is documenting places around the world to provide opportunities to "travel" for those who can't and for educational purposes. There are many tours available now and the site's intention is to continue to add. I thought the tours for China (esp. the Great Wall) would be of interest to third grade teachers when implementing the China Unit.

Linda

Using Film Clips from Power Media Plus

mmorrison — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:01:07 GMT

Hi Everyone,

We received this memo from Channel Thirteen: Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21's license with PowerMediaPlus expires
on June 30, 2009. Per the PowerMediaPlus Terms of Use, as of this date,
"all materials downloaded from the [PowerMediaPlus] Website must be
erased, deleted, or destroyed." We are removing our suggested PowerMedia Plus films from the SSELA Curriculum.

Mirla

Vital Video for China

mmorrison — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:18:51 GMT

The new free video clip service provided by PBS, called VITAL, has two video clips about a class election in China.

http://www.teachersdomain.org/ Look under Role of Government.

Celebrate Law Day

mmorrison — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:14:27 GMT

Regents mandates day we are required to teach about the law on Law Day, May 1st. Law, Youth and Citizenship, the education arm of the NYS Bar Assocation, has developed wonderful materials for Law Day combining Abraham Lincoln and Endangered Animals (another mandated item). If you use them you can combine Science and Social Studies. There is an article about a picture book read-aloud; lesson plans, and at the end of the plans there are links to a slide show on endangered animals, a glossary, and worksheet. The URL is

http://www.nysba.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PublicResources/LawYouthCitizenshipProgram/LawDay2009/Law_Day_2009.htm

Mirla

Elementary Book List

mmorrison — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:54:34 GMT

NYSED has released an annotated list of books suitable for elementary grades relating to New York State To quote the web site:

"To commemorate the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, the New York State Library, in partnership with the New York Library Association’s Youth Services Section and School Library Media Section, has created four selected reading lists that celebrate the history, culture, and diversity of New York State.

Librarians who work with children and teens in both public libraries and school libraries across the State collaborated to select age-appropriate titles for recreational reading. The lists are not comprehensive; rather they are designed to provide a “flavor” of New York State and to spark an interest in the diversity and history of the state."

To find the list go to http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/readlist.htm

Mirla

China's First Emperor

mmorrison — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:21:39 GMT

Hi Everyone,

The History Channel will be broadcasting "China's First Emperor" January 26-28th at 6 a.m. (repeated June 22024 at 6 a.m.) It is marketed for mature high school and college students but might provide you with valuable information. To order the Idea Book (a great idea it has the year's calendar for shows on A&E, History Channel and Biography and lesson plans, activities and weblinks for the featured shows) the URL is http://www.biography.com/classroom/ideabook.jsp

Mirla

They Broke It: How the Troubled Wedgwood Lost Its Way

mmorrison — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:20:56 GMT

One of our SSELA teachers brought this NYTimes Op Ed piece of January 10, 2009 to my attention. She wrote, "It seems like a good article, from a professional development standpoint, to help elementary school teachers develop a better understanding of economics." I agree and suggest you read it. The URL is http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/opinion/10flanders.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=They%20broke%20It&st=cse .

Mirla

3rd grade revisions?

Suzanne Hoch — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:54:32 GMT

Just wanted to know if any revisions have been made to the 3rd grade curriculum as a result of our revision meeting this past spring? Also, there is a smartboard activity in the U.S. unit that apparently lists money as a "need." Some of our teachers wanted clarification on this, as they are instructing children that needs are only food, clothing, shelter. Please advise. Thanks.

Unit 2, Lesson 10

Suzanne Hoch — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:51:00 GMT

When teaching this lesson today, I found that the background information text provided with the lesson was too difficult to be considered accessible to 3rd graders. Was this meant to be for teachers only?

Free dvd for ss teachers

linbrandon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:12:39 GMT

Dear third grade teachers,

One of our high school social studies teachers shared this with me. Here is the content from the email she forwarded:

Greetings,
I thought you'd like to know that teachers in New York are eligible to receive one free DVD per year from http://www.izzit.org. These videos are very popular and deal with subjects in social studies, character education and current events.

To get your own free DVD, go to http://www.izzit.org

For daily Current Events, go to http://www.izzit.org/events

Sincerely,
Kara

Kara Glaven
izzit.org
2002 Filmore Avenue, Suite #1
Erie, PA 16506

Phone: 814.833.6950 or toll-free: 888.242.0563

Vote on-line for President

mmorrison — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:51:01 GMT

National Student / Parent Mock Election

The national voter education program for K-16 students gives young Americans the chance to make their voices heard in the electoral process. The Mock Election will take place on October 30, five days before the rest of America votes in the November election. Real time results will be displayed on a Google Map. Every American student, parent and educator is invited to participate at no cost.

The Mock Election is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most successful voter education projects, dating from 1980. In 2004, the Mock Election helped over 4 million students from all 50 states and from American schools around the world cast mock ballots. Participants in the Mock Election are kindergartners through college students.

To enroll, please visit http://www.nationalmockelection.org.

Resources for study of Maps and Globes

linbrandon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:28:40 GMT

Here's site with some great resources for studying geography, specifically Maps and Globes:

http://www.eduhound.com/cttarchives/091808ctt.cfm

Linda

Estuary of the Hudson River

mmorrison — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:27:13 GMT

There is an excellent article in The Journal News, Sunday, August 3rd, on the Hudsn River Estuary and the decline of fish,

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808030362

A wonderful explanation of an estuary: "a partially enclosed body of water along the coast where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. Estuaries provide sheltered, highly productive environments where a drversity of wildlife can flourish.

Mirla

Time For Kids Election Coverage

linbrandon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:29:21 GMT

Here is a link for the Time for Kids Election Connection. You may find appropriate activities for third grade.

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/election08/

Two great Websites

mmorrison — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:02:28 GMT

These are two wonderful websites on Brazil.

Kids Corner Brazil. www.kidscornerbrazil.org Contains a Virtual tour of Brazil, key facts, States, Flag, Anthem, National Symbols, Maps, and Games. 3 June 2008.

Go Places Brazil: A Kid's-Eye View. Time for Kids. http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/specials/articles/0,28285,190791,00.html

Interviews with kids in brazil about their homeland, differences between Brazil and America, and society's biggest challenges

Mirla

School Child in China

mmorrison — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:12:01 GMT

In the Social Studies and the Young Learner March/April 2008 Journal of NCSS there is a marvelous article "One Day with a Second Grader in Beijing." It is also available on-line for NCSS members. Check with your library media specialist to see if your school has an institutional membership.

Mirla

Using Google Earth to teach Compass Rose and Cardinal Directions

linbrandon — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:42:15 GMT

While reading Technology and Learning online today, I found a great lesson. Here is the link:

http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196604975

Sounds like a great way to teach about cardinal directions in a way that is personalized and relevant for the students.

Unit 2 Lesson 5 Big Book

gnydefeo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:06:27 GMT

Can anyone give me ordering information for the book Our Government, by Wanda Haan. I've looked around, but can't find it. If not that book, can anyone suggest an alternative one? Thanks

Back to School DVD

mmorrison — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:02:32 GMT

Hi Everyone -

I just got an e-mail from Channel Thirteen that they got funding to for free Wide Angle Education packages that contain Back to School in DVD form. Remember the video features the seven children around the world that are being followed until 2015 as they get a free public education. You can get a FREE Education Package if you email your request to guiderequest@thirteen.org In the subject line put WIDE ANGLE Season V. Include your name, institution, course(s) the materials will be used in, and your mailing address. They have limited supplies, so send you email today.

Mirla Morrison

New Resource

linbrandon — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:45:05 GMT

http://www.mbgnet.net/index.html

This excellent site, from the Missouri Botanical Garden, is valuable for learning about biomes. Read about rainforests, deserts, tundra and more.

Grade 3

Factory Tour

21st Century Civics

Social Studies Conferences

Civics Program

Amazing Virtual Tour of the Great Wall

Great Resource for China Unit: Virtual Tours of Great Wall

Using Film Clips from Power Media Plus

Vital Video for China

Celebrate Law Day

Elementary Book List

China's First Emperor

They Broke It: How the Troubled Wedgwood Lost Its Way

3rd grade revisions?

Unit 2, Lesson 10

Free dvd for ss teachers

Vote on-line for President

Resources for study of Maps and Globes

Estuary of the Hudson River

About the river

Time For Kids Election Coverage

Two great Websites

School Child in China

Using Google Earth to teach Compass Rose and Cardinal Directions

Unit 2 Lesson 5 Big Book

Back to School DVD

New Resource