Free Resources for Teachers
Art: "Colorful Impressions: Printmaking Revolution in 18th Century France" presents 15 pieces from the period of innovation unleashed by German artist Jakob Christoffel Le Blon's breakthrough in the use of color in the 1720s. The resulting "printed paintings" & "engraved drawings," as they were called, allowed the middle classes to hang on their walls replicas of art works found in the mansions of aristocrats & royalty. www.nga.gov/exhibitions/colorfulinfo.htm
Language arts: "A Child Becomes a Reader" tells what parents can do to help children (ages 0-4 & 5-8) become readers. It includes suggestions about what to look for in day care centers & preschools, & a summary of scientific research on how children learn to read & write. www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/html/parent_guides/
Science: "Earth System Science Education Alliance" offers three earth science courses for teachers. The courses are delivered over the Internet for teachers of grades K-4, 5-8, & 9-12. A master teacher mentors 20-24 teachers; an Earth scientist assists with science content. Teachers collaborate & earn graduate or continuing education credit while solving problems, building models, & designing classroom activities. www.cet.edu/essea/
"How Things Fly" answers questions that include: What makes an airplane fly? What makes a wing work? How does a pilot control an airplane? How does a spacecraft stay in orbit? Why does a balloon float? Learning activities & booklists are provided. www.nasm.edu/galleries/gal109/
"Molecular Workbench Project" offers a "molecular simulation engine"—a set of tools that can be used to compute & visualize the motion of atoms & molecules. Five units draw on molecular models generated by the simulation engine to help students learn about kinetic energy, states of matter; aquatic solutions in & around cells; monomers & polymers; & protein shaping. Thirty-five activities include how hot air balloons work, how superballs are like atoms, what matter is made of, & "rainstorm in a bag." www.workbench.concord.org/
"Science Education" includes booklets on cells, genes, health, chemistry, & medicines. The booklets explore advances in the development & delivery of drugs, links between genes & diseases, how genes work, the body's reaction to medicines, & the hundreds of thousands of molecules that perform specialized functions inside the fundamental unit of life (the cell). One booklet,
"The Structures of Life," features stories designed to inspire young people to consider careers in biomedical research. www.nigms.nih.gov/news/science_ed/
Social studies: "The Battle of Bennington: An American Victory" recounts a small but important triumph in the summer of 1777. For two months, General John Burgoyne led his army along the Lake Champlain-Hudson River corridor, capturing several American forts. In August, however, finding himself in need of provisions, wagons, & horses, he sent a force to Bennington, Vermont, to capture these supplies. What happened there contributed to the British defeat at Saratoga & helped decide the outcome of the war. www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/107bennington/107bennington.htm.#
