Make a Difference

Teachers, as you are getting ready for a new school year, I would like for you to keep in mind how you and your students can make a difference in the world. As you work with students try to expand the world around them by promoting aid to other people and countries in need. So many people need help in this world and every dollar or volunteer time can help. As an example, I am the Junior Class advisor in our district and myself and co-advisor are in charge of planning the Junior-Senior Prom. For the past two years, the prom committee, under our direction, has donated one dollar from each Prom ticket sold to charity. We believe the night of the prom is so special that we want to help improve the lives of others in the process. The Junior class has donated funds to Habitat for Humanity and Oprah's Angel Network. We are already researching which charity to donate to this year. So just a thought to keep in mind when you are working with students.
Get involved and feel the difference you made in the lives of others!

A Must See

I just returned from a once in a lifetime experience which is a must see for all! Currently at the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia is the amazing Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit; the largest and most important Tut exhibit ever assembled. Come face-to-face with 130 artifacts. Of the 50 major pieces directly related to Tut, all but two come directly from his tomb; the remaining objects were found in the graves of other 18th dynasty royals (information courtesy of the FI brochure).
Hurry, the exhibit runs through September 30th. This would be a great field trip for students as we return to school in September. If you want more information, contact the Franklin Institute (see link below).

The Franklin Institute Science Museum

Informative Websites

Attention Educators - Need a creative way to tie in computer websites into your lesson? Well, Time Magazine has just provided three ratings lists which are very informative. Do you want to know the 5 worst websites? How about the 25 websites we can't live without? And the 50 best sites? Go to the following links below for the complete listings:

5 worst sites
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1638344_1638341_1638336,00.html

25 sites we can't live without
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1638266_1638253,00.html

50 best sites
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1633488_1633458,00.html


A great way to use these listings in class: 1. First, ask the kids to brainstorm a list of what they consider the 5 best websites. You can share and discuss accordingly. 2. Have them access these listings to compare their list to the real one. 3. How close were they? Compare/contrast.
4. Discuss what makes these sites good/bad. How can they now learn to judge the websites they use? Obviously this can be done for all three separate listings. Have Fun!

A Better Day

Happy Friday! Today in class we finally were able to see our published website. I am very happy with what I created. I have one homepage and 4 linking pages. I feel that I have met my goals! I now have a site that is user friendly to students, teachers, and parents. I will find myself using it as well since it contains a lot of my favorite websites . Feel free to explore!
Have a good weekend!

Plans for my new website

Today in class I learned how to create a new website that will link to my previously created school website. Since I do not have access to updating my school website, I will just make a mental note of items I need to change later via my school tech. department. I also have a hard copy to take to my tech. dept.

So for today, I will start a new web page that will contain a World Cultures link to my previous site (this will be one page). On the new web homepage, I will follow the guidelines given and create categories of new links found this week. I am looking at a total of 4 to 6 pages that will link from my homepage (i.e. World Cultures link is one page). I want to be sure to add a link to my newly created Blog.

I will be teaching two new courses this year. My main focus will be to highlight 2 new pages as links from my home page. On these two pages I will list helpful websites that will enhance my lessons and class research. This will aid students in accessing good sites in order to complete assignments.

I would appreciate any other suggestions. Thank you!

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copyright: Jim Shay