There are a number of free websites available to help teach students about this year’s presidential election. The writer of this blog lists 13, including PenPal News Red Blue, which partners students with pen pals in different geographical regions, and the nonpartisan nonprofit ProCon.org, which details candidates positions without the spin. MTV’s Fantasy Election also allows students to pick their “team” of candidates similar to fantasy football. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/The Learning Network blog (9/5)
Category Archives: School Media Specialist
Classroom Tech Resources for the Political Season
Teachers can enhance lessons on the presidential election by using news websites, online polling and social networks, K-8 technology teacher Mary Beth Hertz writes in this blog post. Hertz suggests using online tools such as PollEverywhere to have students vote on issues or candidates and compare results to national data, and using Skype or Google Hangout to set up political discussions or debates. “Students can now participate in online polls, read news at their reading level, and play interactive games that help them understand political issues and processes,” Hertz writes. Edutopia.org/Mary Beth Hertz’s blog (10/8)
Paul Beckermann, Media Specialist of the Year
At the Friday luncheon at last week’s MEMO Conference, our own Paul Beckermann, school library media specialist at Dassel-Cokato High School, received the prestigious Media Specialist of the Year award. Paul has also served on the CMLE Governing Board for a total of six years, and as President for the past four years.
Paul has many strengths and accomplishments, most of which might not be evident under his quiet humility. Due to this humility, it was only after I reviewed his many accomplishments that I fully understood what a huge contribution Paul has made to the field. Paul is quite simply outstanding, a master of his craft as teacher/media specialist/tech integrationist. He is worthy and deserving of this prestigious award and we know this will not be the end of Paul’s greatness! We are lucky to have professionals like Paul in our 12-county Central Minnesota region. Well done Paul!
Get Your Craft On: 5 DIY Projects with Old Books
15 Pinterest Boards for Book Lovers
Are you wondering if book lovers can find interesting boards on Pinterest? Consider children’s book maps, bookmobiles, or book spine poetry! Here are 15 exceptionally entertaining Pinterest boards for you to explore. Go to http://tinyurl.com/8n8f4tu. Not in an elementary school? Consider your grandchildren or your neighborhood children, and you will be a hit! From Delightful Childrens Books, Oct. 7.
