Educational CyberPlayGround

NetHappenings Newsletter


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NHN: 3/29/05 NETHAPPENINGS NEWSLETTER # 20

NEW THIS WEEK for NHN
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Community/NHnewsletter.html>
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Dear Readers,

Net Happenings Newsletter, launched by the Educational
CyberPlayGround, features both news and resources.
Karen Ellis* Founder of the Educational CyberPlayGround invites
others to help sponsor NHN sent to members of the NetHappenings Mailing List.

Written by Classroom Teacher Alan Haskvitz
1997 National Teacher's Hall of Fame
All USA Today First Team Teacher
Reader's Digest Hero in Education
Cherry International Award for Outstanding Teachers
1994 National Middle Level Teacher of the Year (NCSS)
[w] http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Ringleaders/al.html


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IN THIS ISSUE
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WE ARE NOT ALONE
Canadian Schools: 17% of all high school graduates in Canada are illiterate
Close to 20% of all Brazilians who are 15 or older are unable to read or write their own names.
German Education System not producing.
From the Islands to the Classroom and Back.

IN THE NEWS
Nazi links suggested to school killing suspect in Minnesota
LA Unified reaches tentative contract agreement
Half of the country's 18.9 million new Sexually Transmitted Disease cases in 2000 occurred among 15- to 24-year-olds.
NCLB inevitably leads to a "beat-the-system" mentality.

INTERESTING SITES
Can you make a comic book that the gov't wants to buy?
Information about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence. Great for improving and individualizing lessons.
Students search the web for summer jobs
Resources to Help Create a More Perfect Community
About the Purim Celebration

SITES YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW EXISTED
Net Frog: Online dissection
Homeless man passes teacher test for teacher
Scientific tests on Twinkies
Interesting Musical Talent

QUOTES
Thomas Jefferson and Virgil on learning

FACTOIDS
How many books does it take to make a scholar?

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WE ARE NOT ALONE
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Canadian Schools: 17% of all high school graduates in Canada are illiterate
<http://www.freedomparty.org/flyer/ff21_11.htm>

Brazil
Close to 20% of all Brazilians who are 15 or older are unable to read or write their own names and 40% don't get as far as fifth grade.
<http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:805vdfucCjcJ:www.brazzil.com/cvrmay95.htm+cvrmay95+&hl=en>

German Education System not producing.
Early on, students are steered toward university or less-skilled jobs. But Germany's low ranking in an international comparison suggests this tradition may be outdated.
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1022/p11s01-lecl.html>

From the Islands to the Classroom and Back
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Linguistics/MassWriteCreole.html>

The Evolution of language
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Literacy/evolution.asp>

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IN THE NEWS
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School Shooting
Nazi links suggested to school killing suspect in Minnesota?
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0323/p01s01-ussc.html?s=hns>

LA Unified reaches tentative contract agreement
After more than 18 months of failed negotiations, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the teachers union reached tentative agreement Tuesday on a retroactive deal that leaves open the possibility of a pay raise and maintenance of fully paid health care premiums. The union's 40,000 members get 2 percent pay raises retroactive to July 2004 and 1.28 percent to maintain their health care plan through the end of the calendar year.
<http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2776994,00.html>

Researchers estimate that about half of the country's 18.9 million new Sexually Transmitted Disease cases in 2000 occurred among 15- to 24-year-olds.
<http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-campusstd20.html>

NCLB inevitably leads to a "beat-the-system" mentality. David Berliner and Sharon Nichols, co-authors of the report,
point to examples of how unbridled pressure to reach unrealistic goals, whether in the boardroom, on the playing field, or in our own government, can inevitably lead to a "beat-the-system" mentality.
<http://www.greatlakescenter.org/pdf/EPSL-0503-101-EPRU.pdf>

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INTERESTING SITES
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Can you make a comic book that the gov't wants to buy?
In order to achieve long-term peace and stability in the Middle East, the youth need to be reached. One effective means of influencing youth is through the use of comic books.
<http://www1.eps.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/FortBraggNC/H92239-05-T-0026/Combine%20Synopsis%5FSolicitation.html>

Information about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence. Great for improving and individualizing lessons.
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/iecMI.html>

Students search the web for summer jobs:
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Internet/SEARCH-ENGINES/Career.html>
List high-turnover, entry-level jobs, many of which are
geared toward students and others looking for seasonal employment and
flexible hours to fit their schedules.

Resources to Help Create a More Perfect Community
http://home.inreach.com/s-uzweb/

About Purim
http://hillel.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Purim.htm
" ... a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the Jews from a threatened
massacre during the Persian period (539-330 BCE)," and about the
Fast of Esther, which occurs on the day prior to Purim. Includes
history, articles about holiday customs and rituals, recipes, and more."

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SITES YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW EXISTED
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Net Frog: Online dissection
<http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/frog/home.html>

Homeless man passes teacher test for teacher
<http://www.nydailynews.com/news/story/292621p-250502c.html>

Scientific tests on Twinkies
<http://www.twinkiesproject.com/>

Two Interesting Musical Talents
A Philadelphia doctor can identify the contents of phonograph records merely by examing the grooves.
http://www.snopes.com/Music/media/reader.htm
Synaesthete makes sweet music
http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050228/full/050228-9.html

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QUOTES
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Virgil:
As the twig is bent the tree inclines.

Thomas Jefferson:
Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.

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FACTOIDS
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A recent federal study found that 6% of all public school teachers are teaching without full certification or licensure.
Students who live in households with newspapers, encyclopedias, magazines, and more than 25 books score much higher on NAEP writing and NAEP reading tests. However, only 34% of 4th graders, 51% of 8th graders, and 53% of 12th graders report having all of these materials at home.

Overall, the nation's public school districts spent $8,019 per student, up about $400 per student from the 2004.


Thanks for reading,

Al
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Ringleaders/al.html>

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