The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Click here for more from the artist who created the graphic above. To watch a video about the history of human rights, click here.

Science is Real!

The next science unit is all about flora (plants) and fauna (animals) native to Georgia. Let's celebrate scientific facts by singing along to a song by They Might Be Giants...

"Science Is Real"

Science is real
From the Big Bang to DNA
Science is real
From evolution to the Milky Way
I like the stories
About angels, unicorns and elves
Now I like those stories
As much as anybody else
But when I'm seeking knowledge
Either simple or abstract
The facts are with science
The facts are with science

Science is real
Science is real
Science is real

Science is real
From anatomy to geology
Science is real
From astrophysics to biology
A scientific theory
Isn't just a hunch or guess
It's more like a question
That's been put through a lot of tests
And when a theory emerges
Consistent with the facts
The proof is with science
The truth is with science

Science is real
Science is real
Science is real

Science is real

Northwest Kwakiutl Culture

"What Adults Can Learn From Kids"

"Two Dots"

"Two Dots," by Lusine (Jeff McIlwain), offers a stop motion introduction to this week's dive into geometry.

Weather for the Blind

Quintron is an experimental musician living in New Orleans' historic 9th Ward. His Weather Warlock is an analog drone synthesizer that translates rain, light, wind and temperature into a 24/7 soundscape.

Sensors mounted around Quintron's home detect natural fluctuations anyone with an internet connection can enjoy. In an interview with Orion Magazine, Quintron asks, "What happens when an instrument's not being played by anybody with any sort of emotion or desire, when it's just kind of being plucked by random weather fairies?" Watch the demo below, then click here to begin listening. 

BLA BLA

My sister went to film school, so she shares films and links with kids in mind. BLA BLA was created to be watched and interacted with on a computer. 

According to the National Film Board of Canada, "Vincent Morisset’s BLA BLA is an interactive tale that explores the fundamental principles of human communication. The viewer makes the story possible: without him or her, the characters remain inert, waiting for the next interaction. The spectator clicks, plays and searches through the simple, uncluttered scenes, truly driving the experience. Each of the six chapters in the story depicts a different aspect of communication: learning a language, making small talk, expressing emotions, etc. Rich in opportunities for discovery, BLA BLA illustrates these concepts through endearing yet perplexing characters. The figures were designed by Caroline Robert using a variety of techniques, both traditional and hi-tech."

Click the image above, or right here to experience this unique film.

Tinkering School

What if there were no tests?  What if you were given tools and materials to construct anything you could think of? The Tinkering School in California would be perfect for this year's incredibly imaginative DIYers. Get inspired! 

StoryTubes Contest

The Five “Ws” of StoryTubes

What is StoryTubes? The 2-minute or less "my favorite book" video project is a unique opportunity for kids to promote their favorite books via short videos…and for kids to learn about new titles by watching them. While the program does include a contest component, with prizes donated by national publishers and others, the goal of the program is to harness kids’ excitement for books and share it on the Internet.

Why should I bother? Around age eight, kids read less and use technology more. This program uses kids’ interest in technology and the Internet to promote reading. Learn how research supports the StoryTubes goal by reading the 2008 Kids and Family Reading Report athttp://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/news/readingreport.htm 

Who can participate? Kids and teens (grades K-12) who are residents of: the United States or its territories; Canada; the Netherlands; the Republic of China; or the Republic of Malta. Children of U.S. military personnel stationed abroad may also enter. Students may enter through an organization (i.e., a school or library) or on their own.

Where can I find more information, including how to upload videos and what type of cameras to use? More information is included in the How Do I...? section of this  StoryTubes website. 

When does the contest run? The contest generally starts in January with online voting taking place in April. 

Click here to watch winners from 2011.

Week 3 Wrap-Up

One weekly highlight is Friday morning's spelling spinner game, following the test.  A random student's name is chosen from "the sticks."  Next, they tap the board and then the virtual needle spins and falls on "describe" (the least favorite), "sculpt," "act," or "draw."  Strangely, this week it landed on "describe" most often.  

While the class determines which word is being communicated, they're encouraged to use open-ended instructional conversation stems such as, "How can you explain why the word is…?"  Click here to see more examples.

In the video above, Sasha's illustration isn't even close to completion, when Penny's hand shoots into the air.  Using the process of elimination, and her knowledge of Sasha's interests and personality, she narrows the choices down to ones that can include an illustration of a person doing something, and which ones Sasha prefers.

With almost a month behind us, the year's off to a wonderful start.  Congratulations to everyone who went to lunch bunch every Friday in August for completing all homework assignments!  They will get to choose a Cubbeecraft, or Desktop Gremlin to create on Tuesday.

Desktop Gremlins offers free paper sculptures built without glue, tape, or knives.  Each character has a unique story, and there is even one for Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet graphic novel.

Print them on 8.5 x 11 photo paper, cut out the pieces, then put it together.  Click the images above, or right here to get started.

Cubeecraft offers foldable figurines from popular movies, games, and TV shows.  The cuts are more challenging than Desktop Gremlins, and require parents' help.  Click the figures below, or right here to see more free, downloadable characters.

Thanks to everyone who brought box tops in last week.  The money buys supplies for the school gardens, so keep them coming!