K-12 Educators: Get a classroom ePal

Tue, 05/01/2007 - 11:02am by jillean

Looking for a safe and educational online environment for kids? Want to introduce your students to other cultures, the fundamentals of letter writing, and the joys of friendship? Why not get a pen pan? Wait, make that an e-Pal. ePals is the largest online classroom community. It provides a safe way for students to email other children around the world. Currently there are 191 countries, 7 million students and 123,851 classrooms trading short stories, practicing language and literacy skills and swapping classroom videos. Classrooms must register as a group. Join in!

If you prefer more traditional modes of correspondence, check out our books on letter writing for kids.

Messages in the Mailbox: How to Write a Letter
Putting it in Writing
Sincerely Yours: How to Write Great Letters
The Young Writer’s Handbook

Middle Ages History Lectures Worth Listening To

Thu, 03/29/2007 - 5:38pm by RiponGood

Recently, I listened to two very good lectures series by Thomas F. Madden on the Middle Ages. First I listened to One, Holy, and Apostolic A History of the Church in the Middle Ages. I followed up with "God Wills It!": Understanding the Crusades. One, Holy, and Apostolic provides a very nice overview of the history of the Catholic church during the Middle Ages. You learn about how the church grew and thrived during the time, including various heresies, the Black Death, and the Great Schism. "God Wills It!" expands upon the Crusades, discussing the various crusades in Europe and Middle East, including the most commonly know, Third Crusade. The lectures series can be listed to separately, but I recommend listening to them in the order I did.

A Man Named Luther

Thu, 03/15/2007 - 7:10pm by RiponGood

Did you know Martin Luther supported the seperation of church and state? Have you ever wondered what the 95 Theses were and how they influence Western Civilization? Would you be surprised that Martin Luther helped to introduce the Modern Era and end the Middle Ages? The Teaching Company produced a two-part lecture series called Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation. Part One covers Luther's early life and the beginning of his teachings Part Two goes deeper into Luther's writings, covering topics like Luther and the Bible and Luther and Politics.

ACT / SAT Test Practice 10:30-Noon Saturday, January 13

Wed, 01/10/2007 - 2:42pm by K.C.

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Test time draws near again! LearningExpress Library can help you get ready. Join us in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center and take an e-practice test.

Gold Mine for Teachers at the UM Exhibit Museum of Natural History

Wed, 09/27/2006 - 8:16pm by lola

If you are looking for fun and educational field trips for your class, check into what the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History has to offer. There are guided tours exploring how fossils form and the cultures of Native Americans indigenous to the Michigan area. The museum also has planetarium shows, with shows specific for a wide age range of students. Located on the museum website are links to teacher and student resources with scavenger hunts and crossword puzzles, as well as the schedule of current program offerings.

ACT / SAT Test Practice 10:30-Noon, Saturday, September 30

Thu, 09/21/2006 - 5:30pm by K.C.

Yep, test time draws near! LearningExpress Library can help you get ready. Join us in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center and take an e-practice test.

Baby Lit - Begin with Books

Mon, 05/22/2006 - 11:04am by ryanikoglu

There are excellent web sites that give all the reasons why Literacy begins early. If you want to know Why and How to put Books in Baby's life check these sites for starters.

BEGINNING WITH BOOKS is a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dedicated to early literacy. They offer reading tips, news features, and "best books for babies" lists. Find them at Beginning With Books.

Another excellent early literacy resource is found in King County Library System's website Ready To Read. You can find description for "Six Early Literacy Skills", as well as more book and activity suggestions.