Did Wonderstruck make anyone else curious?

I just finished reading Brian Selznick's Wonderstruck.  Once again, I find his ability to tell a story in words and images remarkable.  Yet I also discovered that he and I may be kindred spirits.  Museums, even going all the way back to "curiosity cabinets," fascinate me.  Like the children in this book feel, I think I could run away to a museum to live happily ever after.  Anyway, finishing the book made me realize that many people are not familiar with the world's first museums, which were curated by average people sharing their collections in a box or in a whole room in their homes.  These earliest museums were called "cabinets of curiosities" or "cabinets of wonder."  Hmmm, I know most children collect something, maybe they can be encouraged to be curators and share their interests, their knowledge, with others?

I found several resources online that could make interesting lesson plans, or just interesting projects to break the boredom of Winter Break.  First, I found a lesson plan developed at Union City High School (PA): http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Kris-curio.htm.  Students learn what a curiosity cabinet is and then, using PhotoShop software, create virtual cabinets of their own.  Very high tech!  The students learned to use images with permission (hooray for an information literacy/copyright lesson imbedded in a fun project).  Then the students "collected" curios using images on eBay and added them to their cabinets.  Sounds like fun!

Then I discovered that the J. Paul Getty Museum has an online exhibit with lesson plan called "A Curious Cabinet."  From this page students can launch an exploration of an actual cabinet from the Getty collection.  The lesson is recommended for students in grades 6-12.  A teacher guide and a student guide, both in PDF format, are downloadable from the same Web page.  I can imagine spending hours exploring the drawers and shelves of this piece!

My last stop was to the Webexhibits.org page.  From the "What's an exhibit?" link, the history of cabinets of wonder is explained and then put in context of this websites determination to continue the tradition through Web exhibits.  The site includes a handful of exhibits currently accessible (the plan is to continue adding collections) as well as explanations on developing your own collection.  Their goal is to be a primary resource "to take multidisciplinary approach that provides something for everyone."  I enjoyed browsing their "curiosity cabinets" and plan to refer to them for future projects.

After learning about early museums and collection, I think we can all encourage our kids to be curators of their own collections.  Just pass 'em a cigar box or the empty carton the new TV came in and let 'em figure out how they want to display their own unique collections.

What are you learning this month, Pilgrim?

Seems like November always means Thanksgiving to me.  In 2009, my November post (actually posted at the end of October for November) included a visit to Plimoth Plantation.  In somewhat of a revisit, I checked for other Pilgrim museum resources and discovered the Pilgrim Hall Museum.  On their home page (http://www.pilgrimhall.org/plgrmhll.htm), their mission statement and a brief history of the museum is included.  The most important resources for teachers, students and families are the links located in the left-hand menu.  From this list you can discover The Pilgrim Story and Beyond the Pilgrim Story.  Both pages include overview information and then links to more specific information.  My short time spent exploring yielded a great deal of information that was easily accessible and well organized.  The "New Exhibit" link provided images and background information about items in the collection.  The "Learning" link included resources for learning online and learning from books.  I found this a really informative and easy to use website.

If you're worried that the museum exhibits and resources are only about the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock, you will be pleasantly surprised.  There is information about Native Americans and African Americans at the Plymouth Colony.  I was impressed by the inclusion of primary sources, like the Mayflower Compact, provisions lists and texts of letters and treaties.

Before you settle in to craft some turkeys and cornucopias, be sure to check out the historical resources here!

Are you ready for Day of the Dead?

Why not get in the spirit of Halloween and learn a little something about Latino culture?  Thanks to several opportunities on the Web, you have choices for just how immersed you get in Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

I know, I know, you're probably expecting Smithsonian museum resources.  And I've got 'em, a whole variety of opportunities to either scratch the surface or dive right into the holiday.  First, I started by visiting the Smithsonian Latino Center's Dia de lost Muertos/Day of the Dead Festival home page (http://latino.si.edu/education/LVMDayoftheDeadFestival.htm).  There are so very many ways to learn about the celebration.  A lesson plan by Nancy Green, called "Calaveras on Wheels, " explores the Day of the Dead through the art of Jose Guadalupe Posada.  Take a look here: http://latino.si.edu/PDF/LVM_D%C3%ADa_de_los_Muertos_Lesson_1.pdf.

But I was most interested in the opportunity to actually visit a Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Festival thanks to Smithsonian's efforts in Second Life.  This virtual world application allows visitors to explore 3-D worlds.  I took some time exploring the Virtual Museum.  Wow!  I can just imagine pulling this up on a SmartBoard and exploring the art, music, culture and festivities in this Virtual Museum.  A link to the Second Life festival is available from the Smithsonian Latino Center page noted above.  You have to have a Second Life account and avatar to participate, but it's a free account.  The festival activities take place October 31-November 2, 2011.  You can download a PDF map of the festival to plan your participation.

Not able to use Second Life at school or don't have enough time to fully participate?  Then you can use an interactive application on the website to learn more about Dia de los Muertos and even build a virtual ofrenda (altar) here: http://latino.si.edu/DayoftheDead/.

September is Disaster Preparedness Month by Presidential Proclamation

On August 31, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation that September 2011 will be Disaster Preparedness Month.  The first paragraph reads:

Whenever our Nation has been challenged, the American people have responded with faith, courage, and strength.  This year, natural disasters have tested our response ability across all levels of government.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been impacted by recent storms, and we will continue to stand with them in their time of need.  This September also marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which united our country both in our shared grief and in our determination to prevent future generations from experiencing similar devastation.  Our Nation has weathered many hardships, but we have always pulled together as one Nation to help our neighbors prepare for, respond to, and recover from these extraordinary challenges.

It's funny because as I contemplated what to focus on in this blog for September, I reflected on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and the spate of natural disasters the United States faced throughout the summer.  When I read about the Presidential Proclamation, I figured my decision had been made for me!

Disaster Preparedness Resources for Children

In my children's book and resources blog, KidsRead, I reviewed the FEMA for Kids website (http://www.fema.gov/kids/).  The Federal Emergency Management Agency sponsors a page full of materials to help children prepare for and learn about disasters of all kinds through activities, games, and downloads (including checklists to print).  If knowledge is power, children are sure to feel empowered by the resources on this website.  And with an attractive layout, engaging cartoon characters, and materials appropriate for a range of age groups, getting kids to use the site regularly should be no problem.  Use it in a classroom, as a family, or just assign a project to an upper elementary student and emergency preparedness won't seem so scary.

FEMA also sponsors a website called Citizen Corps.  On their Youth Preparedness page (http://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/kids.shtm), there are lists of links for parents and educators as well as a list of links to websites with activities.  Some links include PDF files to download.  Links in the box on the right side of the page include links to independent study courses, safety for kids, and other resources by topic (such as a flu epidemic).

For information about specific emergencies, or what to do in certain disaster scenarios, the American Red Cross has a page with information to download in a variety of languages at Preparedness Fast Facts (http://rdcrss.org/RGrQo). There is a General Preparedness guide and specific guides for disasters including earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, and fire.  Guides are even available for what to do after the disaster, when returning home.  Links in the menu in the left margin provide information online about various disaster scenarios.  Other resources are also listed in this menu.

Finally, for a quick download, visit http://1.usa.gov/ozL2bx for a coloring book.  Sponsored by California's Emergency Management Agency, the coloring book covers topics from when to call 9-1-1 to what to do in specific disasters and emergencies.  Download the whole thing or just pages that your class is working on.

Remembering 9/11
Perhaps the greatest reason to declare September Disaster Preparedness is the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on U.S. soil 10 years ago.  High school students in particular will remember the event with the eyes of preschoolers, the age they were when the attacks occurred.  For all of us, finding a way to remember, discuss and look to the future will help us feel more secure.

One way to remember is to visit an archive of news.  The Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org/details/911) has a page full of links to actual television footage on 9/11 and the days that followed.  Also included are links to perspectives on the news coverage of the event.  This website is rich with resources that would facilitate a discussion of the history of the event along with how the media covered the tragedies.

For another portal to historical references, the Newseum has an online exhibit called 9/11: How It Changed US (http://www.newseum.org/exhibits-and-theaters/online-exhibits/9-11/).  Their exhibit includes links to the Newseum's YouTube channel and USA Today coverage of the terrorist attacks.

The previous two sites offer historical background which not only helps students remember 9/11, but also to discuss the event.  What happened?  Why did it happen?  How has our country changed to prevent another terrorist attack?  The Department of Homeland Security has links for information about what they do and how things have changed in the department in the past 10 years.  An interesting page that lends itself to this discussion is the National Terrorism Advisory System (http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/ntas.shtm).  Links and downloads include information about the current advisory level, a public guide, and a FAQ page.

When we look to the future, it's hard to imagine what the 9/11 Memorial will look like at Ground Zero.  The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (which currently only exists online) has a page that provides virtual tours through a live webcam and an animations.  You can view it all from here: http://www.911memorial.org/take-virtual-visit1 (be sure to scroll to the bottom for the link to the animations).

And last, but not least, President Obama and the First Lady are urging Americans to visit Serve.gov (http://www.serve.gov/), a portal to volunteer opportunities across the country.  On September 11, the First Family hopes that all Americans will remember the day by offering their time in a volunteer effort.  Through Serve.gov, volunteer opportunities can be matched by location and interest.  There's even a toolkit for creating your own service project or event.

Can't ignore it much longer...school starts soon!

Around these parts, school starts in a very short three weeks.  I know some young adults in my neighborhood who have yet to start their summer reading.  Others have it done but can't remember a thing about the book or books they had to read.  A select few are bored to death and ready to get back in the school swing.

Whatever group you may belong to, Channel One News has some advice to get ready to go back to school.  Remember Channel One News?  You've probably watched their webcasts every morning during the school year.  But did you also know that they have a dedicated website with news, information and games?  You can spend the next few weeks getting ready to go back to school by browsing through Channel One News' website (http://www.channelone.com/).

From how to take great notes to what your choice of seats says about you, Channel One News' Life channel has fun, games and great advice.  Take a look at their Life splash page here: http://www.channelone.com/life/.  If you're getting ready for driver's ed, there are resources from this site too.  College, high school, health and fitness: all kinds of advice is available from the Life page.

And when you've filled your brain with enough back-to-school advice, check out the sports, music and fun sections for a break.  Or if you've got a story to tell, or an opinion about the news, you can create your own video and post it to Channel One News.  Anyone can view it online and maybe yours will be chosen to add to the news shown on TV!

Returning heat brings on the Dog Days of Summer

After a lovely respite of a few days, the insufferable heat and humidity have returned.  With that comes thoughts of the "dog days of summer."  I always return to my childhood when I hear the phrase.  For me, it means the heat will force a respite from summer activities.  Lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, right?

Maybe not!  According to Space.com (nice segue from last post, hmm?!):

The "dog days" of summer officially came to an end this week, but few people know what the expression really means. The phrase actually has a celestial origin.

Some will say that summer's "dog days" signify hot sultry days "not fit for a dog," while others suggest it?s the weather in which dogs go mad.

But the "dog days" are actually defined as the period from July 3 through Aug. 11 when the Dog Star, Sirius, rises in conjunction (or nearly so) with the sun. (http://www.space.com/8946-dog-days-summer-celestial-origin.html)

So, now we all have another excuse to get outside and explore the night sky (and avoid the heat of the "dog days").  Be sure to check out their website for more information about the dog star and its relevance for other civilizations.

But, if thoughts of furry friends still occupy your definition of the dog days of summer, I've found a great website to learn a little about a very tough breed and the extremes under which they live and do their jobs.  The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins on the first Saturday in March.  Sled dog teams race over 1,000 miles across Alaska in unbelievable conditions.  Those blizzard conditions seem almost welcome in this heat, right?  Well, for an insider view, and for a wealth of information about the dogs and the race, check out the Official Site of the Iditarod (http://www.iditarod.com/).  From the "Learn About" tab on the top of the page, you enter an area with vivid descriptions of the race, a glossary of musher terms, a map of the trail, trivia, and so much more (check out the list of links in the right-hand column). For an abundance of curriculum connections, resources and website links, be sure to navigate to the "For Teachers" tab on the top menu.  There you'll find information about the dogs, how to build the sleds, and so much more.  How about planning to IditaRead over the winter?  Now's the time to look over the resources and decide if this is a fit for your classroom.

Not quite ready for snow yet?  Well, don't give up on dogs!  WonderWorks Exhibit Company sponsored a national tour called "Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs" (http://www.wolf2woof.com/index.htm).  Their online exhibit resources are fun as well as informative.  And, best of all in the summer, they are quick bites of information.

Don't play dead or roll over!  

Enjoy the dog days of summer before school starts!

Staycationing?

It's July.  Did you vacation in June or plan to go in August?  Or maybe you plan to stick close to home.  Chicago's Field Museum has a couple of tools that might make your staycation edutaining (educational and entertaining).

Rapid Color Guide: Plants
(http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/plantguides/rcg_intro.asp?zone=tropical&guidetype=plant)

First, if you can only go as far as your computer screen, you'll want to take a look at the Rapid Color Guides.  From this page, you can link to downloadable, full-color guides to Tropical Plants in Central and South America.  Nature lovers will spend hours looking at the diversity of plants from this region.  Parents and educators will want to use the guides to help older students with science projects.  Even the youngest will enjoy looking at the shapes and colors that abound in these guides.  For them, maybe cutting up a couple of the guides and asking them to match shapes and/or colors would be a good way to spend a hot afternoon indoors this summer.  Describing the plants and discussing where they're from would be an edutaining bonus.

(http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/plantguides/rcg_intro.asp?zone=tropical&guidetype=animal)

Next, I'd direct you to the Rapid Color Guides for Animals.  These guides break down the animal species found in tropical and subtropical locales.  An example of one of their butterfly guides appears on the left.  Anyone will enjoy exploring the rainforest or ocean via these colorful guides.  As with the plant guides, all guides are downloadable as well as searchable by country, subject, and taxonomic group.

And lastly, if you're in the Chicago area and would like to explore outdoors, you can check out the Field Museum's Keys to Nature Project (http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/keystonature/). This online resource guides explorers through a series of questions to identify plants and animals in the Chicago area.  Looking it over, I think the resource would also work for a larger region around Chicagoland.  If you're in the Midwest, check it out and see if it works for you too.

If you have a Facebook account, the Rapid Color Guides--Field Museum has a page with links to all these resources and more.  You can find them here: http://www.facebook.com/RapidColorGuidesFieldMuseum?sk=info.

Look to the night skies

Summertime is almost here.  With school out, or about to be done for the summer, late night sky watching might be a perfect way to spend some time.  Of course it's cooler at night, so why not sleep a little longer in the morning and stay up late to locate planets and constellations.

My first suggestion is to get away from "light pollution," the reflection of city lights into the night sky.  Light pollution will limit the number of visible stars.  Our family likes to camp at least once overnight each summer to get away from light pollution and stargaze.  I recently downloaded Google's Sky Map app to my smartphone.  This free app uses GPS to plot the constellations in the sky based on my position.  It takes a little getting used to, but is a useful tool for identifying what exactly I'm looking at!

I also think it's important to prep before stargazing by either visiting a local planetarium or doing so virtually.  One of my favorite first stops is NASA's HubbleSite (http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/tonights_sky/). From their Tonight's Sky location, you can view a monthly video that highlights the current night sky.  You can also link to sites that will help you build your own star chart to help identify what you're looking at.  The site also includes links to information about astronomy in general (black holes to cosmic collisions).  The menu bar across the top of the page includes a link to Education and Museums.  A quick click on the "Online Explorations" link redirects you to amazing games and other educational resources.  If you're only going to check one website before exploring the summer sky at night, this should be the one!

If you can't get away from light pollution, and there isn't a planetarium nearby, I recommend trying Stellarium. This downloadable, free, open-source program puts a 3-D planetarium on your computer.  According to their splash page:

It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
It is being used in planetarium projectors. Just set your coordinates and go.

Their splash page also includes screen shots so that you can see what the program offers.  I have not yet used this free resource, but know others who have and love it.  The images, they say, are like those projected at planetariums.  Stars and planets are identified.  It sounds like this would be a good resource for science teachers to use or for older students to use for projects.  Of course, amateur astronomers will appreciate it as well.

One last note about observing the night sky.  During a recent visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, our "guide" in the planetarium announced a collaborative effort to open Observatory Park in Geauga County, Ohio.  The first of its kind, the park will offer dark sky opportunities for stargazing.  Details about this remarkable resource are available here: http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/documents/opfactsheet2011.pdf.  I think this may be my family's next camping trip for scanning the summer skies!  The park officially opens in August 2011 with some facilities available.  The park should be complete by January 2012.

Avoid summer's heat--explore the night sky!

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend...

If you're like me, you may want to put the meaning back in the long holiday weekend at the end of the school year.  According to an article in Time for Kids (http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1808979,00.html):

The holiday got started on May 30, 1868, when Union General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Twenty years later, the name was changed to Memorial Day. On May 11, 1950, Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday of May. It is an occasion to honor the men and women who died in all wars.

Perhaps the perfect place to discuss the significance of the holiday is at Arlington National Cemetery's official website (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/).  Their photo album holds images of the solemn ceremonies and vast expanses of evenly spaced graves.  Also included are links with more information about the sites at Arlington, including the Tomb of the Unknowns.  But I think the richest resource they offer is on the Historical Information page.  Information about the history of the cemetery along with an expansive list of the famous politicians, explorers, minorities and presidents buried there is a capsule of American history. I get chills just writing about the Arlington National Cemetery.  If you haven't been there, this is the next best thing.  After a tour of their website, you'll get on the bandwagon to put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day.

Does anyone celebrate Arbor Day anymore?

My local elementary school fourth graders celebrate Arbor Day by entertaining the community garden club with a variety show all about trees followed by the ceremonial tree planting in memory of a garden club member.  Do any other communities do the same?  It's a wonderful tradition.

If you're interested in creating some Arbor Day festivities, maybe as a prelude to Earth Day, I've found some wonderful resources.  First, get everyone in the spirit by playing The Lorax's Save the Trees Game (http://www.seussville.com//games/lorax/).  Of course, as a librarian, I recommend reading Dr. Seuss's wonderful story as well.

Next, take a look at the youth activities available online at the Arbor Day Foundation (http://www.arborday.org/kids/).  You'll find online activities, printables, and contests to share with kids of all ages.  From the educators' link, you can access Arbor Day video and other resources.  This site alone could provide all the Arbor Day activities and lesson plan ideas you could want.

But wait!  There's more!  OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) has a terrific tool for anyone interested in trees: What Tree Is It? will identify trees by leaf, fruit or name.  A link gives background information about the anatomy of leaves or fruit.  Links also redirect visitors to the Ohio Department of Natural Resource's (ODNR) Division of Forestry website that is rich in information about trees in Ohio and includes education resources as well as Ohio Big Trees, another subsite of the ODNR.  Want to know how to measure a tree?  You can find that out at Ohio Big Trees.  As an Ohioan, I have access to this site; I hope you do as well.  If not, let me know and I'll see what other sites I can find in other states; or check your state's Department of Natural Resources or Forestry Department for information they may offer.

Now, get out there and hug, or plant, a tree! :)

A Broad View of Women's History

Since March is Women's History Month, I did a quick search for museum resources.  Of course, I went first to Library of Congress, and of course, they host a Women's History Month site (http://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/).  Well, that'd be a great resource, but maybe you all are getting tired of Library of Congress' input on just about everything....  LOC is still my go-to for information with a plethora of information on a wealth of subjects.

But...I found a new museum (well, new to me) that focuses entirely on women's history. The National Women's History Museum (http://www.nwhm.org) is, for now, a virtual museum dedicated to expanding "our knowledge of American history." Women's contributions to historical events were overlooked or censored for years. The National Women's History Museum (NWHM) "will serve to place women's history along side current historical exhibitions." According to their "About Us" page (the source of the above quotes, as well), "We have been a privately funded institution since our founding. Once a physical site is established, we will apply to the Smithsonian for an affiliation. This will enable us to borrow objects from the Smithsonian's collections for use in exhibitions."

Their online exhibits are immense and cover a range of ethnic, historic and entertaining moments in history. I think adding this resource to any American history or social studies lesson would facilitate discussions about who writes history and why, as well as providing another perspective on events. Since I discovered the The Smithsonian National Postal Museum's online exhibit entitled "The Black Experience: African-Americans on Stamps" in January, I looked at a similar exhibit on the NWHM's site.  "Leaving Their Stamp on History" highlights the stories of women who have appeared on United States postage stamps.  Along with an image of the individual stamps, a brief biography is listed in the online exhibit.  A link at the bottom of some stories navigates readers to more information about the person or pertinent events covered in other areas of the NWHM site.

I think you'll find this a resource you'll return to for many things beyond Women's History Month.

Newseum Exhibit Honors 175 Years of the Black Press

"To Plead Our Own Cause" is an interactive online exhibit sponsored by Washington D.C.'s Newseum.  In 2002, the exhibit was launched to celebrate 175 years of the Black Press.  The exhibit is archived online at http://www.newseum.org/ebp/gallery/.  Biographies of Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russworm, the first men of color to own and publish a newspaper.  A copy of the first edition of Freedom's Journal, published on March 16, 1827, is included; what a wonderful opportunity to introduce a primary document to children!  In addition, searches on the Newseum website can find articles about the black experience during the Civil War, which is the theme of this year's Black History Month.  I found an article about the lone African-American reporter.  So many articles were available from the African-American History page within the museum (http://www.newseum.org/news/african-american-history-index.html).

Lesson plans are available online for teachers to use in lieu of a field trip to the museum.  High school teachers may be interested in using the "Making A Change: Civil Rights and the First Amendment" which incorporates primary documents (two letters) from Martin Luther King, Jr. into a lesson on Freedom of Speech and Social Change.  You can look the lesson plan over here, http://www.newseum.org/education/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/the-first-amendment-and-social-change--mlk-s-letter-from-birmingham-jail-pdf.pdf, and then print it out!

The African-American Experience...on stamps?!

The Smithsonian National Postal Museum has created an online exhibit entitled "The Black Experience: African-Americans on Stamps."  (http://arago.si.edu/flash/?eid=461|s1%3D6|)  In an easy-to-navigate slide show, the history of African-Americans in the United States is explored through postage stamps.  I found the exhibit full of historical significance and intriguing art (in the form of postage stamps, of all things).  With the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday approaching, as well as Black History Month, the Postal Museum's exhibit would be a unique way of highlighting the Black Experience in America.

Other online exhibits are available on the National Postal Museum's portal page called Arago: People, Postage & the Post.