New & Updated

New eThemes for the week of May 20, 2013

Animals: Jaguars

These sites are about the habitat, diet, and behavior of the elusive jaguar. Learn why they are endangered and why tracking them is so difficult. Includes movies, sound files, and an online game.

Animals: Jungle Animals

These sites provide information on the environment, habitat, characteristics, geography, and types of animals found in the jungle. There are links to eThemes resources on rainforests and forests habitats.

Animals: Rabbits and Hares

These sites are about rabbits and hares. Learn the similarities and differences between them. There is information on wild rabbits, their behavior, and economic importance to humans, and sites about how to care for domestic rabbits. There are videos, audio clips, lesson plans, and many pictures. Included is an eThemes resource on farm animals.

Ethics for Students

These sites provide background knowledge for students on the importance of copyright. Ignoring copyright can lead to plagiarism or piracy which are both presented through videos, writing activities, case studies, and simulation. Lesson plans are provided to carry out or adapt activities.

Holiday: Columbus Day

Learn about explorer Christopher Columbus and his four voyages to the New World. Find out what group of people discovered this land before him. Includes biographies, timelines, maps, and information about the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. There are also craft and activity ideas for celebrating this holiday.

Library Skills: Copyright Laws

Learn about copyright law and the rules regarding the use of images, music, movies, text, software, and more. Find out if your use of copyrighted material falls under the Fair Use policy. Try the online calculator to determine if a work is in the public domain. Includes student activities. There is a link to eThemes Resource on Cyberethics: Downloading Music from the Internet.

Math: Addition and Subtraction

These sites have interactive games, quizzes, and activities for addition and subtraction. There are also flashcards and sample questions you can print out. Includes links to eThemes Resources on place value, rounding, multiplication, and word problems.

Missouri History: Joplin

These sites provide information about the history of Joplin, Missouri. Learn about the history, economy, architecture, and historical sites of this once mining capital of the world. Includes information on famous people from Joplin, photographs, maps, and primary documents. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Missouri Regions: An Overview and Missouri: Famous People.

Natural Selection, Adaptation, and Biodiversity

These sites are about natural selection, adaptation, and human impacts on biodiversity. Includes interactive games and videos. Also includes links to the more general resources on animal adaptations and ecosystems.

Solar System: Earth's Atmosphere

These sites are about the Earth’s atmosphere and its layers. See pictures, diagrams, and videos, and then try the interactive quizzes. Includes links to an eThemes Resource on the ozone layer and greenhouse effect.

Updated eThemes for the week of May 20, 2013

Animals: Missouri Snakes

These sites are about Missouri snakes, including Osage copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, and prairie kingsnakes. Learn about the physical characteristics, food, reproduction, habitat, and behavior of each species. Includes several photographs of these snakes and some charts highlighting the similarities among species.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

These sites deal with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Find out how and why we celebrate the month, who are some of the most noted Asian Pacific Americans, why these people migrated to the U.S., and contributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to our country. Includes lesson plans and various teaching resources. Links to eThemes Resources Famous Americans: Asian Connections and Immigration: Angel Island.

Australia: Endangered Species

These sites focus on Australia’s endangered species and conservation efforts. Find out what caused wildlife to become endangered and what you can do to conserve the endangered species. Includes lists of endangered animals and plants, fact sheets, and habitats. There are also activities and lesson plans to go with the topic. Includes a link to eThemes Resource on wildlife conservation.

Author Study: Steve Jenkins

These websites are about the author Steve Jenkins. Included are biographies, interviews with the author, and bibliographies. Find activities to do with Jenkins’ many books.

Cyberethics: Downloading Music from the Internet

These sites highlight the debate about downloading music from the Internet for free. Watch videos of musicians expressing their thoughts on the issue. There is also information about copyright law and explanations about why these types of downloads are considered illegal and unethical. These sites are helpful for teachers who want students to debate the issue. There are links to eThemes Resources on Internet safety and computer basics.

Dairy Industry: Milk Production and Dairy Farms

These sites provide an introduction to the dairy industry in Missouri and other states. Topics include milk production and cows. There are also online games, interactive quizzes, and movies. Statistics related to dairy production are included for students to graph. Includes an eThemes resource on farm animals.

Habitat: Rainforests

These sites are about tropical and temperate rainforests. Experience the sights and sounds of rainforests around the world. Includes writing activities, research, group work and interactive games. There are links to eThemes Resources on Brazil, the children’s book “The Great Kapok Tree,” and habitats.

Literature: "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

This site provides a summary and analysis of “The Kite Runner”. Biographical information, character description, and explanation of the book’s themes are included. An interactive activity on the elements of fiction and tips on using The New York Times is given for enhancing the novel study. Included are eThemes resources on Afghanistan and Women in Afghanistan.

Math: Journals

These sites offer tips on how to help students write their reflections about mathematics in a journal. Includes writing prompts, examples, lesson plans, and rubrics.

Math: Likelihood and Probability

These sites introduce your students to the idea of likelihood as it describes probability as likely, unlikely, impossible, or certain. Includes lesson plans, interactive activities, and virtual manipulatives. A link to eThemes Resource: Math: Probability is also included.

Math: Word Problems

These sites feature math word problems and brain teasers. There are also techniques for solving problems. Several of these online exercises are interactive.

Missouri: Fossils

These sites are about the types of fossils found in Missouri – the different periods, how fossils are formed, and what they look like. There are lesson plans, activities, and pictures of fossils indigenous to the area. Discover what paleontologists in Missouri are doing and how you can be a part of it. Includes links to eThemes Resources Science: Fossils and Missouri: Caves.

Science: Greenhouse Effect

These sites describe the greenhouse effect and its impact on Earth and humans. There are statistics, illustrations, audio clips, and animations. Some sites include lesson plans, activities, and experiments. There are links to eThemes resources on Global Warming, Ozone, and Solar System: Earth’s Atmosphere.

Science: Ozone

These sites are all about the ozone, a form of oxygen. Sites include information about what ozone is, the ozone layer, why it is important, ozone depletion, and UV protection. Includes images, graphs, animations, interactive applets, games, and video.

Web Design: Free Clip Art and Photographs

This is a collection of copyright-free illustrations and photographs that can be downloaded and used on classroom and personal Web sites. Themes include school, animals, people, holidays, and more. These sites were chosen because they have little or no advertising and offer a good selection of images. Please read all copyright and use information before downloading the images.

Math: Probability

Theses sites explore the concepts of probability and chance. Includes interactive sites figuring the probability of coin flips, dice rolls, etc. There are several suggested classroom activities that use manipulatives to explore probability. There are also animated movies that explain probability.

Math: Multiplication

These sites offer many fun interactive games that let students practice their multiplication skills. Includes multiplication tables, flashcards, and classroom activity ideas.

New eThemes for the week of May 13, 2013

Animals: Alligators

Learn about alligators, the largest predator reptile. Find out how many species of these animals exist today in the world. Discover where they live, how they hunt, and how they care for their young. Includes photographs, audio and video files, quizzes, and a worksheet. There is a link to eThemes resources on crocodiles.

Animals: Black-Faced Spoonbills

These sites are about black-faced spoonbills, a species of wetland birds living along eastern Asia’s coastline. Learn about their physical characteristics, behavior, present status, distribution, and migration patterns. Find out the threats they face and the steps that have been taken to conserve them. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on endangered species.

Animals: Oysters

These websites are about oysters. Learn about the life cycle and anatomy of oysters and how they make pearls. Find out what diseases are threatening oysters. Includes quizzes and interactive activities.

Architecture: Domes

Domes are extremely stable structures. Learn about the history of domes and the modern geodesic domes. Learn about Buckminster Fuller who invented the geodesic dome and his extraordinary life. Also includes eThemes resources on architecture.

Author Study: Lester Laminack

Learn about the author Lester Laminack, the books he has written, and ideas for his writing. Includes biographies, audio clips, and classroom activities to be used with some of his books. There is a link to eThemes Resource on Literature: Genres.

Cultures: Japanese and Navajo Comparison

Students can discover the similarities and differences between the Japanese and Navajo cultures by using these sites. There is particular focus on the native herbs, foods, and ceremonies of each culture. Some of the sites include information on the Navajo Code Talkers. Included are eThemes resources on Japan, Navajo Indians, and world recipes.

Delaware: Famous People

These sites provide lists of famous and notable people from Delaware. Learn about these people from a wide variety of disciplines. Read about famous illustrators, writers, astronomers, first ladies, and many more. There is also a link to eThemes Resource on Delaware: State Facts and Symbols.

Famous People: Amelia Earhart

Learn about the famous American aviator – Amelia Earhart – and her legacy. Read her biography and learn about her dreams, goals, and achievements. Find out about Earhart’s cross Atlantic flights, records, and mysterious disappearance during the last flight. Learn about her plans to set a record to circle the world along the equator, rumors and theories of unsolved plane’s disappearance, and pre-war situation in the Pacific region. There are links on eThemes Resources on women’s month and two historical decades. Includes maps of Pacific Islands, the route of the last flight, photographs, audio and video files.

Gender Differences in Communication

These sites provide information on the differences between males and females when communicating. Information is included about verbal and non-verbal communication skills, tips on talking to parents and friends, social networking connections, research findings about communication differences, and lesson plans. Additional eThemes resources are included on Teen Issues and Peer Pressure.

Grammar: Homographs

These sites are about homographs which are words with two or more words spelled alike but different in origin, meaning, and sometimes pronunciation. Includes lists of common homographs plus online quizzes, practice exercises, and interactive games. There are also links to eThemes Resources on synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.

Grammar: Irregular Verbs

These sites have rules and charts on how to form irregular verbs, plus many interactive quizzes and games. There are links to eThemes Resources on Verb and Verb Tenses for Elementary School.

Immigration: Hispanic Immigrants

These sites are about Hispanic immigration. Learn about experiences and stories of Hispanic immigrants, what challenges they faced, where they are in the U.S., what culture they brought to the U.S., and how the immigrants affect U.S. economics and policy. Includes interactive maps, lesson plans, video clips, and photographs. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Immigration: Angel Island, Immigration: Ellis Island, Immigration: Immigrants and Problems Encountered, Latin American Culture, and Famous Americans: Latin American Connections.

Keyboarding Skills: Junior and High School

These sites have information on keyboarding for junior and high school students. Includes lesson plans, online typing practice programs, and information on ergonomics and the history of typing. There is also a link to an eThemes Resource on keyboarding skills for elementary students.

Literature: "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl

These web resources can be used in conjunction with the novel “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” by Roald Dahl. There is information about the book and its characters, the author, elevators, grandparents, and outer space. Included are two related eThemes resources.

Literature: Online Stories for Children

These sites have free online stories for children to read. Most stories include illustrations and some feature audio files so you can also listen to the story. There are links to eThemes Resources on Cinderella stories, storytelling, and choose-your-own-adventure stories.

Mathematics and Bridge Constructions

Learn how to plan, design, calculate, and construct a model of a bridge. Find out how mathematical concepts of ratio, proportion, and scale are implemented in the bridge building process. Includes worksheets, lesson plans, an online truss calculator tool, and games. There are links to eThemes resources on building bridges, architecture, and mathematical ratios and proportions.

Missouri Regions: River Heritage

These sites have information about Missouri’s River Heritage Region, also known as the Bootheel. Learn about many state parks, take a virtual visit to Lambert’s Cafe, and view photos of an underground mine. Towns include Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve, Sikeston, Charleston, Miner, New Madrid, and Jackson. Watch Missouri Heritage videos about this region. There are links to eThemes Resources on an overview of Missouri regions, the state flag, and the New Madrid earthquakes.

Native Americans: Trail of Tears

Learn more about the Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma reservations, and historical references for the Trail of Tears and the westward movement. Includes maps, timelines, photographs, and videos. There are links to eThemes resource on Native American culture.

Responsibility in Secondary Schools

What does student responsibility in a secondary school look like? These sites contain sample policies, teacher resources, and information for students on how to adapt to the increased expectations as they transition to the next level in their education.

Science: Dissection

These websites contain videos and stills from dissections of various animals with an emphasis on frogs. There are tutorials for frog, cat, sheep’s brain, or cow’s eye dissections. Included for comparison are two eThemes resources on human anatomy and physiology, and an eThemes resource on frogs.

Science: Environmental Justice

These sites cover topics about global warming, clean water, natural resources, greenhouse emissions. Here are diverse materials such as case studies, games, lesson plans, and interactive activities for teaching and learning environmental justice. Includes eThemes resources on global warming and the greenhouse effect.

Seasons: Spring

These sites have spring crafts, worksheets, and lesson plans. One link is a slide show created by elementary school students. There are links to eThemes on kites and Easter.

Solar System: Uranus

Learn about the seventh planet from the Sun – Uranus. These pages include information about the planet’s geological formation, atmosphere, magnetic field, satellites and rings. Here kids can also find information about space mission to Uranus, view photos sent from space and learn about mysteries surrounding the planet and its moons. These sites include worksheets, activities, puzzles, quizzes and coloring pages. Also included are eThemes Resources on Rotation, Revolution, and the Universe.

Web Design: Examples of Elementary Student Pages

These sites are examples of Web sites created by students. For some pages, the students researched a topic and then wrote an online report with links. Other sites include student artwork. There are links to eThemes Resources on HTML, Internet Safety, and free image collections.

World Data

These sites include information on world data. They include worldwide statistical information related to gender; age; schooling; and ownership of electronics, vehicles and pets. A link to eThemes Resource: Overpopulation is included.

Updated eThemes for the week of May 13, 2013

Batik

Learn about one of the oldest crafts – batik. Explore the origins of batik, find out how it is is being used today, and learn how to replicate the effect in safe, kid-friendly ways in the classroom. Includes images, activities, and videos.

Chinese Folklore

Learn more about Chinese folklore and cultural heritage from information about the First Emperor to the symbolism behind the Chinese Dragon. Includes eThemes resources on Cultures from Around the World, Continent: Asia, Country: China, and Ancient Civilizations: China.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

These sites provide information about the debate surrounding corporal punishment in schools. Learn the pros and cons of the debate. Explore how corporal punishment is viewed from a U.S. perspective and how it is viewed from a Korean perspective. Learn about the history of corporal punishment in schools and see how it affects attitudes. Includes links to newspaper articles and videos.

Country: Argentina

Learn about Argentina and its geography, history, and culture. Read about the country’s noted national heroes, an overview of Latin America, and links to Spanish language sites. Includes eThemes resources on Latin American Culture and Spanish for Middle and High School.

Country: Japan

These sites have information about Japan’s history, geography, language, education, and culture. Students can learn about samurai warriors, read haiku poetry, or see how rice is traditionally grown. There are maps, photographs, printouts, and more. Included is an eThemes resource on Asia.

Desalination

Learn about desalination, the process of removing salt from water to make it potable. Learn why desalination is so important to people worldwide and try an experiment to desalinate water. These sites include experiments, a podcast, and videos related to desalination.

Ethanol

These websites deal with ethanol as an alternative fuel. Learn the history of ethanol, how it works, what it is used for, how it is produced. Discover more about ethanol produced in Missouri, specifically. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Energy: Renewable and Non-renewable Graphic Approach and Energy: Renewable and Non-renewable.

Financial Analysis

These resources are about financial analysis. Find information about time trend analysis, common size statements, and ratio analysis. Learn the basics of analyzing a financial statement of a publicly held company in preparation for making an investment recommendation. Resources include guides, tutorials, lessons, and videos about financial analysis. In addition there are links to annual reports for some of the top, publicly held companies in the country.

Friction

Learn about the physics of friction and how it affects our daily lives. Watch videos or play games that demonstrate the importance of the concept. Perform mini-experiments to better understand the concept. Learn more about how friction is important to heat energy.

Labor Unions in the Workforce

These sites provide an overview of labor unions in the U.S. workforce. They look at the pros and cons of unions; how unions affect the employment rate; and a pay scale comparison between union and nonunion workers. Includes informative articles, a lesson plan, and videos.

Literature: "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

This site provides biographical information about Laurie Halse Anderson, a “Chains” book discussion guide, and articles about lives of slaves and indentured servants. Included are eThemes resources on slavery slave trade and the Revolutionary War.

Literature: "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen

This site has an on-line version of “Sense and Sensibility”, chapter synopsis, and biographical information about Jane Austen. Behind the scene video clips provide background on the characters, costumes, and set location. Included is an eThemes Resource on Author Study: Jane Austen.

Literature: "Transall Saga" by Gary Paulsen

This site provides background information about Gary Paulsen and extension activities for “Transall Saga”. Watch an author video and book trailer. WebQuests and an interactive game are given along with a discussion guide and survival writing activities. Includes a link to eThemes resource on Literature Themes: Survival.

Math: Complex Numbers

These sites are about complex numbers, their basic principles, and how they apply in the world of Mathematics. There are links to eThemes resources on Math: Geometry for Junior and High School and Trigonometry.

Native Americans: Navajo

These sites focus on Navajo Indians and their Hogan homes. The sites discuss the Navajo people, their culture, and their history.

Photojournalism

Learn about the field of photojournalism. These sites focus on best practices, necessary skills, and relevant careers in photojournalism. Also included are sites geared toward teaching the basics of photography composition and shooting tips for digital single lens reflex cameras. Explore the step-by-step videos for improving your photographs. Includes eThemes resources on Photography.

Physical Education: Jump Rope

Learn the health benefits of exercise! This site provides facts, a video clip, and power point programs about healthy living through exercise. Students can learn how to create their own jump rope routines through diagrams. Included is an eThemes resources on Health: Physical Education.

Physics: Newton's Laws of Motion

This theme includes Newton’s Laws of Motion as well as problems, interactive applications, videos, and lesson plans to apply them to problems. Included are eThemes Resources for Physics: Force and Motion for grades 3-8.

Plants: Poisonous and Toxic

These sites provide information about poisonous and toxic plants in Missouri. The information includes common and botanical names, prevention tips, key descriptive characteristics, habitat, distribution, poison part, and symptoms.

There are links to eThemes Resources on Missouri: Native Shrubs, Missouri: Native Trees, and Missouri: Native Wildflowers.

Reading Skills: Visualizing

These sites are about using visualizing in reading. See how you incorporate technology into your curriculum to help students master the art of visualization. Includes an overview of the concept of visualization, lesson plans, and links to interactive programs for student use. Also included are eThemes resources on Basic Reading Skills and Reading Comprehension.

Teaching Tips: Digital Citizenship

This site is about digital citizenship and provides safety information on a variety of technology tools. Responsible usage of technology, games and videos are included as well as articles and hand-outs. Curriculum units are free and available upon request or by downloading them. Also included are eThemes Resources on cyberbullying.

Technology: Twitter

These sites are about the social networking and microblogging Internet service. Find Twitter tutorials for getting started, using Twitter effectively, using Twitter tools, using Twitter in the classroom, and videos highlighting Twitter usage in education. NOTE: This site includes ads. Twitter.