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Meeting Amazing Americans Studying famous people does not only teach important historical fact; it inspires students to pursue bright futures and make a positive impact on their world! The Library of Congress web site features a section called “Meet Amazing Americans,” in which biographical information is provided on various notable people, including presidents, activists, explorers, musicians, writers, scientists, and others. The Librarian of Congress states, “The site was designed especially with young people in mind,” so it is an excellent source of information for students. Have your students study the web site and come up with important people they would like to see added to it!
A Suggested Class Activity Student interest is increased by reading fun stories based on real people. Our newest Playbook®, The Great Rhyme Travel Machine, brings to life Amelia Earhart and Thomas Edison and sets the stage for more adventures with important people to come! Discuss as a class what your students think makes someone an "Amazing American," what criteria has been used to choose the people included on the Library of Congress website above, and what different types of people are included. Discuss what categories of famous people your students think are missing from the web site. Have your students research alone or in groups an important figure of their choice and design their own biography and graphics representing that person. They may use the Internet and books to gather information on their subject. They can even e-mail their ideas to the Library of Congress, recommending that their person be added to the “Meet Amazing Americans” section! In their emails they will explain why the person they chose is an Amazing American, and should include graphics and biographical information they have assembled for their projects. Additionally, students should present their projects and e-mails to the class. A list of Internet resources for researching famous people can be found here. |
Amelia Earhart's Legendary Flight is Remembered in January
This month we celebrate and remember Amelia Earhart’s flight from Hawaii to California. On January 11, 1935, she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. Because she is such an inspiring figure for girls and boys alike, Earhart is featured in our new Playbook®, The Great Rhyme Travel Machine, as a hero studied by present-day students. Readers will meet her and Thomas Edison, or younger versions of them as children, in this new entertaining Playbook® that shows how kids can grow up to have such a great impact on the world. Earhart's first ride in an airplane was in Long Beach, California, and she immediately began working to become a pilot. To pay for lessons, she took any odd jobs she could. Her accomplishments as a pilot include becoming the first woman and second person to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean, setting the record for the fastest non-stop transcontinental flight, becoming the first woman to compete in the National Air Races, and being named America’s Outstanding Airwoman. She also planned two around-the-world flights, but disappeared near Howland Island in 1937 during her second attempt.
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This Month's Featured Story - Released Today! | This Month's Special $100 Off 10 Titles Or More! $50 Off 5 Titles Or More!
(Any 5 Stories packaged in Small Group Sets)
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NEW!!!!! Written by: Gregory Brown, Teacher |
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Testimonials "At our grade level meeting, last week, teachers reported that the material seemed really fresh and reinforced Indiana State Standards. Students love Reader's Theater and many teachers have had success using this strategy. We are always looking for new material to meet the needs of our students."--Karen, Reading Coordinator, IN "Playbooks are just great for our after-school kids. They beg to read the stories, and want new stories every week!" |
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