Prepare the Next Generation of Librarians
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians and the faculty who will prepare them for careers in library science. It also supports grants for research related to library education and library staffing needs, curriculum development, and continuing education and training. All types of libraries, except federal and for-profit libraries, may apply for the grant, which ranges from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
Deadline: December 15, 2006
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Participate in a Space Academy Program
The Honeywell Educators at Space Academy program funds five-day scholarships for middle school math and science teachers at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Recipients have 40 hours of intensive classroom, laboratory and training time, focusing on space science and space exploration, including participation in astronaut-style training and simulations and activities designed to promote life-long learning in a classroom setting.
Deadline: January 3, 2007
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Join the growing list of teachers enjoying the eBookDestination Rewards Program. On the first day of each month, a digital coupon (representing 5 percent of your total purchases in the previous month) will be added to your shopping cart. You’ll then be notified via email of the presence (and amount) of this coupon.

There’s no application to complete, no points to collect, no cards to carry, no codes to enter and (most important) no fees to pay. Quite simply, you are repaid for your loyalty with a 5 percent credit toward future purchases. It’s as easy as that!

Browse the eBookstore now! You’ll receive an automatic discount on some 3,000 ebook titles, many of which are bundled with downloadable audio MP3 files, from major educational publishers. Plus, there’s always a selection of the most popular titles on sale!

Recognize Education Leaders
Cable in the Classroom’s Leaders in Learning Awards recognizes teachers, administrators and community leaders who are helping to improve and transform education for children in and out of school, creating 21st-century learning environments that children need in order to succeed in the world that awaits them.
Deadline: December 15, 2006
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Bring Digital Imaging to Special Education
Tool Factory and Olympus have launched a program to bring digital cameras and Tool Factory software resources to special education. Ten winners will each receive an Olympus digital camera, $300 in Tool Factory software, plus the Educators Guide to Digital Photography. The application asks educators to tell the story of how they would encourage students to speak, interact, play and learn using these resources.
Deadlines: January 5, 2007 (5 grand-prize winners; 5 second-prize winners); June 8, 2007 (5 grand-prize winners; 5 second-prize winners)
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Lift the Spirits of Seriously Ill Children
When leukemia patient Ben Duskin was interviewed by Make-A-Wish Foundation, he expressed his wish to create a video game to help other kids endure their cancer treatments. For several months, Make-A-Wish searched to find someone to help make Ben’s wish come true. Eric Johnston of the San Francisco-based LucasArts came forward and insisted he work hand-in-hand with Ben to design the game without any financial compensation. Ben’s Game is the result of more than six months of hard work and collaboration; Ben’s own oncologist served as the medical advisor. Since its release to the public in May 2004, more than 200,000 people from all over the world have enjoyed the game. It is available in nine languages and accessible in PC and MAC formats, free of charge, on the San Francisco–area organization’s Web site.
Click Here to Download Free Game

Check Your Software Implementation
The education division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) offers a free software implementation checklist for use in schools to assist in ensuring that new technologies are properly installed and integrated into the fabric of the curriculum.
Click Here to Download Free Checklist (under Recent Publications)

Get free unlimited online access to all the print content in The Big Deal Book for Educators of Struggling Students, Middle School Through High School and The Big Deal Book of Technology for K–12 Educators. Explore the many opportunities to fund your special programs, access timely reports and articles, locate free and inexpensive resources and identify engaging interactive Web sites. Many of the offerings will help you meet the needs of students with disabilities and English language learners.

Access PBS Content on iTunes
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has announced the launch of PBS content on the iTunes Store, making it possible for users to purchase and download documentary specials and episodes from popular PBS primetime and children’s programming.
Click Here for More Information

Explore Essential Questions in Education
Big Ideas, Authentic Education’s monthly online journal, helps educators foster authentic learning in their classrooms and schools. The journal includes topical columns and resource reviews in most subject areas. It also includes the voices of classroom teachers and students as well as a section called A Community of Learners designed to help you support a faculty study group around the big ideas of education. Each issue focuses on a key educational theme, such as “diversity in learning.” Upcoming issues will focus on “grading,” “teaching to the standards” and “learning about learning.” The online journal is available by subscription only; click below to view a sample issue.
Click Here to View a Sample Issue

Address the Needs of English Language Learners
The Center on Instruction at RMC Research Corporation has released three books in its series titled Practical Guidelines for Education of English Language Learners. The first book describes research-based recommendations for instruction and academic interventions (K–12). The second book provides research-based recommendations for serving adolescent newcomers (6–12). And the third book offers research-based recommendations for the use of accommodations in large-scale assessments (K–12). Click below to download, free of charge, PDF versions of each of these books. You can also view PowerPoint presentations from the LEP Partnership Meeting that took place in October 2006 in Washington, D.C.
Click Here to Download Free Guidebooks

Expand Your Math Teaching Expertise
Annenberg Media’s free Teaching Math online courses provide pre-service and in-service teachers an overview and exploration of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) process standards. There are four courses, one each for the four NCTM grade bands: preK–2, 3–5, 6–8 and 9–12. Each session includes text, illustrations, animations, video and interactive activities.
Click Here to Access Free Courses

Plus: View all of Annenberg Media’s resources and professional development programming for K–12 teachers, available free of charge through the organization’s satellite channel and Video on Demand.

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week
On December 4–8, 2006, the sixth annual celebration of schools that are welcoming and supportive of all children and youth will take place around the nation. The focus of this year’s event is “Charting an Inclusive Journey Through School, Work and Life: Successful Transition Planning for All Students.” Click below for information on the many organizations that are helping to spread the word. You’ll also find free materials that will assist you in planning for the event, including publications that speak to the benefits of inclusive schools, a lengthy list of celebration ideas and lesson plans, and materials to use in promoting inclusive practices in your community.
Click Here for More Information

Journey to Jamestown
In 1607, the very essence of modern America took root on the banks of the James River at Jamestown, Virginia. In 2007, America’s first permanent English settlement will turn 400 years old. On November 9, 2006, students from all 50 states and across the globe gathered online and in person to participate in the educational Web cast JAMESTOWN live! Experience the Journey that Changed the World. The event brought to life the important history and legacies of Jamestown through creative programming geared to an online and satellite audience of students in grades 4–8. Your students can still view Jamestown Live! The History Channel will broadcast it in January 2007. An email will be delivered to JamestownJourney.org registrants regarding the date, which will also be posted on the organization’s Web site. In addition, you can view Jamestown Live! online from November 10, 2006 until February 10, 2007.
Click Here for More Information

Join the Great Pluto Debate
The definition of a planet has been debated for hundreds of years. It has changed based on what scientists know and what they want to study. The International Astronomical Union recently voted on a new definition that fit Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune—but not Pluto. Journey into CyberSpace at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum and take a look at the three parts of the new definition. Then vote on which you would keep. Discover if Pluto is part of your Solar System!
Click Here to Join the Debate

Just in time for the holidays . . .

Snipshot allows you to upload images from your computer and edit them. Or you can enter the Web address of any photo stored online and get a copy with which to work. Snipshot uses nondestructive editing—the original image that is taken from your computer or the Web remains untouched. The site also keeps a copy of the uploaded image for 24 hours before discarding it. And it’s free to use (at least for now).

Once you’ve edited your photos, you can create one-of-a-kind photo albums for special occasions using MyPublisher. This Web site has software that can be downloaded onto a computer. It allows you to create photo books using your photos. Then, when you’re done, just click the Purchase button. Photo books will ship within a few days. Price depends on the size of the album and the number of copies.

Other good Web-based programs include Shutterfly.com (which has features similar to the previously mentioned programs), Snapfish.com (which has won many kudos from industry experts) and PixVillage.com (which resembles file-sharing programs like Kazaa and Napster, only with photos instead of music).

To learn more about digital photography and online photo services, visit DigitalPhotos101.com, where you can sign up for a free newsletter that presents photo software reviews, digital photo tips and monthly photo specials.

Explore a Blue Zone
Through the Blue Zones Quest, students can direct explorer and National Geographic writer Dan Buettner and a team of scientists, journalists and videographers as they travel to demographically confirmed longevity hotspots—Blue Zones—to discover practices that help people live longer and better. Each day for three weeks, the Blue Zones Quest delivers professionally produced written reports, videos and images that allow students to explore the science and culture of a Blue Zone in an entertaining format. In January 2007, the search will take students on an exploration of Central America. Students direct the Blue Zone team’s discoveries through voting features such as Direct the Team and Dan’s Dilemma.
Click Here to Explore the Zone