George Washington Carver--A Man with Vision

March is Black History Month. One of the countless African Americans who have contributed so very much is George Washington Carver--a scientist, botanist, educator and inventor. In addition to this work, his important accomplishments also include improvement of racial relations, mentoring children, poetry, painting, and religion. He is truly a man to be remembered during this month when we honor the accomplishments and contributions of EVERY African American.

Title: Carver's Boyhood
Description: Learn what forces shaped the life of this famous man.
Suggested Grade: All Ages
Format: VHS Videotape
Availability: Schools, libraries, homeschoolers, and nursing homes in the United States.
Terms: This excellent freeibe is for loan only. Borrower pays return postage. Return within 21 days after scheduled showing date via US Postal Service. Book 2-3 weeks in advance.
Source: George Washington Carver National Monument
5646 Carver Road
Diamond, MO 64840
Phone: 1-417-325-4151
Fax: 1-417-325-4231

It's More than Just a Game

This evening marks the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Athletes from countries far and wide will walk with their team and country flags with enormous pride as they compete for honors that not only recognize their personal achievement but their country as well. This freebie is all about these games which are far more than "just a game."

Title: Olympics Through Time
Description: Presents an overview of the Olympics and traces the history of these games.
Suggested Grade: 5-12
Format: Web Site
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Foundation of the Helennic World
http://www.fhw.gr/olympics/ancient/

Show Me the Money

On this day in history, the first paper money in America was issued by the colony of Massachusetts. Today's freebie is all about that commodity--money--whether it's paper or coin.

Title: The Money Story
Description: Media kit to help intermediate grade children learn what money is, how it's made, spent, saved and collected.
Availability: Schools, libraries, homeschoolers, and nursing homes in the continental United States.
Suggested Grade: 5-8
Order Number: 63
Format: VHS videotape or DVD, includes a teacher's guide.
Running Time: 33 minutes
Terms: ORDER VIA WEB SITE. Borrower pays return postage. Return the day after scheduled use via Parcel Post, library rate. Book at least 2 weeks before preferred show date, and include alternate date. Requests should include title and requester's name, address, and daytime phone number. Also state number of viewers.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
http://www.stls.frb.org/education/video_library.html

Are YOU Earthquake Proof?

The devastating earthquake in Haiti is something that will, and should, remain on our minds for quite some time. The horror that is currently being faced by the thousands upon thousands of people there is quite unimaginable. As I look at the faces of the people shown on TV, I am reminded that we are all God's children and these people who are suffering so greatly are someone's child, parent, wife, husband, etc. Is is with deep sorrow that we witness this tragic event. Today's freebie is a resource providing information and maps of earthquakes across the world. When viewing it, you will also see how many terrifying aftershocks the people of Haiti face moment to moment.

Title: The World-Wide Earthquake Locator
Description: An incredible resource that provides up-to-date information and detailed dynamic maps of earthquakes across the world within a maximum of 24 hours of their occurrence.
Suggested Grade: 4-Adult
Format: Web Site
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Bruce M. Gittings
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/quakes/quakes.html

The Speed of Sound

Tomorrow, January 6, marks an astounding 171 years since Samuel Morse provided the first demonstration of the electric telegraph. Who would have ever thought there could be something as a telephone, let alone a cell phone that we take with us whever we go. Find out more about the evolution of telecommunicatins with today's freebie.

Title: Through the Wires: A Century of Telecommunications
Description: Covers the era from Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell, to the explosion of the Internet.
Suggested Grade: 4-Adult
Format: Web Site
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Farhana, David, and Tiana
http://library.thinkquest.org/27887/

Happy Birthday to Me

As I "complained" to my hubby about my upcoming birthday, he told me my birthday was the best, "after all, who else gets people to go out and celebrate with party hats and horns?" Yup, my birthday is New Year's Day. I would be marking my 29th birthday yet again, but since my oldest son turned 29 himself this year, I guess I can't do that anymore. Today's freebie presents information about a traditional 15th birthday celebration in Mexico, but actually contains even more of a story.

Title: Sweet 15
Description: The traditional 15th birthday celebration symbolically ushers a young Mexican girl into adulthood. When her father cancels the gala event, she accidentally uncovers her father's secret--he has never become a legal resident of the U. S.
Suggested Grade: 6-12
Format: VHS videotape
Running Time: 120 minutes
Availability: Schools, libraries, and nursing homes in the United States.
Terms: Borrowers must have a User's Agreement on file with this source--available by mail or via the Internet. Return postage is paid by borrower; return 12 days after showing. Book at least three weeks in advance. All borrowers are limited to a total of ten items per semester.
Order Number: SIHISPI-video
Source: Latin American Resource Center
Stone Center for Latin American Studies
Tulane University
100 Jones Hall
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 1-504-862-3143
Fax: 1-504-865-6719

Pearl Harbor Day

Oftentimes while creating this blog, I Google "today in history." That is not something I have to do for today, a very notorious day in history. Today marks the 68th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While not the joyous celebration that anniversaries usually are, it is an anniversary we must never forgot. Today's freebie provides more information about a mess attendant who provided heroic service to his fellow shipmates.

Title: Black Pearl: The Story of Dorie Miller, the Hero of Pearl Harbor
Description: Learn about the contributions of this mess attendant stationed on the battleship Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Suggested Grade: 5-12
Format: Online Lesson Plan
Availability: All requesters
Source: Dionne Smith Jones
http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/ll/curriculumsupport/aastudies/jones.html