Show Me the Money

On October 20, 1996, Congress signed into law the "Commemorative Coin Act of 1996." This law was responsible for the commemorative quarters so many people collect today. Coins were released five coins per year, in the order in which the States were admitted to the Union. In today's freebie, students explore the relationship between pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters and learn more about US currency.

Title: Number Cents
Description: Six lessons about money.
Suggested Grade: 1-4
Format: Online Lesson Plans
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Grace M. Burton
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=U67

Who Wants to Be Famous for a Fire?

On the evening of October 8, 1871 the worst recorded forest fire in North American history raged through Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, destroying millions of dollars worth of property and timberland, and taking between 1,200 and 2,400 lives. As a student in Wisconsin we learned all about this tragic fire. Have you heard of it? Perhaps not as the Chicago Fire, allegedly started by Mrs. O'Leary's cow, happened the same night. Perhaps it's the interesting story about the start of THAT famous fire, but the tragic events in Peshtigo, which took a much higher toll on lives and resources, were eclipsed by the "Great Chicago Fire." This freebie will let you all about that lesser known fire.

Title: The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871
Description: The most comprehensive source on the web for information about this fire.
Suggested Grade: 6-Adult
Format: Web Site
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Deana C. Hipke
http://www.peshtigofire.info/

Breast Cancer Awareness

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month. About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009 (men can get it, too). The number of individuals known to be afflicted with breast cancer has actually increased in recent years, due to the ever-increasing awareness of breast cancer and its symptoms. Thanks to early detection, breast cancer is more easily and more successfully treated. Today's freebie provides questions and answers about breast health and breast cancer prevention.

Title: Questions and Answers About Breast Health and Breast Cancer
Description: Answers some of the most common questions about breast cancer prevention and detection and its treatment.
Suggested Grade: 5-Adult
Format: Brochure (may also be downloaded from web site)
Availability: Limit of 1 copy to schools, libraries, and homeschoolers in the United States and Canada.
Source: American Institute for Cancer Research
Publication Orders
1759 R Street, N. W.
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 1-800-843-8114
Fax: 1-202-328-7226
http://www.aicr.org/

Seasons Change

I live directly across the street from the park. Nowhere is the changing of the seasons more apparent than when I look out my window and see the beautiful trees go through the changes that are the four seasons in Wisconsin. This morning, I noticed a lone tree that has started to change color indicating the imminent arrival of Fall. Today's freebie is a fabulous presentation, all ready for teachers to use, that explains the reasons the seasons change.

Title: The Reasons for Seasons
Description: A collection of sixty power point slides explaining the changing of the seasons.
Suggested Grade: 6-12
Format: Power Point Presentation
Availability: All requesters
Source: Edward M. Murphy
http://www.astro.virginia.edu/SST/resources/The%20Seasons.pdf#

Labor Day

Labor Day "officially" marks the end of summer. In our little community of under 2,000 residents it is a huge event--more than 10,000 enter our village for a parade, all sorts of activities in the park, and to consume 8 tons of FREE sweet corn--it's no wonder I like FREE stuff. (Did I mention that the park is right across the street?) Today's freebie, although brief, explains the history of "summer's last hurrah."

Title: Labor Day
Description: Provides the history, and links for more information, about this holiday.
Format: Online Article
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: KU Medical Center
http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/national/laborday.html

The Irish and Their Music

Saturday marked beautiful weather in Wisconsin so my son and I ventured to Milwaukee to partake in Irish Fest. He had studied in Galway, Ireland last year and was immediately taken by the folk music that is so prevalent in their culture (he also rather liked the venue so many musicians chose to play in--the pubs). We were treated to lots of Irish music at this fabulous festival on Milwaukee's waterfront. This freebie will treat those of you who couldn't attend to some of the great music from Ireland and other countries.

Title: Folk Music of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and America
Description: Lots of music to listen to, along with lyrics, from these countries, as well as historical background and tune related links.
Suggested Grade: All ages
Format: Web Site
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: Lesley Nelson-Burns
http://www.contemplator.com/folk.html#

Snakes Alive

My local newspaper reported yesterday that a python snake was found under a porch at a nearby residence. I live in the state of Wisconsin and snakes are not a common sight. It turns out it was someone's pet who left home about a month ago to "see the sights." This freebie will help you teach students more about this often scary, always fascinating reptiles.

Title: Snake Lesson Plans
Description: Lesson plans to educate about these slithery critters.
Suggested Grade: 5
Format: Online Lesson Plans
Availability: Available to all requesters
Source: David Wines
http://www.uoregon.edu/~titus/herp_old/wines.htm#