May 2002 Issue

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An Online Educational Community

A newsletter that educates parents, teachers, and
students.

May 2002 Issue #34
Austin Simms, Editor, mailto:editor@innovamultimedia.com
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Welcome to the thirty-fourth issue of "An Online Educational
Community". To read past issues of our newsletter, visit
http://www.innovamultimedia.com/archive.htm or to learn
more about us, check out our website at
http://www.innovamultimedia.com

If you think a friend might be interested in reading this
newsletter, pass it along in whole or in part.

You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a
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form at http://www.innovamultimedia.com/newsletr.htm

Each month we will focus on a different educational theme
and base our feature article and learning tips around that
particular theme.

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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> Feature
=> Contest - Win a Whale
=> This Month's Free Lesson Plans
=> More Great Education Web Sites
=> Whale Links for Whale Lovers
=> Whale Trivia
=> Feedback

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Feature
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Year End Logistics

As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, students as
well as teachers eagerly anticipate the much needed rest and
relaxation that the summer vacation brings. Ah, the visions of
camping, canoeing, swimming, golfing, travelling, gardening,
hiking, exploring, ... But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves
for there is still much to do before the school year ends.

Many upper grade students will probably be burning the midnight
oil as they prepare to write their final examinations. Students in
the lower and middle grades have a relatively easier route getting
through the final few weeks of the school year. Their routine
usually involves finishing units of work in various subjects
interspersed with a field trip and a sports day.

The classroom teachers have a number of logistical items to attend
to, such as:

- collecting student grades from other teachers

- compiling a class list of students' grades

- meeting with the administration to discuss the status of their
students for next year.

- meeting with the administration and parents of any students who
will have to repeat the grade, or be assigned to a special needs
class, so that there will be no surprises or confrontations when
the report cards are handed out.

- preparing the report cards and handing them in so they can be
read and signed by the principal.

- providing the administration with a class list of student grades

- compiling a list of school supplies to insert in the report cards of
the students who will be in their class or grade next school year.
The parents of these students will greatly appreciate it as they
avail of the 'Back to School' store specials that occur in early
August. Be specific as to what exactly the children will be
required to have, for example:

- #2 pencils

- wide-ruled looseleaf

- spiral notebooks

It might be a good idea to check with the Physical Education
and Art teacher to see what they would want included on the
list: e. g., gym shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, one of Dad's old shirts
for Art, ...

- retrieving and returning all borrowed books to the school library

- storing all textbooks and classroom supplies in boxes or storage
room

- returning all multimedia items (e.g. overhead projector, screen,
VCR, TV, computer unit,...) to the audiovisual storage area.

- storing personal teacher materials in a secure place

- if required, handing in school entrance, classroom, and filing cabinet
keys to the administration before leaving for the summer break

The following is a list of several duties that the school administration
should be involved with during the last three weeks of the school year:

- conducting grade level meetings to:

- determine the teacher and classroom needs for the next
school year (i.e., number of texts required, based on class
size; teacher guides; workbooks, etc.)

- discuss borderline and below average students regarding
their status for the next school year: pass, repeat the grade,
advance with special help in certain subjects or assign the
child to a special needs class. Have the teacher initiate a
meeting involving the administration, the teacher herself,
and the parents of each child who will be repeating or will
be assigned to a special needs class.

- reading and signing all report cards

- collecting and filing a list of student grades for each class

- compiling a list of building repairs and improvements - painting,
landscaping, roof repairs, etc. - that the school board maintenance
staff will need to address during the summer break.

- writing an annual report based on the school year

- collecting and storing all school entrance and
classroom keys in a secure place

Once all of the logistical items have been addressed it should be
smooth sailing towards a relaxing summer vacation. Enjoy!!

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Contest - Win a Whale
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INNOVA Multimedia Ltd. is giving away TEN of our "A Whale of
a Tale" educational software lessons and the latest version
of LessonBuilder, a custom course-creation utility, as a
FREE DOWNLOAD on our website! Visit
http://www.innovamultimedia.com/lbuilder.htm to download
your free copy. When you download LessonBuilder you are
automatically entered in our contest to win a free CD-ROM
from our "A Whale of a Tale" series. Good Luck!

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This Month's Free Lesson Plans
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Teachers, check out free "A Whale of a Tale" lesson plans on
our website at http://www.innovamultimedia.com/lp_index.htm

Dive into Math 1 - "Ways to Subtract" at
http://www.innovamultimedia.com/math1h.htm encourages
children to use three different meanings for subtraction:
- Taking away with a subtraction ring.
- Comparing or matching and counting the left-overs.
- Counting or adding on.

Dive into Math 1 - "Following Directions" at
http://www.innovamultimedia.com/math1i.htm encourages
children to follow directions to place an object in relation to
another object.

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More Great Education Web Sites
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Check out these INNOVA recommended resource sites:

The Teacher's Guide
http://www.theteachersguide.com/Junelessons.html
June means the end of the school year for most people. Here are
some great ideas for end of the year activities as well as activities for
the children to do during the summer. Check out their home page to
get even more great ideas for every month of the year.

Monthly Activity Calendar: June 2002
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/activitycalendars/2002/jun.shtml
This site contains a calendar of suggested activities for each day in
June. Simply click on the activity to go to crafts, printouts, Label Me!
quizzes, and other activities. Calendars are also available for each
month of the year.

Summer Reading
http://www.educationworld.com/summer_reading/
This web page contains summer reading lists by grade, along with
reviews of new books, interviews with favorite authors, and lots of
ideas for summer projects to extend reading -- projects for kids to do
with friends or on their own and projects for families to do together!

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Whale Links for Whale Lovers
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Check out these INNOVA recommended whale sites!

The Sperm Whale Project
http://www.prattmuseum.org/programs/spermwhale/
In 1988, the carcass of a sperm whale washed ashore on
East Chugach Island about 40 miles south of Homer, Alaska.
In 1993, using the salvaged skeletal remains as an inspirational
focus, The Pratt Museum initiated a five year, uniquely Alaskan
marine science program in Homer High School. The Sperm
Whale Project was funded by a grant of $250,000 from the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Precollege
Science Education Initiative for Museums. This Museum-school
collaboration successfully created a multi-disciplinary approach
to science education by involving students, parents, scientists,
educators, staff from the numerous public agencies, community
members, and Museum staff.

A healthy marine ecosystem is critical for the economy and
lifestyle. As has already occurred in many other regions of the
planet, the once pristine Kachemak Bay is showing signs of
declining abundance and diversity of marine life due to habitat
destruction, overharvesting, and marine pollution. The Sperm
Whale Project has beem designed to increase student and
public understanding of marine sciences and to engender a
more caring, informed, and responsible citizenry, capable
and confident of finding regional solutions.

CETACEA
http://www.cetacea.org/
This site provides you with complete background information
on every species of whale, dolphin and porpoise known to
humankind.

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Whale Trivia
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- A Sperm Whale has up to 50 of the largest teeth of any living
creature.

- The Sperm Whale has the largest brain – about six times
heavier than the human brain – and the thickest skin of any
animal on earth.

- Whales were hunted for their oily blubber for hundreds of years.

- The Narwhal’s tusk, which sells for about five thousand dollars,
is thought to bring good luck.

- The Beluga has a very high, rounded head called a melon, which
is important in sending and receiving sound messages.

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Feedback
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If you have comments or suggestions concerning our online
newsletter or website, please direct them to
mailto:editor@innovamultimedia.com

Your comments and suggestions will be published in the
feedback section of future issues.

Past Online issues can be found at
http://www.innovamultimedia.com/archive.htm

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Copyright 2002 INNOVA Multimedia Ltd.
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Where Learning Comes First!