Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for March ***
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 -  Linking to Current Events
 -  Now Available on DVD
 -  This Month on the Channel
 -  Famous March Birthdays
 -  Connect Learning with More Special Days
     o Read Across America
     o World Day for Water
     o St. Patrick's Day
     o International Ideas Month
     o Ethics Awareness Month
     o National Women's History Month
     o Youth Art Month
     o Music in Our Schools Month

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

Historically, the President and the Congress have not always agreed; recent events reveal that the same holds true today. Learn how this situation relates to the U.S. Constitution's built-in checks on power with "The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/const1.html>, featuring the late Fred Friendly with many distinguished political, legal, and media personalities. For a discussion particularly relevant to current issues between the President and Congress, watch "Executive Privilege and Delegation of Powers," the first program in the series.

Even as Europe rejects drugs produced by genetically modified animals and U.S. farmers voice concerns about biotech crops, a new World Trade Organization ruling removes barriers to the use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture. Learn about the basics of genetically modified organisms with "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bio2.html>. The fully downloadable text introduces key terms, techniques, and technology applications -- as well as relevant concerns and questions.

The programs above can be viewed free of charge through Video on Demand. For technical requirements and general instructions, go to <http://learner.org/redirect/march/view3.html>.

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*** NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD ***

We're pleased to announce that the following titles have become available on DVD:

> "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ampass5.html>
> "Bridging World History" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh4.html>
> "Ethics in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ethic6.html>

To purchase a series, click on the link above for the title of your choice, then follow the right-hand link to "Buy Videos and Materials."

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*** THIS MONTH ON THE CHANNEL ***

The following series begin this month on the Annenberg Channel. Be sure to scroll down on the linked pages for broadcast dates and times. Consult the full broadcast schedule <http://learner.org/redirect/march/sched7.html> for many more programs and partial series airing in March.

EDUCATION ISSUES
> "Looking at Learning...Again, Part 2" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/lala2_8.html>
> "Minds of Our Own" (K-12) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/minds9.html>

FOREIGN LANGUAGE & ESL
> "Connect With English" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/cwe10.html>
> "Fokus Deutsch" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/fokus11.html>
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/tflw12.html>
> "Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/tfll13.html>

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE ARTS
> "Developing Writers: A Workshop for High School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/dwrit14.html>
> "Engaging With Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ewlw15.html>
> "In Search of the Novel" (middle/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ison16.html>
> "Making Meaning in Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 6-8" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/mmlw17.html>
> "Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/tmlw18.html>
> "Teaching Reading K-2: A Library of Classroom Practices" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/k2readl19.html>
> "Voices & Visions" (college level) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/vv20.html>

MATHEMATICS
> "Mathematics: What's the Big Idea?" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/math21.html>

SCIENCE
> "Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science" (K-6) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/life22.html>
> "Learning Science Through Inquiry" (K-8) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/inq23.html>
> "Reactions in Chemistry" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/rchem24.html>
> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bio25.html>
> "Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science" (K-5) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/light26.html>
> "Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology" (college/high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/micro27.html>

SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY
> "Bridging World History" (high school/college) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh28.html>
> "The Economics Classroom: A Workshop for Grade 9-12 Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/econ29.html>
> "Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/civic30.html>
> "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History" (high school) <http://learner.org/redirect/march/prim31.html>

The Annenberg Channel Program Guide is available for download in PDF format at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/guide32.html>. The Guide contains satellite and signal information plus daily and month-at-a-glance program schedules.

Find general information about the Annenberg Channel at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/chnnl33.html>. For free licensing, go to <http://learner.org/redirect/march/lcns34.html>.

Catch the live stream of the Channel at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/live35.html>, closed captioned at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/livecc36.html>.

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*** FAMOUS MARCH BIRTHDAYS ***

The following well-known figures of past and present have birthdays in March. Honor their work with our recommended resources on topics linked with their renown:

Ralph Ellison, writer (March 1, 1914)
  > "American Passages" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ampass37.html>
  > "Teaching Multicultural Literature" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/tml38.html>

Theodor Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, writer (March 2, 1904)
  > "Teaching Reading K-2" video library <http://learner.org/redirect/march/k2readl39.html>
  > "Teaching Reading 3-5 Workshop" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/35read40.html>

Bobby McFerrin, musician (March 11, 1950)
  > "Exploring the World of Music" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/music41.html>
  > "The Art of Teaching the Arts" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/hsart42.html>

Albert Einstein, mathematician and physicist (March 14, 1879)
  > "The Mechanical Universe" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/mech43.html>
  > "Science in Focus: Energy" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/energy44.html>
  > "Essential Physical Science" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/phys45.html>

Spike Lee, filmmaker (March 20, 1957)
  > "American Cinema" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/cine46.html>

Joan Crawford, actor (March 23, 1905)
  > "American Cinema" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/cine47.html>

Robert Frost, poet (March 26, 1874)
  > "Voices & Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/vv48.html>
  > "American Passages" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ampass49.html>

Sandra Day O'Connor, Supreme Court justice (March 26, 1930)
  > "The Constitution" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/const50.html>
  > "Social Studies in Action" library <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ssl51.html>
  > "Democracy in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/dia52.html>

Vincent Van Gogh, artist (March 30, 1853)
  > "Art of the Western World" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/art53.html>

René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher (March 31, 1596)
  > "Learning Math: Geometry" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/geom54.html>
  > "The Mechanical Universe" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/mech55.html>

Walt Whitman, poet (March 31, 1819)
  > "Voices & Visions" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/vv56.html>
  > "American Passages" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ampass57.html>

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*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH MORE SPECIAL DAYS ***

Read Across America (March 2)

This day for celebrating reading -- which corresponds with the birthday of Dr. Seuss -- was started in 1997 by the National Education Association.

> Mark the day by registering for a workshop, such as Teaching Reading K-2 <http://learner.org/redirect/march/k2readw58.html> or "Engaging With Literature" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ewlw59.html>. The "Engaging with Literature" workshop airs on the Channel beginning March 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

> "In Search of the Novel" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ison60.html> features real novelists discussing their work, including J.K. Rowling <http://learner.org/redirect/march/rowling61.html> and Leslie Marmon Silko <http://learner.org/redirect/march/silko62.html>. Find lesson plans for teaching ten all-time favorite novels at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/plans63.html> on the series Web site.

> "Conversations in Literature" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/conv64.html> presents ways of engaging middle and high school students in classic and contemporary literature.

> Adult learners of any age can join in with "Signature: Contemporary Writers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/sig65.html>, which can be used as a college telecourse. For more information, see our Telecourse FAQ at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/tlcrs66.html>.

World Day for Water (March 22)

> The unique properties of water -- the substance used more than any other on Earth -- are explored in "Water," Program 12 of "The World of Chemistry" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/wchem67.html>. The program also discusses the perils of pollution and the need to purify, protect, and conserve this precious resource.

> Programs 19-21 of "Earth Revealed" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/earth68.html> examine the relationship of water to different types of earth, the role of water in the formation of landforms and landscapes, and the threats posed by pollution and river evolution.

> "Human Geography: People, Places, and Change" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/hgeog69.html> explores competing claims to the water of the Truckee River Basin at the California-Nevada border in Program 7, "Water is for Fighting Over."

> Watch "The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/place70.html> Program 18, "Oil and Water." The first segment, "Egypt: Gift of the Nile," looks at irrigation, land salinization, and the shrinking of farmlands due to urbanization.

> See Program 4 of "Science IMAGES" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/images71.html> to observe a hands-on lesson about water in Marc Heuer's 4th grade classroom in McFarland, Wisconsin. Within the context of a unit on waters of the world, this lesson covers the water cycle, pollution, and water purification.

St. Patrick's Day (March 17)

> Find images, texts, and sound files related to Irish-American history in the American Passages artifact archive at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/arch72.html>.

International Ideas Month

> Key ideas of western thought are traced throughout the programs of "The Western Tradition" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/west73.html>. See, for example, Program 6, "Greek Thought"; Program 25, "The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery"; Program 34, "The Enlightenment"; and Program 36, "The Modern Philosophers."

> Discover three examples of how ideas have shaped the world in Program 17 of "Bridging World History" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh74.html>. Find links to the program transcript, Video on Demand, downloadable readings, an audio glossary, and more on the series Web site at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bwh75.html>.

March is as good a time as any to expand on your ideas about teaching.

> "Mathematics: What's the Big Idea?" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/math76.html> helps teachers reshape their own ideas about teaching math. Find links to puzzlers, worksheets, and the workshop guide at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/math77.html>.

> "Surprises in Mind" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/smind78.html> tracks the development of students' mathematical ideas from first grade through high school, demonstrating how children's innate mathematical thought and creativity can be developed.

> Gain insight into the learning process through the ideas of leading educators with "Looking at Learning...Again" Part 1 <http://learner.org/redirect/march/lala1_79.html> and Part 2 <http://learner.org/redirect/march/lala2_80.html>.

> Program 6 of "Connecting with the Arts: A Workshop for Middle Grades Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/conartw81.html> provides concrete examples of how teachers can link the arts with important themes encountered in various subjects.

National Ethics Awareness Month

> The Socratic method interrogates ethical dilemmas in "Ethics in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ethic82.html>. Panelists include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Faye Wattleton of Planned Parenthood, Reverend J. Bryan Hehir of the U.S. Catholic Conference, economist Lester Thurow, news correspondents Peter Jennings and Mike Wallace, Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, and others.

> Learn the specifics of journalistic ethics with our series "News Writing" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/news83.html>. Famous names in print, radio, and television news share their thoughts on ethics in interviews transcribed at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/intrvw84.html>.

> "Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/bio85.html> puts ethics under the microscope along with basic science. See, for example, the discussions on genomics <http://learner.org/redirect/march/genom86.html> and drug discovery <http://learner.org/redirect/march/proteo87.html>.

National Women's History Month

> In "Gender-Based Distinctions," Program 27 of our "Social Studies in Action" video library <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ssl88.html>,
12th–grade American government and politics teacher Tim Rockey probes the concept of civil rights by focusing on women’s rights. Students evaluate the "reasonableness" standard as set by the court.

> Watch "The Lowell System: Women in a New Industrial Society," Workshop 3 of our series "Primary Sources: Workshops in American History" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/prim89.html>. The program examines documents related to the Lowell Mills experiment, in which young women worked in a model town in the countryside to help drive the industrial revolution. Find activities, transcripts, and primary source documents at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/lowell90.html> on the Primary Sources Web site. "Primary Sources" begins on the Channel March 26 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

> See an overview of the struggle over women's suffrage in "Democracy in America" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/dia91.html> Program 2, "The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?" The last segment, "Battle for the Ballot," shows the process of women's obtaining the vote to illustrate the difficulties involved in passing a constitutional amendment.

> Watch "American Passages: A Literary Survey" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/ampass92.html> Program 15, "Poetry of Liberation." Visit this page on the American Passages Web site <http://learner.org/redirect/march/women93.html> for cultural and literary connections with the Women's Movement, plus links to several artifacts related to historical women's issues. Then read about the "Cult of Domesticity" and find related artifacts at <http://learner.org/redirect/march/domest94.html>.

> See how four established writers -- Bobbie Ann Mason, Marsha Norman, Lee Smith, and Barbara Kingsolver
-- approach women's issues in "Signature: Contemporary Writers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/sig95.html>.

Youth Art Month

> Our two arts series for elementary school teachers, "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Workshop for Elementary School Teachers" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/artsw96.html> and the coordinated video library <http://learner.org/redirect/march/artsl97.html> offer ways of integrating arts into subjects across the curriculum.

> See examples of effective arts instruction in the middle grades with our "Connecting with the Arts" video library <http://learner.org/redirect/march/conartl98.html>.

Music in Our Schools Month

> "Exploring the World of Music" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/music99.html> teaches the basics elements of music, explores global genres, and considers how music functions as an expression of culture.

> Observe the diverse teaching methods of music specialists in "The Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/march/k5artl100.html> Program 4, "Teaching Music."


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