From Classbrain.com

2006
Cool Happenings at ClassBrain - March 2006
By Cynthia Kirkeby
Mar 22, 2006, 10:04 PST

Major upgrades in the state reports section and recent additions in the monthly grab bag and throughout ClassBrain.

Cool News from ClassBrain March 06

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Cool Happenings At ClassBrain
March 2006 - Vol 6, Issue 1
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Dear Cynthia,

Welcome to the ClassBrain March newsletter. Easter is just around the corner and there is so much happening at ClassBrain, I almost don't know where to start. We have exciting things happening from math to movies to music and more. There are of course changes happening in the State Reports section, but I'll tell you about those in a moment. For now... have fun exploring some of the cool new things happening at ClassBrain, and please pass this on to anyone that you know, who might be interested. Thanks!

If you haven't visited the Monuments & Memorials section, you should take a look. There was so much information, we couldn't put it all into State Reports, so we had to make an entirely new section. We have information, maps, and even some quizzes. This area is cross-linked to the State Reports section, for easy access.
STATE REPORTS IS BEING REDESIGNED
We've been very busy in the State Reports section. We're currently in the process of adding subcategories to make information easier to find. The new subcategories include:
  • Agriculture
  • Business & Economy
  • History & Facts
  • Images & Music
  • Maps
  • Natural Resources
  • People
  • State Symbols
  • Tourism
Our state sections were getting much too large, and it was getting difficult to find things. This change will help you and your kids find your state information much easier.

Within State Reports we have some great new material! Here's a sample of what you'll find:
  • State Recipes - Each state has a new page with links to recipes based on foods that are either grown or raised in the state (take a look at California's Recipes). We've tried to include a couple in each state that are good for classroom cooking projects.
  • State Symbols - This area is getting a major redesign. We are assembling the most comprehensive collection of state symbol information that you'll find anywhere. We've completed Alabama through Georgia, and the other states are in progress. You have to see this material to believe what we've found!
  • State News - We've included a new page for each state that contains a daily updated newsfeed specializing in news from that state.
  • Battle Maps - Many states now have incredible interactive Civil War battle maps courtesy of the National Park Service's Heritage Preservation Services. Check out this one for Kentucky.
  • and so much more...
Teens has an enormous amount of information available to students. (Parents and teachers: I don't always get everything crosslinked into the Parent/Teacher section right away, so take a look to see what's here.)

We have a very exciting new lesson program within our mathematics section, called Nutshell Math. If you have any interest in Algebra I, Algebra II, or Trigonometry you have to take a look at these interactive lessons. We've set up a partnership with Nutshell Math to provide more than 50 interactive lessons for friends of ClassBrain. It's like having your very own tutor in the computer. You'll understand what I mean when you check out a sample that I've put online. We're installing two versions (one for broadband and one for those of you on 56K modems). If you like the samples, you can sign up for a subscription with Nutshell Math. The amazing part of their program is that you get to pick the textbook you're using in class, and all of the lessons are aligned with your particular course. We think that it's very cool! We'll be installing all of the sample lessons over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.
If you're a teacher, watch for an offer for a free teacher's account in Teaching Tools.

Our project with Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoonists Index on Slate.com continues to be one of our more popular sections. Cagle Cartoons carries our five most recent lesson plans on their site. We have an archive of all of the political cartoon lesson plans that we've done since the beginning.

In the Teens Music section we've added some new video lesson from BerkleyShares. You'll find some especially wonderful lessons in improvisation. Improvisation Using Rhythmic Devices is especially good.
Easter, Passover and Mother's Day are coming quickly and we have materials to help you with all of them. In addition to articles explaining the history of each of the holidays, we have worksheets, coloring pages, acronym worksheets, and so much more. Here are a few of the fun items available:

We have also assembled some wonderful goodies for the holidays.
We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone that has shopped at ClassBrain for helping us expand our site. The proceeds from the sale of merchandise on ClassBrain is a large part of what supports what we do. So, if you're planning on doing some shopping take a look around ClassBrain first. We have great shops through the site, especially in Grab Bag, Parent-Teacher Family Life, and Movies in the Classroom.

There's more happening at ClassBrain, so be sure to take a look around. New games, new materials in our Parent-Teacher section, and new media in biographies are just the tip of the iceberg. We'll send you another update soon.

Please pass this newsletter on to any parent, teacher, or friend that you may have that is involved with teaching or children. I can't tell you how much it means to us, when you help us spread the word about ClassBrain. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Cynthia Kirkeby
ClassBrain, Inc.



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