Polar News and Notes Reading

Integrating science and literacy content gets a boost every March when the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children’s Book Council release their list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12. Each year since 1973, the two organizations have been selecting high quality, engaging, and scientifically accurate books from publishers of books for […]

Rick Holt, a 2008 Iditarod finisher, near Finger Lake. Photo courtesy of John Concilus.
It’s that time again – the 37th annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race across Alaska will begin at 10 am, March 7, 2009. This ceremonial start is in downtown Anchorage, with the competitive start (or “restart”) scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2009 in […]

Image by Wilson A. Bentley. 
Did you know that while no two snowflakes are exactly the same, they are all six-sided? Snowflakes’ hexagonal shapes are due to the molecular structure of ice. As you might know, each water molecule is made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom and looks something like this:
 
As water […]

The February issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears cyberzine is now available!
Arctic and Antarctic Birds was co-produced with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This partnership allows us to bring you exciting and engaging ideas for incorporating birds into a life sciences unit.
Do you want to know more about birds and their adaptations? This […]

Jessica Fries-Gaither will present “Integrating Informational Text and Science Through the Polar Regions” on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the International Reading Association’s Regional Conference in Nashville, TN. The presentation be be held at 9 a.m. in room 102 of the Nashville Convention Center. We hope you’ll be able to attend!
If you can’t attend the […]

Jessica Fries-Gaither will present the workshop “Energy Sources of the Polar Regions” on Saturday, December 6 at the National Science Teachers Association regional conference in Cincinnati, OH. The workshop is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. in Room 211 of the Duke Energy Center. We hope you’ll join us for an interactive session exploring lessons and activities […]

Did you know that Antarctica is home to the world’s southermost active volcano? Do you teach about the forces that change Earth’s surface: wind, water, and ice? If so, you’ll want to check out the latest issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears cyberzine!
In the December 2008 issue, Earth’s Changing Surface, you can explore […]

Do you want to learn more about rocks, minerals, and what they can teach us about Earth’s past? Have you ever wondered what types of rocks are found in Antarctica? If so, then the September issue of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears is for you! In Issue 6: Rocks and Minerals, you can:
Learn geology basics […]

You may have noticed our new widget, a Shelfari bookshelf (if not, see the right sidebar). We’ve created a Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears group on Shelfari - a social networking site for book lovers.
Shelfari is a free site that allows you to create your own virtual bookshelf, add books that you’ve read, are currently […]

A new issue of the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears magazine is ready to view! Issue Five, Water, Ice, and Snow, uses the polar regions to better understand the water cycle as well as states and changes of matter. As always, the issue includes:

Science and Literacy content knowledge
Misconceptions and assessment tools
Expository articles and differentiated text […]