http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sun, 19 May 2013 08:05:09 PDT Sun, 19 May 2013 08:05:09 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=76667 Tolerance.org seeks to create a national community committed to human rights.Its goal is to awaken people of all ages to the problem of hate and intolerance,to equip them with the best tolerance ideas and to prompt them to act in theirhomes, schools, businesses and communities.Hate can only be conquered by resident-activists willing to promote tolerance. You may already be one of them. The ideas in this guide will help foster tolerance in yourself, your family, your schools, your workplace and your community. Some of the ideas are things to do. Some are things to think about. Some are things to remember. Ideas are relevant to self, home, school, workplace, community. Hate, bias, and tolerance news are reviewed systematically. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=91358 Michigan State University's ASL Browser web site is an online American Sign Language (ASL) browser where you can look up video of thousands of ASL signs and learn interesting things about them. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=87590 This is the home page of the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), an educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities. CAST created Bobby, a Web-based tool that analyzes Web pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities. (Reference: ADA) http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=79429 Website dedicated to teachers of Elementary ESL classes. Includes lesson plans on variety of subject matter including science and social studies, teaching tips, resource picks, an askJudie forum and a comprehensive list of upcoming events in the ESL world. She has included downloadable classroom activities as well as supplemental ideas for those classroom lessons. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=77371 This site "is an encyclopedia on mythology, folklore, legends, and more. It contains over 6000 definitions of gods and goddesses, supernatural beings and legendary creatures and monsters from all over the world." It covers mythological and other materials from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Articles vary in length from a few lines to a page or more. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=468047 With an growing global economy and new education options, the student body is more diverse than ever. Subsequently, teacher have a lot of new opportunities, but also encounter some new challenges. This article helps teachers navigate issues of diversity by equipping them with the best information on the internet. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=82872 The site offers educational information in the form of a worldview sampler, background information on a broad range of topics (e.g. religious liberty, teaching about religion and the nonreligious worldview, civic responsibilities), links to free lesson plans, links to other sites, position statements, historical information and source material, and resources of additional interest to public school educators, especially in the areas of social science and history. Specific material highlights social issues and civic concerns associated with introducing religion as subject matter into public school curricula. There are also on-line lessons a teacher can study. The lessons focus on the necessity for religious neutrality in public schools and offer the teacher guidance on creating within the classroom a "level playing field" for learners inclusive of disparate worldviews and a "civic climate" that is respectful of the freedom of conscience of all the youngsters. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=82426 This is a resource of many different character education resources and programs that are available to elementary and middle schools. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=389202 Resources for all levels of teaching related to Appalachian folklore and literature: articles, bibliographies, study guides, lesson plans, links, reviews, Appalachian picture gallery, writing and art by students, some reprinted literary works and folktales, some material on ballads and other folk music. Focus is on literature for children and young adults but some literature for adults is included in relation to teaching at all levels and literature about childhood. Folklore sections (not limited to children's books) include extensive annotated multicultural bibliographies with parallel tales from other places listed, articles, study guides, and folklore texts, mainly from James Taylor Adams Collection of southwestern VA. Rex Stephenson's adaptation of "Mutsmag" is an online storybook illustrated with drawings by primary grade children. Material on Appalachian dialects and Cherokee language included. Submissions by students and adults are welcome. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=86185 The Coalition for Community Schools released a report called Community-based Learning: Engaging Students for Success and Citizenship. It highlights the value of the community-based learning approach to improving academic outcomes, including test scores, attendance rates, and graduation rates, as well as civic, moral, personal, social, and work-related outcomes. Research shows that as many as 60% of all students are disengaged from learning and that this is a key factor in the dropout rate. How do we combat this disengagement? Community-based Learning addresses these issues by involving students in real-world problem solving that ignites the imagination and the intellect of our young people. It sparks student's passion for learning and prepare them for success and citizenship. As highlighted in this paper, studies have shown that students who are involved in this approach have increased attendance rates, improved academic outcomes and are more likely to graduate on time.