What should have been in last week's newsletter...

Hi everyone! I had this week’s newsletter almost done before I realized I had a very good start on the CEO that I didn’t finish last week! Ooops! So I’m sending along here three of the items that were to be included LAST week since this week’s newsletter is going to be a bit lengthy as it is! Look for a new CEO shortly……………..

Free Ruff Guide to Science

Create some science buzz at your library by offering hands-on activities from the PBS kids' show - FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman. The FREE Ruff Guide to Science will help draw kids (ages 8-10) to your library for six activities and a game that introduces kids to exciting careers in science. This resource, designed with librarians in mind, includes tips on recruiting kids from your community (and managing the lengthy wait list), leader notes, direction sheets that can be photocopied for kids, membership cards to start a weekly FETCH Club, and a list of recommended science books (selected by librarians) to display so as to increase the circulation of your science collection. No television viewing required and all activities require easy-to-find, low-cost materials that won't break your budget.
To order your FREE copy to be mailed in fall 2008, send an e-mail to fetchnews@wgbh.org including your name, organization, mailing address (please indicate work or home address), email, and phone number.


Finding Inspiration in Literature & Movies (FILM) Releases Journey to the Center of the Earth Curriculum

This site, a partnership of the National Collaboration for Youth, offers free youth curriculum that uses movies to promote literacy, learning and service. Engage your youth this summer in the fun of reading and science with our latest curriculum for the new action-adventure movie Journey to the Center of the Earth, based on the classic novel by Jules Verne. Using this curriculum, youth have the opportunity explore imaginative geologic adventures inside the Earth brought to life on the big screen, the fun of real world science, taking personal journeys, and much more! The free, downloadable Journey to the Center of the Earth curriculum, Journey to the Center of the Earth: Embark on Your Journey is now available. The guide includes interactive group, individual, and partner activities for youth ages 8-12. Themes in the guide include:
Reading for fun: comparing the book to the movie
Conquering obstacles and fears
Embarking on a journey of your own
Exploring the fun of science
Discovering the real world of exploration and adventure
Making an impact in your world
Download the curriculum at http://www.youthfilmproject.org (from Youth Service America newsletter, 07/29/08)


THE GREENS, a PBS Web site that encourages kids to explore sustainability and take action wherever they can, is offering free Activity Guides to educators working with 9 to 12-year olds. How-to information pairs hands-on activities to deepen kids understanding of topics like recycling and global warming with campaigns to reduce junk mail and get drivers to stop idling cars.
Order the free Activity Guide at http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/features/

More about the Guide
THE GREENS Activity Guide contains leader notes, handouts, and how-to information for activities that allow kids to first learn about a problem and then engage in a hands-on activity that can help solve it. Activities can be conducted over separate one-hour sessions and address:
Cutting down on trash: Kids make a garbage dump pizza and then start a BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag campaign.
Recycling and reducing: Kids make their own recycled paper and then launch a Reduce Junk Mail campaign.
Global warming and carbon footprints: Kids investigate the greenhouse effect and then they take action to reduce carbon emissions through a no-idling campaign.