Hot Stuff: Media for Educators

Chicken Soup for the Soul in the Classroom Series [1]

$29.95

Based on the true-life stories that make up the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, these engaging guidebooks are filled with lesson plans. With separate editions for elementary school, middle school, and high school grades, the stories and activities are designed to touch on many aspects of student life, including social, emotional, physical, and artistic. Sample ideas include asking primary students to discuss what they like about themselves and what they are proud of, and having middle school students design a bumper sticker and discuss why their message is important. Guaranteed to get student synapses cracking.

Credit: William Duke

Pangea Day [2]

Free

From Tijuana to Tel Aviv and many points in between, join the worldwide Pangea Day, on May 10. The goal of Pangea Day, created by documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim, is to use the power of film to enhance empathy, compassion, and peace among people of all nationalities. The program will feature a selection of short films -- fiction, nonfiction, and animation -- with many from filmmakers in disadvantaged areas and conflict zones. The live broadcast is offered free, and the signal will be sent through the Internet, television, digital cinemas, and mobile phones.

Credit: William Duke

Read 180 [3]

Prices vary

Struggling readers of all ages will benefit from Scholastic's Read 180 intensive reading-intervention program, which offers adaptive and instructional software, as well as direct instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. The program, based on a ninety-minute block of time, includes a clear instructional path for teachers, as well as support for those without specialized training in tutoring struggling readers. It also provides continuous and instant assessment, which allows a teacher to differentiate instruction.

Credit: makebeliefscomix.com

MakeBeliefsComix.com [4]

Free

The simple comic strip really isn't so simple. It can help children and adults share their ideas. It's a therapy tool to help the deaf and the autistic communicate. It's a resource to encourage writing skills and to practice vocabulary or storytelling skills. And it all comes together at this site, where you choose a human or animal character, pick their mood, fill in a talk or thought balloon (in English or Spanish), and -- boom -- you have a comic strip. Created by author Bill Zimmerman and illustrator Tom Bloom, this site is creative fun for all ages.