E-Newsletter Vol. 1 #2

FIRSTHAND LEARNING E-NEWSLETTER
Volume 1, Number 2

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Connecting SCIENCE and LITERACY at NSTA
2. The Firsthand Learning® FIELD JOURNAL has a new look and new features
3. Download a FREE MINI-JOURNAL – get students outside and writing about nature today!

1. “SCIENCE INQUIRY AND LITERACY: HOW ARE THEY CONNECTED?”

Join First Hand Learning Inc. at NSTA to examine the close inter-relationship between science inquiry and literacy.

The National Science Teachers Association’s National Conference will be held April 5 – 9, 2006 in Anaheim, California. First Hand Learning and Education Development Center will jointly offer a NSTA Professional Development Institute (PDI) focusing on the links between inquiry and literacy.

To be most effective, science inquiry involves direct experiences; thinking about those experiences; and talking, writing, and reading about those experiences. For students to develop their abilities to think and reason scientifically, develop conceptual understanding, and communicate their understandings, they must investigate natural phenomena and use literacy skills in many forms. Education Development Center and First Hand Learning, Inc., will collaborate in a full-day institute to examine how student discussion, writing, and reading are integral parts of firsthand experiences with authentic objects and with explorations in the outdoors.

Read the complete description of the Professional Development Institute offered by FHL and EDC here.

To learn more about PDI offerings and to register to attend an NSTA Professional Development Institute, click here: www.nsta.org/conventionsupport&record_id=123&Meeting_Code=2006ANA

For more information about the NSTA National Conference in Anaheim, visit www.nsta.org/conventiondetail&Meeting_Code=2006ANA

2. The FIRST HAND LEARNING® FIELD JOURNAL – A KEY TOOL FOR INTEGRATING LITERACY AND SCIENCE INQUIRY

First Hand Learning’s FIELD JOURNAL has been a favorite of many teachers and administrators who understand that keeping a field journal enhances observation and analysis, sharpens writing and drawing skills, and stimulates curiosity through a close and careful inspection of the natural world.

Newly redesigned, the First Hand Learning® FIELD JOURNAL retains all the key components users value, while incorporating an appealing color cover and a light grid on the blank pages to aid students in drawing to scale, measuring, and labeling. It’s also larger, providing more space for writing and drawing, and lies completely flat, making recording observations even easier.

Check out the new look, and all the details, on our journal page.

FIELD JOURNALS are available individually, in sets of 10, classroom sets of 30, and cases of 125. Please see FHL’s catalog for pricing information.

3. START JOURNALING TODAY!
Try our firsthand approach to keeping a science notebook today. Download a printable pdf version of a miniature blank journal, pocket-sized and perfect for encouraging observation and recording.

Find the free pdf document, along with folding directions, here.

Check out the other mini journals that offer “A Firsthand Look at…” and view some video clips of animal behavior to help jumpstart the process of documenting aspects of the natural world on our mini journal page.

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We hope you found this edition of the FIRSTHAND E-NEWSLETTER useful. Please contact us with any comments, suggestions, or questions you may have by emailing us at: inquiries@firsthandlearning.org.

First Hand Learning is interested in teachers’ accounts of learning and teaching from direct experience. Share your thoughts and stories with us, and we’ll feature them in a future e-letter highlighting real-world inquiry in, and out of, the classroom.

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This e-newsletter is a product of First Hand Learning, Inc.
Unsubscribe here or send an email to inquiries@firsthandlearning.org with the subject "unsubscribe."
Contact us at: (716) 831-8722 or inquiries@firsthandlearning.org.
First Hand Learning, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of its colleagues and customers. FHL does not sell or rent email addresses to other organizations.

FIRSTHAND LEARNING E-NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 2 IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Connecting SCIENCE and LITERACY at NSTA 2. The Firsthand Learning® FIELD JOURNAL has a new look and new features 3. Download a FREE MINI-JOURNAL – get students outside and writing about nature today! 1. “SCIENCE INQUIRY AND LITERACY: HOW ARE THEY CONNECTED?” Join First Hand Learning Inc. at NSTA to examine the close inter-relationship between science inquiry and literacy. The National Science Teachers Association’s National Conference will be held April 5 – 9, 2006 in Anaheim, California. First Hand Learning and Education Development Center will jointly offer a NSTA Professional Development Institute (PDI) focusing on the links between inquiry and literacy. To be most effective, science inquiry involves direct experiences; thinking about those experiences; and talking, writing, and reading about those experiences. For students to develop their abilities to think and reason scientifically, develop conceptual understanding, and communicate their understandings, they must investigate natural phenomena and use literacy skills in many forms. Education Development Center and First Hand Learning, Inc., will collaborate in a full-day institute to examine how student discussion, writing, and reading are integral parts of firsthand experiences with authentic objects and with explorations in the outdoors. Read the complete description of the Professional Development Institute offered by FHL and EDC here. To learn more about PDI offerings and to register to attend an NSTA Professional Development Institute, click here: www.nsta.org/conventionsupport&record_id=123&Meeting_Code=2006ANA For more information about the NSTA National Conference in Anaheim, visit www.nsta.org/conventiondetail&Meeting_Code=2006ANA 2. The FIRST HAND LEARNING® FIELD JOURNAL – A KEY TOOL FOR INTEGRATING LITERACY AND SCIENCE INQUIRY First Hand Learning’s FIELD JOURNAL has been a favorite of many teachers and administrators who understand that keeping a field journal enhances observation and analysis, sharpens writing and drawing skills, and stimulates curiosity through a close and careful inspection of the natural world. Newly redesigned, the First Hand Learning® FIELD JOURNAL retains all the key components users value, while incorporating an appealing color cover and a light grid on the blank pages to aid students in drawing to scale, measuring, and labeling. It’s also larger, providing more space for writing and drawing, and lies completely flat, making recording observations even easier. Check out the new look, and all the details, on our journal page. FIELD JOURNALS are available individually, in sets of 10, classroom sets of 30, and cases of 125. Please see FHL’s catalog for pricing information. 3. START JOURNALING TODAY! Try our firsthand approach to keeping a science notebook today. Download a printable pdf version of a miniature blank journal, pocket-sized and perfect for encouraging observation and recording. Find the free pdf document, along with folding directions, here. Check out the other mini journals that offer “A Firsthand Look at…” and view some video clips of animal behavior to help jumpstart the process of documenting aspects of the natural world on our mini journal page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We hope you found this edition of the FIRSTHAND E-NEWSLETTER useful. Please contact us with any comments, suggestions, or questions you may have by emailing us at: inquiries@firsthandlearning.org. First Hand Learning is interested in teachers’ accounts of learning and teaching from direct experience. Share your thoughts and stories with us, and we’ll feature them in a future e-letter highlighting real-world inquiry in, and out of, the classroom. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-newsletter is a product of First Hand Learning, Inc. Unsubscribe here or send an email to inquiries@firsthandlearning.org with the subject "unsubscribe." Contact us at: (716) 831-8722 or inquiries@firsthandlearning.org. First Hand Learning, Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of its colleagues and customers. FHL does not sell or rent email addresses to other organizations.	E-Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1