Vol. 1 No. 1 Published by
Goldenrod Research Corp

Contents

WHAT'S TECH BUZZ

HELPFUL IDEAS

NEWS ABOUT YOUTHTOUCH

 FREEBIES

ALL ABOUT GRANTS

HOW TO FIND US

     WHAT'S TECH BUZZ                    


I. MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR:

Dear Readers,

This is the first issue of TECH BUZZ, and I am excited. The newsletter is a great forum for communication, and it signals that elementary technology is finally coming of age-- with an identity of its own. As you in elementary have known all along, the special needs of elementary students and teachers, the design of classrooms and the demands of the elementary curriculum, mean that elementary technology cannot be a new subject area or simply a more juvenile version of upper school programs. The elementary environment is altogether different.

TECH BUZZ is dedicated to the difference. We support the integration of various technologies into the existing curriculum-- in support of state academic standards and in a way that meets the unique learning requirements of very young students.

This is your newsletter, and so I urge you to contribute. Please send information about upcoming events, tips to share, or your opinion on relevant subjects. If you just suspect you might have something worthwhile to contribute, you probably do! If you are too busy to write, contact me and I'll see that you are interviewed.

We have planned to issue approximately 5 editions in the 2001-2002 school year. It is our plan to feature in-depth looks at flourishing elementary technology programs around the country. The outstanding program at South Fayette Township School District in McDonald, PA will be featured in the next issue. I am looking forward to a great year for us all.

Sincerely,
Lea Melchior
Editor



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     HELPFUL IDEAS                    

II. INFORMATION LITERACY

You might want to pass on the following tip to parents to use in helping their children become critical users of Internet Information. Tip: Instruct your children to consider the reliability of information from the Internet. Explain that anyone can put information on the Internet. Teach them to look for the author's qualifications and sources. Ask them to consider whether the information on a Web Site is being used to sell a product.

The tip was adapted by the US Dept of Education's, Community Update, from recommendations of the Educational Resource Information Center. Visit ERIC at http://www.eric.ed.gov/.





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 III. GEOMETRY AND TESTING

Mr. Sean Maguire who teaches all 5th grade math at Killarney Elementary in Winter Park, FL begins his school year with Geometry units for good reason. Mr. Maguire uses the YouthTouch robotic arms, RoboArm and RoboAC, to teach Geometry as well as the other 5th grade Math topics. Mr. Maguire explains, "because geometry units are usually placed toward the end of the textbook, many teachers spend much less time teaching Geometry than they do teaching Computation and Operations. When students reach my math class they are often weak in Geometry. However, Geometry comprises 20% of the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test--the same as Computation does. Furthermore my students can review and practice Computation, Measurement, and Number Sense skills, such as estimating, using angles and geometric shapes. They also practice algebraic reasoning in conjunction with Geometry using the RoboArms."

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IV. CHILLING ANECDOTE

About four years ago we were conducting a workshop at one of Goldenrod's first pilot sites, when we heard this chilling anecdote from the principal. He felt it illustrated a serious issue, and he passed it on to all the educators gathered there from different schools. Tech Buzz provides a forum to share it now with a wider audience.

The principal's true story makes a strong comment, in this web-based Information Age, about our youngster's urgent need for critical thinking and judgement skills. Kids need then to cope intellectually and emotionally with the volume of Internet information to which they are subjected.

Two fifth grade boys asked to speak with him, privately. They were grave and distressed. The two had been researching the Holocaust together as part of a unit on World War II. They had located sources, via Internet research, that contradicted their textbooks and their teacher's version of events. Their sources claimed convincingly that Nazis had not really murdered millions of Jews as falsely reported elsewhere.

Furthermore, they read that the Holocaust was falsely reported elsewhere as part of a worldwide conspiracy. The websites listed numerous national governments, religions, industries, and ethnic groups who wished to maintain misinformation for various reasons.

The boys were convinced their teacher was part of the conspiracy or duped by others, and they were afraid to ask her. Through a complex process of their own, the boys determined that their principal, alone among the faculty, was not suspect, and he was the only adult in the school they could approach and trust on this issue.

These websites not only misinformed these boys, but generated mistrust and suspicion. Their principal's message to us that day was that his elementary students could not be protected, even within the school, from certain publications, as they were before Internet access. Elementary students, he believed, must be taught to protect themselves.

He felt they could participate safely in the many benefits of the Information Age, if educators made the earlier development of judgement skills a curriculum priority. He intended to revise his Technology Plan in order to place critical thinking and decision making programs, equipment and software earlier in the technology progression.






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     NEWS ABOUT YOUTHTOUCH                     

V. NEW PILOT SITES TRAINED

Goldenrod's newest pilot sites recently received their Introductory Teacher Training and began integrating YouthTouch activities into their curricula.

Congratulations and Welcome to:

Discovery Plus Academy, Pima, Arizona
Pillager Public Schools, ISD #16, Pillager, Minnesota
Globe Unified School District, Globe, Arizona
Killarney Elementary School, Winter Park, FL

Goldenrod staff can give you names and numbers to contact these schools. Inquire how they are getting along and share your challenges and triumphs.








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 VI. TRAINERS JOIN STAFF

Goldenrod Research is pleased to announce that Eleanor (Ellie) Steffens, Barbara Songy and Catherine Glaser have joined Goldenrod's staff as YouthTouch Teacher Trainers. Look for them in your area conducting a YouthTouch training or workshop.

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VII. PILOT/REFERRAL PROGRAM

Until November 20, 2001, Goldenrod accepted grant applications from schools who wished to become pilot/referral sites for YouthTouch. When awarded, the grants provided 50% of the cost of a comprehensive YouthTouch package ($9,500). The schools were responsible for matching the other $9500. Announcements of our grant recipients will be published an upcoming issues of Tech Buzz. Goldenrod hopes to offer this program again during the 2002-2003 school year. For more information call 888-827-2260 or send an e-mail topilot@goldenrodresearch.com

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     FREEBIES                    

VIII. GREAT FREE WEBSITE

We were recently directed by trainer Ellie Steffens to a great free science website. Check out www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_liquid.html and www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_gas.html. The lessons teach the properties of liquids and gases in a fun, understandable way. They provide excellent collateral material to use in conjunction with HydrauLift.

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 IX. OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO ADMINISTRATORS

Receive a free hard copy -while supplies last- of the recent publication by the US Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics: Condition of Education 2001. Call 1-877-4ED-PUBS, with the identification # ERN3244P. The annual study presents the latest figures on the health of American education.

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     ALL ABOUT GRANTS                    

X. GRANTS FUND YOUTHTOUCH IN IL AND TN

Joliet, Illinois: Joliet Public Schools was informed their TLCF proposal, which includes a substantial YouthTouch component, was fully funded. Joliet plans to expand their original pilot site with additional equipment and invest in a structured staff development program for YouthTouch.


Tennessee: YouthTouch Technology Integration is growing strong in Tennessee. Goals 2000 grants for YouthTouch installations were awarded to:


Castle Heights Upper Elementary School, Lebanon
Sharon Public School, Weakley County
Scott's Hill School, Henderson County


With their grant funds all three Tennessee schools purchased equipment, a coherent multifaceted training component, and consultant time to conduct an evaluation of teacher participation as well as student performance and relative gain in different areas of identified weakness. The schools have all completed their Introductory Teacher Training. Several customized additional staff development sessions will be held during the balance of this school.


According to Goldenrod President, Lea Melchior, "our goal, shared by these grant winners, is for their teachers to grow beyond mastery of the existing YouthTouch activities which Goldenrod provides. By the end of the year these teachers will be inventing and creating new activities to support their taught curriculum and better meet the needs of their students." Melchior said "teachers are the true key to successful learning with YouthTouch; technology is secondary."






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 XI. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUBMIT A GRANT ?

Talk it over at with the proper people within your school or district to determine whether you would like to compete for a TLCF, GOALS 2000 or private foundation grant, to implement or expand a YouthTouch program, just as the schools in Tennessee and Illinois did. If you have the desire and the capability to implement a program if awarded, we will help you prepare the proposal.

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XII. UPCOMING GRANT DEADLINES


Deadline… May 1st.
Source… American Honda Foundation


Four times per year, the American Honda Foundation funds youth-oriented programs that provide support for job training and/or education in math, science and the environment. The program's stated mission is to encourage "innovative curriculum for K-12 youth." Schools, school districts, and other education related institutions are eligible to apply. For guidelines, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the American Honda Foundation, PO Box 2205, Torrance, CA 90509. If the foundation receives a preliminary proposal a month before the next deadline, its staff can provide feedback in time for applicants to make changes to the proposals and still meet the final deadline. Contact Kathy Carey, (310) 781-4090 or visit the website, www.flstw.fsu.edu/honda.html, for more information.

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XIII. GRANT WRITING SERVICES


Goldenrod Research provides grant-writing services to qualified schools/districts at no charge. Contact Goldenrod (888/827-2260) or your area sales representative for further information.

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     HOW TO FIND US                    

XIV. Publication

TECH BUZZ is published by
Goldenrod Research Corporation.
204 W. Saint Joseph St.
Spalding, NE 68665
308/ 497-2447
Goldenrod is solely responsible for its contents.

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 XV. Contact the Editor

Contact lea@goldenrodresearch.com to communicate with the editor.





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