Free Stuff

Check out the latest free resources and grants!

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Court in Session
Middle school students can have fun while improving their civics knowledge and debate skills at Our Courts, an interactive website designed by the Georgetown University Law Center and endorsed by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Here’s how: Lay down the law at ourcourts.org.

Honor the Vets
At the History Channel website, find resources to help you observe Veterans Day, including information on organizing your own Take a Vet to School Day.
Here’s how: Forward march your way to veterans.com.

Connect for Ecology
At Habitat Heroes, children can learn about the environment, play games, and chat with other eco-warriors in a moderated environment. An educators’ section has K–8 lesson plans on a wide array of environmental topics.
Here’s how: Prepare to go green at habitatheroes.com.

Read Up on Innovation
Want to keep current with the latest innovations in teaching? Solution Tree has free study guides to accompany their professional-development publications.
Here’s how: Go to solution-tree.com.

Play Without Limits
Boundless Playgrounds teaches K–6 students about acceptance of children with disabilities. The B-PAK activity kit features word searches, math puzzles, coloring pages, and more, all focused on the benefits of barrier-free play.
Here’s how: The fun starts at boundlessplaygrounds.org.

The Little Dolphin That Could
Meet Winter, an injured dolphin who learned to swim with a prosthetic tail. On October 7, you can see her in a free, live webcast from her home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium at 1 p.m. (ET). Visit Winter’s website for K–5 science curricula and Winter’s Tail book information.
Here’s how: Dive into scholastic.com/winterstail.
Memories for a Mini
To celebrate Teaching Hope, the new book by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writer Teachers, HP and Microsoft have teamed up to give three lucky teachers an autographed copy and an HP Mini equipped with OneNote software. Send in your memorable classroom stories and lessons learned (in approximately 300 words) for a chance to win!
Deadline: December 20, 2009
For more information: Email entries.

Golden-Ticket Sweepstakes
September 13 was Roald Dahl’s birthday, and Penguin Books is celebrating by giving away a library of the beloved children’s author’s books and DVDs. For more information on Dahl’s life and writing, check out his official website: roalddahl.com.
Deadline: October 15, 2009
For more information: Go to penguin.com

Read for the Record
Last year, nearly 700,000 readers worldwide shared the classic children’s tale Corduroy, setting a new record for a mass reading event on a single day. This year, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record wants to make history again. On Jumpstart’s website, you can find tips for planning an event at your school, plus activities and lessons for this year’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Deadline: October 8, 2009
For more information: Get the full story .

STEM Money
The FirstEnergy Foundation is offering math, science, and technology grants of up to $500 to educators in K–12 schools served by its electric operating companies. The grants are for any creative classroom projects or professional development initiatives that deal with STEMs.
Deadline: September 21, 2009
Click for more information.

Greening Starts at Home
GreenWorks! grants from Project Learning Tree engage educators, students, and local communities in “learning by doing” environmental projects. These grassroots action projects enable schools across the country to make a positive impact on their neighborhood. Grants range from $250 to $5,000.
Deadline: October 31, 2009
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Rewards for a Reading Teacher
The Eleanor M. Johnson Award, sponsored by the International Reading Association and the Weekly Reader Corporation, recognizes an outstanding elementary reading or language arts teacher with a prize of $1,000.Deadline: November 15, 2009
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Exemplars in Science
The NSTA and the Ciba Foundation will honor one middle school and one high school teacher for demonstrating exemplary creativity, improving instruction, and stimulating interest in science. Each winner will receive $4,000 and attend NSTA’s National Conference.
Deadline: November 30, 2009
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Support for New Science Teachers
The Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award provides selected K–12 teachers in their first five years of teaching with mentoring and opportunities for involvement with NSTA activities.
Deadline: November 30, 2009
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Collect Data and Win
The Vernier Technology Awards recognize the innovative use of data-collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld in the science classroom. A total of six K–12 teachers will each receive $1,000 in cash and $1,000 in Vernier products.
Deadline: November 30, 2009
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Literacy and Education Grants
The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation provides education grants for summer reading, early childhood education, and special-needs literacy programs. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000; average award is $1,500.
Deadline: November 30, 2009
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