This volume of Ready-to-Use Reading Proficiency Lessons & Activities gives classroom teachers and reading specialists a dynamic and progressive way to meet curriculum standards and competencies at the tenth-grade level.  It provides stimulating and effective ways to help students master basic reading and language content, and prepare to demonstrate their knowledge at the appropriate level.

An exhaustive work that represents a landmark exploration of both the philosophical and methodological issues surrounding the search for true artificial intelligence. Distinguished psychologists, computer scientists, philosophers, and programmers from around the world debate weighty issues such as whether a self-conscious computer would create an internet 'world mind'. This hugely important volume explores nothing less than the future of the human race itself.

Parsing the Turing Test is a landmark exploration of both the philosophical and methodological issues surrounding the search for true artificial intelligence. Will computers and robots ever think and communicate the way humans do? When a computer crosses the threshold into self-consciousness, will it immediately jump into the Internet and create a World Mind? Will intelligent computers someday recognize the rather doubtful intelligence of human beings? Distinguished psychologists, computer scientists, philosophers, and programmers from around the world debate these weighty issues a " and, in effect, the future of the human race a " in this important volume.

Start young children off with Common Core math using these innovative activities

"Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades K-2" provides teachers with the help they need to begin teaching to the new standards right away. The book outlines the Common Core math standards from kindergarten to second grade, providing one classroom-ready activity for each standard, plus suggestions for variations and extensions for students of different learning styles and abilities. Along with teaching the required mathematical concepts and skills, many of the activities encourage collaboration, technology utilization, written and oral communication, and an appreciation of the significance of mathematics in modern life.

As the Common Core is adopted across the nation, teachers are scrambling to find information on CCSS-aligned lesson planning and classroom activities. This comprehensive guide answers that need, providing both the background information and practical, applicable guidance that can bring the Common Core into the classroom today. The activities include: Abstract and critical thinking using mathematical reasoningProblem-solving strategies and calculation proficiencyMath fluency, and an understanding of mathematical concepts and skillsApplying mathematical understanding to real life problems

Early confidence and success in math is critical to a student's future performance. Math anxiety and a shaky foundation can hinder a student's potential far into the future, giving elementary math teachers a huge role in shaping their students' academic lives. The Common Core has set the bar, and "Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades K-2" brings the standards to life.

The Math Teacher'sProblem-a-Day, Grades 4-8

Over 180 Reproducible Pagesof Quick Skill Builders

From bestselling authors Judith and Gary Muschla, The Math Teacher's Problem-a-Day is a hands-on resource containing 180 handy worksheets, one for each day of the school year, to help students in grades 4-8 acquire the skills needed to master mathematics. These reproducible worksheets are perfect for "sponge activities"--five-minute challenges to start or end a class period--that can also be used as supplemental lessons, homework, or extra credit.

With problems based on the Standards and Focal Points of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the book is designed to give students valuable practice in math skills, using specific activities to enhance critical thinking?and boost test scores. The topics covered focus on the core math concepts and skills required for middle school students, including:

Numbers and Operations

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

Part of the 5-Minute Fundamentals series, The Math Teacher's Problem-a-Day is an important resource that will help today's students understand more concepts, make connections between branches of mathematics, and apply math skills to a variety of real-life problems.

Praise for "The Math Teacher's Problem-a-Day"

"Mathematics teachers everywhere in grades 4 through 8 will find these worksheets not only uniquely beneficial but perfectly aligned with NCTM standards. In an age where No Child Left Behind holds teachers accountable for instruction, it is refreshing to have a resource that ensures successful student practice of key mathematical focal points."
--Elizabeth Lell, departmentchairperson of curriculum and instruction, Hammarskjold Middle School, East Brunswick Public Schools, New Jersey

Helpful advice for teaching Common Core Math Standards to middle-school students

The new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics have been formulated to provide students with instruction that will help them acquire a thorough knowledge of math at their grade level, which will in turn enable them to move on to higher mathematics with competence and confidence. "Hands-on Activities for Teaching the Common Core Math Standards" is designed to help teachers instruct their students so that they will better understand and apply the skills outlined in the Standards.

This important resource also gives teachers a wealth of tools and activities that can encourage students to think critically, use mathematical reasoning, and employ various problem-solving strategies.Filled with activities that will help students gain an understanding of math concepts and skills correlated to the Common Core State Math Standards Offers guidance for helping students apply their understanding of math concepts and skills, develop proficiency in calculations, and learn to think abstractlyDescribes ways to get students to collaborate with other students, utilize technology, communicate ideas about math both orally and in writing, and gain an appreciation of the significance of mathematics to real life

This practical and easy-to-use resource will help teachers give students the foundation they need for success in higher mathematics.

The Teacher's Hand-Book Of Slojd, 1892, by Otto Salomon, was the primary teacher training text for the instructor of Slojd based education at the Naas School in Sweden. Slojd education, developed by Salomon, combines craft, creativity and the teacher's guidance with ..".the educative force which lies in rightly directed bodily labour, as a means to developing in the pupils (sic) physical and mental powers which will be a sure and evident gain to them for life."

Help your students succeed with classroom-ready, standards-based activities The Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit: 150 Activities That Support Algebra in the Common Core Math Standards helps you bring the standards into your algebra classroom with a range of engaging activities that reinforce fundamental algebra skills. This newly updated second edition is formatted for easy implementation, with teaching notes and answers followed by reproducibles for activities covering the algebra standards for grades 6 through 12. Coverage includes whole numbers, variables, equations, inequalities, graphing, polynomials, factoring, logarithmic functions, statistics, and more, and gives you the material you need to reach students of various abilities and learning styles. Many of these activities are self-correcting, adding interest for students and saving you time. This book provides dozens of activities that * Directly address each Common Core algebra standard * Engage students and get them excited about math * Are tailored to a diverse range of levels and abilities * Reinforce fundamental skills and demonstrate everyday relevance Algebra lays the groundwork for every math class that comes after it, so it's crucial that students master the material and gain confidence in their abilities. The Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit helps you face the challenge, well-armed with effective activities that help students become successful in algebra class and beyond.

Writing Workshop Survival Kit

Second Edition

The second edition of the Writing Workshop Survival Kit offers English teachers and writing teachers in grades 5-12 a thoroughly updated and revised guide to teaching the writing process. This comprehensive, step-by-step resource is an invaluable aid for teachers who are conducting a writing workshop or managing a writing workshop in the classroom. The book includes activities, numerous reproducibles, and 100 mini-lessons that concentrate on various types of writing, writing techniques, and the mechanics of writing. In addition, the second edition contains new material on timely topics such as Enlisting Support for Your Writing Workshop, Using Search Engines to Find Information on the Internet, The Use of Computers in Revision, and How to Establish a Web Site to Display Student Writing.

The new edition is designed for easy use and the lay-flat format makes photocopying the book's reproducibles a snap. Each activity and mini-lesson can stand alone, allowing teachers to use the materials in a manner that best suits their classroom environments and their students' abilities.

Part I: THE DYNAMICS OF THE WRITING WORKSHOP

AN OVERVIEW OF THE WRITING WORKSHOP presents topics such as the teacher's role, a model of the typical workshop, scheduling, and promoting the writing workshop.

MANAGING YOUR WRITING WORKSHOP contains information on creating and maintaining a successful writing environment, time management, discipline, evaluation, and monitoring students' progress.

Part II: THE STAGES OF THE WRITING PROCESS

PREWRITING includes topics such as freewriting, brainstorming, idea lists, writing journals, using search engines, andexploring writing topics.

DRAFTING provides strategies for writing drafts.

REVISION offers information including tips for teaching revision, pitfalls to avoid, using computers in revision, and writing conference strategies.

EDITING includes strategies for teaching editing skills; using a dictionary, thesaurus, or author's stylebook; and working with editing partners.

PUBLISHING provides information on various ways to publish and share student writing, e-mail etiquette for writers, tips for producing class magazines, and Web sites that publish the writing of students.

Part III: USING MINI-LESSONS IN THE WRITING WORKSHOP

MINI-LESSONS FOR TYPES OF WRITING includes 16 mini-lessons on topics such as narratives, essays, articles, fiction, movie reviews, advertising, rhyming poems, and strategies for taking writing tests.

MINI-LESSONS FOR THE ART OF WRITING offers 29 mini-lessons on topics such as effective leads, developing imagery, managing point of view, transitions, cutting clutter, avoiding cliches, and more.

MINI-LESSONS FOR THE MECHANICS OF WRITING contains 55 mini-lessons that cover topics such as subject-verb agreement, paragraphing, varying sentences, using confusing words correctly, and much more.

"Gary Muschla's Writing Workshop Survival Kit provides many effective strategies that will make the writing process a more enjoyable, efficient, and productive experience for your students. They will become more confident writers who will both look forward to and benefit from these valuable classroom-tested activities. Muschla leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive and insightful journey through the writing process. Writing Workshop Survival Kit should bea part of every writing teacher's library!"
--Jack Umstatter, English teacher and author, Cold Spring Harbor School District, Cold Spring Harbor, New York

Gary Musselwhite was diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition known as spinal muscular atrophy as a teenager in 1974. The prognosis was that he would progressively lose the use of his legs and eventually require a wheelchair for mobility. In 2004, this became a reality, and the resulting profound weakness, fatigue, and chronic pain culminated in him experiencing his 'dark night of the soul'. Instead of letting his condition destroy his life, Gary made the decision to do whatever it took to heal his body. The universe heard him, and guided him to people, events and places that would aid in his emotional, mental and physical healing. Normally this would be where the story ends, but in 2005 Gary had an experience that would would change his worldview in a way he could never have envisaged: a spirit came seeking his attention. In time, he became a lightworker and he has assisted many earthbound souls to the light. This work has led to a close examination of his belief systems and values, and a completely altered worldview. Gary has written this book not just to share his experiences with you, but also to look deep within yourself and to step out of your false and limiting belief systems.

CARPENTRY MADE EASY; OR, THE SCIENCE AND ART OF FRAMING, was written by William E. Bell of Ottawa, Illinois and published by Howard Challen of Philadelphia in 1858. It remained in continuous publication through 1904, evidence of the book's importance to the architectural and building trades of the period. CARPENTRY MADE EASY was the first 19th century architectural trade book to popularize the transition from heavy timber frame to light balloon frame construction. Although not the first book to introduce balloon frame construction, CARPENTRY MADE EASY was the first technical book to thoroughly describe the method in such a way as to allow the skilled practical carpenter to readily apply this affordable building method. Included in CARPENTRY MADE EASY were the various major framing methods of the period for everything from small house construction through to barns, mills, church steeples and bridges. William E. Bell was a trained carpenter and joiner who described himself as an "Architect and Practical Builder," a term which at that time referred to someone who specialized in both building design and on-site construction. It was his careful selection of the 126 illustrations contained in 38 full page engraved plates, accompanied by technically precise explanations that any skilled carpenter could follow and learn from, that proved to be the deciding factor in the popularity of CARPENTRY MADE EASY.

In the rough-hewn America of 1827, it took a persistent kind of fellow to mine the gold said to be rushing through the land. And, it took an even more fearless brand of man to hang onto it. That icon of the Old West was Thomas L. "Peg Leg" Smith. Now the novella Temecula Color: Secrets of the Emigrant Trail by author Gary Robert Weidman spins a yarn as colorful and authentic as the rambling, vibrant character who inspired it. It's a high-flying, rollicking Western historical mystery that will keep young and older readers alike gripped by Smith's tenacity and chuckling at his derring-do and utter tomfoolery. Meet Thomas L. "Peg Leg" Smith, a trapper, mountain man, gold prospector, and horse thief. He has just been shot in the foot by Indians and has to choose between saving the foot or saving his life. His luck changes while crossing the Colorado Desert and discovering gold- and quickly hiding it in the desert. He spends the rest of his days bragging about his discovery, but never coming up with the goods. As the story unfolds, "Peg Leg" is now in his declining years and nearing the end. It's now or never to prove to every darned fool who ever made fun of him that his stories of a vast treasure amount to more than a hill of beans. But to do so, he needs to find a way to move what he has hidden deep in the desert to his home in Temecula, where he can use it, without losing it or getting killed. And, he has to do it soon. That's no easy task for a heavy-drinking old codger with one foot. With high drama, historical accuracy, and a ton of laughs worth their weight in gold, Temecula Color: Secrets of the Emigrant Trail summons the grand tradition of writers like Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey, with a healthy serving of Mark Twain for good measure. Through it all, the quick-tempered story teller Thomas L."Peg Leg" Smith, inspired by the legendary character of the West, will keep you grinning, guessing, and gripping every page.

The Student's Instructor In Drawing And Working The Five Order's Of Architecture, by Peter Nicholson, the famous 18th and 19th century British architectural historian, theorist, educator and author, was published first in 1792 and in subsequent editions for more than half a century. The Student's Instructor was the standard reference book for the student of architecture and architectural drawing as well as for the practical carpenter and builder. The Student's Instructor describes in text and finely engraved plates the five classic architectural design elements: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian (Grecian), Tuscan and Composite (Roman). Reproduced page by page in high resolution and in full color from the original in our personal collection, the Toolemera Press edition of The Student's Instructor preserves the intrinsic details of an early and classic book. The Toolemera Press edition includes the exceedingly rare J. Kelly, London catalog of architectural books.

Anna Petersson Berg, instructor of Slojd classes in Sweden during the early years of the 20th century, left her native country to bring the crafts of Swedish Holeseam and Fringing, finishing techniques for woven textiles, as well as traditional Swedish knitting styles, to the public schools of America. Slojd, as defined by Otto Salomon, the founder of the Slojd theory of education, came to mean the formalized system of teaching crafts as part of an educational process. The derivation of slojd is slog, an early Scandinavian word for craft. As in most rural households, those of Sweden continued a craft tradition that included spinning, weaving and the making of a wide variety of small wooden items for personal use. The Toolemera Press reprints classic books on early crafts, trades and industries from our personal library.

A Manual of Wood Carving, by Charles G. Leland, revised by John J. Holtzapffel, 1891, was a highly regarded and widely popular self-educational craft book of the 19th century Arts & Crafts movement. Embracing the naturalistic themes of William Morris and others, Leland introduced the public to wood carving as an expressive art form for use on purely decorative as well as on functional forms such as furniture, tankards and platters. The Toolemera Press Classic Reprint of A Manual Of Wood Carving is a true facsimile reproduced from the original book in our personal library.

Beginning with projects focused on basic hand skills and progressing to those that require greater thought and planning in execution, this resource provides five introductory exercises and 46 measured drawings of Arts and Crafts-style furnishings.

Many of the poems contained herein follow excerpts from my books; NAM The Devil's Domain, The Pimp of Saigon and Undaunted Valor. These poems were created to envision facts of war, inspired by my Vietnam War experiences; some are inspired by myths reported by biased American newspaper, radio and television media. Still others were created to reflect individual valor, human suffering and man's inhumanity to man.Myths: The biased American media reported that the U.S. Military lost many encounters with the enemy in Vietnam. The TET offensive was an NVA/VC Victory and that America had lost its first war ever as witnessed on television during the fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975.Facts: The American military was not defeated in Vietnam. The American military did not lose a battle of any consequence. From a military standpoint, the war was a major military defeat for the Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army. Militarily, the 1968 TET offensive resulted in a total defeat of the Communist forces on all fronts. It resulted in the death of some 45,000 NVA troops and the complete, if not total destruction of the Vietcong elements in South Vietnam.The fall of Saigon happened April 30, 1975; two years after the American military had left Vietnam. The last American troops departed Vietnam in their entirety March 29, 1973.It is impossible to lose a war we had stopped fighting. We fought to an agreed governmental stalemate and turned over all military responsibility to the South Vietnamese army which included jets, helicopters, tanks, trucks, weapons and ammo. The U. S. peace settlement was signed in Paris on January 27, 1973. It called for the release of all U. S. prisoners and withdrawal of U. S. forces. Effective April 30, 1975 the South Vietnamese army outnumbered the North Vietnamese army by at least two to one in all categories, men, machines, aircraft and firepower. The U. S. A. supported the French military with 98% if it's military costs and fought Communism in Vietnam for a total involvement for 10,000 days. With the South Vietnamese army now in charge of their own country's destiny they never fought, but instead surrendered unconditionally to North Vietnam within nine days.The 140,000 evacuees in April 1975, during the fall of Saigon, consisted entirely of Vietnamese civilians and military. There were twice as many causalities in Southeast Asia (primarily Cambodian) the first two years following the end of U. S. involvement than there were during all the years of the Vietnam War. The media perceived loss of the war, the countless assassinations and torture visited upon Vietnamese, Laotians and Cambodians is due to the American media for their undying support by misrepresentation of the anti-war movement in the United States.As Americans, we must support our military men and women involved in the "War On Terrorism," for once again the American media is working tirelessly to undermine their efforts and force a psychological loss or stalemate for the United States.