This unique book combines state-specific facts and 30 fun-to-do hands-on projects. The Current Events Projects Book includes writing a current event news story that takes place 100 years from now, creating a timeline of recent state events, editing state stories in a current newspaper, writing and broadcasting a short news story and more! Kids will have a blast and build essential knowledge skills including research, reading, writing, science and math. Great for students in K-8 grades and for displaying in the classroom, library or home.

Exploring Arkansas through Project-Based Leaning includes 50 well-thought-out projects designed for grades 3-5. In assigning your students projects that dig into ArkansasÕs geography, history, government, economy, current events, and famous people, you will deepen their appreciation and understanding of Arkansas while simultaneously improving their analytical skills and ability to recognize patterns and big-picture themes. Project-based learning today is much different than the craft-heavy classroom activities popular in the past. Inquiry, planning, research, collaboration, and analysis are key components of project-based learning activities today. However, that doesnÕt mean creativity, individual expression, and fun are out. They definitely arenÕt! Each project is designed to help students gain important knowledge and skills that are derived from standards and key concepts at the heart of academic subject areas. Students are asked to analyze and solve problems, to gather and interpret data, to develop and evaluate solutions, to support their answers with evidence, to think critically in a sustained way, and to use their newfound knowledge to formulate new questions worthy of exploring. While some projects are more complex and take longer than others, they all are set up in the same structure. Each begins with the central project-driving questions, proceeds through research and supportive questions, has the student choose a presentation option, and ends with a broader-view inquiry. Rubrics for reflection and assessments are included, too. This consistent framework will make it easier for you assign projects and for your students to follow along and consistently meet expectations. Encourage your students to take charge of their projects as much as possible. As a teacher, you can act as a facilitator and guide. The projects are structured such that students can often work through the process on their own or through cooperation with their classmates. The 12 Photos/Pictures for Arkansas includes: ¥ ALBERT PIKE, Military Officer, Writer, and Lawyer ¥ BASS REEVES, Deputy U.S. Marshal ¥ JOHN HANKS ALEXANDER, Second African American to Graduate from West Point ¥ HATTIE CARAWAY, First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate ¥ DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, Five-Star General in the U.S. Army ¥ SONORA LOUISE SMART DODD, Creator of FatherÕs Day ¥ J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT, U.S. Senator ¥ DAISY LEE GATSON BATES, Civil Rights Activist and Newspaper Publisher ¥ SAM WALTON, Businessman and Entrepreneur ¥ MAYA ANGELOU, Author, Poet, and Civil Rights Activist ¥ JOHNNY CASH, Musician, Singer, and Songwriter ¥ BILL CLINTON, 42nd President of the United States

Counterculture flourished nationwide in the 1960s and 1970s, and while the hippies of Haight–Ashbury occupied the public eye, a faction of back to the landers were quietly creating their own haven off the beaten path in the Arkansas Ozarks. In Hipbillies, Jared Phillips combines oral histories and archival resources to weave the story of the Ozarks and its population of country beatniks into the national narrative, showing how the back to the landers engaged in “deep revolution” by sharing their ideas on rural development, small farm economy, and education with the locals—and how they became a fascinating part of a traditional region’s coming to terms with the modern world in the process.

Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.