DECEMBER 2015

Visit Kolomoki And Ocmulgee Without Leaving The Classroom
New virtual field trips added 

Our newest virtual field trips are now available through the GPB app on iPad and on the web at gpb.org/virtualfieldtrip. You will need to request a login to get started. If you have a login for the Georgia Studies digital textbook, that login will work for the virtual field trip series. These field trips, along with the previously released Etowah trip, make up the complete Prehistoric Native American Indian Mound experience that aligns with Unit 2 of the Georgia Studies digital textbook. Students can take a 360 degree tours from atop the mounds, watch videos and hear interviews with rangers at the site, and view historical artifacts of Indian life and culture. For more information, email us at education@gpb.org.

Above: Chemistry Matters host Rachel Garner conducts an experiment.
GPB Education's FREE Resources & Training For Teachers
See what we have to offer!

We have many free resources for teachers and several exciting projects in the works. We are developing an interactive video series called Chemistry Matters, we are filming and producing virtual field trips to go with our Georgia Studies Digital Textbook, and we are finalizing the digital teacher's edition of the textbook. Teachers can access our library of digital resources that include Georgia Stories, WWII Oral History Project, STEM-focused series Fast Forward, On The Campaign Trail, and much more. We also offer free professional development on our digital resources, digital learning strategies, Discovery Education, and PBS LearningMedia. If you want more information on everything GPB Education has to offer, go to  www.gpb.org/education
or email us at education@GPB.org..
Are You A Digital Innovator At Your School?
2016 PBS Digital Innovators Program Launch and Overview

PBS is excited to announce the fourth annual Digital Innovators program for tech-savvy K-12 educators. The program recognizes educators nationwide who are incorporating digital media in classrooms and serving as leaders in educational technology. Over the course of the 2016/2017 school year, PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators will be part of a robust professional learning community that will foster new ways of thinking, while leading the way in using technology to drive student achievement. 54 applicants, one from each US state and territory, will be designated as Lead PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators and will also receive a three day, all-expense paid trip to Denver, CO to participate in the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Summit and the prestigious ISTE Conference from June 25-27, 2016. Plus, each Lead PBS Digital Innovator will receive a Samsung Galaxy® tablet. Applying is as easy as 1-2-3! Simply create a short video, answer two essay questions, and complete the online application. Click for more information!
The Children's Museum Of Atlanta Set To Re-Open
Doors open to the public on December 12

Ready. Set. Play! The Children's Museum of Atlanta is ready to re-open its doors to the public on Saturday, December 12 after a three-month, $8.2 million renovation project. Atlanta's only children's museum is excited to showcase a new 3,000 square foot mezzanine level, two additional permanent exhibits, enhanced existing galleries, and a permanent performance space for the museum's Imaginators. Help them celebrate the grand re-opening with a welcome parade, photo opportunities, and other engaging activities to make the day a festival-like celebration! For more information, visit our blog. 

Racing Extinction:
Interactive lesson plans from 
Discovery Education

Most biologists believe one-half of Earth's higher life forms will be extinct by 2100! On Wednesday, December 2, Discovery Channel will present Racing Extinction to a global audience and Discovery Education is proud to bring meaningful educational support around this documentary to engage middle and high school students in the important topic of biodiversity. This groundbreaking documentary examines biodiversity loss, its effect on humanity, and the solutions that inspire hope for a more sustainable future. Incorporate this gripping film into your classroom instruction to inspire your students to tackle one of the most critical challenges facing their generation and ground them in the science behind these topics. Teachers can access a range of dynamic, interactive classroom lessons (up to two 45 minute class periods each) designed to engage high school students on the importance of biodiversity on our planet. Each lesson features video clips from the acclaimed documentary, bringing the excitement of the film directly into the classroom. Click to access these resources.

EdTech Tips
Linking with ThingLink

ThingLink is an interactive platform that allows you to make static images engaging through the addition of embedded links. Not only is it free and available on all electronic devices, it is useful for all content areas and extremely user friendly. Click here to read our tips on how you can use ThingLink in your classroom.    
Professional Development 
Right At Your Fingertips
PBS Teacherline offers facilitated and self-paced courses 

Looking for a fun, flexible, and collaborative professional learning opportunity? As a brand teachers know and trust, PBS TeacherLine offers courses that make learning truly come alive. These courses include tools for integrating technology, engaging peer interactions, interactive lessons, and authentic tasks with real-world applications. Whether you choose to work on them in your classroom after school or in the comfort of your own home, PBS TeacherLine courses are as convenient as they are respectable. To ensure a spot in your desired class, it is suggested that you enroll at least 10 days prior to the course date. PBS Teacherline also offers SELF-PACED courses. Most only cost $49 and some are free. You can explore content, watch videos, complete interactive labs and take self-assessments at your own pace. These self-paced classes that focus on the principles and practice of teaching are perfect for sparking new ideas, expanding skill sets, and energizing classrooms.

For more information, visit TeacherlineSoutheast.org.