http://thelessonmachine.com/blog A resource blog for TheLessonMachine.Com Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:11:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Photo Credit: KB35 We all know how we start the year with students directly impacts what is to come . . . and just how smoothly it will go. Following are a few ideas to get things flowing in the right direction. Post an inspirational quote on the door, or at ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/08/01/setting-the-tone-strategies-to-start-the-year-off-right/ Photo Credit: Yaronimus Maximus I don’t have to tell you how much paper consumption goes in to our yearly bulletin boards. I also don’t have to tell you just how tedious it is to get them ready and keep them rolling every year. Looking to save paper and a little bit ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/08/01/want-a-green-bulletin-board-consider-cloth/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com Looking to integrate Native American heritage with a state of Maine studies unit? This title by Elizabeth George Speare might be just the ticket. In this historical fiction piece for intermediate students, a young man is left alone in the wild to tend the new homestead while his father ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/24/sign-of-the-beaver/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com This historically themed, family style story of the American prairie features a family’s grief, a farm’s struggle and a mail order bride. A classic piece in American classrooms for early intermediate students, this book turned movie by Patricia MacLachlan is an excellent example of a “big kid” story written ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/24/sarah-plain-and-tall/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com Looking for a magical tale of intrigue from the great frozen north? This wondrous story of a parallel universe may be just the ticket. Sam Elliott, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig star in this film chronicling the journey of a young girl on a quest to save her ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/18/the-golden-compass/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com A magical store where toys come to life is the backdrop for this film starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman. The Wonder Emporium, run by Mr. MaGorium, is getting ready to change hands. Dustin Hoffman’s character (MaGorium) wants to give the store to his long time manager and ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/18/mr-magorium%e2%80%99s-wonder-emporium/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com What do you get when you combine the talents of Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson? A magical tale of love, responsibility and growing up. Emma Thompson plays Nanny McPhee, the latest in a long string of nannies hired by Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) who have previously ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/18/nanny-mcphee-a-new-mary-poppins/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com A darker children’s story with a European feel, this film would make an interesting selection for the intermediate classroom. Based on a children’s book series by the same name, this piece stars Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep and the narrative voice of Jude Law. The persecuted child theme brought ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/18/lemony-snickett%e2%80%99s-a-series-of-unfortunate-events/ Photo Credit: Amazon.Com A working father’s night job turns out to be far more intense than he expects . . . Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke and Owen Wilson join for a feel good family movie that celebrates history in a humorous tale of thievery and teamwork. Ben Stiller ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/18/movie-review-night-at-the-museum/ Photo Credit: Oskay Tired of cleaning out individual glue caps with the closest available paper clip? I hear you. Here’s why glue sticks are one of my favorite classroom supplies . . . and why they always went on my new student “back to school” buy list during my classroom days. ... http://thelessonmachine.com/blog/2008/06/17/project-hack-some-thoughts-on-glue-sticks/