Obama on Education

If you've been following the news lately, you are aware that President Obama is planning massive federal spending on education. Fifty-three billion dollars will go toward state stabilization funds. Ten billion will go toward Title I programs.

What are your thoughts on Obama's education spending plan for 2009? Is it enough? Are the funds being placed into the right programs?


Student Handouts, Inc.

Healthy Eating

Here is a great online article on what to eat to increase brain functioning:

http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/09/05/eat-your-way-to-intelligence/

For me, looking at the culinary offerings at schools, this article was a bit depressing. Why aren't schools offering greater nutrition in school lunches and breakfasts? As someone who cooks breakfast every morning at home, I know from experience that eggs are less expensive than high-sugar cereals.

Your thoughts?

Student Handouts, Inc.

Spring Break!

We hope that everyone has enjoyed Spring Break 2009 as much as we have. It nearly reached seventy degrees here. Very nice indeed!

As tempted as we have been to bask in the natural light, we have managed to put a few items up this week. We have also begun reorganizing things into more manageable, easy-to-skim tables/boxes. What are your thoughts?


Student Handouts, Inc.

News: April, 2009

This month, our focus is on terms in the social studies. Many of our readers have requested handouts that do not require the assistance of textbooks or other reference materials (so that students need not carry these often heavy books home each day). On the World History pages, we are adding numerous history- and geography-themed word puzzles -- crosswords, word searches, and decoding games -- which can be completed by students anywhere without the aid of textbooks.

Here is a sample:

HANDOUT: Early Humans Crossword Puzzle with Word Bank Answer Key

Green Tip: Recycling Cardboard

CARDBOARD: Cardboard can be recycled, but remember to break down the boxes and remove any staples. Sides of a box free of ink can be used for gardening. Separate plant root systems with buried cardboard, knowing that it will degrade and disappear within a couple of years.

Visit the Go Green! section of the website for more information.

News: March, 2009

We are off to a great start. This month, our goal is on reorganizing the materials which we already have. Presently, there are numerous materials listed in one category which should logically be cross listed in another (e.g., certain historical documents are found under Texts, but not under the appropriate Social Studies unit). Once this task is completed, we should better be able to assess which areas need more materials and which are fairly complete.

Green Tip: Buy Better Batteries

Buy better batteries!

Non-rechargeable: It's very tempting, in a shopping rush or on a budget, to buy "cheap" batteries. We've all seen them at the discount store, with four or more "AA" in a package for $1 or so. In this case, you get less than what you pay for. These batteries are often "heavy duty" or "super heavy duty" and will be dead before you know it. If you don't yet use rechargeable batteries, at least go for the higher-end long-lasting batteries. They may be more expensive initially, but will last longer and prove less expensive over time.

Rechargeable: These are your best bet. When a battery runs low, you simply place it in your charger for a boost. Rechargeable batteries seem to last forever, making them the "cheapest" bet in the long run. They also contain enough to juice to properly run high-energy electronics such as digital cameras.

Warning: Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals and must be recycled. Visit Rechargable Battery Recycling Corporation for information on where you can drop in or mail your dead batteries.

Visit the Go Green! section of the website for more information.