Category Archives: In the News

Pottermore Web Site ~ Open for All

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Attention all Wizards and Muggles!

Pottermore, J.K. Rowling’s online site for Harry Potter fans, is now “officially open” for new members.  The site’s developers expect the first week to be very busy with new registration, and names, ages and e-mail addresses must be supplied.  However, users are required to pick randomly assigned usernames and passwords to help protect personal identities.  Once entering, members will be sorted into the appropriate Hogwarts house and can begin exploring this highly interactive site.  Rowling will be adding new content to help extend the virtual world of Harry Potter.  The video below gives fans a sneak preview of what they can expect at this magical site.

The Secret Lives of Books

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Books bring imagination to life!  But the folks at Type Bookstore in Toronto, Canada have brought books to life in this creative video that uses stop-motion animation.  The owners of store (and many vounteers) shelved, re-shelved and photographed hundreds of books, over a course of several nights.  Their video really shows the magic of books! 

 

Rise. Reconnect. Remember

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As we mark the somber 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America, the memories may be fresh in the minds of those of us who lived through that day, but our students are either too young to remember or were not even born.

Discovery Education, together with the September 11th Families’ Association and the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, is offering free educator resources to teachers and families to help present information to children.

Included are eight short videos about people impacted by the attacks and how “they developed projects to make the world a more tolerant place,” and an interactive time line that “chronicles the events of 9/11 using images, audio, and video from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection.”

Other links to 9/11 educational resources may be found here.

May we all be united in our hope for a more peaceful world.

Spring Cleaning: Gadgets You Can Get Rid Of [from NY Times.com]

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Thanks to the ever-growing capacity of today’s devices, it may no longer be necessary to keep as many gadgets around.  With products capable of providing multiple applications, you may be able to clear out some of those accumulated technologies of the past.

Here’s a helpful article from the Personal Tech section of The New York Times.com (March 23, 2011):

“Spring Cleaning–Gadgets You Should Get Rid Of (or Not)“
by Sam Grobart

Best part of the article?

BOOKS
Keep them … Yes, e-readers are amazing, and yes, they will probably become a more dominant reading platform over time, but consider this about a book: It has a terrific, high-resolution display. It is pretty durable; you could get it a little wet and all would not be lost. It has tremendous battery life. It is often inexpensive enough that, if you misplaced it, you would not be too upset. You can even borrow them free at sites called libraries.

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