We will be introducing a brand new look and feel, new technologies to keep you up to date and new features based on the things our members have told us are important to them.

We have focused on the things educators want and what we do best, providing quick and easy choices of “just the right” learning resources for your particular needs. We made it easier than ever to share what you have found. New technology has provided a convenient way to choose from any of 65 different ways to share without leaving the Gateway. You may send or share information you have found useful to someone else or to social networking sites of your choice with a single click.

You will be able to see, at a glance, what others have said about a resource. You can also choose to leave a suggestion or a comment about a learning resource right on the learning resource record itself. If you are logged in, just click on the “add comment” button. Other educators will appreciate your insights and inspiration and can easily add their own contribution. Try it! It is so easy!

We have developed a new way to search and to easily keep up to date on the topics of your choice. Using the Search/Subscribe feature, you simply enter the word or words that relate to the resources you are interested in. If the search return meets your needs, just click on the “Subscribe” link. You will be given the choice to be notified whenever a new resource is added to the Gateway catalog that meets your search parameters. This feature uses technology called RSS to send you a message that a new resource has been added that may be of interest to you.

Students and teachers both need information about using technology to bolster student achievement and so you will see that we have added lesson plans on using Web 2.0, blogging, search engines, wikis and much more. We didn’t forget, however, that we need to enjoy what we are doing to make teaching and learning fun and memorable. We have lessons that include things like making paper airplanes to learn about aerodynamics, how to use humor to make a point and even a lesson on the ever popular “horror genre” in literature and film.

This is all very exciting new technology and teaching material that we hope will make the coming school year the best yet. We will be announcing the date for the new site launch very soon!

We want to hear from… you! What improvements would you like to see? Send your suggestions, thoughts and observations on how we can make the Gateway to 21st Century Skills a more valuable tool for you, your students and your fellow educators. Contact Bruce Walker at brucew@jesandco.org.

What’s New?
We keep fresh lesson ideas and timely topics coming to you so you don’t have to search all over the Internet. The Gateway provides unique lessons that incorporate technology while addressing real life, day to day issues that students face.

Find answers to the questions educators ask every day. Question like, “How can I use today’s technology to teach my students about themselves, their heritage and their peers? How do I teach students to protect themselves while on the Internet or sitting down in a restaurant? How can we have fun making paper airplanes and learn the principles of aerodynamics?” With our advanced search techniques you can find just the right combinations for your teaching challenges. And now, with the click of a button, you can stay up to date on the topics of your choice automatically.

A 21st century education requires not only historical context but a reflection of the rapidly changing world around us. That’s why the Gateway to 21st century skills is such a valuable asset for educators. Engage your students like never before with free lessons like these.

Life 2.0: Using a Web 2.0 Application to Comment on the Evolution of the Internet
In this lesson, students share opinions about the interactivity of Web sites they frequent. They then work in groups to investigate both Web 1.0 and 2.0 companies and comment on them using a Web 2.0 application such as Blogger or Wikispace.

Geometer's Sketchpad Basics - Getting Students Acquainted with Geometer's Sketchpad
In this lesson students will explore Geometer's Sketchpad. They will use this computer software to discover how points, segments, midpoints, angles, polygons, etc. are related. The students will also be intrigued by their constant interaction with geometry.

Quality or Quantity: Comparing Criteria for Successful Search Results on Google and Yahoo
In this lesson, students will share opinions about the criteria they consider important in an online search engine. Using Google and Yahoo, they investigate various subjects and compare their search results. To synthesize their findings, students prepare recommendations for company executives suggesting how these businesses might improve their services.

Primate Primer: Classifying the Different Members of the Primate Family
In this lesson, students examine the different branches of the primate family tree. They create fact cards about various species of non-human primates and then write fictional skits about interactions among the different primates.

The Horror! The Horror! Exploring the Conventions of the Horror Genre in Film and Literature
In this lesson, students identify the conventions of the horror genre and analyze films and texts to uncover these conventions in action. Their work will culminate in a "Festival of Fear," a class celebration of the genre.

Thinking Out Loud: Recognizing Fact, Opinion and Tone in a Times Blog
In this lesson, students share opinions about whether a series of statements are facts or opinions. They then read and analyze blogs in order to understand the use of fact, opinion, and tone of voice.

A Finish for Spinach? Exploring E. Coli and Infection Prevention
In this lesson, students learn about E. coli and create a children's book to teach younger kids how to protect against infection.

Giving Thanks: Using Humor and Irony in the Op-Ed Section
In this lesson, students read a humorous Op-Ed article mocking the problems of the presidential election. Students then write their own humorous Op-Ed pieces on the subject of their choice.

The Rules of the Game: Comparing Concrete and Abstract Approaches to Problem Solving
In this lesson, students experiment with abstract learning methods and concrete approaches to problem solving and then reflect on how they best learn new mathematical concepts.

Finding Self-Reliance
Using Emerson's "Self-Reliance", students relate what is read to their own experiences and feelings and use active listening to respond to other students' comments. Students synthesize other responses into their own thoughts about "Self-Reliance".

You WANT Me to Make a Paper Airplane?
This lesson provides students with a hands-on, cooperative learning experience. Students will make paper airplanes. They will fly their planes and record the distance and time of numerous flights in an Excel spreadsheet. Students will then calculate the speed of each flight using the formula s=d/t and summarize their results by making a line graph.

NEA has partnered with the GEM Exchange, Gateway to Educational Materials, and JES & Co to support Gateway to 21st Century Skills, a website that combines state-of the art search technologies and a complete database of state academic standards for core subjects. The Gateway is your link to the resources you need to make learning meaningful and fun for your students.

New information about 21st century learning resources is being added every week to the Gateway. Don’t miss out on these great new additions. Here are just a few more recent examples of new items that you can find on the Gateway for you and your students.

Who’s a Gateway Member?

All over the nation and from around the world, from students and pre-service teachers to experienced educators in all parts of educational enterprise, everyone finds value in the Gateway collection of learning resources. The community is growing in size and harnessing the awesome power that comes from a huge set of teaching and life skills. Here are a few of the recently featured member profiles from the home page of the Gateway!

C.K. - DE
I have been teaching for 30 years. Most of that time has been spent in Vocational Culinary Education in a traditional high school where the classroom is an industrial kitchen serving the school restaurant and bakery, which is open to both the District staff and the public. Nine of those years were spent in special education where my classroom was the school cafeteria and my students served lunch to the school and catered on the side.

E.M. - GA
I am currently a Masters student at Argosy University in Atlanta, GA. I am working on obtain my Masters degree in Education.

M.K. - na
M.K. is interested in designing educational programs that draw on real-world scenarios to promote change. Based at Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment, M.K. coordinates the Center for Ocean Solution’s graduate marine education initiative - MARINE. M.K. also currently works with Stanford’s Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, designing program modules for leadership, communications, policy & partnering, that enable academic environmental researchers to be effective leaders and communicators. Prior to joining the Leopold Leadership Program, M.K. managed two Stanford training grants to design new learning environments that integrated technology to support teaching and learning. At Stanford University Medical Media & Information Technologies (SUMMIT), she planned multiple training events, including facilitating a live surgery broadcast between Stanford clinicians and surgical residents in Sydney, Australia. M.K.’s interest in teaching and learning developed while she was an undergraduate in innovative study programs at Earlham College and evolved further when she became a teacher designing a “school without walls” in Philadelphia. This background inspired her future work in developing programs to bring research and innovation to new audiences in diverse settings – from an early childhood research center in New Haven, Connecticut to Cisco Systems in Silicon Valley.

R.D. - KY
A background of Microbiology / Biochemistry led me to the Brewing Industry in various positions [QC Lab / Research Lab / Brewmaster / R&D and Product development] for 20 years. Following I completed my Master in Art of Teaching and will be beginning my 9th year teaching at the High School level. I teach primarily Earth/ Space science but also Integrated Sciences [Physical Sciences]. I am the Science Department Chair. I enjoy working out [mainly running], and adventure racing [At 50 years old, in April 2007, I completed the Marathon of the Sands in the Sahara desert to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer Association; a distance of 210km in 7 days, fully self-supported]

L.S. - AZ
I work in the inner city with 11-13 year olds who have mild learning disabilities and some physical disabilities. I have been at this Middle School for 7 years and love the kids, staff, families I work with.
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M.R. - TX
I have been teaching Health Science for the past 10 years at Lopez High School in Brownsville, TX. I also have a background on Medical Technology for about 19 years. I teach mainly juniors which I prepare them for hospital rotations and for their senior year where they have a choice of three different certifications (Nurse Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and Pharmacy Technicians)

C.D. - na
I am an educational consultant who works with kindergarten through high school level teachers. My areas of expertise include: staff development, literacy, teaching and learning, and school improvement.

P.W. - AK
Career guidance specialist at a middle school. I advise middle school and high school students on careers. I also just received my masters of education in school counseling and would like to be a school counselor in the near future.

L.P. - CA
I am currently pursuing my elementary education teaching credential. I am also working in elementary schools as a mentor and a wellness coordinator with AmeriCorps.

A.L. - IL
I teach math in a suburb of Chicago. Our school incorporates a 3 year loop. This year I will begin with a new 6th grade class of approximately 105 pupils and we will progress through 7 and 8th grade together.

L.F. - FL
I've taught SED in Florida, EH and SLD in Tennessee, and EH, Resource and Science in North Carolina. I've always enjoyed teaching middle school. I also hold a degree in Drafting and Design Engineering Technology.

M.B. - MI
I just finished 6 years of teaching Business Courses. I'm currently working on English Certification in MI. I teach in a very small school in the rural part of MI's UP.

We want to hear from you! What would you like to see added to the Gateway? What improvements would you like to see? Send your suggestions, thoughts and observations on how we can make the Gateway to 21st Century Skills a more valuable tool for you, your students and your fellow teachers. Contact Bruce Walker at brucew@jesandco.org.

You can share those observations with your peers or make comments that are only for your use. It’s like your own personal Gateway to over 50,000 quality learning resources.

Are Your Members Using the Gateway?
The Gateway to 21st Century Skills receives thousands of visits a month from dedicated educators all over the world. The community is developing into a diverse and interesting group with tremendous talent to share! Come and join us as we pioneer the way to the vision of a 21st century education. Become a member and network with other educators. Use the information from the Gateway learning resources in other Web 2.0 friendly applications, your portfolio, store it on your calendar for easy planning or share it with your student, parents and administrator. The Gateway is here to help you easily meet your needs and make your teaching day easier!

If your NEA state affiliate website doesn’t link to the Gateway to 21st Century Skills as a resource on your state website, they are surely missing the 21st Century. Tell them you need resources and a link to the Gateway! In terms of a teaching tool, it is one of the greatest benefits that NEA has ever made available to its members.

Iowa and Georgia are the newest additions to our growing list of states and organizations that display their logos on customized versions of the Gateway! Both of these new states and Connecticut Retired Education Association, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Wyoming, Wyoming Student Education Association, Hawaii, Maryland, Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, South Dakota and Tennessee and have all created versions of the Gateway that displays the state affiliate logos.

And now, not only will your affiliate members be greeted with a view of your logo but anyone who declares that they hail from your branded state will also see that affiliate’s logo. This will underscore your local commitment to provide the members of the profession with the tools and resources they need to succeed in driving improvements to student achievement.