Seventh and eighth graders at Tuskegee Institute Middle and Notasulga High Schools and first, second, and third graders at George Washington Carver Elementary School will be exploring Africa in a big way this week — with the world’s largest map of the continent. The map, measuring 35 feet by 26 feet is designed as a geo-game board to introduce students to the power of maps and the diverse geography of Africa. It will be at Tuskegee Institute Middle School on October 30, 2013 as part of National Geographic’s Giant Traveling Maps program, organized by National Geographic Live, the public programming division of the National Geographic Society and is sponsored by the Alabama Geographic Alliance (AGA).

The map’s brightly colored, smooth vinyl surface accurately illustrates Africa’s oceans, seas, rivers, mountains, countries and capitals. Designed for grades K-8, the map comes with a trunk full of accessories, including interactive activities and props and photo cards that teach students about the physical characteristics of the continent as well as its rich history, marvelous wildlife, and varied cultures. Working in teams, students will mark the equator with ropes to learn about climate and latitude. A relay race will help them learn all the countries; scavenger hunts and safaris will introduce them to the continent’s famed wildlife and varied environments.

 “Children have a whole new perspective on Africa after they’ve walked on this map,” said Dan Beaupré, director of education partnerships for National Geographic Live. “The hands- and feet-on experience brings the geography of Africa to life in a meaningful way and helps the students understand the connections between people and places.”

The map was first featured as a standard pull-out map in the September 2005 issue of National Geographic magazine, a special issue devoted entirely to Africa. National Geographic’s map division enlarged the map — the biggest map ever created by the Society — for educational tours through National Geographic Live.

Since the introduction of the original Africa map in 2006, the program has expanded to include maps of Asia, North America, South America, Europe, and the Pacific Ocean. Each map measures approximately 26 feet by 35 feet and is rented to schools and other hosts with an assortment of activities. In the 2013-2014 school year hundreds of thousands students will

interact with these maps. In addition to school venues, the maps appear at museums, festivals, fairs and corporate and educational conferences. The maps reinforce National Geographic’s commitment to increasing geo-literacy through teacher professional development, K-12 curriculum, live events and academic competitions.

To learn more about the Giant Traveling Map project, for borrowing information or to download map activities, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/giantmaps.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Its mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. Founded in 1888, the Society is member supported and offers a community for members to get closer to explorers, connect with other members and help make a difference. The Society reaches more than 450 million people worldwide each month through National Geographic and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Ms. Samuel and Ms. Sullen,

Your students are wonderful.  Thanks for allowing us to share the story of Isaac Scott Hathaway.  I had my grad assistant write a little summary, found here.

http://auclastudentengagement.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/isaac-scott-hathaway-sculptor-of-minds-and-clay/

Take care, Mark Wilson

In observance of Breast Cancer awareness, participants will release pink balloons with notes of encouragement to commemorate those affected by breast cancer on October 17, 2013 at 9:30 AM at Tuskegee Institute Middle School.  This event is sponsored by the Lessons 4 Life program. 

For more information, please see the attached flyer.

District System Wide Calendar of Events

October Parenting Visitation Month

Entire Month of October

Annual Clothing Drive

Monday, October 14, 2013  T.I.M.S. 6:00 p.m.

3^rd Annual Title I Academic Information Parenting Fair

"TOGETHER WE CAN INFORM OUR PARENTS"

All Schools and Departments Participating

Booker T. Washington High School

Deborah Cannon Wolfe Elementary School

George Washington Carver Elementary School

Notasulga High School

Tuskegee Institute Middle School

Tuskegee Public Elementary School

Parental Involvement/Homeless Education

HIPPY

School Improvement

Curriculum and Instruction

Testing

Career and Technical Education

Federal Programs

School Nutrition

Lessons4Life

Gifted Education

Student and Special Services

Counseling and Guidance

Student Health Services

October  2013 TBA

Parent Session: Domestic Violence

Prevention/Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco/ Bullying Awareness

A flyer describing all activities may be downloaded to your computer.

This school year we will begin collecting applications to continue Provision 2.  The students will be charged at the beginning of the school year through September 30, 2013 based on their eligibility.  Reduced students will be charged $.30 cents for breakfast and $.40 cents for lunch.  Paid students will be charged $.75 cents for breakfast and $1.30 for lunch.  However, your child(ren) maybe directly certified (DCRT) for free meals based on receipt from the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance.

In order to continue participation in this program, we need each family to complete a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Household Application as soon as possible.    The school district must collect and process these applications to participate in the Provision 2 meal service.  The ability of the Macon County Public School System to offer this special alternative rests upon the success of the school district in receiving a completed application for free and reduced priced meals from each household.  We encourage all parents/guardians to complete a household application as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance in completing your application, please call the School Nutrition Department staff at (334) 727-1600, ext. 11016 or 11018.

This school year we will begin collecting applications to continue Provision 2.  The students will be charged at the beginning of the school year through September 30, 2013 based on their eligibility.  Reduced students will be charged $.30 cents for breakfast and $.40 cents for lunch.  Paid students will be charged $.75 cents for breakfast and $1.30 for lunch.  However, your child(ren) maybe directly certified (DCRT) for free meals based on receipt from the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance.

In order to continue participation in this program, we need each family to complete a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Household Application as soon as possible.    The school district must collect and process these applications to participate in the Provision 2 meal service.  The ability of the Macon County Public School System to offer this special alternative rests upon the success of the school district in receiving a completed application for free and reduced priced meals from each household.  We encourage all parents/guardians to complete a household application as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance in completing your application, please call the School Nutrition Department staff at (334) 727-1600, ext. 11016 or 11018.

For a copy of Ms. Emma James letter to parents, please click here.