Common Core State Standards: these four words are becoming a veritable mantra in the hallways of schools across the nation. Here at Amsco, we’ve also been spending quite a bit of time analyzing the documents, dissecting the Standards, and planning for the future.In my travels through the English Language Arts Standards and their appendices, which are available here, I’ve discovered a gem that I think is going to make a world of difference in preparing students for college: Tier Two words.In Appendix A of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, the architects discuss vocabulary acquisition in terms of tiers. They refer to words as Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three. Tier One words are defined as those we use in everyday speech, the kinds of words one would find in simple narrative text, those that readers simply have to decode in order to comprehend. Tier Three words are domain-specific words, like osmosis and onomatopoeia. Nestled neatly between Tiers One and Three are the Tier Two words.
Tier Two words are referred to in the Common Core State Standards as “general academic” words. They are the words that grant students access to academic discourse, words that are used to discuss, persuade, and explain across disciplines, words like argument, significance, characteristic, and question. They could also be words that describe more specifically or that elevate tone, like writing mention instead of tell, or fortune instead of luck.
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By: Midge,
on 5/24/2011
Blog: Amsco Extra! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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The radio telescopes of the Allen Array are dedicated to searching for alien intelligence. The array was built by the SETI Institute. SETI is short for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Up until now, funding to operate the Hat Creek Radio Observatory, where the Allen Array is located, has come from several sources: private donations, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), and the state of California. Seth Shostak, SETI senior astronomer reported that, “As it happens, Berkeley’s budget is way down—the state of California is in terrible financial circumstances because of the economic downturn. Consequently, they don't have the money to keep the doors open and pay the electric bills and pay the staff at the antenna. And we don't either, because we run our SETI projects mostly based on private donations, and those are down as well."
As of April 15, the Allen Telescopes have been put into hibernation to protect them and allow them to function again in the future. However, all is not lost; SETI astronomers can still collect data during downtime on other telescopes. Instead of having a 24-hour sky watch, they will have to depend on a few hours here and there to collect their data. This will significantly diminish their chances of finding a signal. Until the Allen Telescopes are back online, I guess ET will just have to wait for us to pick up our phone again.
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By: Adam Hinz,
on 5/18/2011
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I recently attended Our Mutual Estate, an education conference organized by the NYC Association of Assistant Principals Supervision– English (NYCAAPSE) and Long Island University (LIU). Writing was the focus of this year’s conference, and I decided to participate in the Teaching the Academic Essay workshop. I felt it aligned closely with the new emphasis on informational reading and writing in the English Language Arts classroom outlined in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
The Problem
The workshop I attended was organized by a professor from LIU, and a high school English teacher who has also taught at the university level. The guiding question for the session was, “What is the role of the personal in the academic essay?” I jumped in to point out that the CCSS are asking teachers to stop just asking students for their personal reflections, and to require them to make sound arguments based on evidence from the text(s). Other teachers in the room quickly agreed with me, and shared stories of how their students include personal anecdotes in academic essays once they run out of evidence. In other instances, they believe students have provided personal experiences rather than text-based evidence to support their arguments because they struggle to actually understand the text they were assigned.
Our opening discussion finally ended with a teacher confessing, “Although we complain about it when we grade essays, English teachers seem to spend more time on task asking students to share their personal reactions to a plot, character, etc. Then, we hold this against them when they are asked to write an academic essay.” I found it particularly interesting that this confession was addressed several weeks ago by David Coleman, “the architect of the CCSS,” who argued that teachers need to stop simply asking students what they think about a text, and instead require them to go back to the text and provide specific evidence to support a claim.
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By: Abigail Johnson,
on 5/16/2011
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JacketFlap tags: Economics, Comics, College, Math, Philosophy, Research, Questions, Conversation, Studying, Graduate School, Formal Education, Reading, Opinion, Add a tag
This morning I turned in the last piece of homework I will ever have. I submitted my final research project: my master’s thesis.There was no parade, no trumpets or cymbals to herald my victory. No “three cheers!” to mark the completion of my efforts. Just the simple knowledge that I have finally finished.
They won't hand me my diploma until later this month, but the reality is that today marks the end of my years of formal education. Added up, 18 years of teachers, classrooms, professors, projects, presentations, and dreaded papers. Over. When I think back on the memories of school, what stick out most are not the facts I learned or the books I read, but what I recall are all the relationships I made and the fun I had when I wasn’t studying in the library alone.
School offers us just that, the opportunity to find new experiences that we wouldn’t have otherwise discovered.
Because of a middle-school French-class trip to nearby Québec, I learned that my friend Emma would always find ways to get us into the most fun kind of trouble, and that I love all things maple-syrup related. Because of reading I Will Try during library hour in elementary school, I have made it my mission to travel across Africa (although not exactly the way the author did, when he decided to walk from Malawi towards America for his education). And because of spending countless hours at the local pub after economics class, I have learned that while philosophical entanglements often leave one feeling unfulfilled, beer and good company always leave one in better spirits. We would spend hours there, after Economics Development class, after History of Economic Philosophy class, after Statistics class: my peers and I, in time spent not studying, but taking what we learned in lecture and talking about it, openly, with opinions, with our own theories and smart colleagues to bounce ideas off of.
Though my years of formal education might be complete, they leave me with the knowledge that power lies in asking questions, and life is a learning curve that I will always be trying to bend. I may be out of the classroom, but I will forever be a student.
Do you have favorite memories, or wisdom to share about your education experience? Leave a comment below!
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By: Midge,
on 5/13/2011
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The beautiful lionfish, with its red-striped face and body and long dorsal spines, is a native of the Indian and Pacific oceans. But in recent years it has gotten into the Caribbean Sea. How? It is thought that just a few lionfish escaped from a smashed aquarium tank during a hurricane in Florida. Usually an animal that gets loose in an alien environment is at a disadvantage. But the stealthy lionfish is a clever hunter and a successful breeder, producing thousands of eggs every four days. A few lionfish were first spotted in the waters around the Bahamas in 2005. Within three years, they had taken over the reefs, experiencing a population explosion by eating many of the native fish species, as well as shrimps and crabs. Scientists have found that the lionfish can reduce a reef’s native population by 75 to 80 percent in just a matter of weeks -- very unlucky for the local inhabitants. The same problem is now happening around the Grand Cayman Islands as well.
Just why are the lionfish so lucky in their new environment? It appears that, unlike the local reef fish, the lionfish are not infested by parasitic worms. Without parasites or any local predators, their mortality is quite low. And they are voracious predators, able to consume up to 30 times their stomach volume! This has caused a problem for local tourism, since people dive on the reefs to see all the beautiful native fishes--only to see an abundance of lionfish. In addition, their venomous dorsal spines can deliver a painful sting, making them a potential danger to divers who come too close. They are also a threat to the local commercial fisheries, since they are eating up native species.
So, what can be done about this fish invasion? Scientists catching a few here and there have not had an impact on their increasing population. But now, unfortunately for the lionfish, the tables have turned and there is one local predator it does have to worry about. Quite recently it has been determined that the lionfish makes a very tasty dish for humans when fried with nice seasonings. And this is turning out to be lucky for local residents and tourists in the Caribbean. Now the fishermen, not just the scientists, are turning their sights on the not-so-lucky lionfish!
Posted by Carol
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By: MsLuhks,
on 5/11/2011
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Last week we offered the Android users among you a selection of free math-related apps. If you’re an iPhone user like I am, you will be pleased to know that there are equivalent apps for your device!
Many of the specific apps for Android are not available on iPhone, but that’s not to say that there is any shortage of math-related iPhone apps. For instance, Andie Graph is not available for iPhone, nor is Graph Lite. However:
• There are TONS of graphing calculator apps that are available for free:
• Or if you don’t mind spending $1.99, check out the very nice-looking Graphing Calculator from Appcylon LLC: 
• Algebra 1 Lite is a different mini-interactive textbook: students read some examples and then try out some practice problems. The app also keeps track of student progress. Here’s an example of a quiz question:
• Math Genius. (Also available on Android). Practice basic arithmetic skills.
• Cool math resources include (free) Digital Protractor, ($0.99) Slide Rule, and (free) Abacus.
Another app I recommen
Another app I recommen
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By: the Editor,
on 5/10/2011
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Personal Finance teaches students everything they need to know to do better financially, guiding them through the decision-making that will help them earn, save, invest, and protect their money throughout their lifetimes.
The author's approach engages students, asks them to connect to the subject matter, and challenges them with new concepts, while maintaining ease and readability. The book proceeds in a commonsense order:
- First, helping students understand the time value of money and recognize education and career choices as long-term investments;
- 0 Comments on Test Your Personal Finance IQ and Boost It with Amsco's Personal Finance! as of 1/1/1900
By: Uriel Avalos,
on 5/6/2011
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With the rising popularity of Android (Google), iPhone, and iPads, I thought it would be a good idea to search for free math-related apps, starting with Android. Unfortunately, I was appalled that many of the popular apps collect too much information, namely, your unique phone id.
What's the big deal? As far as I can tell, your unique phone id is just like your Social Security number—it's not something that you give out to anyone who asks for it. Unfortunately, this is exactly the scenario that I kept finding in the Android market. Why does a flashcard app need the equivalent of your Social Security number? It seems a little fishy to me and I can't recommend those apps.
Here are some of the offending apps: Math Practice Flash Cards, Fun Math Tricks, The King of OX, Math Workout, Math Attack
That being said, I did find some good ones (screen shots below):
- Algebra Tutor. This app is more like a mini-interactive textbook: students read some examples and then try out some practice problems. The app also keeps track of student progress.
- Andie Graph. The TI-83 Graphing Calculator on your phone.
- Graph Lite. Yet another graphing calculator for your phone.
- Math Genius. Practice basic arithmetic skills.
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The Spanish language has some verb pairs that mean the same in English, but cannot be interchanged. That can be confusing for English native speakers who are trying to learn Spanish. The following is a list, by no means exhaustive, that will help avoid the most frequent mistakes nonnative speakers make.Tocar vs. Jugar (to play)
Jugar is used when referring to playing a sport or game.
Juego al tenis todos los sábados. I play tennis every Saturday.
¿Quieres jugar a las cartas conmigo? Do you want to play cards with me?
Juego al tenis todos los sábados. I play tennis every Saturday.
¿Quieres jugar a las cartas conmigo? Do you want to play cards with me?
Tocar is used when referring to playing an instrument or style of music.
Me gusta tocar el piano. I like to play the piano.
Admiro mucho a los grupos que tocan música contemporánea. I admire bands that play contemporary music.
Tocar also means to touch.
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Ciao, amici! Great news for those interested in learning Italian, and for teachers looking for excellent Italian-learning resources. Introducing Amsco’s Italian First Year, Second Edition and Italian Two and Three Years, Third Edition. These books provide a comprehensive grammar review and help learners achieve a thorough understanding of the elements of Italian normally covered during the first three years of study. They are available in print and e-book editions. Here are some of their salient features:
- Topical organization that allows for maximum flexibility of use.
- Concise grammar explanations that present clear examples with key elements highlighted typographically.
- A variety of open-ended activities that enable students to show their language proficiency in a personal and creative way.
- Mastery Exercise section in every chapter that offers practice of the material previously covered.
- A comprehensive overview of Italian and Italian-American cultures that familiarizes students with the background of Italian native-speakers.
- An overview of Italian culture and civilization (written in English in Italian First Year, and in Italian in Italian Two and Three Years) that presents students with the cultural and historical background of the Italian people.
By: the Editor,
on 4/28/2011
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On Spring Cleaning day, the members of the Editorial Department dig deep into their T-shirt drawers. Choose your #1 favorite T-shirt and vote by leaving a comment below. Voting closes at 5:00 p.m. today.
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| Dino Bones |
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| Dancin' |
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| Dino Fight |
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| Family Fever |
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| HTTP |
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By: Henry the Elder,
on 4/26/2011
Blog: Amsco Extra! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags: Writing, World History, Archeology, Latin, Add a tag
 “Take a look through these,” Grant said, handing me a pair of binoculars. We were kneeling in the high grass of a hill in Northumberland, England’s northernmost county. My companion was an assistant archeologist employed by the county council. I carefully focused the lens of the binoculars, expecting to see the remains of a 3rd-century A.D. Roman fort. Instead, I saw very modern barbed wire fencing penetrated by an access road along which olive drab jeeps and trucks rolled up to a guard post manned by red caps (British military police). Beyond them were barracks and squaddies drilling on open training grounds. With a shock, I realized that I was staring at Otterburn army base, Britain’s large training and testing facility for heavy artillery and long-range weapons systems. Several possibilities flashed through my mind, including arrest and incarceration for espionage or annihilation by a stray artillery shell. Angrily, I turned to Grant whose grin told me that, once again, he had indulged his passion for practical jokes by guiding me to the wrong location—a very wrong location. “Don’t get your knickers twisted,” the archeologist said. “I thought you would enjoy a look at today’s British military.” As I had seen my share of army bases during my service in the U.S. Army, I was not impressed and told him so. I suggested we get on with our assignment, which was to survey the remains of Roman outpost forts upon which no excavation work or investigation had been done for years. An hour or so later, after making our way across the high moor, we came to another hill. On its summit were the remains of a low wall overgrown with grass and weeds. A dead tree leaned over the open gateway, giving the isolated spot a haunted look—barren and deserted. We were looking at Bremenium, an outpost fort that was part of the marvel of Roman military engineering that comprised the Hadrian’s Wall complex. Bremenium was located north of the wall, its primary function to gather intelligence about the activities of the unconquered British tribes that periodically threatened the peace of the towns and villas of the more civilized province to the south. It was built in the first century and not, therefore, originally a Hadriannic fort. A variety of units had served at Bremenium. In the third century, the fort was manned by the Germans of the First Cohort of Loyal Vardullians. They were Roman citizens, a privileged status not shared by the numerus (irregular troops) of exploratores (frontier scouts) also posted there. Of the vicus, or civil settlement which often grew outside the walls of Roman forts, there was no sign at Bremenium. We concluded that the surrounding countryside was just too rough and dangerous for the usual purveyors of “service industries” to risk settling there. However, the outpost could not have been entirely self sufficient. Periodic supply trains must have been dispatched to the fort.
Unbeknownst to much of the world, a short article appeared last month in the Roman Quarterly Academic Journal; and the Roman historical documents community was shaken by a new discovery. The authors of the article, two archeologists from a small private university in Finland, described their discovery. While digging in the basement of an old church in the heart of the city of Rome, in an effort to seek and map the pomerium, they found a letter.  The letter was allegedly discovered between two pieces of rock, cemented together by old-age material used to seal the stones that made the walls of the pomerium, built by King Servius Tullius. King Servius, known to have reigned during the Roman Kingdom from between 578 and 535 B.C., was a mighty king who accomplished major domestic advancements during his 44-year reign. He initiated the first census, and implemented a new constitution. The letter, or more specifically, the pieces of the letter that are still legible, have been translated as this:
1 Comments on The Roman History of April Fool’s Day, last added: 4/4/2011
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By: Uriel Avalos,
on 3/31/2011
Blog: Amsco Extra! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags: Add a tag
 So, how can we use Facebook in the classroom? We first need to see that a new type of narrative is emerging on the Internet. This "new" way of telling stories is
Nonlinear means random and spontaneous. Not random in a haphazard way, e.g., posting whatever comes to mind (that will probably get you fired), but posting whatever comes to mind regarding the topic you are currently teaching. Spontaneity leads to authenticity. Students want to see something "real." This can mean sharing your own struggles with mastering the material. For example, When I was in high school, I couldn't understand symbolic logic. Your posts should encourage student participation outside of the classroom. For example, in a lesson on percents, students can go to real stores (such as the local deli) and find items that are on sale. Students can leave their findings via comments. Just make sure that such extra-credit projects are exactly that—extra credit and not mandatory. Seeing math, social studies, etc. in their own lives helps immerse students in the subject matter. You can further help immerse students by posting links to videos, autobiographies, news articles, etc., anything that directly relates to the subject matter at hand. To conclude, I challenge you to take the plunge and post your first Facebook status (if you haven't already) for your class. Feel free to share ideas in the comments below. Bibliography: 
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By: Midge,
on 3/29/2011
Blog: Amsco Extra! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags: Current Events, Space, Earth Science, Astronomy, Add a tag
 On October 25, 2006, NASA launched twin STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) spacecrafts. STEREO began sending back exceptional pictures of the sun and solar storms from the beginning of its mission. On Sunday, February 6, 2011, the two spacecrafts reached their positions 180° apart, aligned exactly opposite each other on either side of the sun. NASA showed the world the first 360° view of the sun. I’ll admit that I’m a science geek, so I find this exciting. However, why should the average person be excited by this? Before I answer that question, let me ask a few more. Do you depend on GPS technology to get you from place to place? Do you listen to satellite radio or receive your television programming via a dish antenna rather than cable? How long could you go without your cell phone? Is electricity important to your wellbeing? You may feel like asking me what this has got to do with seeing the whole sun. It has to do with sunspots and solar eruptions. To learn a little about sunspots see Stumbling into Cycle 24. In that post, I mentioned that during 2008, the sun was quiet with very few sunspots because sunspot cycle 23 was ending and cycle 24 was about to begin. Now, it’s 2011; cycle 24 is in gearing up and the number of sunspots and solar eruptions are increasing. So what, you may say. Sunspots and solar eruptions occur over the entire sun. Solar eruptions send streams of charges plasma particles into space. When the eruptions are aimed directly at Earth they can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth. Geomagnetic storms cause 0 Comments on Space Weather: Who Cares? as of 1/1/1900
By: Flor,
on 3/25/2011
Blog: Amsco Extra! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags: Running, Sports, New York City, Add a tag
 Back in my high school days and even in college, I was never good at any sports. In fact, I felt I was not born to do any type of athletic activity. I always felt awkward and somewhat embarrassed by my lack of physical coordination. Everything changed about a year ago when I started running. I really don’t know how it happened, but nothing seem to stop me; okay, maybe an injury. At the end of last year, I ran my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) in
Many believe this race, just like the ING New York City Marathon, IS
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I agree that it's important for ELA teachers to focus on Tier 2 words. Many students won't become English majors, but will need a strong understanding of Tier 2 vocabulary words to succeed in college.