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The "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" ("MMWR") Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data presented by the Notifiable Disease Data Team and 122 Cities Mortality Data Team in the weekly "MMWR" are provisional, based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments. This issue of "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" includes the following reports: (1) Sexual Experience and Contraceptive Use Among Female Teens--United States, 1995, 2002, and 2006-2010 (Crystal Pirtle Tyler, Lee Warner, Joan Marie Kraft, Alison Spitz, Lorrie Gavin, Violanda Grigorescu, Carla White, and Wanda Barfield); (2) Imported Human Rabies in a U.S. Army Soldier--New York, 2011 (Waleed Javaid, Ioana G. Amzuta, Amritpal Nat, Troy Johnson, Donna Grant, Robert J. Rudd, Bryan Cherry, Alexandra Newman, Debra Blog, Rodney Willoughby, Charlene Fix, Steven Baty, Michael Cooper, Kathryn Ellis, Derron A. Alves, Steven Cersovsky, Charles E. Rupprecht, Angela M. Maxted, and Emily W. Lankau); (3) Comparison of Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Systems--United States, 2005-2008 (Amanda C. Cohn, Jessica MacNeil, Thomas A. Clark, and Sara Tartof); (4) Identification of "Vibrio cholerae" Serogroup O1, Serotype Inaba, Biotype El Tor Strain--Haiti, March 2012; and (5) Multistate Outbreak of Postprocedural Fungal Endophthalmitis Associated with a Single Compounding Pharmacy--United States, March-April 2012 (Suber Huang, Pravin Dugel, George Williams, Moon Kim, Clara Tyson, Laurene Mascola, Kavita K. Trivedi, Julie Duran, Shannon Millay, Stephanie Black, Judith Conway, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, Rick Sowadsky, Ellen H. Lee, Tom Torok, Benjamin Sun, Shawn Lockhart, Julie Harris, Benjamin J. Park, Rachel Smith, Christina Mikosz, Raymund Dantes, and Yoran Grant). Announcements and QuickStats are also included. Individual reports contain figures, tables and references.

This book is part of a series of books presenting ready-to-use instructional units on themes typically taught in the primary grades. The topics focus on science, math, social studies or literature, but use language arts skills consistently in each unit. Each book in the series also uses as many frames of mind or intelligences as possible. Within a book, each unit contains: (1) an introduction on how the theme can interest students; (2) a brief list of targeted ideas; (3) suggested ways to connect units; (4) an introductory narrative on the unit theme; (5) suggested procedures for using the theme and involving children; (6) related language arts activities; (7) related extension activities; and (8) lists of trade books related to the unit theme. This book, "Animals Around Us," offers three units: "So Much Like Us," dealing with different animals and their different habitats, shared features of animals and humans, and animal classifications; "The Gentle Pig That Is Not a Pig," dealing with the guinea pig, other rodents, care of pets, and herbivores; and "More Than a Fish," dealing with whales, and the characteristics of mammals. Appendixes offer: ideas on making and using learning centers; ideas on making and using bulletin boards and file folders; a glossary; directions on how to make a book; and a short list of teacher resources. (SR)

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards" recommends that mathematical connections be made between mathematics and other disciplines. This book presents 35 activities for middle school students that integrate the teaching of mathematical concepts with environmental concepts. An introduction discusses the need for mathematical connections and provides the rationale for utilizing environmental studies as a context from which to learn mathematics. Each activity provides a reference for its source, the NCTM standards for middle school mathematics addressed by the activity, student objectives, background information, materials needed, procedures, methods for closure, and evaluation suggestions. The activities are grouped according to the following environmental concepts: (1) energy and natural resources; (2) plants and animals; (3) population description and growth; (4) solid waste disposal; (5) transportation; (6) water resources; and (7) weather and air. An index classifies the activities according to the NCTM Standards for grades 5-8. The eight curriculum standards addressed are: computation and estimation; patterns and function; algebra; statistics; probability; geometry; measurement; and number and number relationships. General standards addressed by the activities are problem solving, mathematical connections, reasoning, and mathematical communication. A summary discusses how the activities were chosen and encourages teachers to let students expand the context of the activities themselves by making the activities more relevant to local issues. (MDH)

A framework for using the outdoors as a vehicle for providing meaningful language arts experiences is presented in this guide geared toward intermediate students but adaptable for other ages. The introduction outlines goals of language arts instruction and notes that activities conducted outdoors contribute to these goals because they are motivating, concrete, consistent with whole language methodology, and relevant to children's lives. Chapter 2 contains practical tips for managing children in the outdoors, planning outdoor activities, and evaluating children's outdoor experiences. Chapter 3 explains a cyclical instructional model consisting of motivation, exploration, expression, labeling application, and a second opportunity for expression. Chapter 4 suggests ways of using children's literature in outdoor education and lists books and activities that could be used to study astronomy, American Indians, the desert, and environmental communications. Chapter 5 describes language arts activities that can be used to facilitate outdoor education experiences. Activities are listed under the topics of air, humans in the environment, plants, animals, and rocks and minerals. Appendices contain an evaluation by students of a trip to the Grand Canyon and four books written and illustrated by students ("Deserts Are Alive,""Plants and their Adaptations,""Wonders of the Desert," and "How You Can Survive"). (JHZ)

This theme issue discusses education of gifted students in the areas of math and science. The issue contains several articles, an editorial, a program description, and a profile of an educator. "Our Most Important Investment for the Future: The Education of Our Youth" (Marian C. Diamond) describes educational programs of the Lawrence Hall of Science of the University of California at Berkeley. "Making Math and Science Accessible and Meaningful to Girls: An Economic Imperative" (Mary Thomas-Vallens) offers new paradigms for bias-free math and science education. "Accelerating in Mathematics: Academic and Social-Emotional Impact" (Terry A. Thomas) reports findings of a study of the benefits from Academic Talent Search fast-paced mathematics instruction. In "Barbara Graham's Animal Classroom," Barbara Graham discusses the role of animals such as mice, frogs, snakes, fish, and birds in sixth-grade math investigations, science themes, and literary works. "Fast-Paced High School Science for the Academically Talented: A Six-Year Perspective" (Sharon J. Lynch) discusses a summer residential program initiated by the Johns Hopkins University Center for the Advancement of Academically Talented Youth. Other articles include: "Mathematical Thinking at Its Best" (Marcy Cook) and "Math in Motion: A Hands-On Creative Approach to Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools Using Origami" (Barbara Pearl). (Most papers contains references.) (JDD)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Diving Into Oceans." Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "The Physical Ocean," giving information and activities on the physical properties of the ocean including the composition of seawater, waves, currents, and tides, and the topography of the ocean floor; (2) "Life in the Ocean," providing information and activities on what life is like in three major regions of the ocean--sunlit surface waters, dim mid-waters, and dark ocean depths; (3) "Along the Coast and Close to Shore," giving information and activities on the characteristics of beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, and kelp forests, and the plants and animals that live in these habitats; (4) "People and Oceans," providing information and activities on people's relationship with oceans, focusing on ocean pollution, how people use oceans, and what's being done to protect the sea and its wildlife; (5) "Crafty Corner," providing ideas for art projects; and (6) "Appendix," featuring a glossary and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Tree a Tree?," including information and activities on tree parts and how trees differ from other plants; (2) "Growing Up a Tree," offering information and activities on how trees reproduce, what they need to survive, and where they grow; (3) "The Forest Community," providing information and activities on plant and animal relationships in forest communities; (4) "People and Forests," including information and activities on how forests are managed and some of the problems facing forests around the world; (5) "Trees in Our Lives," offering information and activities on how trees have influenced human history and how trees affect us today; (6) "Crafty Corner," including ideas for art projects; and (7) "Appendix," featuring questions, a glossary, and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's Nature Scope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Bird a Bird?," which provides information and activities on how birds are classified, how birds are different from other animals, and the main characteristics of the bird class, Aves; (2) "Family Life," which offers information and activities on nesting, singing, finding a mate, incubating eggs, and raising the young; (3) "Finding a Place To Live," which provides information and activities on bird habitats, how birds have adapted to living in their habitats, and bird migration; (4) "Keeping Fit and Staying Alive," which includes information and activities on the many ways birds keep fit and are adapted to surviving their habitats; (5) "People and Birds," which offers information and activities on the way birds affect our lives and the ways in which we affect theirs; (6) "Crafty Corner," which includes ideas for art projects; and (7) Appendix, featuring questions, a glossary, and bibliographic information. (WRM)

A model user's guide for the film, "The Frog King or Faithful Henry," introduces media specialists and educators to the range of possibilities for developing different activities for different objectives and age levels from a single film. An introductory article provides a synopsis of the film, rationale for its choice as a model, a discussion of folklore, and suggestions for using the guide. The bulk of the issue is divided into users' guides for the following grade levels: kindergarten to 4th grade, 5th to 8th grade, and 9th to 12th grade. These guides include activities and discussion questions on the movie and related topics, such as fantasy and reality, animal symbols, characters and conflicts, folklore, realism and illusion, attitudes towards animals, and stereotypes. Six annotated bibliographies cover filmmaking and film use, animals, animals in art, bestiaries, folktales and folklore, history resources, poetry, and related films. The issue concludes with a review supplement of nine films that are either folktale films or that have a thematic relation to "The Frog King." (LP)

This document contains three issues of a journal for elementary and secondary teachers which provide materials and teaching ideas for integrating folk music appreciation into social studies, literature, and humanities courses. The first issue focuses on songs of the West. It includes 10 songs on the pioneers, the Indians, and the frontier. Also included are the articles "Folksong in the Art Room" (Sandy Behrend) and "You Gotta Hand It to 'em: Using Folk Instruments" (Bev and Jerry Praver); correspondence from readers; information and news on workshops and materials; an index of songs and articles from volume 4; and a discography. The second issue contains materials for teaching about the lumber industry. A total of 13 songs is accompanied by background reading, a bibliography, a discography, follow-up teaching ideas, and general news and correspondence. The final issue focuses on songs about animals and other living creatures. It contains eight songs, background information, teaching ideas, a questionnaire for readers, a listing of children's books about animals, an index of animal songs from back issues, and a book review. General news and correspondence are also included. (LP)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Rain Forests: Tropical Treasures." Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "An Overview," providing information and activities on the characteristics of tropical rain forests, where rain forests grow, and some of the misconceptions people have about these special habitats; (2) "Life in Tropical Rain Forests," providing information and activities on the diversity of rain forest life, the adaptations of rain forest plants and animals, and interactions between rain forest plants and animals; (3)"People & Tropical Rain Forests," including information and activities on some of the ways in which people make a living in rain forests and some of the rain forest products that enrich our lives; (4) "Problems and Solutions," including information and activities on the reasons tropical rain forests are being destroyed and some of the ways people are working to protect these forests; (5) "Crafty Corner," giving ideas for art projects; and (6) "Appendix," featuring a glossary and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Let's Hear It for the Herps!" Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "Meet the Herps," giving information and activities on how reptiles and amphibians are alike and different, what it means to be cold-blooded, and how reptiles and amphibians evolved; (2) "Amphibians," providing information and activities on salamanders, frogs, and other amphibians, the process of metamorphosis, and some of the ways amphibians are adapted to surviving; (3) "Reptiles," providing information and activities on turtles, lizards, snakes, and other reptiles and on some of the ways they are adapted to surviving; (4) "Herps in Our Lives," including information and activities on people's past and present relationships with herps, some of the problems these animals are facing, and some of the efforts being made to help herps survive; (5) "Crafty Corner," providing ideas for art projects; and (6) "Appendix," featuring a glossary and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Wild & Crafty." It contains a variety of craft ideas related to animal life and the environment. Each craft includes some fun facts about the animal or subject featured in the craft, and a "Branching Out" section with suggestions for how to use the craft and where to find more information about the subject. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Endangered Species: Wild and Rare." Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "The Big Picture," giving information and activities on the process of extinction, how the increasing human population affects other species, and the reasons for helping endangered species; (2) "The Habitat Connection," providing information and activities on the causes of habitat destruction and the effects of habitat loss on animals and plants; (3) "Poachers, Poisons and Other Problems," providing information and activities on factors other than habitat destruction such as wildlife trade, and pollution that are putting species in danger; (4) "Bouncing Back," describing information and activities on the ways in which people are helping endangered species; (5) "Crafty Corner," providing ideas for art projects; and (6) Appendix, featuring a glossary and reference information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Wading into Wetlands." Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Wetland a Wetland?," offering information and activities on the major characteristics of wetlands and why wetlands are valuable to wildlife and people; (2) "Saltwater Wetlands," including information and activities on characteristics of salt marshes and mangrove swamps and the plants and animals that live in them; (3) "Freshwater Wetlands," providing information and activities on the characteristics of freshwater swamps, marshes, and bogs; (4) "Wetlands, Wildlife and People," including information and activities on the ways people have used and abused wetlands and what we can do to help protect them; (5) "Crafty Corner," giving ideas for art projects; and (6) "Appendix," featuring a glossary and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "The Primates," including information and activities on gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys, gibbons, lemurs, humans, and other primates; (2) "The Carnivores," offering information and activities on bears, raccoons, lions, sea otters, weasels, and other carnivores; (3) "Mammals with Hooves," providing information and activities on giraffes, horses, sheep, zebras, deer, and other hooved mammals; (4) "Bats," including information and activities on bats; (5) "Rodents and Other Gnawers," offering information and activities on mice, squirrels, porcupines, rabbits, hares, and other mammals with chisel-like teeth; (6) "The Insect Eaters," providing information and activities on shrews, moles, hedgehogs, tenrecs, and other small mammals that eat mostly insects; (7) "Mammals of the Sea," including information and activities on whales, dolphins, seals, manatees, dugongs, and other aquatic mammals; (8) "Odds 'n' Ends," information and activities on pangolins, platypuses, echidnas, kangaroos, armadillos, and other unusual mammals; and (9) "Appendix," featuring questions, a glossary, and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Discovering Deserts." Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Desert a Desert?," giving information and activities on what a desert is, how deserts form, and the different types of deserts; (2) "Plants of the Deser," offering information and activities on the many ways desert plants have adapted to harsh desert conditions; (3) "Animals of the Desert," giving information and activities on the many ways desert animals have adapted to harsh desert conditions; (4) "Desert Communities," providing information and activities on plant and animal relationships found in desert communities; (5) "People and Deserts," offering information and activities on the people that live in deserts around the world and the ways in which people are changing desert habitats; (6) "Crafty Corner," giving ideas for art projects; and (7) "Appendix," featuring a glossary and bibliographic and reference information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Dinosaur a Dinosaur?," including information and activities on how dinosaurs are classified, how they compare to other animals, how they are named, and how they vary in size; (2) "Growing Up and Staying Alive," providing information and activities on how the dinosaurs lived and how they were adapted to survive; (3) "When the Dinosaurs Lived," offering information and activities on the history of the earth and what life was like during the Age of Dinosaurs; (4) "Clues from the Past," including information and activities on how paleontologists solve dinosaur mysteries using fossil clues; (5) "A Creative Look at Dinosaurs," providing information and activities on ways to use dinosaurs in art, music, writing, and other creative mediums; (6) "Crafty Corner," offering ideas for art projects; and (7) "Appendix," featuring questions, a glossary, and bibliographic information. (WRM)

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes an Insect an Insect?," including information and activities on how insects are classified, how they are different from other animals, and the main characteristics of the insect group; (2) "Growing Up," offering information and activities on metamorphosis--the life stages that insects pass through; (3) "Finding a Place to Live," providing information and activities on insect habitats and microhabitats--what they are and why they are so important to insects and all animals; (4) "Staying Alive," providing information and activities on how insects are adapted to survive; (5) "People and Insects," including information and activities on how insects influence our lives; (6) "Crafty Corner," offering ideas for art projects; and (7) Appendix, featuring questions, a glossary, and bibliographic information. (WRM)