Monday, June 18, 2012

NOOK Tablet Kids Summer Reading Program

EW YORK, NY – June 18, 2012 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced the NOOK Kids Summer Reading Program (www.nook.com/kids-summer-reading), a free in-store kids and teens summer reading offer for customers who purchase an award-winning NOOK Tablet at one of Barnes & Noble’s nearly 700 stores nationwide.  The NOOK Tablet Kids Summer Reading Program is available from June 18 through September 2 and includes three different free collections of select bestselling kids’ and teen eBooks designed to keep children reading and learning all summer long.This limited time offer applies to new purchases of both NOOK Tablet 16GB ($249) and NOOK Tablet 8GB ($199).
 
Each collection will be offered for a limited time and is divided into three age-appropriate groups:
  • June 18 through July 15:  Summer Reading Collection for Ages 7-12
  • July 16 through August 5:  Summer Reading Collection for Teens
  • August 6 through September 2:  Picture books for young readers
“We are excited to bring together our award-winning NOOK Tablet and this fantastic free collection of bestselling titles so children can start building their summer reading library,” said Jim Hilt, Vice President of eBooks for Barnes & Noble. “With this offer, we will create lifetime readers by delivering great content into the hands of young readers through an engaging and interactive digital experience.”
 
The first collection of titles, available June 18 through July 15, is specially designed for readers ages seven through 12 and features the following perennial favorites and bestsellers by popular authors:
  • Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus series No. 1) by Jonathan Stroud
  • Disney after Dark (Kingdom Keepers series No. 1)  by Ridley Pearson
  • Judy Moody & Stink: Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt by Megan McDonald
  • The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
  • Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper
Once customers purchase their new NOOK Tablet, young readers can choose to enjoy one title or the entire collection of free summer reading eBooks, which can be instantly downloaded and added to their free digital locker via access codes they will receive at the time of their NOOK purchase.  For more information, ask a bookseller or go to: www.nook.com/kids-summer-reading.
 
With all NOOK products, customers can shop Barnes & Noble's expansive NOOK Store of more than 2.5 million digital titles. In addition, Barnes & Noble offers always free in-store NOOK support for customers to set up and learn how to use their new device face-to-face with friendly neighborhood NOOKsellers.
 

Monday, June 4, 2012

Barnes & Noble to Host New Hands-On Learning Event Series

Barnes & Noble to Host New Hands-On Learning Event Series

Activities Will Take Place in Expanded Toys & Games Department as Part of Annual Summer Reading Program, Imagination’s Destination

New York, NY– June 4, 2012 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced that stores nationwide will host a new Hands-On Learning event series, for children ages four and up, designed to help promote cognitive development, literacy, creativity, social skills and scientific thinking. The Hands-On Learning events will take place in June, July and August and mark the expansion of the company’s Summer Reading Program, “Imagination’s Destination,” to its Toys & Games Department.

Kicking off the program this month is a Lego® Building Event designed to help children develop fine motor skills, while having fun with ever-popular Lego micro bricks. Customers are encouraged to visit www.bn.com for more information on Hands-On Learning events at their neighborhood Barnes & Noble location.

“We are thrilled to provide children with fun, engaging activities that foster critical thinking skills and spatial relationships with our new Hands-On Learning events,” says Kathleen Campisano, Vice President, Toys & Games. “Through this exciting new program, Barnes & Noble is both the ultimate resource for families’ educational needs and a great destination for summer fun.”

The Barnes & Noble’s Toys & Games Department features 3,000-square-feet of play space incorporating interactive displays, creativity and learning through activities, scientific discoveries, and favorite children’s characters. Through unique strategic partnerships with world renowned toy and games manufacturers, Barnes & Noble has five interactive play areas – Building, Learning, Imagining, Creating and Playing – that offer children hands-on learning experiences in a fun, engaging and comfortable environment.


- Be of Good Cheer!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Barnes & Noble Launches 16th Annual Summer Reading Program: Imagination's Destination

Barnes & Noble Launches 16th Annual Summer Reading Program:
Imagination's Destination
Special Promotion with New Scholastic “Discover More™” Series Allows Children to Further Explore Their Imaginations
NEW YORK, NY - May 22, 2012 - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced the launch of its 2012 Summer Reading program: Imagination's Destination.  Children in grades 1-6 can earn a free book just by reading eight books and turning in a completed reading journal sheet about the books they read. This year, Imagination’s Destination features the exciting new Scholastic Discover More series along with two special promotions to encourage young readers to explore their imaginations all summer long.

Scholastic Discover More is an innovative new book series that makes learning a fun and immersive journey of discovery at a variety of reading levels, through vivid color photos and in-depth diagrams. Each title in the series comes with a free digital companion book which offers even more illuminating insight. Young explorers can download a digital sample of the Scholastic Discover More experience to read on Barnes and Noble’s award-winning NOOK Color™ or NOOK Tablet™. 

From May 22 through July 9, participating families can take home a free 3-D Shark Poster, a $6.95 value, with the purchase of any Scholastic Discover More book. From July 9 through September 4, customers can take home a free Projector Flashlight of the Constellations, a $5.95 value, with the purchase of any Scholastic Discover More book.   The 3-D Shark Poster and the Projector Flashlight are available in stores while supplies last.

“We’re proud to offer young readers even more creative ways to explore their imaginations through the dynamic power of books with our 16th annual Summer Reading program,” said Mary Amicucci, Vice President of Children's Books for Barnes & Noble, Inc.  “As the premier destination for the best summer reading experience, we are excited to help children continue to discover the bright world of reading over their summer vacations.”

The free Summer Reading program kicks off in Barnes & Noble stores across the country May 22 and continues through September 4, 2012.  Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com) will feature the reading journal, summer reading kit, and book recommendations for summer reading fun at www.bn.com/summerreading.

This year, the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program includes seven fun activities for kids in our summer reading kit that can be downloaded from www.bn.com/summerreading.

Find Your Favorites- Encourage children to identify their favorite authors and illustrators.  This is an important part of exploring the world of books.  Ask questions such as: What makes this author your favorite?  Can you always identify this person's art or writing style?  Is there a subject that you would like this person to explore?

Fiction & Non-Fiction- Encourage children to explore different genres of literature.  It's important that they know the difference between fiction and non-fiction.  Ask children if adventure, biography, fantasy, mystery, sports and science books can be fiction, non-fiction or both.

Playing Roles- Reading allows us to imagine ourselves in the roles played by other people.  These people can be historical figures or fictional characters.  Ask children to list five characters who have captured their imagination and describe ways in which they are similar and different from themselves.

Realms of Imagination- Our imaginations shape our sense of what is possible.  Encourage children to plan their ideal summer vacation, mixing elements of real life with places they'd like to visit - maybe even a fictional destination from their favorite book.

Face to Face with History- Learning about people, places, and events that changed the world we live in can be fun.  The Face to Face with History activity from Scholastic encourages kids to think about a famous person in history they would like to know more about and use research to answer questions about this person.

Steps in Order- Kids get the chance to be the expert in this fun activity from Scholastic.  Steps in Order encourages kids to learn how to write instructions about how to do something of their choosing and the materials needed to do it. 
Packed with Facts- Knowing how to use encyclopedias is an important part of learning for kids.  Scholastic’s Packed with Facts activity encourages kids to write an encyclopedia article about something that interests them. 
The Reading Journal- Choose eight books to read over the summer.  Fill out your reading journal with the books your child has read and discuss who they would recommend each book to and why.  Once they've read eight books, bring the completed reading journal to any Barnes & Noble location to receive a free book.
Everything you need to begin your journey to your imagination's destination with the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program can be found online at www.bn.com/summerreading.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I love it when parents donate games to our class library. Games are great for reward days. If you are shopping on Black Friday, there are good deals for games for kids, and there are some that gifted kids tend to love. Risk, anyone? Black Friday 2011 offers shopping bargains for parents and teachers that want to find games to entertain and engage gifted and talented children and teens. Read more at Suite101: Black Friday 2011: Great Shopping Deals on Games for Gifted Kids | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/news/black-friday-2011-great-shopping-deals-on-games-for-gifted-kids-a397171#ixzz1eWTazDiP

Friday, November 11, 2011

NEA Email Info

American Education Week will be celebrated across the nation the week of November 13. As we highlight the importance of public education, we must also take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the deplorable school and campus conditions faced by far too many students and educators. On average, the buildings that house our public schools are more than 40 years old. Our schools need an estimated $500 billion in repairs and upgrades. We are shortchanging an entire generation of students by sending them to school in old, crumbling, overcrowded, and often unsafe buildings. They deserve better.

Investment in school and campus infrastructure provides a win-win scenario – it improves teaching and learning environments, helps maximize student achievement, and creates jobs that help stimulate local economies while putting more money into the hands of working families. We can’t afford to wait any longer!

Take Action Today:

Tell your Members of Congress to put Americans back to work and ensure our children the education they deserve by supporting school and campus modernization. Tell Congress to support the the Fix America’s Schools Today Act (S. 1597/H.R.2948), which would provide needed funds to ensure students the learning environments so essential to their success.
Share your story -- Keep the stories coming. We are using your stories to help put pressure on Members of Congress to do the right thing and focus on creating a great public school for every student.
Other Ways You Can Help Celebrate American Education Week:

Help fund a teacher’s classroom project. Educators spend on average $350 a year out of their own pockets on classroom materials. To help them, the NEA Foundation is partnering with DonorsChoose.org to fulfill their wish lists for their students. Search NEA members’ project requests for classroom learning needs. Select those you like, donate what you can, and the NEA Foundation will match it, up to $250 per request.
Take the Priority Schools Pledge. How do we expose and close the education gaps that deny our students the basics and keep opportunity always a zip code or two away? By showing that our communities will no longer sit quietly at the back of the line for quality teachers and adequate resources. Students succeed if adults intercede, working together and standing for nothing less than excellence. Take the Priority Schools Pledge and NEA will show you a way you can be involved.
Nominate a Classroom Superhero! NEA’s Classroom Superheroes campaign allows parents, students, and community members to show educators the support they deserve. Find out more and then nominate your classroom superheroes.
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EDUCATION FUNDING AT RISK AGAIN: BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT VOTE IMMINENT

The House is set to vote the week of November 14 on a proposed Constitutional Amendment that would require a balanced budget. Overall, a balanced budget amendment would result in the largest cuts in federal spending in modern history. It simply will not be possible to achieve the spending levels required under any balanced budget amendment without massive cuts in education, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs that meet crucial national needs.

Educators understand that Congress must work to ensure America’s long-term economic prosperity and that we must address the nation’s serious fiscal challenges. However, cutting education funding and slashing programs that serve children, seniors, and working families is not the answer. Claims that families and states balance their budgets are erroneous. Most families have mortgages and car loans, and take on other debt to provide for their children’s futures. In addition, while many states must balance their operating budgets, they take on debt for capital costs and job-creating projects such as building roads, bridges, and schools.

Take Action Today: As educators, NEA members have a unique perspective on the importance of investing in education and protecting the most vulnerable in our nation. The stories you can share with policymakers about the impact of spending cuts on your students, colleagues, and communities can be very powerful. Tell Congress to oppose a balanced budget amendment.

- Be of Good Cheer!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Steve Spangler Coupon Code

Hands-On Science = Hands-On Learning…
Steve Spangler's Science in the Rockies conference is guaranteed to change your perspective on teaching science. Steve has specifically designed this three-day conference for early childhood and elementary teachers who need creative ways to integrate science into their everyday teaching. You will leave with everything you need, tools and mindset, to make sure the science you teach will make it to the dinner table.

Save $100 on Your Science in the Rockies Registration!

School and personal budgets are tight, but we don't want diminishing funds to keep anyone from experiencing Science in the Rockies. So to help with the registration fee, we'll knock $100 off if you register before January 31st, 2012. That's right, just registering for Science in the Rockies in the next three months get's you in for $795 instead of $895!


Discount Code: SITR2012EM


- Be of Good Cheer!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Discovery Ed and Six Flags Rewards Readers with Amusement Park Tickets

From an email today:

Reward Reading with Six Flags Tickets
Six Flags and Discovery Education are excited to announce the launch of Read to Succeed 2011-2012. We share your commitment to inspiring a lifelong love of learning in students and now, K-6 students who complete six hours of recreational reading can earn a free Six Flags ticket. Best of all, teachers win too!

To participate, please take a moment to register today:
It's easy and only takes a few minutes! View our Program FAQ for details.
For step-by-step guides, easy tips on how to register for the program and information on how to log your students' reading hours, view our Registration and Submission Guides.

To get started, download our parent letter and student reading log.
Then, check out the wide range of free classroom resources and fun family activities to build your students' excitement for reading.

Read to Succeed is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, October 27 at 7pm EST to share what's new this year and answer any questions you may have. The webinar will be archived on the Read to Succeed website if you would like to refer to it later. Register now.

Spread the word to your colleagues . Don't miss this chance to encourage and celebrate your students' love of reading!

Visit DiscoveryEducation.com/ReadtoSucceed to get started today.



- Be of Good Cheer!