Mastermind behind Wikipedia launches education video website

Larry Sanger, who co-founded Wikipedia, has started a new online community aimed at educators and students. The website, www.watchknow.org, features an extensive library of education-related videos for children from ages 3 to 18. It also offers indispensable advice to teachers through the video format. For example, a simple search on geometry, filtered for ages 17-18+, returns such results as: "Helpful Ways to Teach Geometry", "Quadrilateral Song" and "How to Solve Geometry Proofs". Users can create accounts that allow them to add videos and edit descriptions. Because of this reliance on users to both expand and organize the collection, Sanger himself has described WatchKnow as "YouTube meets Wikipedia". Though still in in its infancy, WatchKnow already has 11,762 videos (and counting!). Considering the scope of material available on sites like YouTube and Wikipedia, it is not unlikely to think that one day WatchKnow's collection could be truly powerful in its ability to harness the power of the internet by bringing together people and ideas on a global level. So bookmark WatchKnow, spread the word to your fellow educators, direct your children there, and most importantly, contribute your own unique talent and voice. And for now, check out these videos found by browsing the poetry section....

Shel Silverstein narrating his poem "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too":



T.S. Eliot narrating his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock":



Langston Hughes narrating his poem "I, Too":

Connecticut Children's Book Fair - November 14-15th, 2009

The 18th Annual Connecticut Children's Book Fair will be held on November 14th and 15th at the UCONN campus in Storrs. The fair provides an opportunity for fans of children's literature to meet prominent authors and illustrators in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to presentations and book signings, the event will also feature storytelling sessions, crafts, and even an opportunity to have breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog! Lots of other popular characters will be present as well. On Saturday visitors will also be able to visit the Northeast Children's Literature Collection, housed at UCONN's Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, which features an extensive collection of original work by such noted authors as Richard Scarry and Tomie dePaola. For information on the collection go here, and for information on attending the fair go here.

And of course be sure to check out two of the newest additions to our very own Young People's book collection:

The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger's Syndrome, by K.I. Al-Ghani (YP 618.92 ALG)
The picture book offers both an engaging story that children will enjoy and helpful anger management techniques for adults to employ when working with children prone to anger and temper tantrums. From foot massages to popping bubble wrap, these suggestions are sure to appeal to even the most stressed out child.


All Dogs Have ADHD, by Kathy Hoopmann (YP 362.196 HOO)
This book uses vivid full color photographs of dogs to illustrate many of the most common traits held by those with ADHD. This delightful and humorous book is great for helping to boost the self-esteem of kids who may be having a hard time and feeling different from their peers.