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Several months ago I mentioned a world map that features a thought-provoking and truly interesting projection.  South is at the top.

Every time I look at this particular projection I become more impressed with its ability to challenge my thinking and to arouse curiosity about my neighbors on planet Earth.

Now for something special:

I have been able to secure 12 of these full-size (24″ x 36″) maps from the terrific folks at ODT Maps and will give them away free to the first 12 teachers who send me an e-mail with their name and a mailing address that I can ship to. (Use the “Contact” button above or the comment form below to send the information.  I’ll hide your name from public view like the others below.)

All I ask in return is that some day you’ll send me a follow-up email to let me know if your class enjoyed the map and any other comments you may have about this thought-provoking resource.

That’s it.  I feel strongly that resources like this are under-used and that teachable moments are lost in their absence.  If you’re one of those teachers who constantly pushes for higher achievement, then be sure to step up and let me know that you want your classroom to be one of the beneficiaries of this one-time, free offer.

Update: The last map has finally been given away.  Thanks to everyone who responded.

I’ve recently discovered 2 Google search functions that work really well and that practically nobody uses.  The first is known as “site search” and the other is “file search.”

Site search allows you to look for something on a website without actually going to the site. This is especially powerful when applied to education sites since so many of them are massive link farms.  There’s good stuff available, but you have to work hard to find it and it can be sloooow.

Here’s a likely scenario: you need resources to teach a unit about counting money.  You seem to remember seeing something good on superteacherworksheets.com, but you’re not sure.  Rather than going to the site and nosing round, type the following formula into the Google search bar:

[subject] [site:] [website address]

Press “search” and you’ll get a list of all of the materials that exist on the site for money.  If they have something, you’ll see what they’ve got and if they don’t have anything, you won’t waste time hunting for a dead end.

Regardless of how inefficient or unorganized the navigation of some sites may be, this technique will cut right through and deliver the goods.  How cool is that!

The second search function you may want to try is “filetype” search. With this search option, you type in the subject, “filetype:” and then the type of file you want.  For example, if you want to find a PowerPoint presentation about simple machines you’d use this formula:

[subject] [filetype:] [type of file you want]

Press “search” and you’ll see every PowerPoint presentation that exists on the web.  (This works equally well for PDF files and Word docs).

I could see this being a powerful tool when you need to find a new way to approach a subject.  Pick your subject, use the “filetype:” function and investigate how other people have approached the topic.  Get creative!

In case you’re one of the unlucky few who didn’t have access to this speech because of the political bafoonery that surrounded it, here it is:

You can download the written transcript of this speech by clicking here.

Change is in the air.  Hope for a more unified world and a more balanced role in that world is upon us.

To help re-align our thinking with the demands of the new world, I suggest revisiting some of the forward-thinking tools from our recent past.

One of these tools is the Hobo-Dyer Projection World Map, which is the map that President Jimmy Carter used to display his agency’s efforts at his Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in December 2002.

The Hobo-Dyer Projection is an equal area design that displays countries by their true size in relation to one another.  The reverse side of the map shows the exact same projection, but with two somewhat startling changes: south is on top and Australia is shown in the middle of the map. (See a larger view)

Most Americans have never seen this projection and instead can only imagine a world in which the United States is a prominent country almost literally at the center.  While romantic and glamorous, that kind of distorted thinking hampers our ability to make rational and balanced judgements about our role and importance in the world. 

How does such a simple thing as reversing the poles or changing the “centering” influence your impression of what’s important?

(Shameless promo section ahead… )  Totally3rdGrade.com has partnered with ODT Maps for a special packaged deal; we are offering a Teacher and the Rockbots “World” CD bundled with an 11×17 Hobo-Dyer World Projection Map for $14.95 (a $4 savings).

If you are interested in acquiring modern resources that fit the modern era, click of the link below and it will take you to ODT Maps where you can make your purchase.

Take me to ODT Maps for my Hobo-Dyer/”World” CD offer