Tennessee DEN

The National DEN Blog has information related to local communities developing a Freedom Walk to commemorate those who lose their lives on September 11.  The Freedom Walk began in 2005 with 15,000 marching from the Pentagon to the National Mall.  This year, every community is encouraged to create their own local Freedom Walk.  See the DEN Blog for more details about how you can participate.

The TN LC has planned a DEN Event on September 8th at the TN Aquarium.  Due to room constraints, we only have room for 30.  We now have 36 who have requested to go!  As a result, we had to start putting names on a waiting list.

Our TN Chair, Teryl Magee, will be in touch with all attendees by email to let you know of your status.  If you are on the list to attend and you decide you cannot go, PLEASE let Teryl know by return email AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  We must confirm numbers with the Aquarium at least 48 hours before the event.

Keep putting your name and email in the comments section!  You may still be chosen to go if a position opens up!  Thanks to all the TN members who have commented so far.  We are pumped at your response!!!

It was just five days ago we posted that the TN LC would host a DEN Event at the TN Aquarium on September 8th in Chattanooga, TN.  We have space for 30, and we are over half-way there now!  Thanks, TN DEN!

During our workshop, we will experience one of the many interactive sessions offered to kids across all age groups.  Here are just a few of the possibilities:

Grades K-2 - Kids can learn about jellyfish in the Jellyfish Dream.  You can join J.J., a young and curious child as he travels through the ocean meeting various speciies of jellies.

Grades 3-5 - Kids in these grades will work together to build a jellyfish by becoming the different parts of a jelly that swims, stings, eats and, yes, excretes!

Grades 6-8 - Students can become corals as they play a game of chance.  Will they find food and reproduce?  Or will a hurricane or wrecked ship cause an early demise?  Playig Coralopoly will help students see how humans can impact corals both negatively and postively.

Grades 9-12 - Students conduct hands-on experiments to determine levels and types of water pollution as they set out on the Seahorse Rescure Mission.

And don’t forget that you can plan an overnighter at the Aquarium and "swim with the fishes."

Did I mention that the Aquarium now has penguins?  You can see how they created their :30 penguin commercial (a spaghetti western), by using one of DEN’s favorite props…the blue screen.  Click here for more info.

You can continue signing up at this blog, or the previous blog for the TN DEN LC.  Just give us your name AND your email address. We’ll be in touch to let you know who the lucky 30 will be on the 8th!

It is a well-known fact that Discovery Educators love Shark Week!  With that sentiment in mind, the TN Leadership Council has planned our next event at the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN.  And yes, you can really Pet the Sharks at the Aquarium!!

The TN Aquarium is one of TN’s premiere tourist attractions, but it is also designed as a tremendous training ground for students.  They will even send their staff to your school to do workshops with your students or staff development for your teachers!  This workshop will highlight the ways the TN Aquarium can benefit you and your students.

This exciting DEN event will be held Saturday, September 8th, beginning at 9 AM and concluding sometime after 2 PM.  Here is a brief itinerary:

• Hands On Workshop with TN Aquarium staff from 9 to 10:30
• Tour of the TN Aquarium (both salt and fresh water venues) from 10:30 to 12:00
• Lunch provided by the Riverside Deli from 12:00 to 1:00
• IMAX 3-D movie from 1:00 to 1:45
• Debrief and drinks at the Mellow Mushroom from 2:00 to ???

Our wonderful team at Discovery will pick up the tab for the training, movie, and lunch.  All day parking is anywhere from $5 to $7 (your tab).  Refreshments at the Mellow Mushroom are not included, but this get-together time is optional.

The TN Aquarium will present an overview of the student workshops held there.  They have workshops for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade levels.  All workshops are interactive and hands on.  They are also aligned to TN, GA, and AL science standards.  You can find a complete list at their website.

You should bring a digital and/or video camera if at all possible (at least one for each school group).  We will give you an assignment to create a digital story of the day to be completed later. 

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please comment below with your name and email address.  We can only take 30 people on this event due to space limitations, so sign up early!  We will be in contact with you at a later date to confirm your registration.  We promise to have you out in plenty of time to get to Knoxville for the TN Vols game later that day (7 PM)!

I have two brand new baby teachers in working with me this year.  They are terrific, and I strongly believe they will make great teachers in a few years. During a planning period, one of them shared Sharon Creech with me.  Sharon is the author of about 15 books aimed at upper elementary and middle school kids.  Her website is fantastic and includes study guides for a couple of her books.  If you are a language arts teacher, you may want to visit this site soon.