Kentucky Academy of Technology Education

Economics for the Littlest Learners

Core Connections

By: Ashli Gore, Calloway County Schools

Economics is a way of thinking. Effective economic instruction can begin with the littlest learners in Kindergarten and first grade. These learners aren't ready for a complete analysis of the global economy but they are able to understand the basic building blocks of economics that lay the foundation for future learning. Pulling economic concepts from story books is one tool for achieving this goal that not only develops economic understanding but facilitates a life-long love for reading.

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Schools Prepare for KCCT "On the Island"

Instructional Illuminations

By, Tad Mott, Livingston County Schools

South and North Livingston Elementary students are preparing for CATS testing on the sandy beaches of Hawaii -and they never leave campus! As soon as they enter the Computer Learning Center in the school, they are whisked away to a beach environment, complete with palm trees and island flare! Learning is now exotic and fun, thanks to Study Island. This is the first year South and North Livingston Elementary Schools have utilized the program. To date, the results appear promising. All web-based activities are linked to Kentucky Core Content and are nearly identical to state multiple choice questions. Teachers have the option of assigning activities that have been prefabricated by Study Island or they can create their own material. Testing can be done with traditional pencil/paper worksheets, online response to multiple choice questions, or open-ended responses (ORQ's can't be scored by Study Island). Teachers have the option of allowing the student to answer the questions in a gaming format for motivational purposes. Students receive blue ribbons when they reach proficiency. The content difficulty levels can be adjusted for gifted or for special needs students as well as specific proficiency criteria.

 

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Teaching "Frankenstein" to Reluctant Readers

Core Connections

By, K. Reneé Capps, Ballard Memorial High School

No, he's not the Incredible Hulk and he's not necessarily green; unless, you first saw him in the movies; the old classic movies that is. And even then, he became acquainted with most of his audience years later as an image on black and white television screens!

At the mention of Frankenstein, the first image that comes to our mind is a seven foot tall, grunting green guy with bolts in his neck and a square head! We call him "Frankenstein", but this is all wrong. Frankenstein was the name of the deranged scientist who stitched the Creature together from pieces of corpses. The seven foot tall guy quickly learned to speak and reason with intelligence, but he didn't have a name, and he probably wasn't even green. What has Hollywood done to the classics?

 

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