As I write, the Texas house may be passing the Texas version of the sDMCA (SB1116). Amidst some Memorial-day "Freedom" speeches, perhaps.
After pasing Senate earlier this month, it passed out of House Regulated Industries committee 5/22 (no ammendments), and is on the House floor calendar. EFF-Austin has been organizing visits at the capitol.
Apparently SBC (local "Baby Bell" telephone/DSL monopoly) has also been flexing its mighty arms in support of the bill.
More info here.
What this means is that they make it hard for anyone besides professional lobbyists to participate in the process. Sure, you can email your legislator, but you can't even fax your testimony to the committee (& that's the only stuff that goes on record).
Well I read through the voluminous replies to your query and saw that you've been offered only a few useful suggestions, so here's an attempt.
I suggest these from the perspective of my multi-level and multi-location teaching experience with math, science, languages, and technology.
Use peer & cooperative learning. Whatever those kids' background is, there will be differences, and most kids from any background don't get enough opportunities to work or play together productively and cooperatively. If you want to do anything competitive, use teams and mix them up. The best type of competition is against selves or for a common goal/reward.
Brainstorm ideas for activities and a student-led project, starting with what the kids already know about, have heard of, or are interested in. Maybe they could create a video or website, but including art, photos, writing, or performance that they create or find in their neighborhood (thus allowing for those different interests and skills to be included, and pride in their own background). They could deal with a local or age-relevant issue or problem.
Definitely spend a lot of time on the interenet. Research skills are universally beneficial, and require logical thinking. Don't neglect to research the local area (maps, weather, services, environmental info, history). Connect to and motivate the kids with relevance .
Email (Yahooligans is not so bad, and many others are multi-lingual). Gives them a reason to read and write, and maybe a connection to far-away relatives.
Yes, play games. Basic logic games, math games, science puzzles, word games, games with "chat". Try funbrain.com, surfnetkids.com, and of course about.com.
All the other suggestions about Oregon Trail and Logo are good, but you've only got so much time and don't want to blow it all trying to set up something over-ambitious. KISS.
Lastly, FWIW, I've got an over-sized pile of links from my years of education, here.
Slashdot Mirror
As I write, the Texas house may be passing the Texas version of the sDMCA (SB1116). Amidst some Memorial-day "Freedom" speeches, perhaps.
After pasing Senate earlier this month, it passed out of House Regulated Industries committee 5/22 (no ammendments), and is on the House floor calendar.
EFF-Austin has been organizing visits at the capitol.
Apparently SBC (local "Baby Bell" telephone/DSL monopoly) has also been flexing its mighty arms in support of the bill.
More info here.
What this means is that they make it hard for anyone besides professional lobbyists to participate in the process. Sure, you can email your legislator, but you can't even fax your testimony to the committee (& that's the only stuff that goes on record).
One acronym: EFF
Check out their State-Level "Super DMCA" Initiatives Archive
I suggest these from the perspective of my multi-level and multi-location teaching experience with math, science, languages, and technology.
here.