Scholastic Big Day for PreK

Embrace children's natural curiosity and build the foundation for success in school and life with this new comprehensive program. It uses integrated learning experiences and includes oral language development opportunities, literature and nonfiction, and innovative technology.

PreK; $2,850 for the English edition, $3,650 for the English/Spanish edition (available in spring 2011). Scholastic, (800) 387-1437, www.scholastic.com/bigday.

Look, Look Again: Sports Picture Puzzles

The photo pairs in this book look alike at first glance. Students will have to look closely to find the hidden differences. Can they spot them all?

PreK–grade 2 (interest level), grades 1–2 (reading level); $18.99. Capstone Publishers, (800) 747-4992, www.capstonepub.com.

America the Beautiful Quarters Program

Help students connect history with the coins in their pockets! Get free lesson plans for kindergarten through grade 12 from the United States Mint to use with this new multiyear quarter initiative. Each year from 2010 through 2021, five new designs will appear on the quarter to honor 56 national parks and other national sites in each state, the District of Columbia, and six U.S. territories. Get the plans at www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/atb.

Building Character From the Start: 201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy, and Play in K–3

How do you get young students engaged in discussions about topics like integrity or responsibility? While they're playing games, acting out storybooks, and drawing, ask the questions that make them think! The activities in this book will get you and your class started.

Grades K–3, $29.95. Search Institute Press, (800) 888-7828, www.search-institute.org.

Funny Bone Readers: Developing Character

Promote character education with a humorous twist with the books in this class set! It supports literacy with standards-based character development and includes leveled readers, lesson plans, activities, and interactive e-books.

Grades K–2; $295 for a complete class set (six each of 12 books, lesson planner, and interactive e-books CD-ROM) or $62.95 for one each of 12 books plus the e-books CD-ROM. Red Chair Press, (888) 327-2141 ext. 101, www.redchairpress.com.

Interactive Game Wizard

This new software lets you create interactive games that students play on computers or interactive whiteboards. Four game templates are provided: matching, sorting, circular sequencing, and linear sequencing. Simply choose a template and then enter words, pictures, numbers, or symbols.

Grades K–5, $24.99. Teacher Created Resources, (888) 343-4335, www.teachercreated.com.

Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia

The encyclopedia has entered a new era! This multimedia reference book takes information to a whole new level with updated coverage of scientific breakthroughs; space missions and discoveries; political, social, and ecological changes around the world; plus more than 5,000 safe Internet links.

Ages 8–17, $34.99. DK Publishing, us.dk.com.

Critical Thinking Combo Pack

Incorporate higher-level thinking across the curriculum with the four products in this set. The critical thinking wheel, student guides, critical thinking stems, and strategies guide provide quick and easy access to questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy.

Grades 2–3, 4–5, and 6–12; $69.95 per set. Mentoring Minds, (800) 585-5258, MentoringMinds.com.

31 Ways to Change the World

Inspired by kids' suggestions, this book contains ideas for how kids can have a positive impact on the world. Suggestions include everything from teaching their grannies to send text messages to recycling their toys to growing food.

Ages 8–12, $8.99. Candlewick Press, (800) 733-3000, www.candlewick.com.

Skill-Based Story Folders: Facts & Conclusions

Send students on a fact-finding mission with these story folders. Each folder contains two illustrated short stories that have a common theme. The back of each card features comprehension questions.

Grades 3 and up, $49.99. Remedia Publications, (800) 826-4740, www.rempub.com.

Merriam-Webster's Compact 5-Language Visual Dictionary

See it and say it! This visual dictionary of today's world lists thousands of words and concepts in five different languages. The book has 2,600 detailed pictures illustrating the meanings of 9,500 terms in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

Grades 5 and up, $29.95. Merriam-Webster, Inc.; www.Merriam-Webster.com.