Two teachers' works featured on Web

Educators across the country can benefit from a lesson plan and computer program developed by teachers in the Cape Girardeau School District through educational Web sites like SuccessLink and Ask ERIC.

A computer program developed by Sherri Sparks, a family and consumer science teacher at Central Junior High, is one of 10 programs showcased this month on SuccessLink, a Web site operated through a grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

SuccessLink serves as a data base for several thousand lesson plans and other practices for Missouri teachers. All of the lessons in the database are aligned to the Show-Me Standards. These standards provide the basis for the state curriculum frameworks and the performance-based state assessment.

According to SuccessLink program coordinator Marsha Baclesse, teachers submit lessons for review, and the best ones are included on the Web site.

"It's very useful to teachers because it provides immediate access to complete, well-designed lessons they can use right away," Baclesse said.

Sparks, who has taught in the Cape Girardeau School District for two years, said it was an honor to be showcased on SuccessLink, which she herself uses on a regular basis.

"It's wonderful resource. You get to see what different teachers are doing," Sparks said. "There might be things that you've never thought of, and you can adapt them to your classroom."

Sparks' program is a game that asks students to visit various Web sites and gather information about the pilgrim's first Thanksgiving feast. Students then use the information to build a food guide pyramid.

Another educational Web site, The Educational Resources Information Center, recently featured a lesson plan by Ida Domazlicky, who teaches hearing impaired students in the Cape Girardeau School District.

"These Web sites can be really helpful. It's something outside to supplement a teacher's regular curriculum," Domazlicky said. "It can make what you're teaching more interesting for you and your kids."

'I've been surprised'

Domazlicky's lesson plan was based on a play she rewrote called "The Magic Bullets." The focus of the lesson is drug abuse, and it's been picked up by private online lesson plan Web sites and an educational site operated by the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs.

"I've been surprised by all of the interest. I think it's an indication of how the Internet brings people closer together," Domazlicky said.

She said she doesn't believe too many local teachers have submitted lesson plans to ERIC because there are numerous requirements to meet.

"Most teachers don't have time to do that very often," Domazlicky said.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128