Best 5th grade VC programs

So you're a 5th grade teacher trying to decide which VC programs to do this year? Here's my "best picks" list.

Social Studies

1. For U.S. geography and history, consider the program we run in April every year: MysteryQuest USA. My local teachers pick times & dates, then we advertise to everyone else. This program is always free.
2. Another highly recommended program is Musical Geography of America from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
3. See also our list of programs for 5th grade: colonization and exploration. I haven't seen any of these enough to strongly recommend any, but they all sound good.
   

Language Arts

1. For my local teachers: We have some good ASK programs coming up that you'll want to consider. Remember we send you the books.
   ****Roanoke: The Lost Colony by Jane Yolen. Grade Level: 5th. Topic: Colonial times. Date: March 16, 2006; 1:00-2:00 p.m. 3 slots available.
   Students will interview a historical impersonator: a colonial craftsman.
   ****The Bobbin Girl by Emily Arnold McCully, Grades 4-5
   Topic: Labor / US History
   Date: March 14, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST (3 slots)
   ****Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman. Grade Level: 4-7 (5th is best). Topic: Tornadoes - weather. Date: Open to scheduling when you want it. Students will interview a local meteorologist.
   
2. See also the Grade Level Content Expectations for 5th grade language arts. These are all good choices.

Science
Of course look at the Grade Level Content Expectations for 5th grade science. Of those, I highly recommend the following:

1. Gadget Works from COSI Columbus for your simple machines unit. Excellent program! Kids take apart toys and learn about the simple machines in them during the program. Very highly recommended.
   
2. Anything from the Cincinnati Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Buffalo Zoo, COSI Toledo, or the Lake County Waste Management District.

To my local teachers, email me or visit www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl to schedule any of these videoconferences.