4empowerment^® e-Newsletter
August 22, 2003

Welcome to the 4empowerment^® e-newsletter. Click, collaborate, teach, and learn.

NEW: 4empowerment 4e-zine!
4empowerment is pleased to launch its much-anticipated 4e-zine, an online digital magazine. Our unique 4e-zine allows students to showcase all types of media from short stories to "spoken word" poetry to short films. Student participants in 4e programs, such as Making the Connections (a new languages arts TARGET grant program), will be able to submit and showcase their work online. Teachers will be able to recommend their students' works for feature showcases. Click on the tab above or here to enter the 4e-zine.

Featured Poet: Liliana Valenzuela
In honor of the new 4e-zine, Liliana Valenzuela (award-winning writer, translator, and poet) has posted her own poetry -- both written and spoken. See and hear her poetry come to life!

Featured Screenwriter: Bill Broyles
Learn more about screenwriting from successful author and screenwriter, Bill Broyles, who is featured on this month's Expert Profiles. His screenwriting credits include Cast Away (2000) and co-writing credits for Unfaithful (2002), Planet of the Apes (2001), and Apollo 13 (1995). Check out Bill Broyles' comments to students on to become a successful screenwriter.

New Quiz: Classic Literature
From which novel did the idea of "Big Brother" originate? Who is best known for a story set in the depths of the Congo? How well do you know literature? Take our quiz and find out!

New Poll: "Novel" Opening Lines
A journey of 50,000 words starts out with one sentence. A good writer takes advantage of that first sentence to hook in their audience. Take a look at our new literature poll, "What's your favorite opening line of a novel?" to see what famous authors have created. We'd like to know which one you'd prefer! Vote now.

Discuss: More Opening Lines
Do you have other favorite opening lines to literary works that you'd like to suggest? Post them now to our special MORE 'NOVEL' OPENING LINES discussion board!

Kickoff Workshop: Making the Connections
August 25-26, 2003 @ Haltom City, TX • Birdville ISD and 4empowerment are pleased to welcome selected language arts teachers to the kickoff workshop for the Making the Connections TARGET grant program. Joining us will be the esteemed Dr. Brian Bryant, an affiliate of the Texas Center for Reading and the Language Arts with the University of Texas at Austin, and the highly creative author and illustrator Trevor Romain.

LAST CHANCE! Student Short Screenplay Competition
Deadline: September 5, 2003 • This is your last chance to submit your best screenplay and win two complimentary all-access Producers' Passes to the 2003 Austin Film Festival. Out of town winners will receive two free trips to Austin, TX, where the ten best films will be screened at the Capital Building. Click here for details.

AMD Global Contest - Best Animation and Digital Short Films
Deadline: September 2, 2003 (postmarked) • AMD is conducting a global search for the best non-commercial animation and digital short films. Eligible participants can submit their work in one of two categories, "Digital Cinematography" or "Computer Character Animation," for a chance to win on of the two grand prizes. Two grand prize winners will each receive an AMD Athlon™ 64 processor-based system and $6,400 cash. Learn more!

Free Aquatic Toxicity Testing Course for Teachers
November 9-13 @ Austin, TX • At its upcoming 24th Annual Meeting, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North American (SNA) will be offering an environmental education short course targeted towards junior and senior high school educators. Sign up now!

Texas Commission on the Arts’ (TCA) Young Masters Program
Do you have an especially motivated 8th-12th grader who aspires to become an accomplished artist? The TCA has developed a program which funds especially dedicated young artists to participate in advanced art training programs. Be sure to visit http://www.arts.state.tx.us/ or call (512) 936-6564 for details about this program. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2003.

Back to School: Science Activities
Welcome back to school, teachers! Looking for science education resources? Don't forget about our online collection of activities and lesson plans, which have been used in our award-winning programs, such as Cyberways and Waterways^®. All our materials have been developed by education professionals and aligned to state and national standards. Feel free to download them and try 'em out! We welcome any feedback you may have! (Language Arts resources also available.)