AFT's Summer Learning Calendar Returns for 2006
AFT Teams with National Geographic Society for Online and Print Versions
(Available starting today at www.aft.org/calendar June 6)

Washington, D.C. — The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Geographic Society have partnered to create the most dynamic and adventurous AFT Summer Learning Calendar yet. The theme of this year's calendar—which is available in Spanish and English—is geography. For the third consecutive year, online and print versions of the calendar are available and contain an entire summer's worth of activities and projects for students ages 8 through 12. 

"In this increasingly inter-dependent world, having a strong grasp of geography becomes all the more important," said Edward J. McElroy, president of the American Federation of Teachers. "We’re thrilled to be working with National Geographic to provide an educational and entertaining calendar that addresses this critical component of a child’s education."

Whether they receive one of the hundreds of thousands of colorful posters distributed by classroom teachers or choose to access the calendar online (at www.aft.org/calendar), students will have a host of instructive and fun activities available to them, including:

• weekly hands-on projects and activities to stimulate children's interests;
• a geography trivia game that takes students on a round-the-world expedition;
• interactive Web-based games, such as an interactive animal migration
  adventure; and
• web chats with National Geographic explorers, including a cave diver. 

The Summer Learning Calendar also is linked to the Learning Line, the AFT's toll-free educational phone line for students, which will feature learning activities based on the calendar's geography theme.  The Learning Line (800/242-5465) offers a new activity every week.

The online version of the Summer Learning Calendar is available throughout the summer at www.aft.org/calendar starting June 6.  To order print copies in English or Spanish, call AFT Public Affairs at 202/879-4458.

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