THE COLOR OF MONEY The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve have developed a lesson plan to be used in classrooms to encourage financial literacy among middle- and high school-age students and educate them about the newly redesigned $50 note. The new bill was issued in late September. The lesson plan offers educators the opportunity to teach U.S. history, economics and language arts. To access the lesson plan online, visit www.moneyfactory.com/newmoney and click on the "Youth Education" tab.

FULBRIGHT EXCHANGE Oct. 15 is the postmark deadline for teachers wishing to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program for the 2005-06 academic year. Approximately 400 educators take part in the one-to-one educator program each year. U.S. and international teachers continue to be paid by their home institutions while exchanging classrooms, usually for a full academic year. U.S. educators interested in participating must be U.S. citizens, have a full-time teaching or administrative position, be in at least the third year of full-time employment (for teaching and administrative exchanges) or in the second year of full-time teaching (for summer seminar participation), and be fluent in English. In some countries, demonstrated fluency in the appropriate language is required. Requests for applications and general information should be directed to Roberta Croll, Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program, 800/726-0479. Or visit www.fulbrightexchanges.org.

INSIDE THE BOX The "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" campaign enters its 54th year with a variety of free classroom materials that educators can order online. Visit www.unicefusa.org to order collection boxes and education materials in both English and Spanish for K-12 students. You can also order by calling 800/4-UNICEF. UNICEF provides clean water, nutrition, health and education to children in 158 countries. The trick-or-treat campaign began in Philadelphia in 1950 when a youth group collected $17 in decorated milk cartons on Halloween to help children overseas. Since then, U.S. children have collected more than $119 million.

MOVE OVER, JEEVES The latest addition to the online Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is "Ask Gleaves," a Q&A column by presidential historian and center director Gleaves Whitney. Visitors will find a range of interesting items, such as: Which president published the longest memoirs? ( Nixon.) How common is the tradition of presidential debates? (Surprisingly rare and a modern phenomenon in American politics.) You can get your questions answered or find other interesting presidential facts by visiting http://askgleaves.org.

PLAY SAFE Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the "heart machines" that can help stop sudden cardiac arrest, are available to youth sports organizations at substantial discounts through the "Save a Child’s Life: an AED for Every Team" campaign. This partnership between nonprofit groups allows sports groups to enjoy deep discounts off the regular price of defibrillators. In addition, for every AED purchased, the campaign will donate an extra $50 to subsidize the purchase of more AEDs by needy programs. For more information, visit www.teamsofangels.org.

CARING CLASSROOMS This school year, students across the country are helping others while they help themselves by participating in Scholastic Book Clubs ClassroomsCare, a philanthropy-based literacy campaign designed to teach children about the joys and importance of reading and giving. For each class that reads 100 books by Dec. 31, 2004, Scholastic Book Clubs will donate 100 books (for a total donation of up to 1 million new books) to disadvantaged children nationwide. Teachers, along with their students, can log on to www.scholastic.com/classroomscare to learn more.

ONLINE SAFETY The Business Software Alliance’s "Play it Cyber Safe" Web site offers teachers several materials to help students understand and guard against piracy, hacking and other forms of "cybercrime." Visit www.playitcybersafe.com, click on the "Teachers" link, and you’ll find a free educational curriculum, teacher’s guide, downloadable classroom poster and more. The site also offers resources for students and their parents.

WORLD SAMPLER National Geographic in mid-October is releasing its revised Atlas of the World using new digital mapping techniques and advanced satellite imagery. The hefty price tag—$165—includes an integrated online component for atlas purchasers, which likely would include school libraries or social studies departments. The 416-page, seven-pound atlas includes more than 15,000 updates and editorial changes since the previous edition was published five years ago. A sample of the online companion Web site can be viewed at www.nationalgeographic.com/sampleatlas.

FIRST AMENDMENT HELP Random House Children’s Books is circulating a newly updated brochure for teachers and librarians who are fighting censorship battles in their schools. The brochure deals with such current topics as reader privacy, details parent strategies for teachers, and offers guidance for leading classroom discussions on the topic of censorship. Also available are sample letters to the editor and other resources. Materials are available free of charge at www.firstamendmentfirstaid.com.