Reading Mashups

A mashup on the web according to Wikipedia means a website or web application that combines content from more than one source. This is a a great idea for any kind of learning connections. During the industrial revolution, the whole was broken down into parts to allow the making of parts easier. Schools followed the same path in education. Gradually, good teachers have been trying to make the connections that make learning complete. Technology has finally arrived at the place where a reading mashup is a must.

It would be wonderful to see these mashups coming from local areas about a topic that is important in that area of the country or world. Such examples from Maine, where I live would be forests, ocean topics, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Joshua Chamberlain, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, etc.

Lobsters, Crabs, Shrimp (Crustaceans)
(This will be an ongoing blog, as I will continue to add resource to it as I find them)

1. First, you could begin with books.
a. If you go to World Cat, ,which is a free library search program you can search Lobsters, crabs, shrimp (Crustaceans) and find out which the books are at your local llibrary. If they are not many can be ordered through interlibrary services. The ones that are hard to get are from colleges and universities.
b. Go to your local library and browse through the children's books or search a topic. Most children's librarians are very knowledgeable and helpful. Ask them for help.
Books:
1 I wrote a children's book called "The Goby and the Shrimp" which will soon be available as a story to download free. It is a story about "How the goby and the shrimp started living together in a symbiotic relationship". Here is an illustration from the story. This is a real relationship that can be found in the coral reefs of the south pacific. Click here for the "trailer".

2. DVDs or Videos
a. World Cat works for these as well. Just search (video lobsters) or (DVD lobsters) for example.
b. Here are some titles I know off hand:
1. The world's fastest animal- TEDTalk with Sheila Patek
This great talk connects the manta shrimp, hyperbolic paraboloid (a saddle shape)
with jewelry, architecture and math strength. Free on the internet - about 18 min
2. Let's Go Lobstering with Lobsterman Chris Filmed in Maine- on DVD $19.95
3. Lobstering on the Benjo

3. Music- children's- Can be heard on itunes
a. Lobster Dance- Wayne Potash
b. Were not exactly Lobsters

4. Art
a. Blake Hendrickson's "Goby and Shrimp"--This is a fabulous wood relief on exhibit at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine.


5. Weblinks
a. American Lobsters
b. A site all about Lobsters from the Gulf of Maine Aquarium- tells about Life cycles, lobster boats, how to eat, trivia, activities and more.
c.The Lobster Conservancy
The Lobster Conservancy (TLC) works with fishermen and volunteers throughout the Gulf of Maine region to sustain a thriving lobster fishery through science and community.
d. The Lobsterman's Page interesting information on lobster