We teachers like to shake things up a bit and how better to begin than by adding a little randomness into your lessons. This is a great site that creates custom cubes which you can use as dice in class. They are easy to create and great for children make for a range of subjects and activities. Give it a roll.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/Cross+Curricular
US Census data is out and is being sliced and diced liked done on this edudemic article:
98% of students aged 6-14 are enrolled in school; 93% aged 14-18 are enrolled in school. 60% of 3-5 year olds are enrolled in nursery school; 92% of 5-6 year olds are enrolled in kindergarten. These numbers represent huge increases for the 3-6 year olds compared with 1970.
In 1970, 20% of women and 27% of men attended college, compared with 38.6% of men and 47.5% of women in 2010.
Generally only about 52% of school expenditures are for instruction. 29.7% go to 'support services' (a category that is not clearly defined here)
Only four states spend more than $9,000 per pupil per year. 20 states spend $6,000 to $8,999, leaving the vast majority of states spending under $6K per year, per pupil.