Middle School Matters

MSM 292:  Riddle Me This Sherlock, We’re done for this year.

Shawn, Troy and Dave share advisory ideas and wrap up the year.

MSM 291: (Mystery) Science Theater, SAMR and Plagiarize Check This. Bye Doug.

Shawn, Troy and Dave talk about Science Theater, Plagiarism Checkers, Advisory ideas and more.

MSM 290: The Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen Show.

Shawn, Troy and Dave are back! We share resources and more.

MSM 289:  Upcoming Vacation, Back to the Future - Grammar, and Election (Signs)

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Dan Balestrero

Advisory:

Halloween Candy

http://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/candyx600_103014.png

Idioms

http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/idioms-of-the-world-infographic/

Back to The Future Grammar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXIZoaD8NBg#t=119

10 Greatest Changes of the past 1,000 years

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/30/10-greatest-changes-of-the-past-1000-years

Octothorpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVOM0VycMI

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

From the Twitterverse:

Strategies:

Counter Factuals

Given the perilous political circumstances in some regions of our world today, understanding what could have been, may in fact help us better understand what might be.

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119357/altered-pasts-reviewed-cass-r-sunstein

Resources:

6th - 8th Grade Paired Text Question Sets

http://www.readworks.org/rw/6th-8th-grade-paired-text-question-sets

Yummy Math

http://opencurriculum.org/user/yummymath/

NASA Library of Space Sounds

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2014/10/nasa-posts-huge-library-space-sounds-youre-free-use/

https://soundcloud.com/nasa

Socrative Quiz List

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/access-more-than-1000-socrative-quizzes.html#.VFTVdlPF94U

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dtoP6ivVNJtqTw0d6OSKLEq5WlZZ7ak9onjU1kph0Co/edit#gid=20451944

Election Day Resource

www.electoral-vote.com

Teacher - Student Assessment

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/10/26/here-are-forms-my-students-are-using-to-evaluate-themselves-me/

Web Spotlight:

Gifted and Talented…and Afraid

http://eduguideblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/gifted-talented-and-afraid/

50 Great Teachers: Socrates, The Ancient World's Teaching Superstar

We're starting this celebration of teaching with Socrates, the superstar teacher of the ancient world. He was sentenced to death more than 2,400 years ago for "impiety" and "corrupting" the minds of the youth of Athens.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/10/29/359325963/50-great-teachers-socrates-the-ancient-worlds-teaching-superstar

Random Thoughts . . .

Personal Web Site

eCommunity

MSM 288:  Search, Forms, Images, PhotoMath- Your Life on Earth.

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Trevor Mattea

Advisory:

Your Life on Earth

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-CAUSE AND EFFECT

I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read the "Editor's Roundtable: Cause and Effect," written by Inez Liftig, Editor of Science Scope. In the roundtable, she shares her thoughts and the research which supports that the teaching of cause and effect cannot be an afterthought in instruction; it must be considered an integral part of lesson planning integrated seamlessly with other dimensions of a lesson.

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

Google Search Tips

Can be useful for students and you.

http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//educators/downloads/Tips_Tricks_85x11.pdf

Resources:

Try the New Add-ons for Google Forms

Applications for Education

The Form Limiter Add-on mentioned above is useful for delivering timed assessments. Form Limiter can also be used to close the form when you a designated number of submissions have been made. That option is useful when you're using Google Forms to create capped registration lists.

gMath for Google Forms is another that teachers will find useful. gMath allows you create and insert graphs and mathematical expressions into your Google Forms. That feature is one that math teachers have wanted for years.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/try-new-add-ons-for-google-forms.html#.VEmfD5PF_5k

PhotoMath

PhotoMath reads and solves mathematical expressions by using the camera of your mobile device in real time. It makes math easy and simple by educating users how to solve math problems.

https://photomath.net/

ReadWorks

Contains lessons and units K-6. This also includes Standards alignment. Additionally, they have resources that are aligned to grade level/strategy. These can be printed.

http://www.readworks.org/

Web Spotlight:

Random Thoughts . . .

Personal Web Site

MSM 287:  If Siri can answer, don’t take the bet or the bribe!

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Jenny Lee, Amy Rugg

Advisory:

10 Amazing Bets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4sapsEXKpQ#t=92

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-CUSTODIAL SCIENCE TRAINING

I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled "Scope on Safety," written by Ken Roy, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for the Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, CT. Within this article is the "Question of the Month." This month's question is, "Do custodians need safety training prior to cleaning the floors in a science lab?"

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/10/10_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Custodial_Science_Training.html

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

BoomWriter

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/halloween-themed-writing-lessons-from.html#.VEJ-_JPF_Kg

A veteran teacher turned coach shadows 2 students for 2 days – a sobering lesson learned

http://grantwiggins.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/a-veteran-teacher-turned-coach-shadows-2-students-for-2-days-a-sobering-lesson-learned

Resources:

Schools told: cash bribes 'fail to improve GCSE grades'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/11135444/Schools-told-cash-bribes-fail-to-improve-GCSE-grades.html

Web Spotlight:

Online Conference

Dr. Tatom’s Presentation:

My presentation is scheduled for Friday, 10/24/2014. It will be available at 8:00 AM, EDT.

Why I now Friend Student via Social Media

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/videos/now-friend-students-social-media/

8th-grader Writes Hilariously Epic Algebra Problem. JJ Abrams Would Be Proud…

A surprising new argument against using kids’ test scores to grade their teachers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/13/a-new-argument-against-using-kids-test-scores-to-grade-their-teachers/

Random Thoughts . . .

Personal Web Site

MSM 286: It’s International Day of the Girl, Homework, and Muting the Messenger . . .

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Advisory:

Radiooooo

http://beta.radiooooo.com/

Does My Voice Really Sound Like That?

Take it from an expert: It’s weird to hear how your voice really sounds. But why does it sound different to you than everyone else. Hank explains -- in a deep, resonant voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wThQljxcY&feature=youtu.be

16 Shakespearean Insults

*Warning the *H* word is used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Uej8LJ48Q#t=49

Breakfast

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/08/magazine/eaters-all-over.html

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled "Moving Ahead With Alternate Conceptions," written by Aaron Isabelle, Rosemary Millham, and Thais da Cunha. In the article, they explain how alternate conceptions are also referred to as misconceptions, which are deeply ingrained, scientifically inappropriate ideas about something in the physical or natural world. In the article, they state 11 alternate conceptions correlated with the NGSS. An example of an alternate conception is that dinosaurs and cavemen lived at the same time.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/10/1_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Alternate_Conceptions.html

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

Homework

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2012/11/26/homework-an-unnecessary-evil-surprising-findings-from-new-research/

Three critical questions students should keep in mind--any subject, any grade--when reading NF:

https://twitter.com/KyleneBeers/status/515988759171829760/photo/1

Resources:

How Teacher’s Learn

http://thelearningcounsel.com/repository/teachers-as-tech-learners.jpeg

http://thelearningcounsel.com/archives/How-Teachers-Learn

National Cyber Safety Month

https://plus.google.com/photos/+google/albums/5940699556055522273

ScratchJR

Coding is the new literacy! With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.

Download for the iPad.

http://www.scratchjr.org/index.html

Web Spotlight:

Mute the Messenger

When Dr. Walter Stroup showed that Texas’ standardized testing regime is flawed, the testing company struck back.by Jason Stanford Published on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at 8:00 CST

http://www.texasobserver.org/walter-stroup-standardized-testing-pearson/

Random Thoughts . . .

Personal Web Site

Book

deliberate [sic] Optimism: reclaiming the JOY in education by Dr. Debbie Silver, Jack C Berckemeyer, and Judith Baenen.

“Recharge the optimism that made you an educator in the first place! School is where students and staff should feel safe, engaged, and productive - and choosing optimism is the first step toward restoring healthy interactions necessary for enacting real change.”

MSM 285: Dancing Queen in Sonnet or Jeopardy Rocks the Green Pennies . . . From Heaven.

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Martha Riecks, Julia Hiltscher

Advisory:

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

New Middle School Science Minute Podcast on "Green Pennies"

I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled "Why the Statue of Liberty is Green: Coatings, Corrosion and Patina," written by Richard H. Moyer and Susan A. Everett. In this 5E-learning-cycle lesson, students test different types of coatings on pennies to observe how the coatings affect the amount of corrosion produced when the penny is placed in a moist environment and a moist, acidic environment.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/9/26_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Green_Pennies.html

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

Jeopardy Rocks!

Really easy to create and save Jeopardy style board. You just give them a Title for the board (end of the URL), email address and create a password. Then click and type. Easy peasy. Note that you must complete the entire board before the “Publish” button is available. There are six columns. Each column needs five questions. You also need a Final Jeopardy question.

http://www.jeopardy.rocks/

http://www.jeopardy.rocks/msm-2453fbd1-b63f-461a-b530-1e71302129f2/ (Only the Hosts category has real questions.)

Google Forms

Google has updated Google Forms to include a couple of nice options. First of all, you can now limit respondents to one response. Secondly, you can now shuffle question order. Thirdly, you can now customize the images and fonts in a form. You can do a lot of good stuff with Forms.

http://blog.gcflearnfree.org/2014/09/11/use-google-forms-to-create-quizzes-surveys-and-more/

http://googledrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/custom-forms-themes.html

PopSonnet

What happens when you take a pop song and rewrite it as a sonnet?

http://popsonnet.tumblr.com/

Resources:

Inside the Brain of a Struggling Reader [Infographic]

When a student struggles to learn to read, we often look to social or economic factors, access to books, or the home environment for an explanation. While each of these factors can play a part, treatable brain differences are often part of the equation.

http://www.scilearn.com/blog/inside-the-brain-of-a-struggling-reader-infographic

See the original infographic at http://www.scilearn.com/blog.

Richard Byrne Google Docs Resources

27 (and growing) video tutorials by Richard Byrne on using Google.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtx-qUNKJwDz6b_3NaGTkGXaTPrLCpacY

Sources of Free Sound Effects and Music for Multimedia Projects

Just as with images, it is important to have students use music and sound effects that they have permission to use. The following resources offer music and sound effects that students can use for free in multimedia projects.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/sources-of-free-sound-effects-and-music.html

MSM 284: Note(Take) this: Trading Cards, Mentally Strong, Failure in 3D.

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Daniel Edwards, Peter Rattien, Kim Allen

Facebook: Coco Gibson Burks

Advisory:

18 Things Mentally Strong People Do

http://media.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2014/09/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.jpg

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/18-things-mentally-strong-people.html

15 People Who Failed on Their Way to Success

Before their success, some of the world’s most successful people experienced epic failure. We celebrate their success but often overlook the path that got them there. A path that is often marked with failure.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/15-highly-successful-people-who-failed-their-way-success.html

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-3 DIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENTS

I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read the Editor's Roundtable, entitled "Align Your Assessments With Three Dimensional Learning." It was written by the editor of "Science Scope," Inez Liftig. The purpose of the column was to emphasize that effective assessment is integral to the three-dimensional learning and teaching needed to realize the vision of the NGSS and the Framework for K-12 Science Education.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/9/4_Middle_School_Science_Minute-3_Dimensional_Assessments.html

Have a great vacation!

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

Trading Cards

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/how-to-create-trading-cards-for.html#.VB2CbytdXFc

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/trading-card-creator-30056.html

Note Taking Skills

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/note-taking-skills-21st-century-students/

Resources:

Socratic Smackdown

A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12.

The game is designed for 4-40 students. Includes a video tutorial, and a PDF of the instructions. Students earn points. All instructions, support material and score cards are included. Links to Common Core standards are also available.

The beauty of Socratic Smackdown is its flexibility. Here are some ways Rebecca Grodner has used the game:

“Playing it in small groups, it can encourage shy students. In large groups, it can help you focus on specific learning needs.”

“Using it as a form of assessment, or as a practice space for finding supporting evidence for one’s ideas.“

“Framing it as a game to help students learn to negotiate conflict. As a facilitator, some days I found myself helping students mediate arguments in their small groups.”

http://www.instituteofplay.org/work/projects/print-play-games-2/socratic-smackdown/

Web Spotlight:

Is character education the answer?

Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.

September 17, 2014

http://edexcellence.net/articles/is-character-education-the-answer#.VBrfSAYaQ7k.twitter

Random Thoughts . . .

Personal Web Site - Moodle & Google Classroom

MSM 283: A Love Letter. Dipsticks. Images. and Memory.

Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education.

Jokes You Can Use:

Eileen Award:

iTunes:

Twitter: Marc Clark, Deborah Kenny, Crystal Davids, Jeff Emerson

Google+:

Facebook:

Email:

Advisory:

Cryptic Writing

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/09/01/victorian-cryptographic-love-letter/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-LAB SAFETY SPEC ED PARAPROS

I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.

In this issue, I read an article entitled "Scope on Safety: Question of the Month" written by Ken Roy, director of environmental health and safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The question of the month, that he responds to, is "Do special education paraprofessionals in my science lab need to have formal training in handling hazardous chemicals?"

From the Twitterverse:

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!”

Strategies:

13 Tricks to Help You Remember What You’ve Learned

Memory is fallible. If you forget everything in this article, remember this fact: Researchers estimate that we lose 90% of everything we learn immediately after learning it. Ninety percent. Have I got your attention now?

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/13-tricks-help-you-remember-what-youve-learned.html

21 Cool Anchor Charts To Teach Close-Reading Skills

Close reading is a hot topic that’s just getting hotter! Here are 21 anchor charts, bulletin board ideas and other resources that you can bring into your classroom to turn your readers into even closer readers.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/21-cool-anchor-charts-to-teach-close-reading-skill-h0xt

Resources:

Image Resources

https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages

Free PowToon Account

We believe in the importance of education so to celebrate 5 million PowToons created we have over 50,000 FREE Classroom Accounts to give away! Each account gives one teacher + 60 students access (normally $96/yr per account). Offer Expires October 31st, 2014. Accounts are valid for one year.

http://www.powtoon.com/lp/toonup/

Web Spotlight:

Random Thoughts . . .

Google Classroom

Personal Web Site