Jokes You Can Use:

What do you get when you cross a porcupine with a sheep?

An animal that knits it’s own sweaters.

What do you get when you cross a chicken with an elephant?

I don’t know, but Colonel Sanders would have trouble dipping it in batter.

If a dog loses his tail, where does he go?

To the retail store.

On Our Mind:

MAMSE

Major Announcement

Eileen Award:

John Bernia

Todd Bloch

Jeff Pelich

Advisory:

Even Disney Makes Mistakes:

http://www.slashfilm.com/watch-rare-disney-documentary-called-the-sweatbox/

Paper Toys

All kinds of paper projects. You could have the kids make a “scene” or use it

http://papertoys.com/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about the misconceptions that middle school students have about light. In the February 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Amber Haslag and James P. Concannon wrote an article entitled: "Reflecting on students' misconceptions about light: Using research to guide assessment and instruction" They begin by sharing data on a study done through Michigan State University, which identifies the misconceptions that students have about light. They then developed a two-day 5E lesson that helps students to clarify their misunderstandings. After the lesson, they evaluate the students on their understanding of light.

From the Twitterverse:

MAMSE 2012

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment.

Fowlerville and Flatrock have also implemented this.

MDE and Measured Progress

Self reflection

Goal Setting

Prior Knowledge

Formative Assessment Toolbox ( A really thick binder - 4", I do believe)

Non-negotiables

Rationale

Explanation

Ways to Incorporate

Grading Scale - How do we grade? Why? Chose a 13 point scale.

ZAP - Zero's Aren't Permitted

Students are ZAPPED for lunch and after school. 3 Zaps in a week=after school.

Principal is heavily involved. Counselors are used to follow up with the student. The counselor does the scheduling of the student with the parent for after school ZAP.

This is also combined with the after school programs for support for students who are struggling.

This is more immediate than Saturday school. The issue with Saturday school was the delay.

They use Advisory for communication. They rely on the relationship development through Advisory to support the ZAP.

Collaborative Team work

Touch the numbers in order. 30 seconds to touch them in order. Then pair up. One person touches, the other helps.

Shows that you are more effective in a group. They usually get farther.

Wordles:

Group works together. Combine different groups.

When done, give out the answers, then process.

Teacher takes notes on what happens: groups talk things out. The teacher role is to observe and then help the students process.

Trying these out, the students respond genuinely.

IZZI:

8x8.

Resources:

Zopler

Zopler is a social network where writers, authors and students can easily collaborate on writing stories together as a group.

http://zopler.com/

Contact Info:

Anne Thorp: www.oaisd.org [email protected] PeterArashiro: www.learnport.org [email protected]

Events & Happenings:

Jokes You Can Use:

Boy: Will you marry me?

Girl: No, but I’ll always admire your good taste.

Girl: I’m telling you for the last time- you can’t kiss me.

Boy: I knew that you’d weaken!

Girl: Do you love me?

Boy: Yes, dear.

Girl: Would you die for me?

Boy: Um....mine is an undying love.

Ask me what I had for lunch on March 15th. Go ahead, ask me.

On Our Mind:

MAMSE Conference

Eileen Award:

Debbie Silver - Happy Birthday

Ashley Kurth

Diigo Groupees: Karen Chopra & G2One Networking

Diigo Posters: Steve Davis & Ron King

Advisory:

Are you a risk taker?

National Geographic has an article on why teens take risks. Worth a read but I think the picture essay that goes with it is more valuable for the discussion it could generate around the classroom.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/risk-quiz

Viewing Teens Positively: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/teenagers-video

Pictures: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/cahana-photography#/10-getting-tongue-pierced-670.jpg

Should I raise my hand?

http://twentytwowords.com/2012/03/15/should-you-raise-your-hand-in-class-a-flowchart/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about the topic of what drives public opinion. In the March 2012 issue of Science Scope, within the Scope's Scoops section, there is a news article entitled "What drives public opinion on climate change?" The article cites a study by Robert Bruelle and colleagues from Drexel University who set out to identify the informational, cultural and political processes that influence public concern about climate change. Their conclusion was that the driving factor that most influences public opinion on climate change is the mobilizing efforts of advocacy groups and elites. It seems that that information-based science advocacy has had only a minor effect on public concern.

From the Twitterverse:

News:

Why the Ed Department should be reconceived — or abolished

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/why-the-ed-department-should-be-reconceived--or-abolished/2012/03/09/gIQAHfdB5R_blog.html

The war on teachers: Why the public is watching it happen

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-war-on-teachers-why-the-public-is-watching-it-happen/2012/03/11/gIQAD3XH6R_blog.html

Survey: Teachers work 53 hours per week on average

gIQAqGxYGS_blog.html

A South Carolina Teacher’s Been Suspended for Reading ‘Ender’s Game’ to His Class

http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2012/03/16/446431/a-south-carolina-teachers-been-suspended-for-reading-enders-game-to-his-class/?mobile=nc

Resources:

AudioViator

Web Spotlight:

11 Peculiar Meetings Between Famous People

http://www.worldsstrangest.com/mental-floss/11-peculiar-meetings-between-famous-people/

Strategies:

Failure Is an Option

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/03/13/for-better-learning-failure-is-an-option/35920.html

Little Free Library

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

The Challenge of Challenging Text

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar12/vol69/num06/The-Challenge-of-Challenging-Text.aspx

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

On Our Mind:

MACUL

State wide on-line testing

Eileen Award:

Liz Kolb

Carol Hix of Science Six: Recommendations: lulu.com and Edmodo.com, Google Docs, Twiddla, www.mixedink.com.

Advisory: National Geographic ‏ @NatGeo

Daylight savings time: Why and when does it begin? on.natgeo.com/yr6p1P

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about the collaboration that can take place between math and science teachers. In the February 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Karen Charles, J.D. Canales, Angela Smith and Natalie Zimmerman wrote an article entitled: "Exploring the Solar System:? Let the Math Teachers Help!" They explain how attending a week long academy offered by NASA in their school district encouraged math and science teachers to consider how using models and simulations could expand their repertoire of classroom strategies and engage students more fully in their own context-rich learning.

From the Twitterverse:

News:

American Dropouts: Part I

http://transformed.teachingquality.org/blogs/03-2012/american-dropouts-part-i

A Lesson in Teaching to the Test, From E.B. White

http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/03/07/a-lesson-in-teaching-to-the-test-from-e-b-white

School Communities Wrecked by "Value-Added": Two Must-Reads

http://transformed.teachingquality.org/blogs/get-fracas/03-2012/school-communities-wrecked-value-added-two-must-reads

Resources:

Mixed Ink

http://www.mixedink.com/

K20Alt - Authentic Teaching and Learning

http://k20alt.ou.edu/

10 Open Education Resources You May Not Know About (But Should)

http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/05/10-open-education-resources-you-may-not-know-about-but-should/

CloudFTP

http://www.hypershop.com/CloudFTP-p/cftp-black.htm

Web Spotlight:

Stop Taking Pictures of the Whiteboard

http://www.edsocialmedia.com/2012/02/stop-taking-pictures-of-the-whiteboard/

GenoChoice

Good for web site evaluation.

http://genochoice.com/

Inside-Out Your Mind

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/03/02/147825237/inside-out-your-mind?ft=1&f=1130

The Civil War, Part 1: The Places

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/the-civil-war-part-1-the-places/100241

Old Maps Online

http://www.oldmapsonline.org/#bbox=-110.3125,-51.774806,119.609375,72.104237&q=&datefrom=1000&dateto=2010

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

Shawn & Troy talk about iPads, apps, advisory ideas, the Twitterverse and more.

Jokes You Can Use:

Some people think that movies would be better if less film were shot and more actors.

On Our Mind:

New MSM Newspaper: http://paper.li/MSMatters/1330791685

Update on EtherPad

Eileen Award:

@ClareFroggatt for following us on Twitter!

Advisory:

Languages

http://ourmothertongues.org/Home.aspx

Paper AirPlanes

http://twentytwowords.com/2012/02/29/new-world-record-distance-for-a-paper-airplane-flight/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about life jackets, engineering, volume and density. In the February 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Richard Moyer and Susan Everett wrote an article entitled: "Increase your v to lower your D." They developed a 5E lesson that can easily be used by teachers. The lesson integrates all of the STEM disciplines, while focusing on the core ideas of criteria and constraints in engineering and the practice of engineering design. It also is focused on the concepts of density and volume.

BTW, Dick Moyer, in this article, teaches over at UM-Dearborn. Pretty well known in the area.

From the Twitterverse:

Don’t forget #midleved on Friday, 8:00 EST on Twitter!

News:

ISTE Virtual Presence

ISTE opens a site on EduIsland9 to replace the four islands it once maintained in Second Life.

The Middle School Plunge

http://educationnext.org/the-middle-school-plunge/

Resources:

iPad Resources for Administrators

From: Eric Sheninger

http://pinterest.com/esheninger/ipad-apps-for-administrators/

HelloSlide

http://www.helloslide.com/

Canvas LMS

Learning enriches living. Discover how major universities and K-12 school districts are boosting teacher effectiveness, student success and parental engagement with the Canvas learning management system.

Learn more about canva

http://www.instructure.com/

1,000 Educational Apps

http://adecardy.visibli.com/share/C46fkd

*Tip: You can access the Google Doc below. Select Make a Copy. You can then filter the document to items that you want.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvFbfb1mWoNwdGlweWtkZkFRS1gzUDMtTUtoTEw0MkE#gid=0

Web Spotlight:

“Bully” gets rated R

The MPAA rated the movie R on the basis of language used in the film -- language that young teens hurled at a 13-year-old.

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/weinstein-company-considers-leaving-mpaa-over-bully-rating-35681

Cognitive Neuroscience Tools

FreeEDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

http://gocognitive.net/

Stop Selling Dreams

http://www.squidoo.com/stop-stealing-dreams

Socrates Fails his Teacher Evaluation

The results were posted in the Agora for all to see the quality and performance of their teacher. Socrates failed. He simply spent too much time asking them to think. A walk- through evaluation by his supervisor (undisclosed), determined that “ sometimes Socrates’s students meander through endless dialogues examining challenging questions that do not have one right answer.” Hopefully, he will be replaced or perhaps go through an intensive summer professional development program in Sparta.

http://edge.ascd.org/_SOCRATES-FAILS-TEACHER-EVALUATION/blog/5822005/127586.html

Students Engaged

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-engagement-definition-ben-johnson

12 Must See Teacher Movies

http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-must-see-teacher-movies

Strategies:

AMLE 2011:

Events & Happenings:

Jokes You Can Use:

Fred met a friend that he hadn’t seen a while. They exchanged some pleasantries. Fred then inquired about the old friend’s wife.

“She’s in heaven now”.

“Oh, I’m so sorry”, said Fred. He immediately realized that this was not the best possible answer and could be misconstrued.

“I mean, I’m glad” he stammered.

Then he realized that might be even worse. He tried again.

“Well, what I really mean is, I’m surprised”.

Paraprosdokians

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

You're never too old to learn something stupid.

To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?

Hospitality: making your guests feel like they’re at home, even if you wish they were.

Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it.” — Groucho Marx

I can read minds, but I’m illiterate.

“I haven’t slept for ten days, because that would be too long.” — Mitch Hedberg

The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

On Our Mind:

Zamzar vs Convert-online

Eileen Award:

Ron King: Diigo contributions.

Advisory: Jason Eifling ‏ @jeifling

What School Lunches Look Like In 20 Countries Around The World buzzfeed.com/mjs538/what-sc… via @BuzzFeed

Building Relationships Through Tools of Communication

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dupabkw46Qk

Pictures from Around the World

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

Eww, that smell. Can’t you smell that smell?!

From the Twitterverse:

News:

Why don’t top private schools adopt corporate-driven reforms?

By Valerie Strauss

Resources:

Looking for an image?

http://jpg.to/

Collaborative Whiteboard

http://www.twiddla.com/

The iPad as.....

http://edtechteacher.org/index.php/teaching-technology/mobile-technology-apps/ipad-as

Transforming Education

http://www.ctnexted.org/pdfs/CAPSS_0101-FullReport.pdf

Web Spotlight:

Woolly Mammoth Video

Last week, a new video surfaced claiming to show a live woolly mammoth — an animal scientists think has been extinct for at least four millennia — crossing a river in Russia.

The video became an Internet sensation, making headlines around the world. Some Bigfoot believers and Loch Ness Monster lovers murmured their tentative approval, hoping it proved that large unknown (or assumed extinct) animals still exist in Earth's remote wilds.

Good opportunity to show hoaxes. This site includes both videos (the “woolly mammoth” and the original).

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0213/Shocker-Video-of-live-woolly-mammoth-not-entirely-authentic-videos

Science & YouTube

From: Richard Byrne (Free Tech for Teachers)

The Spangler Effect is a new YouTube channel from Steve Spangler Science. Unlike his popular Sick Science videos which are no more than short demonstrations of science experiments students and parents can do at home, The Spangler Effect videos offer longer (15 minutes or so) explanations of science experiments. The Spangler Effect videos explain the science of do-it-yourself experiments and how you can recreate those experiments at home or in your classroom.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/02/spangler-effect-experiments-and.html

Bullying Strategies That Don’t Work

Via: Scott McLeod

Events & Happenings:

Jokes You Can Use:

Customer: This food isn’t fit for a pig.

Waiter: I’m sorry. I’ll bring you some that is.

PARAPROSDOKIANS: (Winston Churchill loved them.)

Here is the definition:

"Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation."

"Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a type of Paraprosdokian.

- A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

- Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'

- You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

On Our Mind:

“The ‘Good’ Kids Are Compliant, The ‘Bad’ Kids Are Defiant, And Nobody Is Engaged”

(Daniel Pink via http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/superintendent/bookclub.aspx )

Eileen Award:

Anabelle Maillard Morgan

Jamie Cruikshank

Congrats to Todd Williamson on his new position as Head Techie in his school district!

Advisory:

Touching “Arigato” (Thank You) Video From Japan

(via Larry Ferlazzo)

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/02/12/touching-arigato-thank-you-video-from-japan/

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SS-sWdAQsYg

MistakeVille

Try the Job Interviews gone wrong.

http://www.mistakeville.com/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

Transforming Field Trips

This middle school science minute is about transforming field trips. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Rebecca Morris wrote an article entitled, "Transforming a Field Trip Into an Expedition: Supporting Active Research and Science Content Through a Museum Visit.” Rebecca shares the methods that she used with her 6th grade students. She developed the museum field trip into a short-term, active research project assignment.

From the Twitterverse:

Don’t forget to join #midleved chat on Twitter at 8:00 pm EST!

News:

Common Core Standards and Impact on Achievement

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2012/0216_brown_education_loveless/0216_brown_education_loveless.pdf

The Opportunity Cost in Education

What does “paperwork” cost to a school district?

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/count-opportunity-cost-of-teacher-tasks.html

Resources:

Quadratic Equations - The Main Ideas

Mission US

Mission US is a multimedia project that immerses players in U.S. history content through free interactive games.

Other missions are planned for release in 2013 and 2014.

Join the conversation and get updates about Mission US on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit the Help page. To share your feedback, email us via the contact form on this site. Thanks for playing!

http://www.mission-us.org/

Web Spotlight:

Microsoft Partners in Learning Apply today US Forum

https://www.facebook.com/partnersinlearning?sk=app_368381589844161

Strategies:

What’s Your Story

Content: Your video must address one of these topics:

Take action against bullying

Keep a good rep online

Be cell smart

Eligibility: All residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the US, 13 years of age and older.

http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/Home.do

National Archives Digital Experience

Create Posters, Videos and/or Pathways revolving around the material in the National Archives. Easy to use.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/02/create-videos-and-posters-on-us.html

http://www.digitalvaults.org/#/create/

Events & Happenings:

Jokes You Can Use:

Mom: Were you a good boy today?

Son: Yep. You can’t get in too much trouble standing in the corner.

I wouldn’t say the restaurant was suspicious, but there were 3 shakers on the table: Salt, pepper and alka-seltzer.

Eileen Award:

Jamie Cruikshank

Steve Collis

Advisory:

Best Ad Campaigns of All Time.

http://www.englishblog.com/2012/02/infographic-best-ad-campaigns-of-all-time.html

A Short History of Calendars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kzprsR2SvrQ

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about writing lab reports. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Fred Enge wrote an article entitled, "Not Another Lab Report." Fred shares his ideas on helping his 8th grade students improve on their lab reports. Two important factors came into play:

1. Relevance

2. Guidance

From the Twitterverse:

News:

ISTE Island

ISTE Island has been a resource for many educators over the years. February 28th the Island goes into LOST mode (vanishes completely) as ISTE will no longer make payments to Linden Labs to maintain the island. There’s a party on the 27th and all are invited to attend.

Resources:

Algebra in the Real World Movies

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/algebra/algebra_real_world_movies.php

Latte

http://olivierlabs.com/latte/index.html

Text to Speech

Mac Only. Extends the functionality of the built-in Text to Speech.

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/02/10/daily-mac-app-text2speech-lets-hear-what-you-write-in-record-ti

Web Spotlight:

English Slang

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/02/10/nice-pbs-news-hour-story-on-teaching-english-slang/

Solve for X

A forum to encourage and amplify technology-based moonshot thinking and teamwork.

Somewhat similar to TED.

http://www.wesolveforx.com/

Strategies:

AMLE 2011:

Mastery and How to Assess It

Rick Wormeli

This is based on Fair is Not Always Equal.

Has a discussion guide, participant study guide, and videos

Define Mastery

Can use it and apply it in another context?

Must incorporate it later in the year . . .

Final exams given over last 2-3 weeks and never for a long period of time/sitting.

What evidence will you tolerate?

Sit down with your team/department and decide.

What exemplars?

What are teachers putting on their tests?

"Agree on a commonly accepted definition of mastery."

What is the difference between proficient in the standard/outcome and mastery of the standard/outcome?

What does exceeding the standard mean?

Common Assessments

Written by local teachers

Given when the kids are ready to take them.

Do a variety of them.

They don't count a huge amount on the report card.

Ask him for the article on Clarifying the Curriculum.

Feedback vs. Assessment

Feedback: holding up a mirror to students, showing them what they did and comparing it to what they should have done - There's no evaluative component!

Assessment: Gathering data so we can make a decision.

Greatest impact: Formative Assessment.

Be clear: We mark and grade against standards/outcomes, not the routes students take or techniques teachers use to achieve those standards/outcomes.

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

Ohio Middle Level Association:

The Ohio Middle Level Association will hold their annual conference.

OMLA Registration Form

OMLA Presentation Proposal Form

AMLE Affiliate Conferences:

The Michigan Association of Middle School Educators Annual Conference is coming up March 2012 in Warren Woods, MI.

MAMSE Exhibitor Form

MAMSE Registration Form

MAMSE Presentation Form

MAMSE Conference Program Book (2011)

The North Carolina Middle School Association’s Annual Conference March 13-15, 2012

Conference Brochure

Presenter’s Application

Who They Are . . .

This year’s sessions . . .

Classroom 2.0’s Live Calendar.

Classroom 2.0’s Ning Blog: Archived content is available.

Jokes You Can Use:

There are only two ways of handling a woman - nobody knows either one.

Girl: “Too bad you flunked the test. How far away were you from the right answers?”

Boy: “About 2 seats.”

Boy: “I just had a date with Siamese twins”

Girl: “Did you have a good time?”

Boy: “Yes and no”.

On Our Mind:

Why don’t teachers nominate colleagues for awards?

Eileen Award:

Dave Bydlowski

Advisory:

http://gullible.info/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about Nature Journaling. In the January, 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Janita Cormell and Toni Ivey wrote an article entitled, "Nature Journaling: Enhancing Students' Connections to the Environment Through Writing." Janita describes how she shared her passion for nature with her sixth-grade students through nature journaling and how her students gained a better understanding of the natural world.

From the Twitterverse:

Don’t forget to join the conversation on MiddleTalk and Twitter at #midleved this Friday at 8:00 pm EST.

iBooks Author update

News:

Reed-Custer District seeks balance in 'friending' students

Marney Simon - Staff writer

So what is a school district to do when technology advances faster than school policy?

Dr. Butts said that there may very well be educational value to social media such as Facebook, Twitter and other sites, the district has to find it and be able to encourage the use of it appropriately.

School board members noted that finding a balance for how Facebook and other social media is used in relation to the schools is difficult.

"Used appropriately it's an after hours reach-out, I don't want that to be taken away," Speed said. "I just want us to say, hey, if you're going to have it, it has to be maintained in a professional manner. Lead by example. That's why we're here."

http://www.braidwoodjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=143&ArticleID=8490

Resources:

Going Paperless as a Teacher - Part 1

http://transformed.teachingquality.org/blogs/01-2012/going-paperless-teacher-part-1

Web Spotlight:

What’s Wrong with the Teenage Mind

What happens when children reach puberty earlier and adulthood later? The answer is: a good deal of teenage weirdness.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577181351486558984.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5

The Amazing Educational Jargon Generator

http://www.sciencegeek.net/lingo.html

Everything You Thought You Knew About Learning Is Wrong

By Garth Sundem

Taking notes during class? Topic-focused study? A consistent learning environment? All are exactly opposite of the best strategies for learning.

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/01/everything-about-learning/

This is What our Sun will Look Like When It Dies

In a few billion years, our dear Sun will look like this, a beautiful glowing eye of spent starstuff trash in the shape of Sauron's Eye.

http://gizmodo.com/5881048/this-is-how-our-sun-will-look-when-it-dies-yes-its-the-eye-of-sauron

The Faculty Project

The best Professors from the world's leading Universities are coming together to teach online

FOR FREE!

http://facultyproject.com/

Strategies:

“WE PENALIZE KIDS FOR GETTING DISTRACTED FROM BORING STUFF AT SCHOOL”

by DAVE CAOLO

http://52tiger.net/we-penalize-kids-from-getting-distracted-from-boring-stuff-at-school/

Jokes You Can Use:

Whilst escorting his wife to the concert, Jim asked his wife what they were seeing. “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony” she replied. “Good” Jim responded. His wife was surprised, she didn’t think that Jim really enjoyed going to the symphony. “Well, I’m glad that you’re looking forward to this. Where have you heard this before?, she asked. “Huh”, Jim responded. “I’m just happy that we missed the first four”.

Whenever my wife needs money, she calls me handsome. “Hand some over”.

On Our Mind:

iBooks Author

Listener question: Is Apple’s New Education Initiative Dangerous? ~ Interesting dialogue #fhuedu642 => @msmatters What do you think? tinyurl.com/6m4uzw4 - From Dr. Tatom.

Eileen Award:

Doc Tatom

Donnielle Kota-Moore

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

Metal Safety.

This middle school science minute is about metal safety. In the December, 2011 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ken Roy wrote an article entitled, "Test Your Metal (safety knowledge)." He investigates the safety issues involved in using metals with middle school students.

From the Twitterverse:

Don’t forget to join the conversation on MiddleTalk and Twitter at #midleved this Friday at 8:00 pm EST.

News:

Supreme Court Declines Cases on Student Internet Speech

supreme_court_declines_cases_o.html?cmp=ENL-DD-NEWS1

Resources:

25 Audio Editors:

Most Amazing High Definition Image of Earth - Blue Marble 2012

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6760135001/

100 iPad Apps Perfect For Middle School

http://edudemic.com/2011/11/ipad-middle-school/

http://palmbeachschooltalk.com/groups/ipadpilot/

Seinfeld

Seinfeld teaches History:

Think History, Saturday Night Live.

http://cooperativelearning.nuvvo.com/lesson/9592-seinfeld-tea

Alfie Kohn vs Dwight Schrute

Classic Schrute Bucks episode. Good for talking about classroom management.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G59KY7ek8Rk

Web Spotlight:

Straight from the DOE: Dispelling Myths About Blocked Sites

100 Best YouTube Videos for Teachers

http://www.smartteaching.org/blog/2008/08/100-best-youtube-videos-for-teachers/

http://t.co/V6EeeuLv

Valentine's Day Teaching Resources

http://www.squidoo.com/valentines-day-teaching-resources

Strategies:

Why Interactive White Boards are Used Ineffectively in Classrooms

An interactive White Board (IWB) or SMART Board has the potential to deliver content better than traditional methods of teaching. Why?

http://www.teachscienceandmath.com/2010/07/28/why-interactive-white-boards-are-used-ineffectively-in-classrooms/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

ISTE News:

ISTE Eduverse Talks are the recorded sessions held on ISTE Island every week. Join ISTE in their Second Life conference location for their weekly talks on education.

The ISTE Special Interest Group: Virtual Environments is holding meetings on Mondays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm (SLT) on ISTE Island.

Ohio Middle Level Association:

The Ohio Middle Level Association will hold their annual conference.

OMLA Registration Form

OMLA Presentation Proposal Form

AMLE Affiliate Conferences:

The Michigan Association of Middle School Educators Annual Conference is coming up March 2012 in Warren Woods, MI.

MAMSE Exhibitor Form

MAMSE Registration Form

MAMSE Presentation Form

MAMSE Conference Program Book (2011)

The North Carolina Middle School Association’s Annual Conference March 13-15, 2012

Conference Brochure

Presenter’s Application

Who They Are . . .

This year’s sessions . . .

Classroom 2.0’s Live Calendar.

Classroom 2.0’s Ning Blog: Archived content is available.

Second Life:

Regular Tuesday meetings are scheduled. See the board on the ISTE Island for up to the minute details. Check frequently this week as the ISTE Annual Convention is this week.

Video: Educational Uses of Second Life

Jokes You Can Use:

Ever notice:

People who cough incessantly never seem to go to the doctor - they go to concerts, banquets, and church.

People who have a concrete mind - permanently set and all mixed up.

People who have a rare intelligence - as in they rarely show that they have intelligence.

People who have a keen sense of rumor.

On Our Mind:

Last week’s interview with Dave Tucker on homework.

Eileen Award:

Justin Menard

Advisory:

100 Things that we didn’t know last year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2011/12/100_things_we_didnt_know_last_6.shtml

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about cockroaches. In the December, 2011 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ron Wagler wrote an article entitled, "Using Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches to Develop and Enhance the Scientific Inquiry Skill of Observation in Middle School Students." He shares activities that students can do to enhance their observational skills.

From the Twitterverse:

Don’t forget to join the conversation on MiddleTalk and Twitter at #midleved this Friday at 8:00 pm EST.

News:

A decade of No Child Left Behind: Lessons from a policy failure

By Valerie Strauss

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-decade-of-no-child-left-behind-lessons-from-a-policy-failure/2012/01/05/gIQAeb19gP_blog.html?wprss=answer-sheet

D.C. Lawmakers Propose Requiring Students to Apply to College

Lawmakers in the nation's capital have floated a plan to require high school students to apply to college or trade school -- even if the students have no interest in attending.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/07/dc-lawmakers-propose-requiring-students-to-apply-to-college/

Resources:

Learn Out Loud

LearnOutLoud.com has scoured the Internet to bring you over 5000 free audio and video titles. This directory features free audio books, lectures, speeches, sermons, interviews, and many other great free audio and video resources. Most audio titles can be downloaded in digital formats such as MP3 and most video titles are available to stream online. Enjoy!

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/History/Speeches

American Rhetoric

Database of and index to 5000+ full text, audio and video versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, other recorded media events, and a declaration or two.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/

Free Audio Books

Download hundreds of free audio books, mostly classics, to your MP3 player or computer. You’ll find great works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks

Song of the Week

Use the link to sign up for his Song of the Week. Also links to lots of information. Follow him on Facebook to hear his latest work with the students and classrooms he visits throughout the year.

http://www.monteselby.com/

http://www.monteselby.com/Refrigerator.mp3

SchoolHouse Rocks!

Relive my Saturday mornings!

http://community.eflclassroom.com/page/schoolhouserock-1?xg_source=activity

Web Spotlight:

iPad in Education

Tons of information, from soup to nuts of iPad implementation.

http://palmbeachschooltalk.com/groups/ipadpilot/

GapMinder

Gapminder is used in classrooms around the world to build a fact-based world view.

On this page we feature quality examples & resources. Share your own ideas and learn from others in the new Gapminder Movement forum!

http://www.gapminder.org/news/gapminder-desktop-launched/

http://www.gapminder.org/for-teachers/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events: