Middle School Matters

Jokes You Can Use:

A little boy was starting to dig into his dinner. His father gently reminded him that they hadn’t said a

prayer yet.

“It’s OK, we don’t have to. Mommy is a good cook”.

On Our Mind:

The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow

8 weeks to go.

ISTE

Eileen Award:

●PivotalEllie Ellie Dix

●Ron Peck: Thanks for the Twitter answer.

Advisory:

How to Listen to Music

Music has a powerful grip on our emotional brain. It can breathe new life into seemingly lifeless minds. But

if there is indeed no music instinct, music — not just its creation, but also its consumption — must be an

acquired skill. How, then, do we “learn” music? Even more curiously, how do we “learn” to “listen” to

music, something that seems so fundamental we take it for granted?

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/12/elliott-schwartz-music-ways-of-listening/

Body Language Decoder

http://lifehacker.com/5901468/use-this-body-language-cheat-sheet-to-decode-common-non+verbal-cue

s

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This is a three part feature on outstanding science tradebooks for students in Grades 6 - 8.

Part 1:

The National Science Teachers Association has recently announced its Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students

K-12. In this podcast we look at two of the books which are very appropriate for students in grades 6 - 8. They are:

Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature

by Dora Lee

Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 feet Below the Chilean Desert

by Marc Aronson

From the Twitterverse:

Watch for middle level tweets on Twitter with the hashtag #midleved.

Resources:

An Open Letter to Educators

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-P2PGGeTOA4

TED offers free video lessons for high school and college students

By Lyndsey Layton, Published: March 12

Imagine you’re a high school biology teacher searching for the most vivid way to explain electrical

activity in the brain. How about inserting metal wires into a cockroach’s severed leg and making that

leg dance to music?

Starting Monday, that eye-popping lesson, performed in a six-minute video by neuroscientist and

engineer Greg Gage, is available free online.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/ted-offers-free-video-lessons-for-high-school-and-colle

ge-students/2012/03/09/gIQAuw5O6R_story.html

http://www.youtube.com/tededucation

Web Spotlight:

Sound Maps

Use the interactive maps to find recordings of regional accents and dialects, wildlife and environmental

sounds, and selected world and traditional music.

Includes dialects, and the Millenium Memory Bank. Also includes Holocaust survivors.

http://sounds.bl.uk/sound-maps

Ultra Slow Motion

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/13/ultra-slow-motion/

What Happens When A 35-Year-Old Man Retakes The SAT?

*Warning - Not Safe for Work language is used.

Shockingly, little about the SAT has changed since I set foot in that classroom. Most students still have

to take the test using bubble sheets and a No. 2 pencil, which is insane to me. They've managed to

digitize VOTING

http://deadspin.com/5893189/what-happens-when-a-35+year+old-man-retakes-the-sat

Strategies:

Seussisms

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/11/seuss-isms/

How Long Is a Piece of String? BBC and Comedian Alan Davies Explore Quantum

Mechanics

by Maria Popova

In How Long is a Piece of String?, they enlist standup-comic-turned-physics-enthusiast Alan Davies in

answering the seemingly simple question of the film’s title, only to find in it a lens — a very blurry lens —

on the very fabric of reality.

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/09/how-long-is-a-piece-of-string-bbc/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

Jokes You Can Use:

On Our Mind:

Happy Birthday Rick Wormeli

Eileen Award:

Jennifer Applebaum

Liz Kolb: Twitter

Paul Steele

Advisory:

How important is it to be at school, on time?

http://twentytwowords.com/2012/04/06/lady-carries-her-disabled-granddaughter-2-hours-to-school-every-day/

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

Tough Climate for Teachers

This middle school science minute is about the difficult situation that teachers face today in the teaching of climate change. In the March 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Inez Lifttig, editor of Science Scope wrote in the Editor's Roundtable: "A Tough Climate for Teachers." In the editorial she discusses the hurdles that teachers have today and relates them to the problems that Biology teachers have had in the teaching of evolution. She also points out that the teaching of climate change should not be a cautious approach because the Framework for K-12 Science Education, does not support a cautious approach and in fact emphasizes strongly that human activities impact climate change.

From the Twitterverse:

News:

More States Retaining Struggling 3rd Graders

By Erik W. Robelen

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/03/28/26retention_ep.h31.html?tkn=PQYF7PMVJobJVLws0eMfYkGfp3CJqc4i5cfx&cmp=ENL-CM-NEWS1

Common-Core-Test Group Gives Higher Ed. Voting Rights

By Catherine Gewertz

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/04/05/28parcc.h31.html?tkn=WNTF3nLXUTQZIM4Er2IcBitwRjDIyvbqq2He&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2

Resources:

The homework trap and what to do about it

By Valerie Strauss

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-homework-trap-and-what-to-do-about-it/2012/04/05/gIQAJt9YyS_blog.html

My Ten Most Used Apps to Become Fluent on the iPad

http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&EntryId=4046

Web Spotlight:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/ff_aiclass/all/1

Strategies:

The Dreaded F Word: Fractions

By David Ginsburg on April 1, 2012 7:00 PM

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coach_gs_teaching_tips/2012/04/the_dreaded_f_word_fractions.html

Do Students Know Enough Smart Learning Strategies?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/03/do-students-know-enough-smart-learning-strategies/

Fun Failure: How to Make Learning Irresistible

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:

Overheard:

Husband: Janice, when I see you in that hat, I laugh.

Wife: Good, I’ll put it on when the bill comes.

Person 1: “You are the slowest person I’ve ever seen. Do you do anything quickly!”

Person 2: “I get tired real fast”.

Person 1: “Have any big men been born in this town?”

Person 2: “Nope. Just babies.”

On Our Mind:

This episode is brought to you in conjunction with AMLE. We need your feedback. What would you like us to focus on in conjunction with AMLE? Please send us suggestions and feedback. Pick any of the contact methods to the right on the web page.

Eileen Award:

Tim Purcell

Natasha Kardos

Janet Herr

Marchelle Lynn

Ron King: AMLE suggestions

Advisory:

Advice to Girls by Kate Elizabeth Conner

http://kateelizabethconner.com/ten-things-i-want-to-tell-teenage-girls/

and the counter-point for boys

http://juntoboys.blogspot.com/2012/03/ten-things-i-wish-i-could-tell-every.html

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or [email protected])

This middle school science minute is about rocketry safety. In the February 2012 issue of Science Scope (NSTA publication) Ken Roy wrote an article entitled: "Question of the Month - Rocket Safety." In the article you will learn about the safety expectations when using model rockets and how you can learn more about the National Association of Rocketry's Model Rocket Safety Code at:

http://www.nar.org/NARmrsc.html

From the Twitterverse:

News:

5 Vimeo Videos Every School Leader Should Bookmark

Vimeo is chock full of fun, artistic, and inspiring videos. Below are five videos that anyone leading professional development could find inspiring.

http://edreach.us/2012/03/29/5-vimeo-videos-every-school-leader-should-bookmark/

Resources:

35 Useful and Free E-books for Web Designers

These could be useful resources for some students.

http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2012/01/free-e-books-for-web-designers.html

Wild Animals

Smithsonian Wild Animals

http://siwild.si.edu/

Web Spotlight:

If The Test Wasn't Coming...

Instead of allowing students to build sound evidence-based arguments on real issues, I am giving them practice choosing the best of someone else's answers to someone else's questions on a text with no context.

http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/shoulders_of_giants/2012/03/if-the-test-wasnt-coming.html

Fear And Self-Loathing In The Classroom

by William Johnson, at 12:43 pm

http://gothamschools.org/2012/03/19/fear-and-self-loathing-in-the-classroom/#more-79685

Events & Happenings:

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.