Jokes:

On Our Mind:

NMSA 2010 Conference (If you’re going, contact us. We have a great link for you).

Keep in mind that new flight rules take effect on Nov. 1st.

Middle School Science Minute

From our Listeners:

As far as the testing discussion goes, I am blown away by states that test the previous year's material at the beginning of the following year. That just doesn't make sense to me (not that I agree with all of NC's testing program either). Here in NC, we administer EOG (End-of-Grade) tests about 3 weeks before school is out for the summer. Admin get the scores back about 5 hours after the last test is finished, and teachers usually get scores the following day. Scores are released to students before going home for the summer. The past couple of years, we have had a retest program for students who did not score at proficient levels.

Granted, there are issues with this system as well. Testing that far in advance of the end of school leads to a "Why are we still here?" attitude from some of the kids after the test. I think that makes much more sense than not being able to start the year covering relevant grade-level material.

Todd Williamson

Note: We’re hoping there will be a ton of folks at his presentation on Friday at 7:30 am in Baltimore this coming week. If you’re going to NMSA and willing, please consider his presentation in Room: 339 (Baltimore Convention Center)

From the Twitterverse:

This Part for Infamous40000 . . . :

Hero Machine: Design your own superhero: http://tinyurl.com/olzc3a

Uber-Mongo-Important assignment for operative Infamous40000: Design a superhero and share the experience with us. Call us at (262) 724-6653 and send us a copy of your superhero!

Tech Tools:

AlternativeTo:

Wiggio

Math Open Geometry

Great geometry resources.

http://www.mathopenref.com/index.html

Microsoft Academic Search

Looks to be technically oriented. Some good possibilities though. Conferences are included.

http://journalogy.com/

One Word

Interesting idea for a writing assignment.

http://oneword.com/

News:

Robots in the classroom? They’re here!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/10/22/south.korea.robot.teachers/index.html

Political Peril for the Common Core?

How to Assure Continued Progress

By Michael D. Usdan

Could the backlash against large governmental programs (like healthcare) effect the implementation of Common Core Standards?

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/10/27/09usdan_ep.h30.html?tkn=QMZFzckQpU3lROPtxOCXWM%2FnuCM2CsPo6oqD&cmp=clp-edweek

Webspotlight:

Google Search Tools

“Secret” codes to make your google searching even better.

http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators.html

Big East Career Fair

Could this be the start of a new way of finding a job?

http://www.bigeastcareerfair.com/

Teacher Jotter

Social Network for Teachers.

Build professional relationships, share resources, exchange ideas and opportunities.

http://www.teacherjotter.com/

Reading Slowly

Interesting thoughts on reading.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2010/0621/Should-your-child-be-learning-the-art-of-slow-reading

Collaboration Video

Does this look like collaboration at your school?

http://www.tuttlesvc.org/2010/10/planning-collaboratively.html

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events: