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:

Disney is a prolific company with its name on a great many successes, and it likes to hide its missteps and failures. The process of doing so sometimes helps those mistakes become things of legend. Song of the South, with its politically incorrect and racist portrayals of certain characters, is likely the most famous example. Another example might be The Sweatbox, a very rarely-seen documentary about the failed making of an animated film called Kingdom of the Sun, which eventually morphed into The Emperor’s New Groove. (Pictured above.)
The Sweatbox filmmakers John-Paul Davidson and Trudie Styler were given unprecedented access to Disney’s process and the resulting film painted the executives in such a negative light, they more or less made sure the film would never been seen in public.
Until now. For a little while at least. After the jump, you can watch the rarely seen 2002 documentary The Sweatbox.
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 davidbydlowski@mac.com)

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:
8×8.

 

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/

 

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.

 

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