Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about summer, reflecting on the past year, tech changes, and more. Dave isn’t working on the Railroad, but has Engineered us some knowledge. 

Jokes:  

I rode the elevator to the eleventh floor and as I got out, the operator said, “Have a good day, son.” I replied, “Don’t call me son! You’re not my dad!” He scratched his head and said…

• “No, but I brought you up, didn’t I?!”

---

Why did the Mummy’s bakery fail?

• He gave everyone the crepes.

---

What’s the difference between a literalist and a kleptomaniac?

• A literalist takes things literally. A kleptomaniac takes things, literally.

---

I went to a farmer’s retirement.

• The funeral was beautiful.

---

I got security cameras fitted outside my house.

• Just to convince people that I have stuff worth stealing.

---

I want to open a Jamaican/Irish/Spanish small plate breakfast restaurant

And call it “Tapas the Mornin’ to Ja.”

---

Where does fruit like to vacation?

• In Pear-is

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

Railway Engineer

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Career of the Month” column, written by Luba Vangelova.  She wrote an article entitled, “Railway Engineer.”

Railway engineers design and maintain rail systems used by trains of various types, ranging from long-distance cargo trains to metropolitan light-rail and subway trains.  Cassie Gouger is senior director of design within Union Pacific Railroad’s engineering department, in Omaha, Nebraska.  She shares her career highlights, career path, and her advice for students.

http://k12science.net/railway-engineer/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Summer Time
• Kicking off Year 15
• Michigan’s Education Budget
  • Special Ed
  • Teacher Retention
  • Security
  • Foundation Allowance
• PD 

Eileen Award

• Twitter:  David Knox – Hope the new position is going well!  

The Twitterverse

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Administrators tend to use the teacher who has been in the profession for about 4-6 years as the poster child assistant to push their newest initiative. They’ve been there long enough to know the ropes but are still naive enough to think that they’re doing something important.

Archana  @aakhramka

Replying to  @cretiredroy  

UͶprofessional Development Podcast  @unprocast

I’m about to get to the best part of the lesson PA SYSTEM: PLEASE PARDON THIS INTERUPTION

𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson

Why would someone want to work under my leadership? That is a question I often asked myself. I hope current administrators do too.

Ryan Sheehy  @sheehyrw

Congratulations to everyone in education that started their new position today! Leadership is not easy but can be so powerful! #BeTheOne #HREdu

Ditch That Textbook  @DitchThatTxtbk

The Magic Automatic Lesson Planner with Google Forms http://ditchthattextbook.com/the-magic-automatic-lesson-planner-with-google-forms/

Marvin Olasky  @MarvinOlasky

33 Problems With Media in One Chart  @ZengerHouse  https://visualcapitalist.com/problems-with-media/  via@VisualCap

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

Strategies:

When is a number not a number?

https://gradingforgrowth.com/p/when-is-a-number-not-a-number

Classroom Conversations / Curating “Hot-Button” Conversations

By: Matthew R. Kay

This conversation’s success was not due to special personal ability with facilitation, but to my dedication to this three-step process. First, find a good primary source. Second, make sure you pick the right time to incorporate it. Third, push students toward inquiry through prompting. 

https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/curating-hot-button-conversations

Resources:  

10 Quotes Famous People Never Actually Said

You’ve seen it before: that photograph of Gandhi, Marilyn Monroe, or Abraham Lincoln juxtaposed with a pithy saying that seems just like something they’d have come up with. Well, in many cases, those phrases are just a little too good to be true. Read on for 10 cases where the famous saying and its supposed author don’t match up.

https://www.interestingfacts.com/quotes-famous-people-never-said/YqFJPVuKogAHE3xu

Coloring Page Generator

Does what it says. Upload a picture and it turns it into a coloring page. Neat slider feature that reveals the original and the coloring page. 

https://coloring-page.lolo.dev/

Openverse

Now part of WordPress (previously run by Creative Commons). Images and Audio that is Creative Commons or Public Domain. Great spot to start your search, and your students too.

https://wordpress.org/openverse/

Web Spotlight:

5 teacher organization systems that save me time and restored my sanity

Systems that made sense in my apartment for one did not translate well to a space for multiple groups of 28 students each day.

https://truthforteachers.com/5-teacher-organization-systems-that-save-me-time/

American Battlefield Trust – Live at Gettysburg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfsbWIraXIl7a6HKSJINUg

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy share some jokes, summer, and more. Dave brings the pun game to Science.

Jokes:  

What did one cell say to his sister cell that stepped on his toe?

• Hey, get off mi-to-sis!!!

---

An amoeba sits down to eat at a restaurant. Across the room, another Amoeba is undergoing mitosis. The first amoeba flags down the waiter and says, “I’ll have what she’s halving.”

---

A friend asked if he looked special in his bright red shirt. 

• I told him he looked like one in a vermilion. 

---

I gave my friend a gift certificate for mime school for his birthday. 

• He’s still giving me the silent treatment.

---

How do you fix a broken tomato?

• Tomato paste.

---

Why do milking stools only have 3 legs? 

• Because the cow’s got the udder.

---

Many people are investing in shoes these days. Some are going for hundreds or thousands of dollars. I disagree with this. Shoes are for wearing. 

• That’s their sole purpose. 

---

Did you hear about the rancher who had 196 cows?

• When he rounded them up, he had 200.

---

A truly good pun is it’s own reword.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast: Chemical Puns

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Idea Bank” column, written by Nick Thomas.  He wrote an article entitled, “Chemicals Gone Funny.”

Using humor in the classroom at any level can be a gamble for teachers and most have probably experienced students collectively rolling their eyes at a corny joke.  Puns, of course, frequently elicit that response along with the almost requisite group groan.  Yet this ancient and simple form of humor can effectively impart a message if carefully worded, although any attempt at a science pun relies on the teacher first ensuring students understand the scientific principles tied to the humor.

http://k12science.net/chemical-puns/

Reports from the Front Lines

• New positions???
• Summer Off
• MOOSE
• Kids and Summer

The Twitterverse  

TeacherGoals  @teachergoals

Gotta love summer! 

Adam Moler  @moler3031

The guy who invented the merry go round never met the guy who invented the Ferris wheel. They ran in different circles.

Ditch That Textbook  @DitchThatTxtbk

Fun formative assessment: 12 easy, no-tech ideas you can use tomorrow Graffiti wall Sketch artist Quiz maker Sculptor Word puzzler and more PLUS 2 creative ways to use them https://ditchthattextbook.com/no-tech-format

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

Strategies:

How To Create Fake Text Messages

https://chat-animator.com/

Six Ways to Add Rigor by Deepening Thinking

By Karin Hess

What does it look and sound like when your students are doing rigorous work and thinking deeply?

Raising expectations is NOT as simple as assigning difficult texts to read or using higher-order verbs (e.g., analyze, synthesize) to describe what students are going to do during a lesson.

https://www.middleweb.com/47245/6-places-to-find-true-rigor-in-your-classroom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-places-to-find-true-rigor-in-your-classroom

5-Minute SEL Activities You Can Do Every Day – Virtually or In Person

…try these three activities throughout this year: Good News, Mindful Movement, and Hot Seat.  

https://www.teacher2teacher.education/2022/01/21/5-minute-sel-activities-you-can-do-every-day-virtually-or-in-person/

Resources:

What’s Going on With This Graph?

Graphs, maps and charts from The Times — and an invitation to students to discuss them live.

https://www.nytimes.com/column/whats-going-on-in-this-graph

Quizdini

Quizdini is shutting down. 

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2022/06/quizdini-is-shutting-down.html

New options for styling fonts in Google Forms

We’re adding additional font style and sizing options, and the ability to customize header, subheader, and body text separately in Google Forms. 

https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2022/06/new-font-options-google-forms.html

One Pagers Refresh!

The one pagers include a range of distilled research from educational psychologist, edu-Twitter influencers and inspirational teachers. 

Jamie Clark (@XpatEducator)

https://www.jamieleeclark.com/blog/one-pagers-refresh

AXIS The Culture Translator

Can’t Find It

What it is: People are expressing dissatisfaction (language) with the way Google’s flagship product, its search engine, has changed over the past few months as it seems to rank sponsored content and ads more highly than before.  

Web Spotlight:

Moving Beyond SAMR with the Rigor Relevance Framework

While there are many different frameworks to choose from when it comes to the effective integration of technology, SAMR is typically the one that most people and schools leverage. At face value, it is relatively straightforward while conveying how the use of technology can move from enhancement to transformation.

http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2022/06/moving-beyond-samr-with-rigor-relevance.html 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy issue an Eileen Award, reflect on Genius Week, and more. Dave is all-inclusive.

Jokes:  

Why did the integers have to quarantine?

• Because half of them were positive

---

Every time my doorbell rings my dog hides in the corner. 

• She’s a boxer

---

I prefer warm weather, but 

• Only to a certain degree

---

Why did Darth Vader have such a hard time measuring spaceships?

• He was using the Imperial System.

---

Everyone should learn to use sign language. 

• It’s pretty handy

---

My air conditioner broke and the parts are on back order for what seems to be forever. 

• Sorry, I just had to vent

---

A lady bought a talking parrot, the pet shop promised a “nice” bird and so took it home. However the bird started cussing, once home and so she threatened to put it in the freezer. When it wouldn’t stop, she put it in the deep freezer and left it for about 5 minutes. When she took it out, she asked if he’ll behave. He promised but wanted to know something, what did the turkey do to be put into the freezer and she said that he was a fowl bird!

---

“So you currently work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday,” said my boss.

“That is right,” I replied.

He said, “Would you be able to work outside those hours?”

I said, “But I might catch a cold.”

---

What did the amoeba say when his sister stepped on his foot?

My toe sis!

Sorry, but this is a divisive joke.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast: Inclusive Science Classrooms

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Corner” column, written by Ann Haley MacKenzie.  She wrote an article entitled, “Inclusive Strategies for the Science Classroom.”

The time is now for more attention to be paid to providing an inclusive environment for all learners.  Our STEM pipeline depends on it.  Our future as a progressive scientific country depends on it.  Our scientific literacy depends on it.  Our goal for an inclusive science classroom is to make sure all of our students can bring their authentic selves to school and feel that they belong, while providing engaging, responsive, and stimulating learning environments. 

http://k12science.net/inclusive-science-classrooms/

Eileen Award

• New Listener – Mike Maffesoli LOVES the jokes section of the show and would like to make requests.  

Reports from the Front Lines

• Genius Week Review
  • Teacher Reflection
  • Student Discussion (in Moodle)
• Summer Break!
• End of the Year Picnic
  • Maine-ly Meatball
  • Mr. Tuna
  • Oysters
• MOOSE

The Twitterverse  

Richard Byrne  @rmbyrne

How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? – A Geography Lesson https://buff.ly/3MtuMga

Senator Sean McCann  @SeanAMcCann

I was proud to join a bill package to attract and retain teachers in Michigan led by my colleagues @SenPolehanki and @WinnieBrinks. My bill, Senate Bill 1100, would create a no-cost pathway for support staff members to become certified teachers.  https://senatedems.com/polehanki/news/2022/06/16/polehanki-brinks-introduce-a-bill-package-to-attract-retain-teachers-in-michigan/  

TeacherGoals  @teachergoals

No lies detected. 

MiddleWeb  @middleweb

HAMMOCK PD: Find a great choice for summer professional reading! Your review book is free. We’ll send it by priority mail. You set your own deadline. https://middleweb.com/1153/review-for-us/

#mschat @AMLE #elachat #scichat #mathchat #gtchat #educoach #leadupchat #crazyPLN #satchat #ntchat #ELLs

Beth Houf  @BethHouf

So great to reflect with other leaders on stress busters to prioritize. Moving my body is my number one goal. I’ve gotten away from this and ready to get back at it! #mola36 #LeadLAP

Ditch That Textbook @DitchThatTxtbk

Get 25 FREE Google Drawings graphic organizers AND learn how to create your own http://ditchthattextbook.com/15-free-google-drawings-graphic-organizers-and-how-to-make-your-own/  #ditchbook

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

Strategies:

Unraveling a Copyright and Email Scam

Great review of a scam attempt. 

(Also, he has 22,000 emails in his Inbox). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE7_sPrzF6w

Design Thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving process that typically includes the following elements: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.

https://www.middleweb.com/47238/teach-design-thinking-to-middle-schoolers/

Resources:  

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Song of the Week:  “As it Was”  Harry Styles’s take on the pandemic world.  Lots of “As it Was” in the lyrics.  Lots.  And even more after that.  

160 Oral Language Prompts

This year, in my ELL Newcomers class, we began with students spending ten minutes using their laptops to work on various English-learning sites of their choice.

Then, I would display an oral language prompt on the screen (a question and a sentence-starter as a response).  I would model saying it, and then students would write down the question and their response in a notebook. 

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2022/06/12/160-oral-language-prompts-i-used-in-my-ell-newcomers-class-this-year/

Web Spotlight:

How Long Would It Take To Count to A Million

So, how long would it really take to count to a million? Out loud, for good measure?

Thanks to a guy named Jeremy Harper, we don’t have to guess. In fact: we got to watch.

https://nowiknow.com/how-long-would-it-take-to-count-to-a-million/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aqCC2PVNcA

BEWARE OF THE UNICYCLING CLOWN

Hyman wanted to measure the “inattentional blindness” — basically, the inability to see things because you’re not paying attention to them — which occurs when our minds are on our phone conversations.

https://nowiknow.com/beware-of-the-unicycling-clown/#annotations:F2XyquzJEeyTp59LA0ywKg

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Troy and Shawn talk about the end of the year, summer, presentations, and more. Dave is about making scientists from students.

Jokes:  

Two fish are in a tank.

• One fish turns to the other and says: “Do you know how to drive this thing?”

---

Did you hear about the burglar who always stole some soap in his crimes? 

• He wanted to make a clean getaway.

---

What musical genre are anthems?

• Country.

---

What do you call a Bee that lives in America? 

• A US B

---

I just bought a new first aid kit.

• I thought that I’d treat myself

---

Did you hear about the actor who fell through the floorboards? 

• He was just going through a stage.

---

A pirate lost his leg. He was able to walk again after getting an iron leg to replace it, but the leg soon rusted and he could no longer walk.

• Oh the iron knee!

---

Where do bad card players go to be “pun”ished?

• They go to solitaire-y confinement.

---

Why could Bill Clinton always match his VP’s dance steps?

• He knew the Al Gore rhythm.

---

Middle School Science Minute

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast: Do Students Work Like Scientists?

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the “Science 101” column, written by Matt Bobrowsky.  He wrote an article entitled, “What Makes a Great Science Investigation?”

Real-world science doesn’t involve a series of steps, and there’s not always a single correct answer.  Real science is exploration and discovery and lots of fun!  Scientific investigations are open-ended and can keep being extended or expanded, so too is learning an ongoing endeavor.  Isaac Asimov said, “Education isn’t something you can finish.”

http://k12science.net/do-students-work-like-scientists/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Graduation
• Summer Plans
  • MoodleNet
• Presentations 
  • AMLE November – H5P Tools  
  • ACTEM 
    • H5P
    • Moodle
    • Open Source Options
    • OER
• Genius Week Radio
  • Great way to set the tone, set expectations
• Reflections

The Twitterverse  

Ian Jukes  @ijukes

Tenacity

Megan Basham  @megbasham

Here’s what I would like my from punditry class. I would like them to be able to argue that something is bad, even very bad, without resorting the most superlative, hyperbolic terms they can find. When everything is an apocalypse, nothing is.  

Megan Basham  @megbasham

According to the most comprehensive Department of Education study, roughly 10 percent of K-12 public school students experience sexual misconduct at the hands of a school employee. How much is the media writing about this? https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/resea

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

Gooder.

Dan Van der Vieren  @RTBCoaching

Replying to @EduCelebrity

“Good” is not a strong enough adjective in this context. Please provide one that really honors those who desire the opportunity to spend nearly the entire year with students. Thank you for your consideration. 

Jenna  @jennavd22

Sounds about right. Happy Thursday to all you fellow spuddlers.

Cayne Letizia  @CayneLetizia

anyone: “I’m not a teacher but if I were…”

 teachers:

Todd Sepulveda  @tsepulveda

Chromebook shortcut stickers in @jrsowash session in the Cypress Room!

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

Strategies:

Dropdown in Google Docs

• Group work
• Tracking
• Emoji
• Rubrics

https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/15-ways-to-use-drop-down-menus-in-google-docs-suls0161/

Resources:

Interesting State Names

https://www.interestingfacts.com/state-nicknames/Ynm4_lm3LQAHz-rV

Flags

There is only one country with a non-quadralineal flag. 

https://flagmakers.co.uk/flag-history/nepal/

Gerrymandering

Limit voting rights in 3 easy steps. (And how to teach your students about it.) Gerrymandering 101.

Quick primer. Gerrymandering is the legislative act of creating voting maps that favor your particular political party. 

https://historytech.wordpress.com/2022/06/03/so-you-want-to-limit-someones-voting-rights-or-maybe-just-want-your-kids-to-know-more-about-it-gerrymandering-101/#annotations:_FxghuWbEeyjyR8fqvNhlg

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Time to Wake Up

What it is: The state of California will require all public high schools to start classes no earlier than 8:30am.  

La Croke

What it is: A viral hack for “healthy” Coke on TikTok requires two ingredients: balsamic vinegar and any flavor of sparkling beverage.  Why it’s dividing the internet: The original post about the trend, which apparently was invented by @mandyjones’ Pilates instructor, has over 5 million views. Several famous influencers plopping a splash of balsamic in their La Croix and hoping for the best. People who have tried the fad seem to be divided firmly into two camps: “This tastes better than I thought” vs. “This is absolute internet madness.” If your family is curious, it could be fun to give this one a try together — although with the caveat that there is no clear health benefit to drinking fizzified acid, Coke or no coke.

Slang of the Week

Mid: used on TikTok to describe something that’s simply average, poor, or mediocre; based on a TikTok that went viral in December 2021 in which wrestler Maxwell Friedman was seen declaring, “It’s called the Midwest because every single person who lives here is… mid!”

Web Spotlight:

7 Interesting Facts About Ancient Pyramids

https://www.interestingfacts.com/pyramids-facts/YowCvFuKogAHE3m0

How 6 Sports Teams Got Their Distinctive Names

https://www.interestingfacts.com/sports-team-names/YagaiE7cAQAHtnRG

Nepal has one of the most unusual time zones in the world.

https://www.interestingfacts.com/fact/62968a557ede000008986bfe

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy theoretically discuss the end of the year. Dave finds inspiration with End of the Year activities. 

Jokes:  

• At the job interview, they asked me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
• I told them, “I think we’ll still be using mirrors in five years.”

---

• How many clickbait articles does it take to change a lightbulb? The answer will shock you!

---

• How do you make a water bed bouncier? 
• Add spring water.

---

• I always knock on the fridge door before opening it, just in case there’s a salad dressing.

---

• Where do dads store their dad jokes? 
• In the dad-a-base.

---

• I tried to start a professional hide-and-seek team, but it didn’t work out. 
•  Turns out, good players are hard to find.

---

• A cop started crying while he was writing me a ticket. I asked him why and he said, “It’s a moving violation.”

---

• What is the difference between a literalist and a kleptomaniac?
• A comma. A literalist takes everything literally. A kleptomaniac takes everything, literally.

---

• I just found out Albert Einstein existed. My whole life I thought he was a theoretical physicist.

---

• Why is it a bad idea to eat a clock? 
• Because it’s so time-consuming.

---

• Why should you never brush your teeth with your left hand? 
• Because a toothbrush works better.

---

• I like to spend my weekends playing chess with elderly men in the park. But it’s becoming more difficult.
• You try finding exactly32 old guys.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast: Finding Inspiration as the School Year Winds Down

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Note” column, written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.  She wrote an article entitled, “Finding Inspiration as the Year Winds Down.”

This is the time of the year when teachers need a boost of energy or inspiration to help finish the school year.  One way of finding that boost of energy is to create space for large-scale investigations and in-depth activities where the students are in the driver’s seat.

http://k12science.net/finding-inspiration-as-the-school-year-winds-down/

Reports from the Front Lines

• June 6th Genius Week
• End of the School Year Strategies
• Meta Cognition

The Twitterverse  

Jack Berckemeyer  @JBerckemeyer

Parents- As the school year comes to an end-send an email to your child’s teacher and administrator and thank them for keeping your child safe while they are at school. Thank them for teaching the values of kindness and empathy. Tell educators you appreciate them. They need it!

Shake Up Learning  @ShakeUpLearning

Teach Like the Tonight Show: Internet Pop Quiz w/ Google Slides (Teacher Ed.) https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/teach-like-tonight-show-internet-pop-quiz-google-slides-teacher-edition/  #edtech

RUTH BUZZI@Ruth_A_Buzzi

I ate a kid’s meal at McDonalds yesterday. I have to say his mother sure overreacted.

Bob Harrison  @bharrisonEDU

With the rise of GPT-3 and other text generators, all bets are off on the authenticity and educational value of any written assignment.

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

Resources:

50 Best Games for Speech and Language Development

Free eBook!  

http://usafiles.net/14X2/The_50_Best_Games_for_Speech_and_Language_Development.pdf  

Great Teaching Toolkit

www.greatteaching.com#annotations:-o1GgN1YEeyy2J-cqxS1vA 

  

Web Spotlight:

College Graduates Overestimate Starting Salaries

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/29/study-says-college-graduates-overestimate-starting-salaries-by-50000.html#annotations:s536ZNeiEeyUE7v6EE6W-w

These Words Were Invented by Mistake

https://www.wordgenius.com/how-were-these-words-invented-by-mistake/Xr0yWBPAJQAG8xAP

The Best Commencement Speeches

By Larry Ferlazzo

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/05/15/the-best-commencement-speeches/

How I Finally Stopped Working at Home as a Teacher

https://truthforteachers.com/how-i-finally-stopped-taking-work-home-as-a-teacher/

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about relationships with Administrators, remote conferences, and more. Dave kind of gives us the Bird.

Jokes:  

My doctor told me I was going deaf. 

• The news was hard for me to hear.

---

A century ago, two brothers decided it was possible to fly. And as you can see, they were Wright.

---

I’m reading a horror story in braille. 

• Something bad is going to happen, I can just feel it.

---

Anyone looking to buy a Delorean? Good shape, good mileage. 

• Only driven from time to time

---

During my calculus test, I had to sit between identical twins. It was hard to differentiate between them.

---

Does anybody know where a guy can find a person to hang out with, talk to, and enjoy spending time with? I’m just asking for a friend.

---

Why did the Invisible Man turn down a job offer? He couldn’t see himself doing it.

---

I didn’t want to believe that my dad was stealing from his job as a traffic cop, but when I got home, all the signs were there.

---

I have a joke about trickle down economics. But 99% of you will never get it.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast:  Mark My Bird!

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” column, written by Jill Nugent.  She wrote an article entitled, “Mark My Bird!”

Mark My Bird is a global online citizen science project associated with the University of Sheffield that invites participants to study the how and why of bird biodiversity and change over time by studying bird bills.  For more information, please visit:

https://www.markmybird.org

http://k12science.net/mark-my-bird/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Moodle Moot UK
• Building Relationships with Admin
• MOOSE

The Twitterverse  

Katie Powell  @Beyond_the_Desk

Looking for a fun, easy, but impactful activity? Check out the #HungryHippos #BoredomBusters TikTok: https://tiktok.com/t/ZTdtuMMDN/?k=1 @dbc_inc  (featuring Grayson Kitty)

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

CommonLit: An Online Library of Free Texts https://cultofpedagogy.com/informational-text/  Via  @cultofpedagogy  

Patrick Calzone  @MrPCalzone

Abandoned art project found in the bus loop…I am naming it: “Teaching Middle School in May”

𝓓𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓢𝓬𝓱𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓾 𝓔𝓭.𝓓.   @daveschmittou

Principals- Visiting every classroom every day is not instructional leadership if the goal is to simply be seen. That’s your ego. Leadership is support, encouragement, and guidance when and where it’s needed…for them, even if it’s in the shadows and background.

Save Your Sons  @SaveYourSons

A great father is a great teacher Here are five critical thinking skills to master and teach to your kids (thread)  

1. Pattern recognition Figuring out “what things have in common” Our brains are pattern recognition machines. We constantly analyze the similarities between people, events, and scenarios to make decisions. Pattern recognition is how we deduce danger. It’s also how we prosper.

2. Reverse engineering Figuring out “what’s required” It’s nearly impossible to create anything if you can’t first picture it in your mind. Effective thinkers begin with the result in mind and work backward to determine what steps they need to take. The whole informs the parts.

3. Inference Figuring out “why something happened” We won’t always have all the facts. And a smart person doesn’t always need them. They’re able to analyze scattered facts and make deductions about why and how certain outcomes came to be. You can train this in your kids.  

4. Prediction Figuring out “what will happen next” Cause-and-effect runs our lives. We must constantly determine the consequences of our actions. If we can’t deduce an action’s outcome, we can’t make beneficial decisions. And if we make bad decisions, we lead horrible lives.

5. Synthesis Figuring out “what’s important” As an adult you’ll need to sort through masses of information, retaining what’s relevant and discarding what’s not. Our brains are incredible, but they function best when we’re able to focus on what matters and ignore what doesn’t.

Conclusion:  The world is full of data. Don’t rely on schools to teach your kids how to think. Everyday events can be used to spur countless conversations about how the world works. As your children get older, scale up the difficulty. Tailor the discussions to their interests.  

Todd Finley  @finleyt

How to Make Student Thinking Visible–Assess Kids’ Processes of Learning and Depth of Understanding | #students #k12 #edchat #education #teachers #ukedchat #teaching #thinking

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

Resources:

Merlin Bird ID

Merlin is powered by eBird, allowing you to build custom lists of the birds you’re likely to spot wherever you are. Use the filter options to explore birds for different locations or time of year, or switch to show all the species in the Bird Packs you’ve downloaded. Get more from the app with these Merlin Tips and Tricks.

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

The Kids Should See This

The Kid Should See This is a Webby Award-winning collection of 5,000+ kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. And thanks to our members, it’s free and available for everyone.

Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. TKSST champions smart STEAM, history, and culture-focused content by museums, organizations, and creators who celebrate curiosity, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, kindness, and other essential themes for all ages.

Enjoy around 10 to 15 newly-added videos every week, browse the collections, and search topics in the archives. Founded in 2011, The Kid Should See This is curated and maintained by me, Rion Nakaya, with input from my 11 and 14-year-olds.

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/#annotations:2n9tJNC5EeyE1muU8iW5_g

Coco Material

Discover CocoMaterial, the Open Source hand-drawn illustration library with 1,927 images. Customize & download!

https://cocomaterial.com/#annotations:ynnPitUqEey06oupkBwHPA

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Beau Bots

What it is: Chatbots like the Replika app are creating avenues for romantic relationships between people and AI. Replika allows users a limitless chat experience for free, but requires a payment plan to provide a girlfriend or boyfriend experience.

More Than Words

What it is: The terms “algo-speak” and “Voldemorting” have been coined to refer to ways social media posters modify certain phrases to sneak past automated algorithm censorship.

Web Spotlight:

Trent Shelton

Trent Shelton had what can only be described as a failure in his career as a pro football player. But at his lowest point, he found the strength to turn his life around. He joins “CBS Mornings” to share his wisdom.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/former-football-player-turned-motivational-speaker-trent-shelton-says-only-giving-up-is-failure/

What Makes A Good Life?

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you’re mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about the end of the school year, visual literacy, and more. Dave has an important minute on equity. 

Jokes:  

Someone complimented my parking today! 

• They left a sweet note on my windshield that said “parking fine.”

---

I just applied for a job down at the diner. 

• I told them I really bring a lot to the table.

---

“Cop: I’m arresting you for downloading the entire Wikipedia.” 

• Man: “Wait! I can explain everything!”

---

I’m Buzz Aldrin, second man to step on the moon. 

• Neil before me.

---

This year’s Fibonacci convention is going to be really special. 

• Apparently it’s as big as the last two put together.

---

I’m addicted to collecting vintage Beatles albums.

• I need Help.

---

In 2017 I didn’t do a marathon. I didn’t do one in 2018, 2019, or 2020, either. 

• This is a running joke.

---

Ever since we started quarantining, I’ve only been telling inside jokes.

---

If you’re feeling depressed, try drinking a gallon of water before you go to sleep. 

• It’ll give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

---

My landlord told me we need to talk about the heating bill. 

• “Sure,” I said. “My door is always open.”

---

I built a model of Mount Everest and my son asked if it was to scale. 

• “No,” I said. “It’s to look at.”

---

My friend claims he glued himself to his autobiography. 

• I don’t believe him, but that’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

---

When I was a kid, my mother told me I could be anyone I wanted to be. 

• Turns out, identity theft is a crime.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

Equity in the Science Classroom

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “From the Editor’s Desk” column, written by Patty McGinnis.  She wrote an article entitled, “Equity in the Science Classroom.”

Despite advances in science education, there remains an opportunity gap; historically underperforming populations often opt out of advanced courses and are not equitably represented in the STEM fields.  As teachers, we are tasked with closing this gap through practices that allow all students to succeed and thrive.

Reports from the Front Lines

• The Heat is On!  Warm Weather Behavior 
• MoodleMoot IE & UK 2022  
  • Is the future in AI?
    • WriteSonic AI authoring software:  https://writesonic.com/  
    • DALLE-2 AI generated art from caption to image instead of image to caption.  https://openai.com/dall-e-2/ 
• The Beginning of the End
• PD Plans
• Created vs Creation

The Twitterverse  

Frank Noschese@fnoschese

Did this in class today. 10/10 would recommend

Quote Tweet

     Joe Cossette  @cossettej

New Blog Post!! https://passionatelycurioussci.weebly.com/blog/mcwordle-review

My students needed extra practice on multiple choice questions but I wanted something more group-worthy and interactive, so I created a game called “MCwordle”. All of the details and files are shared in on the blog. https://twitter.com/cossettej/status/1520871067841187840/photo/1  

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

8 Google Classroom BUMMERS https://alicekeeler.com/2020/03/29/8-g

Richard Byrne  @rmbyrne

How to Create and Send Personalized Certificates in Google Workspace https://freetech4teachers.com/2022/05/how-to

Nika Melkozerova  @NikaMelkozerova

Bonnie and Clyde were presented as “Ancestors who faught Nazism until victory” during a concert dedicated to May 9 celebration in Russia. Ahahah. That explains looting.

Ukrainian Memes Forces  @uamemesforces

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

Strategies:

24 ideas for creating a discussion-rich classroom

https://ditchthattextbook.com/discussion/

Resources:  

AXIS The Culture Translator

It Takes a Dataset

What it is: A tool called the Opportunity Atlas shows that choosing where your children will grow up might be one of the most important indicators of their earning potential and stability.  

Slang of the Week

Buy the Dip: A term used by crypto enthusiasts and in-app daytraders to mean “buy when the market gets low,” now being used sarcastically to refer to something that’s going down and probably not going to come back up; the joke is that since everyone’s assets are tanked, nobody can buy the dip. (Ex: “Robin: I can’t believe this, my entire savings just crashed now that Dogecoin is worth nothing.” “Little John: Well, you know what they say — buy the dip!”)

Old Maps Online

https://www.oldmapsonline.org/

Living Wage Calculator

WHAT IS THE LIVING WAGE CALCULATOR?

Families and individuals working in low-wage jobs make insufficient income to meet minimum standards given the local cost of living. We developed a living wage calculator to estimate the cost of living in your community or region based on typical expenses. The tool helps individuals, communities, and employers determine a local wage rate that allows residents to meet minimum standards of living.

https://livingwage.mit.edu/

Web Spotlight:

Why So Many Teachers Are Leaving, and Why Others Stay

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/teachers-leaving/

Rollins College Commencement Speaker

Rollins College valedictorian Elizabeth Bonker ’22, who is affected by non-speaking autism and communicates solely by typing, urges her fellow graduates to use their voices, serve others, and see the value in everyone they meet.

https://www.rollins.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/news/elizabeth-bonker-commencement-address

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about Shawn’s new computer, conferences, and more. Dave is all about Cool Water. 

Jokes:

If a pig loses its voice…does it become disgruntled?

---

A panic-stricken man explained to his doctor, “You have to help me, I think I’m shrinking.” “Now settle down,” the doctor calmly told him. “You’ll just have to learn to be a little patient.”

---

A ship carrying red paint and a ship carrying blue paint collide in the middle of the ocean. Both crews were marooned.

---

What is a guitar player’s favorite Italian food? 

• Strum-boli.

---

Why’d the alternate universe Spider-Man do so well on his driving test? 

• He’s an excellent parallel Parker.

---

Never date a tennis player. 

• Love means nothing to them.

---

What did Yoda say when he saw himself in 4K? HDMI.

---

What’s an astronaut’s favorite part of the computer? 

• The Space Bar.

---

Why didn’t the vampire attack Taylor Swift? 

• She had bad blood.

---

Today I’m attaching a light to the ceiling, but I’m afraid I’ll probably screw it up.

---

I hate it when people say age is only a number. 

• Age is clearly a word.

---

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast:  Cool Water

I was recently reading the March/April 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Science 101 column, written by Matt Bobrowsky.  He wrote an article entitled, “What’s Cool About Water?”

Water is a good example to use when discussing how matter can be in different states — solid, liquid, or gas.  Students are quite familiar with solid water and liquid water but gaseous water is a bit more abstract.  Bubbles in boiling water are made of water vapor (gaseous water).  They are not empty, they are not air bubbles, and they are not made of separate hydrogen and oxygen gases.

http://k12science.net/cool-water/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Spark & Tell – AMLE 
  • SES-09050-S7M6  The Online Tools You Need – H5P   
• ACTEM
• End of year testing . . . lots of testing . . . 
• MoodleMoot IE & UK begins on Monday!  
• Moodle 4.0 Theme:  LearnR https://moodle.org/plugins/theme_learnr  
• Mountain Moot July 20-July 22

The Twitterverse  

Ditch That Textbook  @DitchThatTxtbk

12 FREE social media-inspired Google Slides templates! Yelp Spotify YouTube Netflix LinkedIn Twitter Snapchat TikTok Instagram Facebook Pinterest Get ’em here: http://ditchthattextbook.com/social-media-t… #DitchBook #TechLAP

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

The beginning of May is a time when school isn’t quite yet over but everyone likes to think it’s good enough.  

Monica Burns, Ed.D. #EdTech  @ClassTechTips

Although you might have students create a comic strip using a digital medium, this type of activity is perfect for connecting to print experiences.

Jack C Berckemeyer

Love this

PACE Scholarship Academy  tSernsp18Mytau94:8 t  4at0A Mg7a

REPOSTING AGAIN

Parents PLEASE stress the importance of email etiquette to your children. Students send me emails ALL THE TIME with their entire question in the subject AND NO GREETING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EMAIL. If they send emails like this to me, they will surely do it with a scholarship organization. Another reason why your child may not win a scholarship . Follow us on Facebook for daily scholarship posts PACE Scholarship Academy

#fullridesarepossible

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

Resources:

Voices of Hope

Beginning in May, Maine Public will share stories of recovery from across the state with the program, Voices of Hope: The Rugged Road to Recovery. Voices of Hope is a documentary series aimed at reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorder, interviewing young people sharing their recovery stories. This documentary series was created for use in classrooms to facilitate conversations about the use of chemicals and their consequences. This in-depth documentary series dives into how substance use disorder is affecting lives across the state.

https://www.mainepublic.org/voices-of-hope-documentary-series#annotations:RyayOsvSEey7YweegIqWVQ

11 Mysterious Monuments From Around the World

https://www.interestingfacts.com/mysterious-monuments/YkuaY1m3LQAHz-TC

Web Spotlight:

103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known

https://kk.org/thetechnium/103-bits-of-advice-i-wish-i-had-known/#annotations:LSMJvMjnEey7H5NgPBWSkQ

BeamNG.Drive

The BeamNG physics engine is at the core of the most detailed and authentic vehicle simulation you’ve ever seen in a game. Every component of a vehicle is simulated in real-time using nodes (mass points) and beams (springs). Crashes feel visceral, as the game uses an incredibly accurate damage model.

https://www.beamng.com/game/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqx2KKWI8aM

Most Common Passwords: 

1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. Qwerty
4. Password
5. 12345
6. 12345678
7. 111111
8. 1234567
9. 123123
10. Qwerty123
11.  1q2w3e
12. 1234567890
13. DEFAULT
14. 0
15. Abc123
16. 654321
17. 123321
18. Qwertyuiop
19. Iloveyou
20. 666666

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/27/most-common-passwords-hackers-leak-on-the-dark-web-lookout-report.html

Slang of the Week

Mary Sue: An overly idealized fictional character, the phrase has been borrowed from comic books and fanfiction communities but may now be used to describe any person who presents as a sort of Pollyanna-esque figure. (Ex: “I’ve never seen that girl look anything less than perfect, she gets straight As, and everyone she meets adores her. She’s such a Mary Sue.”)  From AXIS the Culture Translator

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about Moodle 4, moving resources to digital, and more. Dave has an Ocean full of good stuff. 

Jokes:  

After an unsuccessful harvest, why did the farmer decide to try a career in music?

• Because he had a ton of sick beets.

---

I only seem to get sick on weekdays. 

• I must have a weekend immune system.

---

My friend was showing me his tool shed and pointed to a ladder. “That’s my stepladder,” he said. 

• “I never knew my real ladder.”

---

I don’t get why Marvel doesn’t use the Hulk to advertise more. 

• He’s basically one big Banner.

---

What brand of underwear do scientists wear? 

• Kelvin Klein.

---

Did you know your pupils are the last part to stop working when you die?

• They dilate.

---

My wife asked me the other day where I got so much candy.

• I said, “I always have a few Twix up my sleeve.”

---

Where do pirates get their hooks? 

• Second-hand stores.

---

Of all the inventions of the last 100 years, the dry erase board has to be the most remarkable.

---

What do you call a line of men waiting to get haircuts? 

• A barberqueue.

---

What do you call a beehive without an exit? 

• Unbelievable.

---

This morning, Siri said, “Don’t call me Shirley.” 

• I accidentally left my phone in Airplane mode.

---

It’s easy to convince ladies not to eat Tide Pods, 

• but harder to deter gents.

---

I can’t take my dog to the pond anymore because the ducks keep attacking him. 

• That’s what I get for buying a pure bread dog.

---

• Have you heard about those new corduroy pillows? They’re making headlines.

Middle School Science Minute  

by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)

K12Science Podcast:  The Ocean

I was recently reading the March/April 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the Formative Assessment column, written by Page Keeley.  She wrote an article entitled, “Uncovering Student Ideas About Earth’s Defining Feature: The Ocean.”

Earth’s ocean is the defining feature of our planet.  Principle #1 of the “Ocean Literacy Framework” states the Earth has one big ocean with many features.  But research shows that both children and adults believe a common misconception that the oceans are not connected and act alone.

http://k12science.net/the-ocean/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Moodle perceptions
• Moodle 4 impressions

The Twitterverse  

Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher

Wow. The stories we tell kids are so important. Hat tip @michaelcatt for this one.

Quote Tweet

  C. S. Lewis  @CSLewisDaily

“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” -C.S. Lewis

Brian Mendler  @BrianMendler

#Teachers with few behavior issues have the following in common: 1. Rarely gets offended. 2. Provides very little down time. 3. Talks w kids before/after class. 4. Asks lots of questions. 5. Don’t need the last word. Add to the list #ThatOneKid #edchat

Todd Finley  @finleyt

Some alternatives to final exams | Brain Blast #edchat #assessment #edleadership #cdned #teachers #education #students

Nicholas Ferroni  @NicholasFerroni

Teaching gives me life, but being a teacher is sucking the life out of me.

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

Strategies:  

3 Counterintuitive Findings About Motivation That Teachers Can Use

• Myth: To motivate students for a difficult task, it’s important to make it fun and entertaining
• Myth: A student who needs a bit of a push on homework just needs some advice from their teacher.
• Myth: Getting students to set goals for themselves is the most important way to motivate them.

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/3-counterintuitive-findings-about-motivation-that-teachers-can-use/2022/04#annotations:6c1cnMSmEeyYTvfWy6_mGg

Resources:  

Wick Editor

Free, open-source editor for creating animations. This can also be used to create games.  Web version (great for Chromebooks) as well as a downloadable version. 

https://www.wickeditor.com/#/

DisplayNote

Display the teacher screen on student devices (computers, iPads, etc). Site creates a URL that is shared. Only the teacher needs a (free) account. 

https://www.displaynote.com/solutions/broadcast

Web Spotlight:

‘It’s Life or Death’: The Mental Health Crisis Among U.S. Teens

Lots of interesting points in this article. Important on the changes https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/23/health/mental-health-crisis-teens.html#annotations:U80WisSfEeyScPdiKqMXkw 

Can You Dig This 1940s Slang?

Just some interesting slang to share (*note that “Buzzed” is included)

https://www.wordgenius.com/1940s-slang/YjzGDn-L6wAG0x8Q

Schools are struggling to hire special education teachers. Hawaii may have found a fix

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/21/1092343446/special-education-teachers-hawaii#annotations:NQnzoMWXEeyuczPjOdYRrA

Middle School Go Be Great Digital Journal

116 page journal from Varsity Brands. This is done as a Google Slides. 

https://www.varsitybrands.com/biydigitaljournals

The ‘Science of Reading’ and English-Language Learners: What the Research Says

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-science-of-reading-and-english-language-learners-what-the-research-says/2022/04

AXIS The Culture Translator  

Too Much, Too Soon

What it is: A longform feature and a short documentary from the New York Times examines the neuroscience behind the mental health crisis in today’s teenagers.

Why it offers new insight: The reporting here synthesizes several things we know about teens right now. The onset of puberty continues to drop to an earlier age, with many kids starting sexual maturity while still in elementary school. This occurs at the same time that young people are being absolutely deluged with different types of digital information and experiencing a new awareness of social structures around them. However, that doesn’t mean that the “brake-system” in the brains (the prefrontal cortex) is keeping up with these other changes. Some teens feel trapped inside their bodies as they wait for their brains to mature. One mental health professional interviewed reminded parents that talking to teens early about suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other issues isn’t going to introduce or suggest these issues in a way that causes them to happen, but could in fact be a powerful preventative measure.  

Slang of the Week  

Villain Arc: Used by people, especially girls, who are tired of pretending to be “good” and have decided that the events in their life or the world have launched them into a stylized and aesthetic period of “evil”. (Ex: “My best friend’s boyfriend cheated on her, so she bought a ton of tight dresses and started doing really heavy eyeliner. I guess this is her villain arc.”)

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download