MSM 402: Parents, Puzzles, and Pods (VoicePods that is)

MSM 402: Parents, Puzzles, and Pods (VoicePods that is)

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Jokes You Can Use:  

Why are frogs always so happy?

  • They eat whatever bugs them

 

What do you call an indecisive insect?

  • A dust mite

 

Which punctuation mark would win a race?

  • The dash

 

Why are circles so smart?

  • They have 360 degrees

 

Advisory:

 

Puzzles

brain-teasers, riddles and optical illusions designed to give your brain a run for its money!

https://twentytwowords.com/iq-top-brain-twisting-puzzles/

 

12 Characters that didn’t make the cut

http://mentalfloss.com/article/31904/12-letters-didnt-make-alphabet

 

Harvard followed 800 people over the course of multiple decades and found 6 things that make people live longer, happier lives

https://www.businessinsider.com/things-that-make-people-live-longer-happier-lives-2018-8

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Parent-Teacher Relationships

I was recently reading the August, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the “Teacher to Teacher” article written by Susan German. She wrote an article entitled, “Forming Parent-Teacher Relationships Around Three-Dimensional Teaching.” The article is based on several conversations she had with teachers using three-dimensional instruction who are now struggling to garner parental support for the new way of teaching science.

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/9/5_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Parent-Teacher_Relationships.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Amy Gwizdz‏ @Gwizzy

We are surrounded by teachers, leaders, parents, and even students who are playing the game of school. It’s been set up this way for years and it is hard to break decades of doing things “the way they always have been done” (even when we know it’s not best for kids).A.J. Juliani

 

Jennifer Fox, EdD‏ @JenniferFox13

Are you comfortable #blogging about your missteps in teaching? My preservice Ts are having a hard time realizing that a T sharing “disasters in the classroom” & what they learn is a good idea for growth. Can any1 help me out? #edtechchat #moedchat #tlap #edchat #2ndaryELA

 

Matt Miller‏ @jmattmiller

Your ripple effect as a teacher is far-reaching. Never forget your impact. #DitchBook #tlap #WednesdayWisdom #edchat

Kasey Bell‏ @ShakeUpLearning

When learning gets messy, teachers have to become facilitators of the messy. https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/be-a-facilitator-of-the-messy/ … #shakeuplearning #edtech #edchat #shakeuplearning #edtech

 

Tony Vincent‏ @tonyvincent

Students can ask Siri (instead of relying on a teacher) to spell words. Google Assistant and Alexa will also spell words.

Ditch That Textbook‏ @DitchThatTxtbk

10 low-prep, HIGH-return activities for class tomorrow!   Virtual field trips Caption this Collaborative slides Brain dump @Quizlet live 5 clue challenge Class podcast EduProtocols Graphic Organizers Templates https://wp.me/p3bT67-1SM  #DitchBook #edtech

ASCD‏Verified account @ASCD

Build positive teacher-student relationships this year. @rickwormeli2 https://bit.ly/2M81gNw

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

 

Resources:

 

VoicePod

Place some text into the text box and this site will read it for you. Could be useful for students to have their writing read out loud to them. Could be useful for EL students. Could be useful for Special Ed students.

  • Resulting files can be downloaded.

https://www.voicepods.com/

 

BookMark It

Allows you to “Bookmark” YouTube Videos. You create a bookmark (CTRL | B), add a comment. Then you click on the BookMark It extension to jump to that bookmark in the video.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bookmark-it/adhfhfpebeloakommdgicanmhfbeifnb/related

 

New Teacher Resources for a New School Year from the Library of Congress

https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2018/09/new-teacher-resources-for-a-new-school-year-from-the-library-of-congress/

Web Spotlight:

 

Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences (2018)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/social-media-social-life-2018

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/research/2018_cs_socialmediasociallife_fullreport-final-release_2_lowres.pdf

Lawnmower Parents Are the New Helicopter Parents & We Are Not Here for It

 

https://www.weareteachers.com/lawnmower-parents/

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 402: Parents, Puzzles, and Pods (VoicePods that is) [ 1:04:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 401: We’re Going to Start with a Dot, Add a Spark, and Cook Moodles.

MSM 401: We’re Going to Start with a Dot, Add a Spark, and Cook Moodles.

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Jokes You Can Use:  

 

What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?

  • Don’t Know, Don’t Care

 

Did you hear about the customer at the barber shop? Wanted a new dye job and a new haircut. Could only afford one.

  • Classic example of “do or dye”.

 

Remember, he who laughs last didn’t get it.

 

I have a friend who lost a mood ring. He’s not sure how to feel about that.

 

Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.

 

Did you hear about the employee at the One Hour Glasses factory who caught his hand in a machine?

  • He made quite the spectacle of himself

 

A friend was having trouble with his iPad. He changed the name of it to “Titanic”.

  • It’s syncing now

 

We get more comfortable in our skin as we get older. Of course that might be because it’s not as tight as it used to be.

 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

eCYBERMISSION

I was recently reading the August, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the “Commentary Section” written by Erin Lester. She wrote an article entitled, “A Real-World STEM Competition.” The article focuses in on eCYBERMISSION a free web-based STEM Competition for students in grades 6-9.  You can learn more about eCYBERMISSION by visiting:

http://www.ecybermission.com

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/8/30_Middle_School_Science_Minute__eCYBERMISSION.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

 

NEW in Ed Week – “Q&A Collections: Best of Classroom Q & A” http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2018/09/qa_collections_best_of_classroom_q_a.html …

 

Alex Corbitt‏ @Alex_Corbitt

 

7 Components of Feedback (by @lisa_westman) #edchat #education #edtech #elearning #k12 #ukedchat

Patrick Garrity‏ @PatrickTGarrity Aug 30

Love seeing our students adding their @peterhreynolds inspired #theDots to Mrs.Harrington’s room. Each one is special and unique just like our students! Only 16 more days until #DotDay2016

NA Intermediate

 

Pernille Ripp‏ @pernilleripp

Oh my word, how much do I love this journal from @peterhreynolds on sale September 4th and I want to give it to everyone I know #pernillerecommends https://ift.tt/2C6LTp0

 

5 replies13 retweets160 likes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swn-aIwgFVo

 

Holly Clark‏ @HollyClarkEdu

New Update: Help for Teachers Going From an iPad to a Chromebook https://is.gd/koE7b5  #edtechteam #caedchat

Carrie Baughcum‏ @HeckAwesome 21 Jul 2017

Sketchnoting is a powerful tool to enhance learning. Here’s my beginners guide to #sketchnoting in the classroom https://youtu.be/zNJyuJl5LKk

Tom Driscoll‏ @Mr_Driscoll

For those educators using @AdobeSpark, I highly recommend encouraging your school/district to deploy “Adobe Spark for Education.” Enhanced security for student data and free access to premium features.  More info here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3wdNFASZ6rrUmtPeEtrVFdXYldqNDA0LVd0a3VDUFRKMUlN/view?usp=sharing …

Buck Institute for Education‏ @BIEpbl

Use our “Rubric for Rubrics” to guide your thinking regarding rubric design AND USE during Project Based Learning. #AssessStudentLearning #PBteaching #PBL #HQPBL #deeperlearning https://www.bie.org/object/document/rubric_for_rubrics …

 

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

 

Resources:

650 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing

Every school day since 2009 we’ve asked students a question based on an article in The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/learning/lesson-plans/650-prompts-for-narrative-and-personal-writing.html

 

Information is Beautiful: The Movies Based on a True Story

Movies are review scene by scene and compared to how accurate historically they are. Includes:

  • Lion
  • Hidden Figures
  • HackSaw Ridge
  • The King’s Speech
  • The Big Short
  • Spotlight
  • Selma
  • American Sniper
  • Dallas Buyer’s Club
  • 12 Years a Slave
  • Captain Phelps
  • The Social Network

https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/based-on-a-true-true-story/

 

Information is Beautiful

The other stuff

https://informationisbeautiful.net/

 

Digital Storytelling – Jason Ohler Resources

Rubrics for assessing Digital Storytelling.  

http://www.jasonohler.com/storytelling/assessmentWIX.cfm  

Web Spotlight:

 

Why Kids Want Things

 

So in other words, parents who act in ways that value things, parents who make a lot of sacrifices to get a lot of things, parents who get a lot of joy from buying things, parents who talk a lot about things—they tend to have adult children who act the same way.

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/08/kids-materialism/568987/

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 401: We’re Going to Start with a Dot, Add a Spark, and Cook Moodles. [ 1:06:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

MSM 400: Citing 400 shows. Because Ponies are delicious.

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Jokes You Can Use:  

Went to the ATM the other day and there’s guy standing there on leg.  After a bit, I asked him if he’s ok, what’s he doing? He says, “Oh, I’m ok.  Just checking my balance.”

 

What did the musician name his three daughters?

  • Anna 1
  • Anna 2
  • Anna 3

 

People said I’d never get over my obsession with Phil Collins, but Against All Odds, Take Look at Me Now, Mama.

 

My office has croissants once a week. Just one of our French benefits.

 

Why was there music coming from the printer?

  • It was jamming.

 

Imagine if America switched from pounds to kilograms overnight.

  • There would be mass confusion.

 

It would be impossible to negotiate with Rick Astley in a hostage situation.

Eileen Award:  

  • Mail:  Jeff Rodman, Executive Director of the New England League of Middle Schools

 

Advisory:

 

Happy Children Do Chores

One small longitudinal study, done over a period of 25 years, found that the best predictor for young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they participated in household tasks at age 3 or 4.

Children who help more at home feel a larger sense of obligation and connectedness to their parents, and that connection helps them weather life’s stressful moments — in other words, it helps them be happier.

…parents did most of the housework and intervened quickly when the kids had trouble completing a task.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/opinion/sunday/children-chores-parenting.html#annotations:7e8bzKWWEeiiI__YyRAB8g

 

Red Solo Cup Challenge

This is a great beginning of the year/end of the year cooperative challenge. Students needed to work together using a rubber band and string to lift cups and put them into formations.  

http://michellekrzmarzick.blogspot.com/2014/06/red-solo-cup-challenge_18.html#annotations:MI7YNKL8Eeid8T_p9xo2Jw

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Reinventing STEM

I was recently reading the August, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the section “From the Editor’s Desk” written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled, “Reinventing STEM Through the Maker Movement.” Through the article she hopes that she will inspire you to grown your students’ maker attitude by incorporating the maker movement into your classroom.

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/8/22_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Rinventing_STEM.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Jennifer Gonzalez‏ @cultofpedagogy

12 Ways Teachers Can Build their Own Resilience Interview with @artofcoaching1 http://ow.ly/UTTW30lsu5A  #teachers #mindfulness #youmatter #ntchat #buildrelationships #edchat

 

Classroom 2.0 LIVE!‏ @liveclass20

Come celebrate with us! If you’ve been a presenter or a participant in any of our #liveclass20 shows over the past 9+ years it would mean a lot to our Classroom 2.0 LIVE team to have you share a memory on the mic TODAY! 12pmET Details & login link: http://live.classroom20.com

Dan McCabe‏ @danieldmccabe

You don’t get grades for resiliency, curiosity, agility, resourcefulness, pattern recognition, tenacity. You just get successful. #satchat

 

Karly Moura‏ @KarlyMoura

It’s FINALLY HERE The Educator’s Guide to Flipgrid FREE eBook Version 3.0 Supercharged with TONS of resources to spark awesome ideas and help you blast off with the NEWEST @Flipgrid features http://bit.ly/flipgridebook3  @SEANJFAHEY #FlipgridFever

Alice Keeler‏ @alicekeeler

Feedback with Bitmoji! Drag from the Chrome extension onto student slides. #googleEDU #googleSlides

Chris Weber, Ed.D.‏ @WeberEducation

Why Are We Still Personalizing Learning If It’s Not Personal? https://buff.ly/2tO4qQ9  @SolutionTree @MrElmerLLC #BoldSchool #divergED

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

 

Strategies:

 

Emailing Your Teacher

With Captain Communicator. *Not only is this useful, but could be a challenge for students to create videos as well.

http://nextvista.org/v/6993/

Or a more serious version:

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

 

Random Groups

This is about randomly grouping students every day. Cards are presented for FREE. This could also be done with playing cards, with pick-sticks, Random Team Generator, in Google Sheets

http://mrorr-isageek.com/random-grouping-cards-for-math-class/

Resources:

Classroom 2.0 LIVE Webinar Series

Today is the last Classroom 2.0 LIVE Webinar.  Although they will be discontinuing the weekly show, the Livebinders and other resources will remain available at their website.  You can visit past recorded sessions and replay them to your heart’s content. You can also continue to catch them archived on iTunes.  

Website:  http://www.classroom20.com/  

Classroom 2.0 Live Show:  http://live.classroom20.com/  

New England League of Middle Schools – Jeff Rodman, Ex. Dir.

A great way to get resources for your classroom is to attend conferences.  The NELMS conference has a great reputation for excellent conference sessions and a great place to learn from other middle school teachers.  The conference is March 21 & 22 in Providence, RI (at the convention center). There is also time to be a conference sponsor! Contact NELMS to get more information on how you can connect with New England’s premier regional middle level association.  NELMS: http://www.nelms.org/  Annual Conference Info:  http://www.nelms.org/pages/conferences/annual/annual.html  

RapidWeaver 8 Released!  (And 3 patches)

For those of us who use it to build websites for our students, there’s an update.  And 3 patches in the past week or so. Check it out here: https://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/  (by way of example:  www.mrmcgirr.com)  

 

MyBib

You can cite websites, books, journals, and over 35 other sources.

  • Generate bibliographies and citations quickly and accurately
  • 100% free, even the premium features
  • No ads, privacy trackers, time limits, or restrictions

MyBib is a free bibliography and citation generator that makes accurate citations for you to copy straight into your academic assignments and papers.

There are tools that already do this, but they’ve stagnated, become infested with ads, and charge you for features that should be free (especially for students). We want to fix this.

If you’re a student, academic, or teacher, and you’re tired of the poor bibliography and citation tools out there, then you’re gonna love MyBib. MyBib’s auto-citer is the best and most accurate one out there, so you can create accurate citations automatically for books, journals, websites, and videos just by searching for a title or identifier (like a URL or ISBN).

Plus, we’re using the same citation formatting engine as professional-grade reference managers like Zotero and Mendeley, so you can be sure our bibliographies are perfectly accurate in over 9,000 styles — including APA, Chicago, MLA 7 & 8, and Harvard.

We listen to our users (that’s you!), and everything we’re building is being open sourced. This means that everyone has access to the MyBib code, and permission to use it to build whatever they want. We don’t show ads, and don’t block all the best features unless you pay a monthly subscription. MyBib is student-friendly, and the tool we wish existed.

MyBib is worked on by volunteers, and server costs are being covered by donations. There are no VCs, investors, or other toxic stakeholders here. We currently have enough donations to run until: October 2022, and just $30 can keep us going for another month. Wanna donate? Get in touch!

https://www.mybib.com/

 

Richard Byrne did a video on using MyBib

 

Web Spotlight:

 

Calling Bull

*NOT FOR STUDENTS. This is a college class on Calling Bull$#!^.

 

https://callingbull.org/

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

We’d never do this, but . . .

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 400: Citing 400 shows. Because Ponies are delicious. [ 1:07:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 399: My Sister’s Favorite Color is PINK!

MSM 399: My Sister’s Favorite Color is PINK!

/ , , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

I’m still getting over the fact that oranges are basically presliced by nature.

 

While waiting for the waiter, you become the waiter.

 

Ever realize just how surreal it is to read a book? You sit for hours staring a marked slices of a tree while vividly hallucinating.

 

When you are going left, right is wrong and left is right.

Thus, right is wrong, but also right. Yet right being wrong doesn’t make left right, so while right is wrong, we can’t conclude the left is right.

 

Want to achieve a beach body? It takes two steps:

  • Have a body
  • Go to the Beach

 

Coffee is a constant victim where I work. It gets mugged every day.

 

Shouldn’t pregnant women be called body builders?

 

Do the clothes that a lawyer wears to court become his/her law suit?

 

If someone stole all your lamps, you would be delighted.

 

Apple is working on new autonomous car. Any bets on how tough it is for them to install Windows?

 

This may come across as cheesy, but I think you’re grate.

 

If you’re a Fireman, you never want to work at home.

 

If you are gluten free, do you go against the grain.

 

Rogaine really messes with your head.

 

Advisory:

 

Boost your EI

Good questions to focus an advisory class.

https://hbr.org/2018/08/boost-your-emotional-intelligence-with-these-3-questions

 

The 5-Hour Rule Used by Bill Gates, Jack Ma and Elon Musk

That’s why the most successful people in the world spend their free time learning.

 

So how do they find the time to read daily? They adhere to the five-hour rule.

 

The concept is wonderfully simple: No matter how busy successful people are, they always “set aside at least an hour a day (or five hours a week) over their entire career for activities that can be classified as deliberate practice or learning.”

 

“Throughout Ben Franklin’s adult life, he consistently invested roughly an hour a day in deliberate learning. I call this Franklin’s five-hour rule: one hour a day on every weekday,”

 

https://www.entrepreneur.com/amphtml/317602

Middle School Science Minute  

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

You Are A Scientist

I was recently reading the July, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the Commentary article, “When You Walk Into This Room, You’re Scientists,” written by S. Elisabeth Faller. The article describes the principles that all teachers can use to promote positive, science-linked identities.  The principles include:

  1.  Prioritize communication in science
  2.  Position all students as scientists
  3.  Allow students to be science authorities
  4.  Demonstrate that science really matters

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/8/16_Middle_School_Science_Minute__You_Are_A_Scientist.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Todd Bloch‏ @blocht574

Dear Middle School Student- https://sweattoinspire.com/2018/08/16/dear-middle-school-student/ … #mschat #michED #colchat

Matt Miller‏ @jmattmiller

This study tells us retention of info from lectures dips when kids attention is divided on digital devices. The magic of #edtech in class, folks, isn’t in taking notes for lectures. It’s about creating. Collaborating. Connecting to other people.  https://t.co/biqoSzJsR7  

 

Two Guys👨‍🏫‏ @twoguysde

The way you greet your students tells them all they need to know about your class.

3 replies 7 retweets 42 likes

 

Kristen Brooks‏ @KristenBrooks77

Celebrate individuality by having students create “All About Me Adjective Selfies” with the Clips App. Perfect to loop for parent night! @AppleEDU #EveryoneCanCreate #ClassroomClips #AppleClips #AppleEduChat #K12 #ADE2018 #iPads4EDU #AppleTeacher #BackToSchool2018 #BeKind

 

Alice Keeler‏ @alicekeeler

Acer Chrometab: Chromebook + Tablet – https://alicekeeler.com/2018/07/03/acer-chrometab-chromebook-tablet/ …

 

Christine Thielen‏ @cmt215il

Christine Thielen Retweeted Will Waidelich

Are YOU going to #AMLE2018 in Orlando?? It is going to be awesome!

Christine Thielen added, https://twitter.com/WillWaidelich/status/1030498499614392322  

 

Will Waidelich‏ @WillWaidelich

#AMLE2018 is October 25-27, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Thank you to our great sponsors. @CUWisconsin @cuaa @CorwinPress @GAfundraising @LeadtoFeed @ReadNaturally @2ndStepProgram @Teach_Travel @AMLE http://www.amle.org/annual/

 

𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕒𝕣𝕕🍎‏ @SSpickard

Feel free to use at your school: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WX8F7wxoVwmg1z-OsAdpp-C4DHklElGy/view?usp=sharing … #MEMSPA #LeadPositive #NAESP #CharacterCounts #kindessmatters

Connie Rensink‏ @rensink_connie

Sandra Lima Argo shares Tony Wagner’s 7 Survival Skills (NOT soft skills) #GlobalEd #GlobalCompetency #RUWorldReady

Bored Teachers‏ @Bored_Teachers

Patience of a saint.

Jennifer Gonzalez‏ @cultofpedagogy

8 Things I Know for Sure About (Most) Middle School Kids http://ow.ly/19IM30lmIjC  #midleved #middleschool #mschat #wholechild

 

Steven Weber‏ @curriculumblog

A good curriculum allows students to demonstrate their understanding in multiple ways. If you see 25 projects that look identical, you may have more compliance than student contribution. #satchat #colchat #LeadUpChat #WeLeadEd #edchat

 

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

 

Strategies:

 

Co-DAP

We talked about CODAP but failed to mention that it was used in the Ant Picnic (Middle School Science Minute).

 

Highlighting Mistakes – A Grading Strategy

 

https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/math-test-grading-tips

 

Ten Non-Standard Ideas About Going Back to School

 

https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teacher_in_a_strange_land/2016/08/ten_non-standard_ideas_about_going_back_to_school.html/index.html

Resources:

 

Are You Monitoring Your Relationships with Your Students?

Some great thoughts and resources here. What type of teacher are you? Do you “justify” not knowing the students (all of the students)?

http://blog.williamferriter.com/2018/08/18/are-you-monitoring-your-relationships-with-your-students/

 

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 399: My Sister’s Favorite Color is PINK! [ 1:08:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 398: Social Media and Tubers

MSM 398: Social Media and Tubers

/ , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

 

I always wanted to be a Gregorian Monk.

  • But I never got the Chants.

 

Two egotists started a fight.

  • It was an I for an I.

 

Notice on a shoe repair shop:

  • I’ll heel you, I’ll save your sole, I’ll even gladly dye for you.

 

I was trying to catch some fog earlier but I mist.

 

Why did the octopus blush?

  • He’d just seen the bottom of the ocean!!!!

 

I’d love to know how the Earth rotates. It would totally make my day.

 

How do you organize a fantastic space party?

  • You planet.

 

How do you light up a soccer stadium?

  • With a soccer match

 

What do you call a pig that does karate?

  • A pork chop.

 

What kind of ghost has the best hearing?

  • The eeriest.

 

Why do seagulls fly over the sea?

  • Because if they flew over a bay, they would be bagels.

What kind of music do planets like?

  • Neptunes.

Where can you buy chicken broth in bulk?

  • The stock market.

Why do bees have sticky hair?

  • Because they use honeycombs.

What do you call fake spaghetti?

  • An im-pasta.

Why did the mushroom go to the party?

  • Because he was a fungi.  

Middle School Science Minute

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

Ant Picnic

I was recently reading the April, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the Citizen Science article, “Prepare an Ant Picnic for Science,” written by Jill Nugent. The article describes a project that invites teachers and students to engage in the study of ants and to explore ant food preferences around the world.  For more information, please visit:

http://studentsdiscover.org/lesson/ant-picnic

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/8/9_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Ant_Picnic.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

ted dintersmith‏ @dintersmith

“The gardener does not make a plant grow. The job of a gardener is to create optimal conditions.” – @SirKenRobinson #WhatSchoolCouldBe

Jose Luis Cabello‏ @idocente

The Role Of Virtual Reality In The Future Of #Education – Our students are changing. Shouldn’t our education tools be, too?  https://t.co/05vWlQQ8Zq  

 

Education Design Lab‏ @eddesignlab

“If we wish to meet the rapidly-changing demands of the workforce of the future…We will have to embrace new and alternative postsecondary educational models, even if they make us feel uncomfortable at first.” @rwmichelle https://buff.ly/2MxxYc9

 

MindShift‏ @MindShiftKQED

These are the qualities students identified in teachers that impacted their lives via @bettyray @woodard_julie @SteeleThoughts #edchat #teaching #stuvoice #teachchat #backtoschool

Impact‏ @ImpactWales

The 4 Pillars of Assessment. Make sure you’re getting it right for your pupils by using our sketchnote! Plz RT

Alice Keeler‏ @alicekeeler

FREE FREE FREE FREE Do not pay for a class that is just watching videos. @googleforedu has a teachers lounge of FREE tutorial videos made by TEACHERS! https://teachercenter.withgoogle.com/first-day-trainings/welcome-to-classroom … #googleEDU

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

 

Strategies:

 

Response: Ways To Improve State-Standardized Tests

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2018/08/response_ways_to_improve_state-standardized_tests.html

 

Meet the YouTube Stars Turning Viewers Into Readers

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/31/books/booktubers-youtube.html#annotations:oR3rSpqBEeiYrMOzTfLSfA

 

How Do You Know When A Teaching Strategy Is Most Effective? John Hattie Has An Idea

 

“Our argument is that learning can lead to enhanced skills, dispositions, motivations and excitement that can be reinvested in learning, and can lead to students setting higher standards for their success criteria. When skill, will, and thrill overlap, this should be considered a bonus; developing each is a worthwhile outcome of schooling in its own right.”

 

Resources:

 

20 Books Featuring Diverse Characters to Inspire Connection and Empathy

 

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/45121/20-books-featuring-diverse-characters-to-inspire-connection-and-empathy#annotations:TNDTMIrsEeiFrsPUlIdJ1A

 

CODAP

CODAP is a free web-based data tool designed as a platform for developers and as an application for students in grades 6–14.

  • CODAP is easy to use and runs in your web browser. CODAP is (and always will be) free. Share your data with others and bring it to life!
  • Learn how to create your own plugin in CODAP. Explore our open-source GitHub repository and start incorporating it into your work today.
  • Browse free CODAP example documents. We’ve curated datasets for first-time users. Explore to find classroom activities and other downloadable resources.

http://codap.concord.org/

Web Spotlight:

A Reminder To Tell Your Story – Jennie Magiera, ISTE 2017 Keynote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIAh4_1EvE  

The Single Story vs. the Untold Story

The Single Story of Student Self Image vs. the Untold Story of Limitless Potential.  

The Single Story of Teachers vs. the Untold Story of Wizards

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging . . . and it is very difficult

to find anyone.” – Gandalf the Wizard  

The Story of Resistant Colleagues vs. the Untold Story of Friendly Dragons  

 

Google Maps – Globe Mode

With 3D Globe Mode on Google Maps desktop, Greenland’s projection is no longer the size of Africa. Just zoom all the way out at http://google.com/maps  

 

 

The Oldest Building in Every State

The United States is a comparatively young country, but one with a rich and diverse history. From the ancient villages of New Mexico’s Pueblo people and the early Spanish settlers in Florida, to the Russian traders of Alaska and 19th-century missionaries in Utah, each of the 50 states has its own story to tell.

https://www.netcredit.com/blog/oldest-building-in-every-us-state/

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 398: Social Media and Tubers [ 1:00:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 397:  No Plan Survives First Contact With a Microphone . . .

MSM 397:  No Plan Survives First Contact With a Microphone . . .

/ , , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

 

Doctor: “I’m sorry but you suffer from a terminal illness and have only 10 to live.”

Patient: “What do you mean, 10? 10 what? Months? Weeks?!”

Doctor: “Nine.”

Why did egyptians shave their heads regularly?

  • To be more pharodynamic

Guest at a restaurant: “I refuse to eat this roastbeef. Please call the manager! “

  • Waiter: “That’s no use. He won’t eat it either.”

 

I thought I’d tell you a good time travel joke

  • but you didn’t like it.

 

I heard a report about a bad outbreak of the tummy bug, apparently 9 out of 10 people there suffered from diarrhea.

  • I can’t stop thinking about that tenth person who apparently enjoyed it.

 

Advisory:

 

Taking a ball from a kid

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-adult-fan-steals-ball-kid-20180723-story.html#annotations:_PuRlI9xEeisRtv4HoBbDw

 

Growing a Chinese Bamboo Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4YvBedUlcA&feature=youtu.be

 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

iNaturalist

 

I was recently reading the March, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the Citizen Science article, “iNaturalist: Citizen Science for 21st Century Naturalists,” written by Jill Nugent. The article describes a project that empowers citizens to record biodiversity.  For more information, please visit:

https://www.inaturalist.org

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/6/17_Middle_School_Science_Minute__iNaturalist.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Listen in on our 30-min webinars to see how Sero! provides holistic assessment of #higherorderthinkingskills. RSVP at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SeroWebinar  #assessment #conceptmapping #formative #summative #EdTech #learning #LearningAnalytics #teaching #k12 #HigherEducation #workforce

 

Beyond Multiple Choice‏ @BMC2018

Select from the following a reason to NOT attend BMC2018: (Hint: once you select the correct answer, register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-multiple-choice-2018-2-day-conference-tickets-42512330525?aff=affiliate1 …. See – sometimes #MCQs can be useful. #assessment #EdTech #learning #skills #competencies #K12 #HigherEd #workforce

Beyond Multiple Choice‏ @BMC2018

Beyond Multiple Choice Retweeted Sam Wineburg

One of the many reasons we are gathering to discuss how and we are moving #beyondmultiplechoice. Join us! http://www.beyond-multiple-choice.com .

Beyond Multiple Choice added,

Sam Wineburg @samwineburg

This should be a wake-up call to AP history: multiple-choice testing is a fraud. You do not find it in college history courses worthy of that name. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/our-schools-got-rid-of-ap-courses-heres-why/2018/06/18/24018654-7316-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html?utm_term=.741ea73c26ee … and https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/09/19/the-nations-report-card-says-it-assesses-critical-thinking-in-history-but-naep-gets-an-f-on-that-score/?utm_term=.6ee484b05290 …

 

NJAMLE‏ @NJAMLE

Join thousands of Middle Level educators in Orlando for the Annual Conference for Middle Level Education http://www.amle.org/annual  #AMLE2018 Save $50 with promo code A18NJAMLE. #AMLE2018 is all about the middle grades.  

WAMLE‏ @wamle1

WAMLE Retweeted AMLE

Check out all of the opportunities at #AMLE2018 annual conference.

 

Michelle Icard‏ @michelleicard

Parenting lessons from Kayla’s amazing dad in the Eighth Grade movie. @boburnham

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eighth_grade/  

 

WAMLE‏ @wamle1

WAMLE Retweeted AMLE

Hello hello WI middle level folks. Consider sharing your efforts to include Arts Across the Curriculum on behalf of our middle level learners.

Larry Ferlazzo‏Verified account @Larryferlazzo

 

NEW in Ed Week: Ways To Improve State-Standardized Tests with @DouglasReeves http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2018/08/response_ways_to_improve_state-standardized_tests.html …

 

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

 

Strategies:

Let It Go

“Let it go,” the title of this article, is not a tribute to the famous children’s movie, but rather a directive to teachers. To create an instructional shift that focuses on students, there are a few mentalities teachers just need to let go:

https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/932/Let-It-Go.aspx

 

Teaching: five things I wish I’d known fifteen years ago

http://www.josepicardo.com/education/teaching-five-things-i-wish-id-known-fifteen-years-ago/

Resources:

 

UnHangout

Unhangout is an open source platform for running large-scale, participant-driven events online.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYxmd3BmOW0

 

Describing Words

This tool helps you find adjectives for things that you’re trying to describe. Also check out ReverseDictionary.org and RelatedWords.org.

http://describingwords.io/

 

 

Web Spotlight:

 

Our World in Data

https://ourworldindata.org/

 

Ashes in the Snow (Beyond Shades of Grey)

A holocaust book by Ruta Sepetys popular with teens is coming out as a movie.  


https://youtu.be/8N2xsZ0PTqg  

 

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 397: No Plan Survives First Contact With a Microphone . . . [ 1:08:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 396: “Fixin’ to”

MSM 396: “Fixin’ to”

/ , , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

 

If you spent your day in a well, can you say your day was well-spent?

 

I Googled “how to start a wildfire”.

  • I got 48,500 matches.

 

A guy was admitted to hospital with 8 plastic horses in his stomach.

  • His condition is now stable.

 

I was hoping to steal some leftovers from the party

  • my plans were foiled.

 

Never date cross eyed people.

  • They might be seeing somebody on the side!

 

I told my girlfriend to come with me to the gym. Then I stood her up.

  • Hopefully, she’ll realize the two of us are not going to work out.

 

Jokes about unemployed people are not funny.

  • They just don’t work.

 

You’re becoming a vegetarian?

  • I think that’s a big missed steak.

 

Two egotists started a fight.

  • It was an I for an I.

 

I don’t want to cut my hair!

  • I’m really attached to it!

 

Seven days without a pun makes one weak.

Advisory:

 

How much screen time?

Have the students advise parents on how much screen time is proper.

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/amp/ncna877136?__twitter_impression=true

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Hidden Worlds

I was recently reading the March, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the section “From the Editor’s Desk” written by Patty McGinnis. She wrote an article entitled, “Sparking Student Interest in Hidden Worlds.” She quotes Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, “How Inscrutable and incomprehensible are the hidden works of nature.”

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/6/10_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Hidden_Worlds.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

edublogs‏ @edublogs

20 Collaborative Learning Tips And Strategies For Teachers via @TeachThought https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/20-collaborative-learning-tips-and-strategies/ …

MiddleWeb‏ @middleweb

NEW TEACHER or new to middle grades? Be sure to read “The 7 Questions Your Middle School Students (Will) Ask First” from @CherylTeaches! #ntchat #mschat #middleschool #newteacher #teachertips @amle #betheone #educoach #mentors https://www.middleweb.com/31865/the-7-questions-your-ms-students-ask-first/ …

Jeff Nelson‏ @JeffNelsonTLI

Don’t judge a student’s story by the chapter you walk in on! #LeadLAP #TLAP #EdLeadership #IMMOOC #FutureDriven #edchat #edquotes #TeacherLife

Alex Corbitt‏ @Alex_Corbitt

 

7 Steps to Effectively Use Data to Guide Instruction (by @4OClockFaculty) #edchat #education #edtech #elearning #learning #ukedchat

Jeff Hiser‏ @jeffhiseredu

“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.” – John Wooden #edchat #leadupchat #joyfulleaders #growthmindset

Rick Wormeli‏ @rickwormeli2

Principals: Are you brave enough to ask for staff feedback? https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/faculty-staff-survey-form/ … via @cultofpedagogy

 

Rich Czyz‏ @RACzyz

Last chance to join a @voxer Book Study of #4OCF starting on Monday July 9th! Send me your Voxer handle if interested in joining!  

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

 

Strategies:

 

Dustbin

Create a sorting activity for students. (Better yet, have them create them). Can be used for vocabulary or concepts.

http://www.classtools.net/education-games-php/dustbin

Resources:

Slang Map of the USA

 

https://www.playnj.com/slang-map-usa/map.php

 

The Science of Saving the Declaration of Independence

 

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a22025447/declaration-of-independence-science/#annotations:3rCy_oFYEeiaHu9qlJBXRQ

 

The True Size

Pick a state or a country and compare it in size with any land mass in the world.

https://thetruesize.com/#?borders=1~!MTY4NjI0MzE.MjM3NTY5MA*MzQzNTU0Mzk(MzEzNjY4OQ~!CONTIGUOUS_US*MTAwMjQwNzU.MjUwMjM1MTc(MTc1)MA~!IN*NTI2NDA1MQ.Nzg2MzQyMQ)MQ~!CN*OTkyMTY5Nw.NzMxNDcwNQ(MjI1)Mg

 

Sero! By Sero Learning Assessments   

Sero! supports the entire assessment process, from authoring to taking to scoring to displaying results. Here’s a high-level look under the hood:  https://www.serolearn.com/  

GPS The Series – Introductions and Lesson 1 “Working Well”

Video Trailer:  https://vimeo.com/273525509   

Teacher Resources:  https://www.gpstheseries.com/media/filer_public/d4/cf/d4cf87d5-3d5c-45ca-aaa0-520240ab3d5a/teachers_guide_season_1_english.pdf  

To Pair With GPS The Series:  (Foundation for Teaching Economics www.fte.org)  

  1. A Pollution Solution:  In this activity, students acting as owners of companies emitting proscribed substances engage in a market for tradable pollution credits.   https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/pollution-solution/
  2. The Rise of Big Government Simulation:   https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efiahlessons/rise-big-government/
  3. Innovation, Education, and Information Simulation:   https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efiahlessons/innov-edu-info/  
  4. Property Rights – Is the Environment Any Different? (simulation):  https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/lesson-7-property-rights-is-the-environment-different/  
  5. Setting the Rules:  Costs and Benefits of Government Action:  https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/lesson-8-setting-the-rules-costs-and-benefits-of-government-action/  
  6. The Fish Game:  https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/the-fish-game/  
  7. The Environment and the Economy Lesson Series:  https://www.fte.org/teachers/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/eelessons/  

Using AR Resources

Founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education. The Institute has developed an array of programs for schools, teachers, and students that now operate in all fifty states, including a website that features more than 60,000 unique historical documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Each year the Institute offers support and resources to tens of thousands of teachers, and through them enhances the education of more than a million students. The Institute’s programs have been recognized by awards from the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Organization of American Historians. https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-gilder-lehrman-institute-of-american-history  

Merge 360 Headsets:  https://shop.mergevr.com/products/merge-vr-goggles-2?variant=35549894986  

Try code:  lesliefisher and see if it gets a discount.  

 

McMoon: How the Earliest Images of the Moon Were so Much Better than we Realised

 

Fifty years ago, 5 unmanned lunar orbiters circled the moon, taking extremely high resolution photos of the surface. They were trying to find the perfect landing site for the Apollo missions. They would be good enough to blow up to 40 x 54ft images that the astronauts would walk across looking for the great spot. After their use, the images were locked away from the public until after the bulk of the moon landings

http://www.worldofindie.co.uk/?p=682#annotations:G6UJVHx2EeiAZdfHZKVozQ

http://www.moonviews.com/

 

Frankenbook

Frankenbook is a collective reading and collaborative annotation experience of the original 1818 text of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

 

https://www.frankenbook.org/

 

Narcissistic adolescents may perform better at school

 

https://ukedchat.com/2018/06/27/narcissistic-adolescents-school/#annotations:nTiqinvVEeioh6dm0vHPtw

Web Spotlight:  

Ipevo Survey

Take a survey, get entered for a drawing for a document camera.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduSI2GWNEDQi4_P8dan7bHiVEuBwitcfJNozQXvC36XIXizg/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link  

 

‘Find your passion’ may not be the best advice after all

 

https://ukedchat.com/2018/07/04/find-passion-not-best-advice/#annotations:19lQsIBWEei3j_-iwVWwAg

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 396: “Fixin’ to” [ 1:06:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

MSM 395: ISTE, Irresistible, Jokes, and CSR (not CSI)

/ , , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

I was struggling to hear properly so I went to see the doctors.
He said “Can you describe the symptoms?”
– I said “Homers a fat fella and Marge has blue hair”

 

A vegan said to me: “People who sell meat are disgusting”
– I replied: “People who sell fruit and veg are grocer.“

 

Last night a hypnotist convinced me I was a soft, malleable metal with an atomic number of 82.
– I’m easily lead.

 

My laptop is broken. It just keeps playing “Chasing Pavements” over and over again.
– Probably because it’s a Dell.

 

I noticed that the local convent has no security around the building, so I helped myself.  
– No ‘fence.
– Nun taken.

 

I went round MC Hammer’s house the other day. It was very frustrating, he wouldn’t let me touch anything.

 

I really need to confront my phobia of German sausages, but I fear the wurst.

 

I used to play the triangle in a reggae band but left because it was just one ting after another.

Advisory:

Dollar Street

In the news people in other cultures seem stranger than they are.

We visited 264 families in 50 countries and collected 30,000 photos.

We sorted the homes by income, from left to right.

  • See how people really live

 

https://www.gapminder.org/dollar-street/matrix

 

11 Secrets Of Irresistible People

  1. They Treat Everyone With Respect
  2. They Follow The Platinum Rule
  3. They Ditch The Small Talk
  4. They Focus On People More Than Anything Else
  5. They Don’t Try Too Hard
  6. They Recognize The Difference Between Fact And Opinion
  7. They Are Authentic
  8. They Have Integrity
  9. They Smile
  10. They Make An Effort To Look Their Best (Just Not Too Much Of An Effort)
  11. They Find Reasons To Love Life

https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/08/31/11-secrets-of-irresistible-people/#3701b2313a0a

 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Outstanding Engineering Trade Books for 2018

I was recently reading the February, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the article on the “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2018.  In this podcast, I feature Engineering Trade Books:

  1.  “Chasing Space, Young Readers’ Edition” by Leland Melvin
  2.  “Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future Young Readers’ Edition” bu Ashlee Vance
  3.  “Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science” by Jeannine Atkins
  4.  “Mosquitoes Don’t Bite Me” by Pendred E. Noyce
  5.  “Super Women: Six Scientists Who Changed the World” by Laurie Lawlor

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/6/7_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Outstanding_Engineering_Trade_Books_2018.html

From the Twitterverse:  

Rick Wormeli‏ @rickwormeli2

Mike captures a growing concern well, let’s get the conversations going on this: Google, ISTE, and the Death of EdTech https://crowleym.com/2018/06/30/google-iste-and-the-death-of-edtech/ … via @crowley_mike

 

Alice Keeler‏ @alicekeeler

Is using a Google search cheating or is it evidence that our quizzes are outdated??? #iste18

MoodleNews‏ @moodlenews

Plugins with the @MoodleAssoc members seal of approval alive are PoodLL, BigBlueButton, Questionnaire and Level Up! Fellow members unite! http://j.mp/2tJaB7v  @MoodleNews #MoodleWorldCup

 

Sarah Berryman‏ @srberryman

Love this simple info graphic of meaningful student work options! @cultofpedagogy

Eric Curts‏ @ericcurts

Create Video Mash-Ups with Google Slides http://www.controlaltachieve.com/2017/06/slides-video-mashups.html … #edtech

Jamie Mullenaux‏ @JamieMullenaux

Are you your biggest obstacle? If you knew you wouldn’t be judged what would you do? #iste18 @TheTechRabbi #hcpspln

Julie Woodard‏ @woodard_julie

Oh, Snap !!! Somebody asked me for this … I so very much apologize … I can’t remember who needed it …. eeesh

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

ISTE 2018

  • SketchNoting
  • Google Tour Creator
  • Leslie Fisher
  • Oculus GO
    • Gear VR compatible
  • Merge Cube
  • Cisco CSR

Strategies:

 

Grit

  • Duckworth defines as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals,” that captures the public imagination.
  • In a recent peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Educational Controversy, I examined the history of the discourse surrounding this special trait. It far predates Duckworth’s research, of course. My investigation led me to two conclusions. The first is that the widespread assumption that grit is a salient concept for low-income students is a stark misconception. The second is that while grit theory offers little of value to those disadvantaged students, it can certainly harm them, by romanticizing hardship.
  • … More
  • grit was understood as an antidote to the ease and comfort of wealth, which produced spoiled children who lacked the vigor of their ancestors.
  • celebrated Horatio Alger books were written and sold as instructive tools to teach middle and upper class children about the virtues that came from struggling against hardship.
  • In the economic boom following World War Two, sales of Horatio Alger books jumped once again, setting the stage for the 1968 novel and John Wayne film True Grit,
  • Today, however, this history is forgotten
  • To temper the tedium of synthesized academic studies, Tough sprinkles his narrative with interviews with impoverished young people. Most are exemplars of Horatio Alger-style grit, having overcoming absentee parents, racism, and violence before succeeding academically.
  • … More
  • Here, though, is the fundamental problem with the notion that the importance of grit has to do with bettering the chances of disadvantaged students. Children raised in poverty display ample amounts of grit every day, and they don’t need more of it in school.
  • … More
  • grit is not a fixed quality but one that can be developed. And what better arena for developing grit than facing the hardships of poverty and surviving? Poor children, therefore, are not the ones who need to be taught grit.
  • … More
  • Duckworth’s foundational research was conducted in largely privileged populations: Ivy League undergraduates, West Point cadets, and high-achieving contestants in the National Spelling Bee.
  • … More
  • historically, the grit discourse is driven primarily not by concerns about disadvantaged students but by the anxiety of middle and upper-class parents about the character of their own children.
  • overemphasis on character education means that fewer resources will be spent on teaching disadvantaged students the skills and knowledge they need to actually succeed academically and professionally.
  • … More
  • Sisyphus had plenty of grit, but it didn’t get him very far.
  • “[C]an you imagine the outcry if, let’s say, an old toxic dump was discovered near Scarsdale or Beverly Hills and the National Institutes of Health undertook a program to teach kids strategies to lessen the effects of the toxins but didn’t do anything to address the toxic dump itself?” Rose’s point is not that social and emotional learning programs are a waste of time; rather, the problem is that describing these as panaceas can be a dangerous distraction from more pressing issues.
  • … More

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/05/10/the-problem-with-teaching-grit-to-poor-kids-they-already-have-it-heres-what-they-really-need/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e082b1ab4ab8#annotations:AToOZnGpEeiyhidqm7MlZA

 

Resources:

The Global Problem Solvers (GPS the Series)

“Students focus on real-world social, economic, and environmental problems around the world. Through the program, they learn that coming up with ideas is just the first step in problem solving. While interacting with each other, they discover the stages of making ideas real – design, manufacturing, deployment, maintenance, and funding.”  – Cisco CSR Group

https://www.gpstheseries.com/en-us/teachers/  

Sero Assessment

https://www.serolearn.com/

Flipgrid

Microsoft has acquired education technology startup Flipgrid, Inc., and immediately announced that the subscription social learning platform will be free to all educators.

https://flipgrid.com/

https://blog.flipgrid.com/news/bettertogether

https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2018/06/flipgrid-microsoft-education/  

 

Wheel Decide

Think Wheel of Fortune, but you pick the topics (or names, choices, etc).

“Wheel Decide is a free online spinner tool that allows you to create your own digital wheels for decision making, prize giveaways, raffles, games, and more. Browse through our wheels and spin to randomize your life and make the decisions that have no wrong answers.”

http://wheeldecide.com

 

Web Spotlight:

 

Improving Teaching Effectiveness: Final Report

 

https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2242.html#annotations:pRe8anVOEeikuRucRPTy3A

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 395: ISTE, Irresistible, Jokes, and CSR (not CSI) [ 1:06:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 394: 8 Strategies (and coffee isn’t one of them)

MSM 394: 8 Strategies (and coffee isn’t one of them)

/ , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

 

“A hydrologist has a high-pressure job.”

 

When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep — not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

 

“Undertakers after a hard day’s work are dead tired!”

 

Every time someone predicts the date of the end of the world, God pushes the date back a little just to be funny.

 

“A split taxi fee is fare.”

 

From a Friend of mine in regards to his wife’s birthday:

Apparently, I ruined her birthday.

Not sure how I did that…

I didn’t even know it was her birthday!

 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

“Outstanding Earth Science Trade Books for 2018.” (Part 3)

 

I was recently reading the February, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the article on the “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2018.  In this podcast, I feature Earth Science books:

  1.  “Seven Wonders of the Solar System” by David A. Aguilar
  2.  “When the Sun Goes Dark” by Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz
  3.  “Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond” by Martin Jenkins

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/6/7_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Outstanding_Earth_Science_Tradebooks_2018.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Two Guys👨‍🏫‏ @twoguysde

Bam we’re giving away a @YETICoolers tumblr to keep your drinks cold during your summer break!! To enter for this awesome cup that keeps your ice frozen for way too long, simply Follow Us or Share with at least one other educator #edtech #Education

Kahoot!‏Verified account @GetKahoot

#NotAtISTE? Join our #KahootChat on Tuesday, June 19 at 7pm CT and meet educators online instead! #NotAtISTE18 #EduChat

Johanna Brown‏ @johannabrown

Warning unpopular teacher opinion: Why do we say that after high school is the real world? Isn’t it all real? I remember my high school days distinctly and they were real. What happens in high school matters.

 

Libby Howe‏ @libbybrynn

Doing some reading on my deck! #BeTheOne

EDTECH@UTRGV‏ @ImFutureReady

14 Badge Ideas to Engage and Motivate Learners. https://www.learndash.com/?p=22158  #edtech #ILoveEdTech #ImFutureReady #edchat #badges

SIGOBL‏ @SIGOBL_MACUL

When planning instruction, consider how tech can enhance these strategies that @john_hattie & @robertjmarzano agree on: http://www.evidencebasedteaching.org.au/robert-marzano-vs-john-hattie/ …. It will likely improve your process and the impact on learners. #edchat #edtech

ABC News‏Verified account @ABC

Parents of a 5-year-old Kansas boy hit with $132,000 bill after their son knocked over an art sculpture on display at a local community center. https://abcn.ws/2JGLKMm

ABC News‏Verified account @ABC

ABC News Retweeted ABC News

“I was surprised, absolutely, more so offended to be called negligent,” said the boy’s mother. “They were treating this like a crime scene.” http://abcn.ws/2JGLKMm

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

 

Strategies:

 

10 ways we made our school happier

 

https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/06/07/10-ways-we-made-our-school-happier/

 

After 1,155 Hours Together, a Teacher’s End-of-Year Letter to Her Students

It’s been only nine months since we formally met, and we’ve had only 1,155 hours to spend together. In between all of the lessons, projects, tests, and homework assignments, I was also learning about you—who you are and who you have the potential to become.

https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2018/06/13/a-teachers-end-of-year-letter-to-her-students.html

 

8 Strategies To Help Students Ask Great Questions

https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/8-strategies-to-help-students-ask-great-questions/

 

It’s Okay NOT to Reassess

When to limit reassessment

Here are three things to consider when thinking about proactively putting limits on what’s possible for classroom teachers.

    • Grades 11 & 12

 

  • Low-Priority Standards

  • Reassessment is naturally occurring already

 

 

http://allthingsassessment.info/2018/06/12/limiting-reassessment/

 

Noticing the Good Stuff: A Suggested Practice

When something amazing happens in your classroom but only you see it, did it really happen?

NOTICING THE GOOD FOR OURSELVES

OBSERVING AND LISTENING:

READING AND WRITING IDEAS:

TO DO ON YOUR OWN:

Create a dedicated space or use sticky notes. Try recording one good thing per day for a number of days in a row 10, 15, 30—whatever feels manageable.

 

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/noticing-good-stuff/

Resources:

 

History Bombs

History Bombs is an innovative educational media company based in the UK. We produce award-winning educational content to engage and inspire adults and children.

https://www.historybombs.com/

 

One Question We Should Always Ask When Implementing Technology into Classrooms

Lately, I have been sharing that we need to be very thoughtful of any technology that has the word, “school, classroom, or ed” in the name.  At first, some are taken aback when I say this, but eventually, they understand why I share this learning. I then encourage groups to ask the following question (or a variation of it) when thinking about what technology they use in schools:

“Is this a technology that will apply to the lives of our students outside of school or after their time with us?”

If we can’t justify the long-term benefit of the use of a technology (or more importantly, the time of our educators) to do things that have a real impact on our students past their time in education, then we are developing a lot of students who are really good at school, but not necessarily learning.

https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8303

 

50 Questions Every Student Should Be Able To Answer Before They Graduate High School

 

 

11 Powerful Characteristics of Adaptable Learners

 

  1. Recognize Your Environment Is Constantly Changing
  2. Reject Comfort and Complacency
  3. Take Ownership of Results
  4. Show Willingness to Collaborate
  5. Build Resilience and Perseverance
  6. Demonstrate Care for Others
  7. Be Open to Changing Your Mind
  8. Be Flexible in Your Methods, Focused on Your Mission
  9. Be Eager to Try New Things and Learn New Skills
  10. Be Open to Feedback
  11. Develop Confidence in Your Ability to Learn

Web Spotlight:

 

How Can Middle Schools Best Organize to Help Young Adolescents Thrive?

Our research shows that when the school is made to feel smaller, that’s when young adolescents flourish more. With a K-8 school you have potentially more students in the school because you have all the way from 5-year-olds to 13- and 14-year-olds.

 

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/46648/how-can-middle-schools-best-organize-to-help-young-adolescents-thrive

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 394: 8 Strategies (and coffee isn’t one of them) [ 1:02:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
MSM 393: Makin’ the Frog Happy. ASCD is going away (well part of it), Help Wounds Heal

MSM 393: Makin’ the Frog Happy. ASCD is going away (well part of it), Help Wounds Heal

/ , , /

Jokes You Can Use:  

Why are frogs always so happy?

  • They eat whatever bugs them

 

Why did the witches’ team lose the baseball game?

  • Their bats all flew away

 

Why couldn’t the leopard play hide and seek?

  • He’s always spotted.

 

Why did Adele cross the road?

  • To sign “Hello” from the other side

 

Teacher: “Which book has helped you the most in your life?”

Student: My parents checkbook.

 

Q: Why did the can crusher quit his job?

A: Because it was soda pressing.

 

My friend told me he had the body of a Greek god. I had to explain to him that Buddha is not Greek.

 

Advisory:

 

A Teen Scientist’s Invention to Help Wounds Heal

Working out of her garage, Anushka Naiknaware designed a sensor that tracks wound healing, becoming the youngest winner (at age 13) of the Google Science Fair. Her clever invention addresses the global challenge of chronic wounds, which don’t heal properly due to preexisting conditions like diabetes and account for billions in medical costs worldwide. Join Naiknaware as she explains how her “smart bandage” works — and how she’s sharing her story to inspire others to make a difference.

https://www.ted.com/talks/anushka_naiknaware_a_teen_scientist_s_invention_to_help_wounds_heal#t-20483

 

Avatar Generator

 

http://photos-share.com/

 

Middle School Science Minute

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

Outstanding Life Science Trade Books for 2018

I was recently reading the February, 2018 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

 

In this issue, I read the article on the “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2018.  In this podcast, I feature Life Science books:

  1.  “Catching Air: Taking the Leap with Gliding Animals” written by Sneed B. Collard III
  2.  “The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin” written by Julia Finley Mosca
  3.  “The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins” written by Sandra Markle
  4.  “It’s a Fungus Among Us: The Good, the Bad and the Downright Scary” written by Carla Billups and Dawn Cusick

 

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2018/6/4_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Outstanding_Life_Science_Tradebooks_2018.html

 

From the Twitterverse:  

Alex Corbitt‏ @Alex_Corbitt

17 Tips to Engage “Resistant” Classes! +Tip #18: Integrate Culturally Responsive Pedagogy! (by @finleyt) #edchat #Education #edtech #eLearning #ukedchat

PledgeCents‏ @PledgeCents

This is crazy. Look how many teachers say they are paying more than $500 a year out of their own pocket! http://teachersareprofessionals.com  @alicekeeler #TeachersAreProfessionals #teaching #teacherlife #teacherproblems #education #edchat #whatisschool

Shelley Burgess‏ @burgess_shelley

Good morning friends. Excited to talk #CultureMatters with you and our special guest @JayBilly2 author of our 1st #LeadLAP Guide #LeadWithCulture

 

Chad A. Stevens, Ph.D.‏ @k12cto

The Key to 21st Century Classrooms Isn’t Tech. It’s Evolved Teaching. | EdSurge News http://ow.ly/DYFG30kpgyj  #edtech

 

Joseph Pizzo‏ @ProfJPizzo

Any fool can know. The point is to understand. Einstein #Wisdom @ncte @NJCTENews @NJAMLE @NJASCD @NewJerseyDOE @4theMiddle @sanwoz @LaVonnaRoth @DrDebbieSilver @DrKenPiascik @anniecp @Arsant10 @TheBradCurrie @DisruptedTv @diane_phares @ELLAdvocates @ECET2natl @jrochelle

 

Steven Weber‏ @curriculumblog

Staff Morale Is Lower Than Ever http://edge.ascd.org//blogpost/staff-morale-is-lower-than-ever … #LeadUpChat

 

David Rockower‏ @dgrock Jun 7

Years ago I gave up on check out systems for my classroom library. I now hand out books and say, “Enjoy.” Most of the books come back quickly, some don’t; lots reappear on locker clean out day. @nerdy @ncte

Sandra Boynton‏Verified account @SandyBoynton Jun 8

June 8 is #BestFriendsDay. Spend a little time today talking, or going for a long walk, or laughing together, or just quietly enjoying each other’s company.

Christine Monge‏ @ChristineMonge

Here’s how to sign up for my book study https://christinemonge.com/book-study-sign-up/ …  Also maybe, just maybe, @HollyClarkEdu and/or @TanyaAvrith will be able to join the hangout from #ISTE18  

 

Kim Campbell‏ @KimCamp4Kids

It’s a wrap @HopkinsWJH. Ss r home for the summer and the Ts r having some fun@Hopkins270 #TsThatPlayTogetherStayTogether

https://twitter.com/i/status/1005234387405942785

 

Anthony Tosto‏ @MisterTosto

Mentoring Teachers: If you want to give your Student Teachers something to prepare them for this great profession, this is the book. It is informative, insightful, and empowering. #eduprotocols ⁦@jcorippo⁩ ⁦@mhebern⁩ #thenewfirstdaysofschool

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

 

Strategies:

 

Classroom Assessment Techniques: Quick Strategies to Check Student Learning in Class

 

http://www.celt.iastate.edu/teaching/assessment-and-evaluation/classroom-assessment-techniques-quick-strategies-to-check-student-learning-in-class#annotations:CFwg6mbMEeixrgsMeTGjzA

 

Using Math Menus: Some Nuts & Bolts

 

http://www.marilynburnsmathblog.com/using-math-menus-some-nuts-bolts/

Resources:

 

PERTS Mindset

Online program delivered in two 30-minute sessions. Includes survey questions, short reading passages, and brief reflection exercises. Students will learn:

  • Scientific evidence showing that the brain is malleable.
  • Specific behaviors that can rewire the brain and increase one’s intellectual abilities.
  • The importance of effective study strategies and of getting help from others.

 

PERTS is an applied research center based out of Stanford University. We believe that evidence-based strategies should benefit all students, not just the privileged few. To make research accessible to all, we empower educators everywhere to implement evidence-based strategies cost-effectively. We are so excited to bring you Growth Mindset for 9th Graders and to make the latest research on growth mindset strategies actionable to every high school in the United States.

https://www.perts.net/orientation/hg#get-started 

Graspable Math

 

https://graspablemath.com/

Web Spotlight:

 

20 Strategies for Motivating Reluctant Learners

 

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/44067/20-strategies-for-motivating-reluctant-learners

The Web Site Knows Not It’s Time.

ASCD EDge Discontinuation

 

The ASCD EDge website will be discontinued on July 1, 2018. The website will be removed and all content will be deleted.

You may download materials you have previously contributed to the ASCD EDge website; however, no specific download or take-out feature is being provided. To save your content, you can log in to your account and copy and paste your blog posts into a format of your choosing and download any other media using your browser’s standard download functionality.

 

Random Thoughts . . .  

 

Personal Web Site

 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

 

MSM 393: Makin’ the Frog Happy. ASCD is going away (well part of it), Help Wounds Heal [ 1:01:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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