Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about using LLM’s, note taking, jokes, inquiry learning, Spelly, and more. Dave cites Franklin and combines water with Citizen Science.

Jokes:

So you’re saying you weren’t really asking for many? 

• Just one would have been un oeuf?

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What do you call 2 ninjas?

• A pair of sneakers

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What do you do when your bunny gets wet? 

• You get your hare dryer.

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How many apples grow on a tree?

• All of them

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Why do cows wear bells? 

• Because their horns don’t work.

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I am terrified of elevators. 

• I’m going to start taking steps to avoid them.

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Why did the worker get fired from the orange juice factory? 

• Lack of concentration.

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Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast: Data and Discovery from the Sea

I was recently reading the January – February  2026 issue of “Science Scope”, a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.

In this issue, I read the section, “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled “Data and Discovery from the Sea to the Science Classroom.”

Students can follow in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin’s study of ocean currents, by participating in the citizen science “Global Ocean Surface Ecosystem Alliance Project (GO-SEA).”  You can learn more about the project at:

https://goseascience.org

https://k12science.net/data-and-discovery-from-the-sea/

Reports from the Front Lines

• Household Week
• LLM thoughts
  • Cory Doctrow 
• Notes
  • Notability:  https://notability.com/  
  • A4 paper measures
    As the international standard for business documents and stationery (ISO 216), A is slightly narrower and taller than the U.S. Letter size. It is widely used for printing, reports, and resumes globally.
  • Campus
    • Paper Notebook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E84NAN8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2  
    • Paper:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NNNUJC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1  
    • Full Size Binder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012O42AM?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1  
    • Conference Notebook Binder:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNT61TLY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1  
    • Conference Notebook Paper:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GSQZ5Y?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1  
  • Joplin
• Baseball is back:  https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcitykitties/comments/1rarim8/ernie_harwell_voice_of_the_turtle/  

The Social Web

‪Keep Indiana Learning‬ ‪@keepinlearning.bsky.social‬

Instructional coaches, we see you! 🍎 Take a moment this spring to collaborate and recharge with us. We have great events (virtual + in-person) designed to support your vital work in schools. Learn more & register: keepindianalearning.org/upcoming-eve… #EduSky

‪MiddleWeb‬ ‪@middleweb.bsky.social‬

Review: KEYS TO CREATING A CBE LEARNING SYSTEM. This seminal text by Hess, Colby & Joseph is a comprehensive, practical guide for leaders, teachers & policymakers ready to develop a mastery learning model.  @drkarinhess.bsky.social  #edusky  @corwinpress.bsky.social  www.middleweb.com/53126/creati…

‪Eric Curts‬ ‪@ericcurts.bsky.social‬

💎 New EduGem: www.edugems.ai/gem/job-inte… 🤝 Job Interview Coach – Help students build confidence and competence for the workforce with a friendly and supportive practice job interview #EduSky #EduSkyAI #EdTech #GoogleEDU

💎 New EduGem: www.edugems.ai/gem/mindfuln… 🧘 Mindfulness Break – Quickly manage stress, anxiety, and fatigue with immediate, evidence-based “micro-doses” of mindfulness #EduSky #EduSkyAI #EdTech #GoogleEDU

‪MoodleBox‬ ‪@moodlebox.bsky.social‬

📣 #MoodleBox 4.11.1 is out with #Moodle 5.1+! Install it via #RaspberryPi Imager tool. Thanks

@nmartignoni.bsky.social ❤️ moodlebox.net/en/news/vers… #openedtech #OER

The Guardian‬   ‪@theguardian.com‬

Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/children-vocabulary-shrinking-reading-loses-screen-time-susie-dent?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu

Strategies:  

Five Models for Asking Higher Level Questions

https://www.middleweb.com/53033/five-models-for-asking-higher-level-questions/

Resources:  

EdClimb – Micro Inquiry Activities

“We are seeking to disrupt the status quo around how educators receive training and support after they enter the classroom. For too long, teachers and administrators have been reliant on a “one-size fits all model” that struggles to address the variety of strengths, needs, goals, and interests within a single school building. We believe in providing high-quality, research-based, affordable professional development that empowers educators and improves student learning outcomes.”

https://edclimb.com/  or on TpT:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/edclimb  

Spelly

Get instant, detailed feedback on your pronunciation. Our AI analyzes your speech and helps you improve with precise, actionable insights.

https://spelly.online

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