advisory

MSM-119 Teaching Secrets that we just gave away!

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Jokes:

Technology
The world’s first fully computerized airliner was ready for its maiden flight without pilots or crew. The plane taxied to the loading area automatically, its doors opened automatically, the steps came out automatically. The passengers boarded the plane and took their seats. The steps retreated automatically, the doors closed, and the airplane taxied toward the runway. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” a voice intoned. “Welcome to the debut of the world’s first fully computerized airliner. Everything on this aircraft is run electronically. Just sit back and relax. Nothing can go wrong … Nothing can go wrong…nothing can go wrong….”

Homework Assignments
A father came home from work one night to find his little boy sitting on the cat, with a pen and paper in his hand. “Why are you sitting on Felix?” he asked. “Well, teacher told us to write an essay on the family pet.”

On Our Mind:

Happy Belated Birthday to Ron King!

1:1 Learning:

In “Educational Outcomes and Research from 1:1 Computing Settings” Damian Bebell and Laura M. O’Dwyer examine all four empirical studies and conclude that they provide clear evidence that 1:1 computing programs in K-12 schools have produced: increased student and teacher technology use; increased student engagement level; and modest increases in student achievement.

More specifically, they draw conclusions in four areas:

  • Viability of the Technology Immersion plan: The authors conclude that it can work if done right and that a key to success is ensuring that students have computers outside of school as well as in the classroom.
  • Assessment: They conclude that more research is needed about the relationship between laptops and standardized tests and raise questions about whether the current tests measure what students actually learn from 1:1.
  • Impact on Teachers: They observe that 1:1 implementations challenge traditional teaching approaches and find that professional development geared especially to teaching in the 1:1 classroom is very helpful.
  • Impact on Students: Finally, Bebell and O’Dwyer conclude that students not only became more engaged with school but became better researchers, have access to an “expanded” classroom, and benefit from “systematic and ubiquitous use of technology, as opposed to idiosyncratic and sporadic use of technology” (Weston, Bain).

http://k12blueprint.com/k12/blueprint/story_Disruption_in_the_Educational_Paradigm.php

Transitions
Elementary to Middle
http://www.nea.org/tools/16657.htm
http://www.ericdigests.org/1999-2/middle.htm
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit32/
http://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us/kesling/docs/Survival_Tips.pdf

Middle to High
http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/articles/Mizelle3-06.htm
http://www.kidsource.com/education/middlehigh.html

From Our Listeners:

Hi guys,
I was listening to the podcast while I was driving to the Detroit Zoo to do a workshop with 8th – 12th grade teachers, on Writing in Science.  I heard you talk about the person who wanted to use 70% formative and 20% summative for students grades and how you thought he had it backward. Well, in our workshop, we have been working on writing strategies from the Writing Across the Curriculum Document and in the document they share Writing to Learn (formative) strategies and Writing to Demonstrate Knowledge (summative) strategies.  As we talked, it was obvious that there was a lot of confusion between formative and summative, especially when it came to grades.  I shared your example of the students who both learned the content, but started their learning at different levels.  As you talked about you, it was clear that if a student had more prior knowledge they would probably get a better grade.  But a student who learned the same things, yet had less prior knowledge would probably not get as good a grade.  This was a striking example for the participants in the workshop.  All of a sudden, people got a much better understanding of formative assessment, summative assessment and its impact on grading.  I think it is a great example and it had a great impact on 40 science teachers.
Keep up the good work,
Dave Bydlowski
resa.net/science
k12science.net
Twitter:  k12science
Facebook:  k12science

From the Twitterverse:

Advisory:

The Learners Profile
These are informal “information gathering” tools for you to use in your classroom. They are designed to make teachers and students more aware of their different strengths, interests, modalities, and personalities. Please do not accept any results or responses without checking them out by watching your students in action. Observation and data gathering go hand-in-hand and enable you to detect the difference between what your students SAY and what they actually do.
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/techknowpark/kiosk/Profile_Teachers.html

Webspotlight:

Teens & Mobile Phone Infographic:
http://www.flowtown.com/blog/teens-and-their-mobile-phones?display=wide

Timelines:
Create your own timelines:
http://www.xtimeline.com/

Students Provide Feedback on Teachers:
A measure that calls for students to provide “constructive feedback’’ to their teachers was approved by the Boston School Committee last night, after students had spent two years working for its passage.
The students had initially pushed for teacher evaluations that would be kept on file, and would carry weight in the overall evaluation of the teacher by administrators, but union officials balked at that idea.
Instead, the measure puts in place a survey that students will fill out anonymously and submit directly to their teachers. The feedback would then be compiled and passed on to administrators with the names of the teachers excluded.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/06/school_committee_oks_student_feedback_on_teachers/

Teaching Secrets: 10 To-Dos for New Teachers

1. Find your curriculum and read through it several times.
2. Find all your supporting materials, both student and teacher copies.
3. Ask to look over last year’s yearbook.
4. Create a birthday list for each class (celebrate half-birthdays for summer birthdays, six months from the actual date).
5. Develop some sort of impartial method for calling on students during class.
6. Figure out how you will capture students on the first day of school.
7. Design some method to manage and keep track of daily paperwork, especially for absent students.
8. Make an appointment to sit down with important building specialists.
9. Introduce yourself to the school secretaries, the nurse, the bookkeepers and the paraprofessionals.
10. Decide where and when you will fight your battles with the kids.
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2010/05/05/tln_ratzel_newteachertodos.html?tkn=WOYCT4%2FR0wxIx1HwBu%2Bs1%2FE2wCPYug9wyhjq&cmp=clp-sb-ascd

Reading Programs Yield Few Gains in Comprehension

A federal study of supplemental programs that are intended to improve students’ reading comprehension has found that only one of the three programs examined actually did so.
The report, released May 5, focuses on the second and final year of research into the reading programs. It concludes that ReadAbout, a computer-based program by Scholastic Inc., improved students’ comprehension of social studies texts when the teacher had a previous year’s experience with the program. The size of the effect after an academic year of instruction was the equivalent of moving a student from the 50th to the 59th percentile, the researchers said.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/05/06/31read.h29.html?tkn=QULFgyk553ATo1pvdev0VXAFmWGjSBKn5O9D&cmp=clp-edweek

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • ISTE Eduverse Talks are the recorded sessions held on ISTE Island every week. Join ISTE in their Second Life conference location for their weekly talks on education.
  • The Ohio Middle Level Association will hold their annual conference February 18 & 19, 2010. Jack Berckemeyer will be keynoting.
  • Second Life:

MSM-118- And Now a Word (or two) from Our Listeners.

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Jokes:

Phones
After the telephone was installed in her home, the lady called the operator. My telephone cord is too long, she said. Would you please pull it a little from your end?

Daughters
A certain little girl, when asked her name, would reply, “I’m Mr. Sugarbrown’s daughter.” Her mother told her this was wrong, she must say, “I’m Jane Sugarbrown.” The Vicar spoke to her in Sunday school, and said, “Aren’t you Mr. Sugarbrown’s daughter?” She replied, “I thought I was, but mother says I’m not.”

Positive Attributes
A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room took the husband aside, and said, “I don’t like the looks of your wife at all. “Me neither doc,” said the husband. “But she’s a great cook and really good with the kids.”

On Our Mind:

Google Apps for All in Oregon

From Our Listeners:

Thanks to Michael DePass for the podcast requests. We hope that you enjoy them.

Gentlemen,

Just listened to ep 114 (sorry I’m a little behind) and enjoyed your discussion about allowing students to text the teacher an answer to a problem in class.  One question:  What phone # should the students be given to text to?  I for one, would not give my cell phone # to the class.

Keep up the good work!

Mike Cohen

Hey, thanks for the feedback and question. It’s a great question.
I would use something like poll anywhere ( http://www.polleverywhere.com/ ). It’s free – for up to 30 respondents- beyond that kind of pricey. It allows SMS messages to be sent to a website.
Or you could probably set up a Google Voice account.

It’s not cell phone per se, but you could also set up a survey in a Google Doc they could answer with iPod touches or smart phones.

iResponse / iReponse Pro

This weekend I attended WAMLE10 and had the opportunity to listen to Christian Moore present on his program Why Try?  Listening to him present, he reminded me of so many of my “at risk” kids.  He talked about how many of “them” are visual learners, yet many teachers predominately use auditory ways to present information.  His program is built around visual metaphors and music and I thought it was right on target.  He said something surprising during his breakout session though.  He mentioned presenting at NMSA this year and there being an absence of dropout prevention presenters.  While I was not able to attend, do you recall that being true?  Do you know anything about his program?  Did either of you attend his session this year? I have included some to links in case you aren’t too familiar with him.  It sounds to me like a great advisory or enrichment program for schools to look into.  What do you think?

Loved #117….have a great week!

Ron

Why Try?
http://www.whytry.org

Why Try? Talk (7 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZurUIgVloQ

Reality Ride Metaphor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMuTcypb03M

Climbing Out Metaphor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COjtubk8Qz8&feature=related

Defense Mechanisms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYE4pKf5Z8k&feature=related

Lift the Weight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuiuZtsgOE&feature=related

Just Think Letter (written by Christian Moore)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P5pZtUNtN0&feature=related

Reality Ride Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YggkYkd_sM4&feature=related

From Doc. Tatom:

The 2010 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is for students grades 5-8.

Ten finalists will be selected to receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to compete in the final challenge in October. The winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value), a tour of 3M’s Innovation Center in St. Paul Minnesota given by the world’s top scientists, and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Competition Details:

1.  Middle school students in the U.S. are challenged to create a 1-2 minute video communicating the science behind the danger of one of the following safety and security issues that are present in everyday life, and offer a possible solution:

a. Preventing the spread of germs and diseases
b. Food safety
c. Sun protection
d. Wind resistant structures

2.  All video entries must be submitted online at www.youngscientistchallenge.com by May 27, 2010.

3.  Videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on creativity, persuasiveness, classroom suitability, and overall presentation.  Students can learn how to craft a winning video by checking out Entry Video Tips at www.youngscientistchallenge.com/about/entry_video_tips.html, which features advice from previous winners.

4.  The official submission rules can be found at www.youngscientistchallenge.com .

From Dave Bydlowski:
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Middle School  Science Teachers

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10b.  New Science Teacher Academy

If you’re a second or third year, secondary science teacher, don’t miss the deadline, May 30, to apply to the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy, cofounded by the Amgen Foundation. If selected, this Academy supports Fellows through mentoring and other professional development resources during their initial, challenging years. Striving for quality science teaching, enhanced teacher confidence, classroom excellence and solid content knowledge, the Academy provides the following additional benefits.

Full membership to the National Science Teachers Association
Access to the web-based Learning Center’s tools and professional development activities and resources including web seminars led by national experts
Use of vetted science websites, state and national standards sites, other professional organizations, safety tips, and more
E-mentoring with an experienced teacher in the same science discipline and grade band
Facilitated online curriculum devoted to science content and applicable classroom pedagogy
Access to a nationwide, online network of science educators and scientists for exchange of information, ideas, and resources
Participation in specialized conference pathway sessions, and a Research Dissemination Conference or a Professional Development Institute.
Paid accommodations, airfare, meals, and registration fees to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education.

Who is Eligible?  Applicants must reside in the United States, be entering their second or third year of teaching, and be working a schedule with 51 percent of their classes in middle or high school science.

Download and complete an application from:
http://www.nsta.org/academy
to become a Fellow in the New Science Teacher Academy. May 30, 2010 is the deadline for receipt of all applications.

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10c.  Lunar Institute for Educators LRO Workshop for MS and HS Educators — Free

NASA invites educators of grades 6-12 to attend, for free, the Lunar Institute for Educators workshop focusing on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This workshop will take place July 12-16, 2010, at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.  The workshop will focus on lunar science, exploration, and how our understanding of the moon has changed since the time of the Apollo missions. Information sent back by LRO and the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite missions has revised the basic understandings of our closest celestial neighbor. What was once thought of as a definitively dry world is now understood to have water — and not only at its poles!

Workshop participants will learn more about this and other discoveries, explore real LRO data, participate in a number of lunar science activities, and learn how to incorporate these data and activities into the classroom.  For more information and to register for this workshop, visit:
http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/lunarinstitute
Please direct questions about this opportunity to Andrea Jones at Andrea.Jones@ssaihq.com

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10d.  Free DVD’s

“Detroit Public Television and the Detroit Science Center are pleased to announce their “Think Squad” series on DVD. Their mission was to create a TV series about students who are focusing on real life applications of science and how learning about science can be fun and lead to a career. They created 10 episodes highlighting various science topics from space to the pH of soil. This series was filmed by and with students from the Detroit Metro area with a premise that the students are a group of young science investigators that help fellow students solve mysteries. Along the way, they learn about careers in many different scientific fields.

They would like to offer this to you to enhance your school curriculum and possibly motivate your students in a unique way. Here is a link to the DPTV video on demand for you to view some of the episodes. http://www.dptv.org/ondemand/think/thinkvodlg.shtml

If you are interested in obtaining free DVD’s of these episodes, please contact Julie Johnson at: jjohnson@sciencedetroit.org

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10e.  Upcoming Workshop on the MEECS Water Quality Unit

Cranbrook Institute of Science invites you to a workshop to learn how to use the MEECS Water Quality Unit in the classroom. The workshop will take place on June 22, 2010 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.  The MEECS Water Quality Unit helps students discover the essential role that water plays in Michigan’s economy and in everyone’s lives. Students calculate how much water they use, investigate the link between land uses and water quality, and discover how water is monitored and standards are set.  Curriculum activities feature engaging, hands-on lessons that encourage student participation and inquiry. The MEECS Water Quality Unit contains nine core lessons and five extension lessons. All lessons are correlated to Grades 6-8 and High School Science and Social Studies Michigan Content Expectations.

The cost is $45 for the workshop, and includes the MEECS Water Quality Unit curriculum binder, activity supplies, snacks and lunch.  Please visit the website for more information or to register:
http://science.cranbrook.edu/educational/teacher
If you have questions, please email: water@cranbrook.edu

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10f.  Post a Project and Enter the National Lab Day Video Contest

Attention all science educators, for a limited time you can win money for your school by posting a hands-on learning project on:
http://NationalLabDay.org

What is National Lab Day? To begin, it is more than just a day. It is a nationwide movement to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in our schools. It is teachers working with community volunteers and communities rallying around teachers and scientists and other STEM professionals donating their time and expertise to our schools. National Lab Day seeks to foster partnerships between teachers, schools, STEM professionals, volunteers, federal agencies, and professional organizations that will continue long after the first National Lab Day.

Visit NLD and browse projects posted by other teachers that are already live on the site. The Resources section has posts from dozens of partner organizations with cool lesson plans, games, and interactive websites. Then post your own project today!

The first place winner for the NLD online video contest will receive a $1,500 “shopping spree” on DonorsChoose.org and a Flip Video Camcorder. The second prize winner will receive a $500 “shopping spree” on DonorsChoose.org and a Flip Video Camcorder. All submissions are due by June 1, 2010. For more information go to the NLD contest web page at:
http://www.nationallabday.org/contest

From the Twitterverse:

Advisory:

Create a cartoon:
Kim & Jason’s Comic Strip Grids
NCTE’s Comic Book Lesson Plan

Webspotlight:

Kim & Jason
Artwork for gifting . . . your teachers . . . (It’s teacher appreciation week!)

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • ISTE Eduverse Talks are the recorded sessions held on ISTE Island every week. Join ISTE in their Second Life conference location for their weekly talks on education.
  • The Ohio Middle Level Association will hold their annual conference February 18 & 19, 2010. Jack Berckemeyer will be keynoting.
  • Second Life:

MSM #116:Show Me The Money! (Next week’s show is done too.)

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Jokes:

Drill Sergeants
A drill sergeant had just chewed out one of his cadets, and as he was walking away, he turned to the cadet and said, “I guess when I die you’ll come and dance on my grave.” The cadet replied, “Not me, Sarge…no sir! I promised myself that when I got out of the Army I’d never stand in another line!”

During a recent password audit, it was found that a
young woman was using the following password:

“MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento”

When asked why she had such a long password, she said
she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters
long and include at least one capital.

On Our Mind:

Class Size
http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/class-size-really-irrelevant?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feedutm_campaign=Feed%3A+LFA+%28Public+School+Insights%3A+What+is+WORKING+in+our+Public+Schools%29

What can you do with an iPhone (or 4)?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QD5Mj_wC-I&feature=related

New Directions for Music Programs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QD5Mj_wC-I&feature=related
(There are other videos of this lady performing other pop songs without the OMG cat.)

From our Listeners:

Troy & Shawn, Thanks for all that you do! I’ve attached a 4 minute
comment on your current podcast.  (Any chance on sharing what apps the University puts on those iPads/iPhones/iPod Touches?)
(FHU’s iKnow + FHU)
Rationale, Applications, Research structure, Paradigm,

Hey guys, interesting article about paying for performance in schools.  If this catches on, then I will write my former middle school, asking for my “back pay” from when I was a student there.

Robert  (Mr. Jackson to some of us.  😉  )

PS  What is a good book for advisory about study skills?
Carol Josel
1.  Other-wise and School-wise could be a resource  (http://www.schoolwisebooks.com/html/owsw.html)
2.  The Parenting School-wise Tips book certainly could be used to teach kids study skills.
3.  I’d sign up for the newsletter also.  That and the cooking ideas at the end of the newsletter are rather tasty!
Susan Krueger
Haven’t tried it, but:  SOAR Curriculum.
7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey
Have tried it.  You can also get it in audio format and use with the kids.  Make sure you have money committed to the program over time.
The Middle School Student’s Guide to Ruling the World! by Susan Mulcaire
We’ve reviewed this work in a previous podcast.

Should Kids be Bribed:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100409/us_time/08599197858900
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1978589,00.html

From listener Dave Bydlowski
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Middle School Science
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9a.  Bring Local Earth Science Into Your Classroom

The Museum of the Earth and the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center welcomes your application to participate in a professional development program that is focused on Virtual Fieldwork Experiences and the Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Midwestern Region. This programs if for middle school and high school teachers.  Spend time in the field with scientists and fellow educators to learn ways of incorporating local Earth system science into your classroom! The workshop will be held at the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center in Monroe, MI on July 28-30, 2010.

Comments from educators that attended past Teacher-Friendly Guide and Virtual Field Experience workshops include:
“I came in wondering and left inspired!”
“This is definitely a project my students can do and I hope to incorporate into my curriculum.”
“When I leave excited & energized, the experience is an excellent one!”

For more information and to apply visit:  http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html

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9b.  National Lab Day Set for May 12, 2010

May 12 will be the first official National Lab Day for middle school and high school science students and teachers! A number of key events in Washington and in selected states are being planned.

Not signed up yet? Not to worry: even if May 12 doesn’t work for you, National Lab Day is more than just a day. Whether you are looking for help with your science fair, or maybe someone to host a field trip, advise an after-school program, help with a hands-on activity, or supply some cool lab equipment, National Lab Day can help.

At the NLD website you simply sign up then submit your idea for a project (or what you need in your classroom) and the website matches your request with a STEM professional who has also joined the NLD hub. (And you can also get funding for your classroom or project by registering on Donors Choose on the NLD site!)
Learn more and to sign up your project for National Lab Day at:
http://www.nationallabday.org
today.

David Bydlowski
http://k12science.net

From the Twitterverse:

Podcast #115: iPad, iPad, iPad

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Advisory:

Online Personal Finance Game from the Council on Economic Education:  http://www.genirevolution.org/index.php
Set up in a popular game format, students work their way through challenges answering key questions to earn points to advance through the game.  If you’ve been to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. you’ll be familiar with the “cloak and dagger” feel of the mission briefings, information gathering, and operative training incorporated in the game.

http://pewresearch.org/millennials/quiz/

On Our Mind:

Thanks to all of our Facebook Fans!
Looking for some more iTunes reviews.

Samsung Grant:
Digital Presenter Contest
http://www.samsunggrants.com/

From The Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Hi Guys,
I have been enjoying the podcast, but I get lazy about sending out science information.  I hope you don’t mind if I continue to send it along to you.  I hope these work out for you.  Enjoy your Spring Break!!
Dave Bydlowski
Podcast Site:  k12science.net
In the iTunes store, just do a search for:  k12science
Twitter:  twitter.com/k12science
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Middle School Science
—————————————————————–
11a. ISS EarthKAM Spring 2010 Mission
NASA has exciting news! EarthKAM has just launched a new beta version of its Web site. Middle school educators
are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station Spring 2010 Mission from April 27-30, 2010, and be
beta testers of the new site and software. Find out more about this exciting opportunity that allows students to take
pictures of Earth from a digital camera aboard the International Space Station. Just visit:
http://www.EarthKAM.ucsd.edu
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Middle School and High School Science
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10a. The Siemens STEM Institute for 6th – 12th Grade Educators
A premier STEM immersion program brought to you by the Siemens Foundation, and administered by Discovery
Education in conjunction with the College Board. It will take place from August 1 – August 6, 2010. The location is
Discovery Communications world headquarters in Silver Spring, MD (outside of Washington D.C.) The application
deadline is April 16, 2010.  The Siemens STEM Institute is a unique immersion program that promotes hands-on, real-world integration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom. Fifty educators will be selected as STEM
Fellows to attend this all expenses-paid, week-long professional development experience, hosted at the world
headquarters of Discovery Communications, located just outside of our nation’s capitol in Washington D.C.
For additional information on the resources and opportunities available through the Siemens STEM Academy,
please visit:
http://www.siemensstemacademy.com
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10b. ReaL (Regional and Local) Earth Inquiry: Professional Development
On behalf of the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), you are invited to participate in an exciting new
initiative to improve Earth science education across the nation to take place in Monroe, MI from July 28 – 30. PRI
and its Museum of the Earth is a non-profit organization based in Ithaca, New York. Composed of scientists and

educators, its outreach program aims to make the Earth and its life—and the science by which we understand it—

accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. As part of that mission, they are currently developing a series
of Teacher-Friendly Guides to North American Earth System Science. Supported by the National Science
Foundation, the project is a five-year initiative that will bring regional and local Earth system science into
classrooms across the nation.  Stipends and support for travel and lodging total $800.00 per participant.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 3, 2010. For more information and to apply go to
http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html

Letter from Mr. Jackson

Webspotlight:

Social Media Explained in 4 minutes:
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/social-media-explained-visually.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29

Four Day Week?
The Illinois House has sent to the Senate a bill that would allow local school boards to adopt a four-day week. Our first response: Bad idea. Shortening the school week is a move in the wrong direction. Illinois kids need more time in school, not less. They need a longer school day, and a longer school year. U.S. children spend far less time in school than their peers in Europe and Asia. And Chicago public school students spend less time in school than their peers in many charter schools, in suburban schools, and around the country.
Further research, though, provoked our second and prevailing response: A four-day week might be a good option — remember, this would be voluntary — for downstate districts with few students but vast territories. Those districts still would be required to teach the same number of total hours per year. So kids might get longer school days.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-4day-20100330,0,1138284.story

Video Editing:
http://jaycut.com/

Freeology
http://freeology.com/

Google For Teachers Guide
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/free-33-page-guide-google-for-teachers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #114: Ukraine Fan Club and more!

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Jokes:

Suits
My wife and I were at my high school reunion. As I looked around, I noticed the other men in their expensive suits with their bulging stomachs. Proud of the fact that I weighed just five pounds more than I did when I was in high school, the result of trying to beat a living out of a rocky hillside farm, I said to my wife, “I’m the only guy here who can wear the suit he graduated in.” She glanced at the prosperous crowd. “You’re the only one here who has to.”

Charity
A devastated-looking man knocks on the door of a woman known for her charity. “Please, ma’am,” he says when she opens up, “can you help this poor, tragic family down the block? The father just lost his job, and his wife is too ill to work. They’re about to be turned out into the cold streets unless someone can pay their rent.” “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life!” says the woman. “May I ask who you are?” “Their landlord.”

Advisory:

What’s Your Story $10,000 Student Video contest is looking for your original work.  Create a video on internet safety and you could win $10,000 in prize money.  Must be 13+ to participate.
http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/Home.do

On Our Mind:

Mindless Entertainment to get you through this week:
Muppets Humor
1.  Ode to Joy
2.  Classical Chicken
3.  Beaker’s Ballad
* Tip- don’t move on when the big play button shows up, wait a minute.

From The Twitterverse:

  • alancross FINALLY… The Difference between Nerd, Dork, and Geek Explained by a Venn Diagram (via @JPWP)
  • russeltarr Second Life to host first college graduation: http://tinyurl.com/r6oapg
  • teromakotero Royalty free music for Education: http://tinyurl.com/yh82a7e http://plurk.com/p/4d7hae
  • mguhlin Thinking about BYOT – Bring Your Own Technology? Start with students! http://ff.im/-ic1vR
  • willrich45 Reading: “Duncan silent on Florida’s education mess” http://tinyurl.com/yf9qnvz Wow.
  • kchichester Teacher should not be the hardest worker in the classroom @jimwenz #mra2010
  • mbcampbell360 A wealth of resources on McTighe and Wiggins Backward Design process <- highly recommend for creating lessons #edchat
  • Nmsa_normal NMSAnews New Digital Catalog! The NMSA Catalog April 2010: Leadership Resources For Middle Grades
  • Todd_normal Twilliamson15 Grant Wiggins EQ slides and info from presentation…use NSTA2010 as group password
  • Bill Bass wbass3 I love it when students create things to help teachers in their classrooms. http://is.gd/b0CG1
  • 21stprincipal 21stprincipal “Our current education system systematically drains the creativity out of our children.” Ken Robinson
  • 21stprincipal 21stprincipal NCLB’s emphasis on uniform standards is putting emphasis on “conformity and finding the “right” answers. Robinson
  • 21stprincipal 21stprincipal Post to share with teachers having classroom management issues.

From our Listeners:

Howdy gents!  I enjoyed seeing the article about using smart phones in Algebra class.  Last year I tried another approach to meet students with their own technologies.  I had my “ticket to leave” problem on the board and students had to send me a text message with the answer before they were excused for lunch.  I tried it for a couple of weeks to shake things up and students really enjoyed it.

Your Ukrainian fanclub President,

Robert Jackson
Kyiv International School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSsvt8LBEV4

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Webspotlight:

Amazing Web 2.0 Projects

http://www.terry-freedman.org.uk/web2_2010/Amazing%20Web%202%20Projects.pdf

Girls and Boys on Achievement

http://www.cep-dc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=document_ext.showDocumentByID&nodeID=1&DocumentID=304

DocsPal

http://www.docspal.com/

Create printable PDFs and eBooks from any online content.

Use zinepal.com to create your own magazines and eBooks from any online content. You can select content from blogs, Atom/RSS feeds and other websites. zinepal.com reformats the content into a printable PDF and eBooks for use with eBook readers such as the Amazon Kindle, Barnes&Noble Nook or Sony PRS. It is the easiest way to repurpose online content for other distribution mediums.
http://www.zinepal.com/

Remove pdf password protections:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=200512231728165

Youblisher:
http://www.youblisher.com/

Chartle:  Make online charts and tables that can be exported or shared via the web.
http://www.chartle.net/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #113: Phone the Algebra In.

/ , , , /

Jokes:

In Medical Terms
A man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do.
When the exam was complete, he said, Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me.
Well, in plain English, the doctor said, you’re just lazy.
Okay, said the man. Now give me the big, long, complex medical term so I can tell my wife.

Advisory:

NCMSA Want to send a message from your school to outer space? Send it on two lightsail missions.

On Our Mind:

Gender Equity:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/17/national/main6307774.shtml

From The Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Thank you to Language Arts Teacher for the iTunes post. We greatly appreciate it!

To all of those who are now our fans on Facebook – Thank you! (You know who you are!)

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Service Learning
Students take leadership roles. They develop the activities.
•    Raise money for local charities.

◦    Alpha House
◦    Humane Society
◦    Lion’s Club
◦    Faith in Action
◦    Hospitals
◦    Make a Wish
◦    Chamber of Commerce
◦    Special Olympics
◦    Elementary schools
◦    Local Church events
◦    Senior Centers
◦    Knights of Columbus
◦    Usher local events
◦    Salvation Army
◦    Food Gatherers
◦    American Red Cross
◦    Library
◦    Fire Department

•    Make a partnership (Lions Club)

◦    They talk about why they volunteer as adults
◦    They want the school connection

•    Do a service learning class.
•    Dance Marathons

◦    Stand on your feet for those who can’t stand themselves.
◦    They raise a minimum amount of money to participate.

•    The kids pick the projects. They keep a list of organizations.
•    Gets the kids in front of the community.
•    In class, they practice social skills.
•    Tie in with Social Studies classes. (eg. Studying famine, did chores for charity – brought in money to donate to address famine.)
•    Pin awards to kids with service of 25, 50, 74, 100 & 150 hours of service. Present the pins to the kids at a school board meeting.
•    Presidential Awards are also available online. ( 50,75, 100 hours per calendar year).
•    The idea is that students will always be part of a community.
•    9 week class. Starts in 7th grade. Goes for 2 years. (Building is 7-8)

◦New kids every 9 weeks.
◦ Creates culture of helping.
◦ Custodians participate as well.

•    Middle School students need to be needed.
•    Kids need to know that not every community service opportunity is for everyone. Some kids may not like working with little kids or old people.
•    National Junior Honor’s Society
•    Mill Creek CS&L website on Dexter Schools.
•    Join Middle School Student Council (Michigan Association of Student Councils)
•    Exchange Day between schools

Webspotlight:

Solving Algebra on Smartphones

Research shows that a project to use the devices as teaching tools in some N.C. districts has had a measurable impact on student achievement in math.

Students, some initially skeptical that a phone would help them do better in math, have been quick to embrace the idea of using the mobile device to learn, says Denton, who attends Dixon High School in the 24,000-student Onslow County, N.C., schools.
For some math classes, particularly Algebra 1, Project K-Nect had mathematicians at Drexel University in Philadelphia develop short animated video math problems that teachers can assign to students as homework or classwork.
Some students have taken the technology a step further and created movies with graphics, student actors, and stories highlighting math. Particularly popular are student-created movies with a “CSI” theme in which the drama uses math to solve a crime. One student produced and posted a rap song on polynomials, which was ultimately posted to YouTube and spawned thousands of imitators, says Gross of Digital Millennial Consulting.

Learning Science:

learningscience.org is an organization dedicated to sharing the newer and emerging “learning tools” of science education. Tools such as real-time data collection, simulations, inquiry based lessons, interactive web lessons, micro-worlds, and imaging,  among others, can help make teaching science an exciting and engaging endeavor. These tools can help connect students with science, in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. Take a look at a few different types of “learning tools” at this link, Tool Examples. At this point in our project we are highlighting some of the best web resources for science concepts. Although our main emphasis is on students, teachers, and parents, really anyone interested in science education will find the site useful and informative.

Using the National Science Education Standards (1996, National Academy of Sciences) as our framework, we highlight only the best of these “learning tools” for students and teachers. All of the featured tools go through a  review process. Once a “learning tool” is submitted it is analyzed by an editorial panel of science educators and scientists for content and design.

learningscience.org is proof of concept project and a work in progress. Most of our “learning tools” are web based and free. We will remain a totally FREE online learning community that researches, reviews, and recommends the best of world wide science education interactives. This means that most of these are accessible to teachers, students, and parents who have access to the Internet.  For some of the concepts, we have only a few “learning tools”.  That is why it is important that you join us in this effort. If you are a science professional, or someone who enjoys science, please consider sending us your ideas.. If you have found science resources that we should add,  please share your ideas with others, we would love to hear from you. Just email George Mehler with your suggestions.

learningscience.org is a collaborative project of the Central Bucks School District (PA,USA), the teachers of the Central Bucks School District, The College of Education at Temple University (PA, USA), and George Mehler Ed.D.  George Mehler can be reached at gmehler@cbsd.org or 267 893 2044.
http://learningscience.org/index.htm

Slum Dog Millionaire and Education:

“Having watched hundreds of Indian children learning without teachers at the Hole In The Wall computers, it became obvious that all children can work by themselves, if they want to,” Mitra says.
“Most British children grow up with the internet and have the means to learn what they want in minutes, and this challenges the traditional idea of school being about learning things that will come in handy in the future. They become disengaged.”
Mitra is not alone in noticing this problem. John Dunford, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, last week told the group’s annual conference that computer games and websites have made children impatient and harder to motivate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/16/slumdog-millionaire-education-online-independent

NCMSA10 Conference Notes (Todd Williamson)

NCMSA10: Education in Japan

MAMSE10 Conference session notes hosted by Dexter Public Schools.
http://www.dexterschools.org/~millcreek/mamse2010/MCMAMSE/Resources_Pg1.html

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #112: Wimp Yourself into Middle school

/ , , /

Jokes:

Rabbits
The LAPD, The FBI, and the CIA are all trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The President decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it. First the CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist. Next the FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming. Finally the LAPD goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten bear. The bear is yelling: “Okay! Okay! I’m a rabbit! I’m a rabbit!”

Advisory:

http://www.wimpyourself.com/

On Our Mind:

You can now sign up to receive updates via email.

The Michigan Joint Education Conference is coming up June 23, 2010.  Presentation proposals are due April 2, 2010.  $79.00 for non-members and $49.00 for members of the member organizations sponsoring the event.  This is a great way to pick up some PD this summer and you won’t have to sell your soul to your administrator . . .

From the Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Kitty Holman:

Google Earth for Educators: 50 Exciting Ideas for the Classroom

Ideas for all ages.

http://www.associatesdegree.com/2010/03/14/google-earth-for-educators-50-exciting-ideas-for-the-classroom/

MCSS:  Super Social Studies Saturday! (3-13-2010)
Link to the conference notes including the ones mentioned in the podcast:  http://web.me.com/mcgirr/MCSS_Super_Saturday_3_13_2010/
Lots of great stuff presented integrating middle school geography and World History.

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Online Learning in the Classroom – a Tool for Differentiation

Melanie Dever

Typical online courses are designed for remote learners, but there are benefits to using an online class structure in a traditional classroom.  This format allows for differentiated instruction and pacing, aids in catching up absent students, and provides materials parents can use to help struggling students.  This session will show different ways to use online course systems in the classroom.  Topics will include online delivery of new material, online assessments, and student collaboration.

A tool for differentiating instruction in a traditional classroom.
From the student: Know and trust the students. They may not work at the same pace every day. Some days they may do very little.
How Parents view Online vs Classroom Learning.
Traditional Classroom
•    Everyone moves at the same pace.
•    Advanced learners could be doing more
•    Struggling learners need more time.
•    Teacher is available to help ,but stretched too thin.
Online Class:
•    Students move at their own pace
•    A greater variety of content
•    Not all kids are disciplined enough to learn independently.
•    Teacher is available, but not necessarily when you need it.
Choose:
Online:
•    Parent think child is bored.
•    Advanced students
•    Independent and motivated students
Traditional
•    child needs guidance
Students who are the most motivated and disciplined and who have the most involved and supportive parents may “self track” out of traditional classrooms.
For profit companies are aggressively seeking out those families.
Combining
•    Blended learning
Just inside the traditional instruction:
tools:
• Weebly
• Wix
•    Google Sites
Examples:
•    Homework Calendar
•    Online Worksheets
•    Online class notes
Mr. Nale.com
Other end (online course:)
Tools:
• Moodle
• Blackboard
• MyiCourse (free)
• Textbook Publishers

Differentiation Benefits:
• • •
Students can work on their own pace, fast or slow. Built in assessments can monitor for mastery before allowing students to progress. Students can choose different tasks or activities.
Cool things you can do:
1.    Be in two places at once:
1.    Students can pause and rewind a lesson
2.    Students can ask questions in a low risk setting.
3.    Teacher is free to have
4.    Parents have access to the lesson
5.    Students can go back to it again.
2.    Show don’t Tell
1.    Use Jing to create screencast.
3. Expand opportunities for student choice in activities and sequence.
4. More
1.    Get out of the “what did I miss”
2.    Give parents and kids access to notes.
3.    Make sub plans
4.    Have tests instantly graded and disaggregated.

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

MSM #111: Dr. Silver’s MAMSE Moment

/ , , , /

Jokes:

Business Man
A young businessman had just started his own firm. He’d rented a beautiful office and had it furnished with antiques. Sitting there, he saw a man come into the outer office. Wishing to appear busy, the businessman picked up the phone and started to pretend he had a big deal working. He threw huge figures around and made giant commitments. Finally, he hung up and asked the visitor, “Can I help you?” The man said, “Sure. I’ve come to install the phone!”

On Our Mind:

You can now sign up to receive updates via email.

From the Twitterverse:

  • stevefarber  Friend: “Someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words.” -Jim Warner
  • mjsamberg  Resources from “Linux in the Classroom”: http://www.tinyurl.com/nctieslinux #ncties
  • zeitz  Who’s pushing Emerging Technologies in higher education? students . . . http://is.gd/9Niwi
  • DanielPink  Fascinating NPR interview with NCLB supporter-turned-critic Diane Ravitch….
  • russeltarr  Using Edmodo in the classroom: http://tinyurl.com/l2nvsb
  • Lilylauren Oh the irony- my predictive text doesn’t know how to spell Nostradamus
  • DeronDurflinger RT @NMHS_Principal: Worst thing to do when moving towards change/successful implementation is to “mandate” #GTAdmin Agreed!
  • drmmtatom Jeopardy Labs: Make Your Own Online Jeopardy Game http://tinyurl.com/yaeha54
  • rmbyrne It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages: Why The Superintendent Firing All the Teachers in One School Should Be Ashamed… http://ff.im/-gEkyv

Twitter MAMSE Special:

  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE http://www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/ Parents train parents. #mamse10
  • Frideswidel #mamse making rainsticks and using the design as a prompt for writing.
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE One out of every three middle school students are obsese or in danger of being obese! #MAMSE10
  • Smhearty School worked with a court system. Saved the court $64,000 a year. #mamse
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE majority of parents are not PITAS (pain in the a**es). We want them involved. #MAMSE10
  • Frideswidel #mamse Candy Writing Assignment: Using the senses to create an advertisement for the candy (then they can eat it).
  • Frideswidel RT @Griffbuddy: #MAMSE Dr. Santo Pino, NMSA, and Dean Hook, presentation: Securing Parent Involvement In Your School.
  • Frideswidel #mamse Art teacher talking about incorporating Art with writing (6+1 Traits). www.marymillerart.com
  • Frideswidel #mamse demo of Stratalogica.
  • dexgeek Technology is only one of the tools that teachers use to engage students. I’m glad I can arm them with the tools and skills. #MAMSE
  • Smhearty We train kids not to think but how to get an A. #mamse
  • Smhearty Got a great compliment today – “Aren’t you guys presenting today? We have other teachers here today.” #mamse
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE Be there. Choose your attitude. Make their day. Play. Fish philosophy in schools (choose your attitude when you come to work).
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE Advisory is necessary because strong relationships help teachers become adept @ diagnosing student needs. #MAMSE10
  • tanyaov #mamse Wow. MAMSE conference is excellent. I LOVE learning new things.

Finger Wag:

The State of Michigan put out a memo with a bitly link.

Advisory:

Blame Darwin:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575081613327728110.html#articleTabs%3Dinteractive

MAMSE:

Dr. Debbie Silver:  www.debbiesilver.com
Keynotes:  http://www.debbiesilver.com/keynotes/

New Favorite Conference Software:  Skim

Webspotlight:

Google Docs for Administrators:
Sarah Rolle, Director of Technology for Elisabeth Morrow School, shared tips on GoogleDocs Tips for Administrators.
http://www.mguhlin.org/2010/03/googledocs-tips-for-administrators.html

Stratalogica:  http://www.stratalogica.com/NystromDigital/home/login.html;jsessionid=501B5A5D36B68C44263525336DA8C718.StrataLogica1

Mary Miller:  Artist, Teacher, Integrator of Curriculum
http://www.marymillerart.com/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

MSM-110- Your Master Teacher knows that next week will be even better …

/ , , /

Jokes:

A Fisherman’s Tale
Two guys are fishing in a boat under a bridge. One looks up and sees a funeral procession starting across the bridge. He stands up, takes off his cap, and bows his head. The procession crosses the bridge and the man puts on his cap, picks up his rod and reel, and continues fishing. The other guy says, “That was touching. I didn’t know you had it in you.” The first guy responds, “Well, I guess it was the thing to do – after all, I was married to her for 40 years.”

Animal Talk
A mother is reading a book to her 3 year old daughter. Mother: “What does the cow say?” Child: “Moo!” Mother: “Great! What does the cat say?” Child: “Meow.” Mother: “Oh, you’re so smart! What does the frog say?” The wide-eyed little 3 year-old looks up at her mother and in her deepest voice replies, “Bud.”

On Our Mind:

Code Organ:
http://www.codeorgan.com/

From our Listeners:

Thanks for all of your efforts to try to keep me up to speed. At my age (23) … I need all the help I can get!

My middle school uses Dropbox to track student discipline and parent contacts by team using Excel. We have found this to be an excellent way to keep track.

Thanks!
Linda

Hi guys,
Here are a couple more middle school science items you might like to use.  On a side note, I did a recent podcast on a one day science institute I went to and did a summation of each of the sessions I went to, similar to what you do with the NMSA sessions you attend.  I like the idea of summarizing things we attend–good idea, thanks!  It is the “Power of Technology” and can be heard at:
http://k12science.net
Keep up the good work,
Dave

11a. US Dept of Energy Grant Program for Middle School Teachers
Fermilab is offering a limited number of positions in its DOE ACTS cohort starting in the summer of 2010. Priority
for this cohort will be given to mid-level teachers (grades 5-9). Participants will meet at Fermilab for four weeks
each summer for three years. During the academic year following each summer, as participants implement their
summer work in their schools and work on small projects, they will be supported by program staff and by each
other, primarily through online meetings, with one or two face-to-face meetings as well.
The program combines three strands of professional development: scientific research, teaching & learning, and
educational leadership. Each year teachers will participate in a research project which will be woven together with
the other two strands to strengthen and reinforce one another. Participants will receive an $800/week stipend for
their summer work. Non-local participants will also receive housing and travel. All participants will be eligible for
grants to support classroom equipment purchases and travel to professional development conferences.
Go to:
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov
and click on DOE ACTS under “Programs for Teachers.” The deadline to apply is March 7, 2010. Please visit:
http://ed.fnal.gov/acts/
—————————————————————–
11b. Young Scientist Challenge
The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in
grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and
innovation among America’s youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery
Communications launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age
when interest in science begins to decline. In 2008 3M joined forces with Discovery Education in a quest to nurture
the next generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science program open to every middle
school student in America. Over the last ten years, more than 600,000 middle school students have been nominated
to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the
nation’s top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences. For more information, please visit:
http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
—————————————————————–

From the Twitterverse:

Advisory:

You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School
http://www.walkthetalk.com/pages/inspirational-movies.htm

Webspotlight:

Obama Pitches Education Proposal to Governors

By PETER BAKER and SAM DILLON

Published: February 22, 2010

The president’s proposal, part of the administration’s recommendations for a Congressional overhaul of the No Child Left Behind education program initiated by President George W. Bush, would require states to adopt “college- and career-ready standards” in reading and math to qualify for federal money from a $14 billion program that concentrates on impoverished students.
The president praised efforts by 48 states — all but Alaska and Texas — to develop common standards in math and reading, coordinated by the National Governors Association. The collaboration was a bipartisan project at variance with the highly polarized political mood in Washington that has frustrated many of Mr. Obama’s top priorities in Congress.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/education/23educ.html

What Your Master Teacher Knows

Marge Scherer

“Teaching is the most difficult profession of them all,” educator Lee Shulman recently told a group of teachers and psychologists. The only time a physician comes close to doing what a teacher does is when the doctor faces an emergency room of multiple patients with multiple conditions, all of whom need immediate attention.
Shulman described a few of the basics required of the expert teacher: cognitive understanding of how students learn; emotional preparation to relate to many students whose varied needs are not always evident; content knowledge from which to draw different ways to present a concept; and, finally, the ability to make teaching decisions quickly and act on them.
Willingham goes on to say that ignoring research-based principles of learning—for example, that “factual knowledge precedes skills” or that “proficiency requires practice”—can have negative effects on student learning. He also critiques many familiar principles that he regards as lacking a research base, for example, learning styles theory. “Knowledge of students’ learning style is not necessary,” he says. “Think of lesson content driving decisions about how to teach, not student differences.”
In “One Kid at a Time,” Carol Ann Tomlinson (p. 12) recalls the students who challenged her “certainties” about teaching and started her thinking about the principles that underlie differentiated instruction. Scott taught her how to connect with a student’s interests. Golden taught her how important it is to allow a student to enter the curriculum at a place that makes sense for him. Geoff taught her how to give students permission to pursue their passions and work at their own pace. Figuring out how to make learning work for one student left her better prepared to address the needs of all.
Includes audio
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/What_Your_Master_Teacher_Knows.aspx

The Title I program would be rebranded “College and Career Ready Students” and financed at $14.5 billion in fiscal 2011, not including money provided under the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic-stimulus program.

Kentucky has become the first state to adopt common academic standards that were drafted as part of a nationwide initiative to establish a widely shared and ambitious vision of student learning.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/02/11/22kentucky_ep.h29.html?tkn=Q[QFS3g6%2B4Lphrh9bFmf3dIJegR8pxdCt7lG&cmp=clp-edweek

http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_elizabeth_helfant/art_contemporary_learning

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Title: Q & the Mysterious!

/ , , , /

Jokes:

Wedding Woes
At a friend’s wedding, everything went smoothly until it was time for the flower girl and her young escort to come down the aisle. The boy stopped at every pew, growling at the guests. When asked afterward why he behaved so badly, he explained, “I was just trying to be a good ring bear.”

Sacrifice
Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one has to drop off, otherwise they are all going to fall. They were not able to choose that person, but then the woman made a very touching speech. She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because as a woman she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, and for men in general, without ever getting anything in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands.

On Our Mind:

Retirement plans change for State of Michigan employees and teachers.  (Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals)
New retirement rules for Michigan

  • Retirement years cap at 30 years of earned time.  Purchased years do not count.
    • If you continue beyond 30 years, your employer will contribute 4% to a defined contribution account and the employee will contribute 3% and may contribute up to an additional 3% for a total of 10% cap.
  • If this goes through there will be an incentive for districts to retain teachers with 30 or more years.  Retirement contributions will go from 19% to about 10%.

Thanks to Dave Bydlowski for the feedback:
Check out his podcast here: http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Podcast.html

Here is some information from my February 11 — 24 Michigan Science
Matters eBlast:

……………
NASA/USA Today No Boundaries Competition
NASA and USA Today partnered to bring the No Boundaries science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career curriculum and
competition to middle and high school classrooms.  No Boundaries is a
free, eight-week, cross-curricular project that introduces 7th to 12th
grade students to NASA careers in STEM through a cooperative learning
experience.  Students collaborate to gather web-based research on the
variety of career options available with NASA. Students then develop a
fun and creative way to present the opportunities to other students.
Cash prizes will be awarded (up to $2,000) in addition to a “VIP NASA
experience.”  More information and all project resources are available
at the No Boundaries website at:
http://www.noboundaries-stemcareers.com/

……………..
Instill Interest in Biotechnology
The WGBH Educational Foundation recently launched the new Biotechnology
collection on Teachers’ Domain. These digital media resources are
designed to deepen the teaching and learning of biotechnology in middle
and high schools throughout the United States. Digital video and
interactives explore laboratory techniques used in biotechnology for
treating disease and improving diagnosis. Video profiles of
biotechnology scientists and technicians offer students compelling
examples of available career pathways into the field.  Please visit:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/biot/

……………….
Climate Change Art Contest for MS Students
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, would like to invite
6th-8th graders residing in Michigan to participate in the U.S. EPA
Climate Change Art Challenge.  The contest will ask students to create a
drawing or a painting that responds to the question, “What is Climate
Change?” on their own – without a teaching prompt from adults.  The
purpose of the contest is to see what 6th-8th graders think climate
change is, based on what they already know. The artwork will be
educational for the EPA, parents, and teachers, showing us what children
are learning about climate change from the media, parents, and in
schools.

Entries must be one-dimensional, must be no larger than 11” X 17” and
must be mailed or shipped (via USPS or FedEx) with completed Entry Form.
To apply, visit the EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/airinfo.html

Winners will be chosen based on the most creative and representative
depictions of climate change. All participants will receive a
certificate of recognition. 1st and 2nd-place winners will receive award
plaques and winning art will be posted on the U.S. EPA Region 5 website
in April 2010.  For more information, please contact Cynthia Meyer at
meyer.cynthia@epa.gov or (312) 886-5868, or Elizabeth McWhorter at
mcwhorter.elizabeth@epa.gov or (312) 353-5069.  All entries must be
received by the EPA, no later than Monday, March 22, 2010.

………………….
STEPS Summer Camp Experience for 7th Grade Girls
For the ninth consecutive summer, the Regional Math and Science Center
and the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing
at Grand Valley State University will hold two sessions of a Science,
Technology and Engineering Preview Summer camp (Sgirls. This year’s camps will be held during the weeks of June 21-24 and
June 28-July 1, 2010.  The deadline to apply is March 15.  For more
information, please visit:
http://www.gvsu.edu/steps/

………………
Go Green
Register for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, the nation’s
premier sustainability challenge where K-8 students create solutions to
environmental problems in their own backyard.  Simply visit:
http://www.wecanchange.com
to sign up.

……………….
Inspire Environmental Preservation
Action For Nature’s International Young Eco-Hero Awards recognize the
individual accomplishments of young people (aged 8–16) whose personal
actions have significantly improved the environment.  Action For Nature
will award cash prizes of up to $500 to young Eco-Heroes whose
individual initiatives will inspire others to preserve and protect the
environment.  The deadline to apply is February 28, 2010.  Please visit:
http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/

MathCounts
MathCounts is seeing a drop off in participation in our area.  Check it out.  It might be a neat enrichment class idea or an Advisiory component to your middle school.

To secure America’s global competitiveness, MATHCOUNTS inspires excellence, confidence and curiosity in U.S. middle school students through fun and challenging math programs. With the generous support of all MATHCOUNTS sponsors and volunteers, and leadership of the National Society of Professional Engineers at the local and state levels, MATHCOUNTS is providing today’s students with the foundation for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

Currently in our 27th year, MATHCOUNTS is one of the country’s largest and most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students. President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. Reagan have all recognized MATHCOUNTS in White House ceremonies. The MATHCOUNTS program has also received two White House citations as an outstanding private sector initiative. Particularly exciting for our Mathletes® were the hour-long ESPN programs on each of the National Competitions from 2003-2005.

MATHCOUNTS offers two unique programs to middle school teachers and students:  The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program and the FREE MATHCOUNTS Club Program.

From the Twitterverse:

Advisory:

Be Lucky (Richard Wiseman):

  • After many experiments, I believe that I now understand why some people are luckier than others and that it is possible to become luckier.
  • The findings have revealed that although unlucky people have almost no insight into the real causes of their good and bad luck, their thoughts and behaviour are responsible for much of their fortune.
  • Take the case of chance opportunities. Lucky people consistently encounter such opportunities, whereas unlucky people do not.
  • Personality tests revealed that unlucky people are generally much more tense than lucky people, and research has shown that anxiety disrupts people’s ability to notice the unexpected.
  • unlucky people miss chance opportunities because they are too focused on looking for something else.
  • My research revealed that lucky people generate good fortune via four basic principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.
  • In the wake of these studies, I think there are three easy techniques that can help to maximise good fortune:
    • Unlucky people often fail to follow their intuition when making a choice, whereas lucky people tend to respect hunches. Lucky people are interested in how they both think and feel about the various options, rather than simply looking at the rational side of the situation. I think this helps them because gut feelings act as an alarm bell – a reason to consider a decision carefully.
    • Unlucky people tend to be creatures of routine. They tend to take the same route to and from work and talk to the same types of people at parties. In contrast, many lucky people try to introduce variety into their lives. For example, one person described how he thought of a colour before arriving at a party and then introduced himself to people wearing that colour. This kind of behaviour boosts the likelihood of chance opportunities by introducing variety.
    • Lucky people tend to see the positive side of their ill fortune. They imagine how things could have been worse. In one interview, a lucky volunteer arrived with his leg in a plaster cast and described how he had fallen down a flight of stairs. I asked him whether he still felt lucky and he cheerfully explained that he felt luckier than before. As he pointed out, he could have broken his neck.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3304496/Be-lucky-its-an-easy-skill-to-learn.html

Webspotlight:

‘Algebra-for-All’ Push Found to Yield Poor Results

By Debra Viadero
Quite a bit of disagreement over the value of teaching algebra to 8th graders. Apparently the results are mixed (feign surprise here).

Among the newer findings:

• An analysisRequires Adobe Acrobat Reader using longitudinal statewide data on students in Arkansas and Texas found that, for the lowest-scoring 8th graders, even making it one course past Algebra 2 might not be enough to help them become “college and career ready” by the end of high school.

• An evaluation of the Chicago public schools’ efforts to boost algebra coursetaking found that, although more students completed the course by 9th grade as a result of the policy, failure rates increased, grades dropped slightly, test scores did not improve, and students were no more likely to attend college when they left the system.

• A 2008 paper by the Brookings Institution suggested that as many as 120,000 students nationwide were “misplaced” in algebra programs, meaning they had test scores on national exams that put them about seven grades below their peers in algebra classes. Further, it said, states with a high proportion of students taking algebra in 8th grade didn’t necessarily outperform other states on national math assessments.

Just putting students in Algebra doesn’t seem to work. Students who are adequately prepared for it seem to do well. However, those students who are far behind struggle. 8th grade is considered the pivotal year. Some opine that the low level courses are absolutely worthless. Chicago tried “double dosing” those students who were prepared. There seems to some finger pointing in terms of research technique, data analysis and data collection. There’s also discussion about whether or not what is taught in Algebra class is really Algebra.

An as of yet unpublished study from Michigan State University shows students who were enrolled in Algebra did better than those who weren’t.

Some are wondering about the difference between causal and correlative data. Does Algebra really help prepare kids for college or is it that kids who were taking Algebra were going to college anyway. The point is made that one size doesn’t fit all. There is also that issue of students who are doing well in math. Those students have benefited from tracked classes. More students entering into Algebra may have a derogatory effect on their achievement.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/02/10/21algebra_ep.h29.html?r=327944615

Blue Ribbon Middle School

A team of researchers hired by the U.S. Department of Education is spending much of this week at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School in Baton Rouge trying to learn what makes that school tick.

The federal agency has in the past issued “best practice” reports drawn from a selection of Blue Ribbon schools, but this year the plan is try a multimedia approach.

“This is the first time we’re trying to do this with audio and video,” said Carol Keirstead, a senior research associate with RMC.

Keirstead said the team is looking at six aspects of Sherwood: teacher leadership; the rigor of the curriculum; the quality of professional development; transition help for incoming sixth-graders; use of classroom technology; and the school’s culture.

Sherwood is a magnet school in which students need a 2.5 GPA to enroll. Even so, teachers there say some of the students enter well behind their peers and the school has to work hard to catch them up.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/84098087.html?index=1&c=y

Math comes to YouTube at Palmyra Area Middle School

By BARBARA MILLER, The Patriot-News

It’s the first such use of YouTube in the district, said Collene Van Noord, assistant superintendent, although there are other sites, such as TeacherTube, a similar service for teachers. Since YouTube is blocked at school, students have to view Binkley’s videos at home.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/02/math_comes_to_youtube_at_palmy.html

Q-Matrix

Get your kids to generate questions with a Q-Matrix.
http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/assessment/files/pages/strategies/Question_Matrix.pdf

Marble

Marble is a Virtual Globe and World Atlas that you can use to learn more about Earth: You can pan and zoom around and you can look up places and roads. A mouse click on a place label will provide the respective Wikipedia article.

Of course it’s also possible to measure distances between locations or watch the current cloud cover. Marble offers different thematic maps: A classroom-style topographic map, a satellite view, street map, earth at night and temperature and precipitation maps. All maps include a custom map key, so it can also be used as an educational tool for use in class-rooms. For educational purposes you can also change date and time and watch how the starry sky and the twilight zone on the map change.

In opposite to other virtual globes Marble also features multiple projections: Choose between a Flat Map (“Plate carré”), Mercator or the Globe.

The best of all: Marble is Free Software / Open Source Software and promotes the usage of free maps. And it’s available for all major operating systems (Linux/Unix, MS Windows and Mac OS X).
http://edu.kde.org/marble/

FCC Expands Broadband Access at Schools
http://mobile.reuters.com/mobile/m/FullArticle/CTECH/ntechnologyNews_uUSTRE61H6ZR20100219

Essentially, the bandwidth not being used by schools during school hours will be open to the community.

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • ISTE Eduverse Talks are the recorded sessions held on ISTE Island every week. Join ISTE in their Second Life conference location for their weekly talks on education.
  • The Ohio Middle Level Association Annual Conference February 2011, Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH.
  • Second Life:
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