Month: August 2020

MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 475: What Shawn is doing -or- What is Shawn doing? Inflection is everything.

Jokes:  

Classical music themes are easy to come up with. 

  • I could make you a Liszt.

What did the chemist say when he found two isotopes of Helium?

  • HeHe

What happens when you forget to take your restless leg medicine?

  • You want to kick yourself

8 vowels, 11 consonants, an exclamation point, and a comma appeared in court today. 

  • They are due to be sentenced next week. 

Hey, I just got a job offer at a coffee bar. 

  • Pays not great, but it has a lot of perks.

I think the Discovery Channel should be on a different channel number every day. 

I went to see a show about puns.

  • It was just a play on words.

Never lie to an x-ray technician.

  • They can see right through you.

To the guy who invented the zero:

  • Thanks for nothing!

Is your wife technically your ex-girlfriend?

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Create Your Own Rainbow

I was recently looking at ideas for at-home learning and I came across a fun investigation from “Physics Central.”

The investigation is entitled: “Create Your Own Rainbow.”

The investigation and rainbows share the same principles:

  • refraction — light bending
  • reflecting — light bouncing back

Reports from the Front Lines

The Twitterverse

Mr. Gupton @GuptonTeaches

I. Want. To. Be. In. The. Building. With. My. Kids. Being selfish today. Ignore me.

NJAMLE @NJAMLE

Special thanks to Lori Chen, @StephJWhite14 @AdamsntheMiddle @LynnThompsonELA @tinamonte @ProfJPizzo for helping me @snydesn2 to establish the first 23 episodes of the Middle Ground Minute. Check out the @NJAMLE website for the Archive and more in the near future. #njed @Amle

Typical EduCelebrity @EduCelebrity

Don’t get too caught up in the aesthetics of your virtual classroom. While building the airplane that you’re trying to fly at the same time, few are worried about the in-flight movie.

Bridget Bryson @BrysonBridget

Had wonderful and uplifting @AMLE virtual ‘bonfire’ yesterday. Mod’ asked us to share positives about the current teaching scenario. Awkward silence. A brave teacher found one…then ideas flowed. Mine? The sheer joy and humor of amateur videos & unexpected during live meets

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Strategies:  

Resources:

The Perfect Blend:  A Practical Guide to Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences

Michele Eaton, Author

Annotate PDFs Collaboratively Using Google Drive

The sequence goes something like this:

  • Upload a PDF to your Google Drive (New>File upload, or click-and-drag the PDF into your Google Drive).
  • Click the PDF to preview it.
  • (Optional) Click the share button in the upper right to add other people, or get a link to share.
  • Click on the annotate icon in the upper right to start adding notes.  Highlight text or illustrations throughout the document to comment on them.
  •  
https://sites.hampshire.edu/hamp-it/2018/05/18/annotate-pdfs-collaboratively-using-google-drive/#annotations:HP9rfOSFEeqOE69lApWWlg

Web Spotlight:  

Make Your Classroom More Like…El Pollo Loco?

Most people have a favorite restaurant. I go to El Pollo Loco for the avocado salsa. I go for the green sauce. 

http://www.brentcoley.com/blog/make-your-classroom-more-likeel-pollo-loco#annotations:OrQsyOSWEeqOtjOVcsVaKA

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site  

Codicil

  1. Content Resource Ideas:  
    1. Begin the year with a Team Olympics:  https://ditchthattextbook.com/end-the-school-year-with-epic-review-olympics-free-templates/  (You’ll have to modify some of this.)
    2. Make a video about myself (the student):  Bill Ferriter  @plugusin

Remember that quick @Flipgrid activity I shared with y’all last week? The private Introduction Video that I asked students to make with 3 facts about them, 2 questions for me and 1 clear pronunciation of their name?  Can be done in Moodle as well.  

  1.  Warm-up ideas:  https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Efd2lwYWkAE-xOV?format=jpg&name=4096×4096  
  2. Create a self-portrait and share it to the group:  https://t.co/lfBvXNmqLe?amp=1  
  3. Dave Burgess’ 50 back to remote learning activities:  https://t.co/Igha8MUr2U?amp=1  
  4. Teacher created Kahoot Trivia Challenges
    1. Wooclap . . . meme chose.  
  5. Digital Citizenship Presentations:  Digital Citizenship Tips   
  6. Self-Care Challenge:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oFT1w59feNVneXGqU-eWa5PwmpBec1eQeMIR8ihmXmY/edit?usp=sharing  
  7. Three Family Sale (online radio drama):   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oFT1w59feNVneXGqU-eWa5PwmpBec1eQeMIR8ihmXmY/edit?usp=sharing  
  8. Building an Empowered Community (Dr. J. Spencer):  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSH-iSvAfMj3w1VdE6zkpBzQT9ran13q87ri54EiTf0/edit
  9. Create Team Online Expectations?
    1. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LGpT1NZ8m07Q7YLGxMztMa0k8kJ-LJobXx07e55Y4M0/edit?usp=sharing  
  10. Design a structure for “Team Meetings” 

    Potential topics to cover the first week:  

    1. School Schedule  
    2. How the team works
    3. What Distance Learning looks like this year vs. last year.
    4. Team expectations
    5. How a Team Meeting works
    6. What the sticker in the envelope is for.
    7. Introduction letter we sent home and the booklet inside.  
    8. Setting a goal for the first five weeks.
    9. Setting up a learning zone in the house.
    10. What does it mean to study?
    11. Finishing the job – the assignment gets done.
    12. Team/Teacher expectations for online interactions.
    13. Definitions and examples of Civil Discourse.  
    14. How to find an assignment online.
    15. Understanding a calendar.  
      1. Creativity takes time video
    16. Digital Citizenship materials from Wayne RESA.  
      1. Password security
    17. Wellness check as a repeated activity each advisory.  
    18. Cardinal Challengers Olympics – Wooclap (or other) trivia game, basic facts I should have learned in 6th grade, Science, Math, English, Social Studies general knowledge questions.  
    19. Student code of conduct (I heard the planners are in this year . . . )  
    20. People at Strong faces recognition game “Who are the people in your neighborhood?” in Wooclap, or other type of app.  
    21. AMAA – Ask Me Almost Anything 
    22.  Table Topics Cards – Conversation starters  
    23. Explain to me:  
      1. how 
        1. to play your favorite game (video or otherwise).  
      2. When 
        1. Is a good time to do homework?
      3. Where 
        1. Is a good place to study?
        2. Is the best place to get ice cream?
        3. Are your little siblings hiding during this Google Meet ‘cause I can hear them!  🙂  
      4. Why 
        1. Did you choose this spot?
        2. Do you listen to that particular music?  
      5. To what extent do you 
    24. Brainstorm a list of things you (the student) can do at home to make someone’s day better.  
      1. Make a plan and do it.
    25. Short podcasts we could play to generate discussion:  
      1. Astropup and the Seven Mountains of Genius (Video Game addiction):  https://www.storynory.com/astropup-and-the-seven-mountains-of-genius/  
      2. Which is more important:  Liberty or Security?  https://tuttletwins.com/podcast/which-is-more-important-liberty-or-security/  
      3. The Swing (Robert Louis Stevenson) – Short poem:  https://www.storynory.com/the-swing/  
      4. The Moon (Robert Louis Stevenson) – Short poem:  https://www.storynory.com/the-moon-poem/  
      5. The Moon Song (goes with above):  https://www.storynory.com/the-moon-song/  
      6. Six Honest Serving Men (Kipling):  https://www.storynory.com/six-honest-serving-men/  
    26.  Reasons why should dihydrogen monoxide be banned – make a list:  
      1. https://www.dhmo.org/facts.html  
      2. https://www.dhmo.org/truth/Dihydrogen-Monoxide.html  
      3. https://www.gulfcoast.edu/current-students/academic-divisions/natural-sciences/biology-project/chemistry-1/documents/dihydrogen-monoxide.pdf
    27. 99Math.com competition (not every day) when it gets ready for the new year:  https://99math.com/live-games  

    Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

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    MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

    MSM 474: In the Studio

    Jokes:  

    What creature is smarter than a talking parrot?

    • A spelling bee

    Who did the zombie take to the prom?

    • Ghoul-friend

    What did one toilet say to the other?

    • You look flushed

    What kind of shoes do spies wear?

    • Sneakers

    What gets wet while drying?

    • A towel

    How much does it cost a pirate to get ears pierced?

    • A buck an ear

    Help Stamp out and Abolish Redundancy

    What word becomes shorter when you add 2 letters to it?

    • Short
    Image may contain: text that says 'MELON COLLIE?'

    Middle School Science Minute  

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

    Middle School Science Minute: Engaging Families

    I was recently reading the July/August, 2020 issue of “Science and Children,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. 

    In this issue, I read the Editor’s Note column “Engaging Families”  written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.

    During the pandemic, she attended quite a few professional development opportunities.  She has had three essential takeaways:

    1.  Access and equity
    2.  Social-emotional sensitivities
    3.  Sensemaking and other 21st century skills

    Reports from the Front Lines

    Advisory:

    Pointless Inventions

    https://thehustle.co/the-man-who-has-created-100-pointless-inventions/#annotations:pND60uC9EeqWehs22aPFjA

    Inspirational Quotes

    https://www.lifehack.org/882953/overcoming-challenges-quotes

    The Twitterverse

    Bill Ferriter @plugusin

    Remember that quick @Flipgrid activity I shared with y’all last week? The private Introduction Video that I asked students to make with 3 facts about them, 2 questions for me and 1 clear pronunciation of their name? Here’s proof that it was totally worth the time.

    Image

    Tamarindtree  @tamarindtree2

    When we launched in March, we were skeptical of having volunteers on a sustainable basis. But here we are, running an Orientation every week engaging with folks who want to teach online, create content – help bridge the learning divde. Join! https://tamarindtree.org/main/index.php/our-volunteer-programme/

    Mark Moran @markemoran

    Imagine searching a history topic on Google and then clicking a filter to eliminate the [worthless] results. It would be just like doing a search on SweetSearch History. http://history.sweetsearch.com #satchat #sschat #historyteacher #HistoryMatters

    R Graham Oliver: The Purpose of Education replied

    Erin Harrington, emotional junior staffer @ladyhorrors

    Had a terrible morning in the #NZHellhole. Visited a busy farmers market where the leeks were too big & I was nearly set upon by a vicious bichon frise. Drove through sea fog (designed to keep us trapped) and had ice cream for brunch bc cereal is rationed. Cried all the way home

    R Graham Oliver: The Purpose of Education @rgrahamoliver

    You know how we feel for you

    Greg Perry @futurebehaviour

    Following the success of the government’s recent slogans ie Stay Home, Stay Safe and Eat Out to Help Out, here are some new suggestions: Go swimming, Stay Dry Drink Booze, Stay Sober Avoid the Wind, Fly Kites

    Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

    Strategies:  

    How Do We Know When Kids Understand?

    https://robertkaplinsky.com/know-kids-understand/#annotations:9keyRuDEEeqmnLvAa86dUA

    22 Tips for Online Instruction

    http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2020/08/twenty_tips_for_online_instruction.html

    Resources:

    Open Education Resource:  Open Textbooks for Hong Kong

    http://www.opentextbooks.org.hk/

    The Noun Project

    The use of visual aids in education has proven vital for classrooms since time immemorial, from preschool through senior year.

    learners absorb information more easily — and can better retrieve it later on — when they’re given both verbal and visual cues to “encode” a concept in their minds.

    https://blog.thenounproject.com/free-resources-for-teachers-a6a1e32351e6#annotations:a9ZUeOMIEeqMFFtpTxxVPQ

    Math Tutorials

    LOTS of videos.

    http://patrickjmt.com/#annotations:C5bV9OAXEeq6KBc_dKvVDw

    Web Spotlight:  

    U.S. Billionaire Wealth Surged During The Pandemic

    U.S. billionaires saw their wealth surge 20 percent since the start of the pandemic according to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Studies and Americans for Tax Fairness. Between March 18 and June 17, the total net worth of 643 American billionaires increased from $2.9 trillion to $3.5 trillion while a further 29 individuals joined the club. While their collective wealth grew by $584 billion, some 45.5 million Americans filed for unemployment.

    https://www.statista.com/chart/22068/change-in-wealth-of-billionaires-during-pandemic/#annotations:GR6DROKREeqHly8iFRFHqQ

    Do We Still Believe?

    AMLE article by Jack Bereckemeyer

    1. Teaming
    2. Advisory
    3. Flexible block schedule
    4. Offering of a variety of exploratory or essentials classes
    5. Various forms of assessments
    6. Educators who are trained to teach this age group
    7. Empowerment of students in their learning
    8. Comprehensive guidance programs
    9. Ongoing professional development that reflects best middle level practices
    10. Students and teachers who are actively engaged in the classroom

    http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet.aspx?ArtMID=888&ArticleID=384

    Native Land

    https://native-land.ca/#annotations:3mbipuDwEeqHWrswb7nA4g

    What Will Middle Schoolers Need When School Reopens?

    http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/1171/What-Will-Middle-Schoolers-Need-When-School-Reopens.aspx#annotations:waTQbOC8Eeq5tuunF0NO0A

    Name Shoutouts 

    https://www.nameshouts.com/#annotations:DkXNmt_cEeqrBU9SJzh_4g

    Random Thoughts . . .  

    Personal Web Site  

    Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

    MSM 473: Speak the Words – I clap, do Wooclap!

    Jokes:  

    A customer dropped a steak while in the grocery store. I said “whoops, now it’s ground beef”. They didn’t laugh. 

    Shawn: *yawns*

    Sean: *yeans*

    I’m going to set up a race where reaching Finland is the goal. That way, it’s literally a race to the Finnish line. 

    What’s the definition of a will?

    • Come on, it’s a dead giveaway

    Did you hear about the police department where someone is stealing the wheels off of the police cars?

    • Police are working tirelessly to catch the thief

    The letters that you receive are obviously mail. 

    • But are the bills that you receive Fee Mail?

    I may never get over my habit of referencing the Beach Boys, but wouldn’t it be nice?

    Why do ants never get sick?

    • Because they have little Anty Bodies

    Did you know you can hear the Blood in your veins?

    • You just need to listen varicosely

    Middle School Science Minute  

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

    Middle School Science Minute: Back to Mars

    I was recently reading the July/August 2020 issue of “Science Scope” a publication, for middle school teachers, of the National Science Teaching Association. 

    In this issue, I read the Scope on the Skies column written by Bob Riddle.  The title of the article was “Back to Mars.”

    July 2020 provided an opening window for missions to Mars.  During this window, which occurs every 26 months, a trip to Mars can be completed with 7 – 9 months.  The first launch of the month was by the United Arab Emirates Mars Mission on July 19.  The second launch of the month was by the China National Space Administration on July 23.  The third launch of the month was the NASA and Space X on July 30.  All launches were successful.

    Reports from the Front Lines

    • Prepped and Ready to Go?
      • H5P – Speak the Text and Speak the Text Set  
    • Meet the Teacher
    • SEL
    • Video Conferencing
    • Quick Tech Tips vs Online Learning Skills

    Advisory:

    The Twitterverse

    Typical EduCelebrity @EduCelebrity

    A good PBL teacher would have led a student project that would produce by now an effective vaccine against Covid.  

    EL Magazine @ELmagazine

    Which of these 7 habits of highly “affective” teachers will you commit to practicing this school year? @rickwormeli2  #satchat #edchat

    Nick Covington @CovingtonAHS

    Teacher PD should model the pedagogy we expect to see in the classroom. That’s not a pandemic thing, that’s an always thing. 

    M. Guhlin learns @mglearn

    RT: You’ve heard of audio books, but what about video books?

    http://ow.ly/zGSi50AWv72 mglearn #ela #remotelearning #distancelearning #txedtuesday — TCEA (TCEA) August 13, 2020

    Steven Weber @curriculumblog

    3 Simple Truths 1. Students want to feel connected #wholechild 2. Students enjoy engagement #Schlechty 3. Students want to ask questions #WhoOwnsTheLearning

    College of Education @MSUCollegeofEd

    ICYMI: MSU is offering free support programs to help school districts prepare for online instruction this fall. http://spr.ly/6014GcUiu

    Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

    Strategies:  

    Class App

    Create a Google Slide Presentation (or web site) with links to things that an “App” would provide. 

    https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQ1oQKPbKnXz23hwCo8AMCxRunesbwylTz0y6yhhHjTy6VDNSH04Qrb4LDERFDw2JNj20wM_y6xpfU1/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p

    Video Conferencing

    teachers hosting video conferencing sessions will want to consider whether whole group, small group, or individual sessions make the most sense given the purpose of that session.

    Video Conferencing: Establishing Routines and Structuring Online Time with Students

    Resources:

    Illustrative Math (6-8) Curriculum

    Use GeoGebra Classroom to fully engage your students within this middle school curriculum. Monitor all student progress in real-time without the hassle of screen sharing!

    https://www.geogebra.org/m/ckm3ffqh

    Web Spotlight:  

    Teaching U.S. History in a Fractured America

    Teaching U.S. History in a Fractured America

    Gez.La

    The tours created by digitizing an existing place with different techniques are called virtual tours. It allows you to explore places from your computer, mobile phone or other devices at any time without actually going to that place.

    https://gez.la/

    Random Thoughts . . .  

    Personal Web Site  

    Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

    MSM 472: Tiny Tales for Learning This Fall

    Jokes:  

    What’s the worst part of ancient history class?

    • Teachers tend to Babylon.

    I made a playlist for hiking. It has music Peanuts, The Cranberries, and Eminem. 

    • I call it my Trail Mix

    I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. 

    • I’ll let you know which one comes first.

    If a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it…

    1. A Milk Dud
    2. An Udder Failure

    I had a bunch of Beatle puns, but that was

    • Yesterday

    I was watching an Australian cooking show. The chef made a meringue. The audience Cheered! I was totally surprised. 

    • Usually Australians boo meringue

    Middle School Science Minute  

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

    Middle School Science Minute: Waves

    I was recently reading the July/August 2020 issue of “Science Scope” a publication, for middle school teachers, of the National Science Teaching Association. 

    In this issue, I read the Editor’s Note Section written by Patty McGinnis.  The title of the article was “The Seemingly Endless Uses of Waves.”

    We interact with waves on a daily basis.  When teaching the topic of waves, teachers may want to consider starting with a phenomenon that focuses on how waves transmit energy, interact with materials, or are used for communication purposes.  Simulations can help students interact with waves in order to visualize how waves transmit energy and information.  Two websites to consider are:

    The Wonder of Science — https://thewonderofscience.com

    PhET — http://phet.colorado.edu

    Reports from the Front Lines

    Advisory:  

    The Twitterverse

    Eric Sheninger @E_Sheninger

    Teachers Will Get Covid-19. What Will Schools Do? https://buff.ly/2EuRbMN

    Rich Czyz @RACzyz

    Remote Learning Tips for Teachers #4OCF #satchat

    Image

    Michael Sharrow @MichaelSharrow2

    Agree!

    Rich Czyz @RACzyz

    Remote Learning Tips for Parents #4OCF #satchat

    Image

    Dave Burgess @burgessdave

    50…yes, FIFTY… Back to School Activities for the Remote Learning Classroom!!! Special thanks to @jmattmiller for this guest cross-post! https://daveburgess.com/50-back-to-school-activities-for-the-remote-learning-classroom/… #tlap #DitchBook #techlap #LeadLAP #remotelearning #edtech #distancelearning #4ocf

    Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

    Strategies:  

    Standards Based Learning in Middle School History

    https://edtechhistory.blogspot.com/2020/07/standards-based-learning-in-middle.html

    Resources:

    AMLE:  Middle School Reopening Strategies

    https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/1167/Middle-School-Reopening-Strategies.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0hUtxWYIhWm0o50rmuaIp6NS9psaHJjj6nTUvaFU2FHj93jcuPSjcf14I

    SOAR – Online Virtual Learning Matrix from PBIS

    https://www.pbisrewards.com/wp-content/uploads/pbis-behavior-matrix-virtual-classroom.pdf

    Education and Racial Justice

    A growing playlist of virtual webinars and workshops focused on racial justice and equity in education- Spring and Summer 2020.

    Google Meet Plug-ins

    Google Meet Enhancement Suite:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-meet-enhancement-s/ljojmlmdapmnibgflmmminacbjebjpno?hl=en-US  

    Tiny Tales

    Each book contains two hundred of these tiny stories. For each book, I write three hundred tiny stories here at the blog. 

    Each completed book is free to read online as a Pressbook or you can download a free digital file (PDF, MOBI, EPUB); you can also listen to a free audiobook. In addition, you can purchase a Kindle version or paperback version from Amazon. There are four books available as of July 26: three books of stories, plus a teaching guide.

    https://microfables.blogspot.com/2020/06/tiny-tales-series.html

    Web Spotlight:  

    Middle Graders Reflect on the COVID Closure

    I wrote a survey seeking information from students in our schools.

    Survey: What Kids Said about Remote Learning

    This is What A Scientist Looks Like

    I Am a Scientist is an effort to introduce children to scientists outside of the narrow stereotypes that our culture typically offers (old, male, white, nerdy).

    https://theplenary.co/public-blog/2020/6/5/i-am-a-scientist-program-is-live

    https://www.iamascientist.info/

    #AMLE20 is Virtual

    http://www.amle.org/annual/Home/tabid/244/Default.aspx

    Random Thoughts . . .  

    Personal Web Site  

    Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download