MSM 466: Brave New World
Jokes:
My friend was doing a crossword. She asked, “What is a unit of power? 4 letters”
- I said, that’s correct. (What/Watt)
You know with the pandemic, I have a friend living on a houseboat. He dating the girl on the next boat over. Unfortunately, they’ve drifted apart.
Someone posted that they had just made some synonym buns.
- I replied “Just like grammar used to make?”
- I tried buttering them up.
- Now I’m blocked
What do you call someone who takes care of chickens?
- Yep, Chicken Tenders
Did you know I was named after my Dad?
- It would’ve been impossible to be named before him.
If we could get every cat in the world to meow at the same time, how loud would it be?
- Catastrophically loud
What is a rabbit’s favorite restaurant?
- IHOP
What do you call a happy cowboy?
- A Jolly Rancher
One of my favorite phrases is “bear with me”. It could either mean “please be patient” or “the heist at the Zoo was a success”.
Just a thought: If you ever get locked out of your house, talk to your lock calmly.
- Communication is key
Middle School Science Minute
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
Middle School Science Minute: The “Story” of Climate Change
I was recently reading the April/May, 2020 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication for middle school teachers, published by the National Science Teaching Association.
In this issue, I read the “Commentary” column written by Jason T. Hilton and Patrick A. Burkhart. The title of the column is “The Facts Do Not Speak for Themselves: Exposing Students to the Powerful Story of Climate Change.”
With the growth of mass media and social media, a cultural emphasis on the stories people tell has quickly displaced a reliance on scientific ways of knowing. The stories told in classrooms must be relevant to students in the local setting and connected to that which is clearly visible. Such an approach will allow students to independently arrive at reasoned conclusions that confirm scientifically derived knowledge presented in the classroom.
Reports from the Front Lines
- Brave New World
- District technology plans
- Browser – Brave
- Social Distancing/Facemasks/Numbers
- Ru’ian Resources for Teachers and Students
- Zoom in the news
- Keep Michigan Learning
- Timelines
- Expectations (Roles) of teachers
- Retirement Numbers
- Potentially ⅓ of teachers could leave
- Hiring Middle School trained folk to replace. Do they exist?
- Budget
The Twitterverse
Hong Kong Free Press @HongKongFP
One of the most nightmarish memories of our generations. It’s the 31st anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre. We remember, we never forget. Freedom and democracy belong to everyone. #64
Watch Can and should creativity be assessed? a discussion among Bill Lucas, James Kaufman, Ron Beghetto and Yong Zhao
Creativity in Crisis Ep1: https://youtu.be/p7yvjnwwQ1Q
Schools likely won’t be fully open until well into next school year. We and 62 other organizations sent a letter to Congress requesting financial support for professional development so ALL #teachers can teach effectively next fall. https://bit.ly/2ZihT3s #education
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:
5 Levels Video Series
Great idea for teachers and kids. As a strategy, have students develop explanations for 5 levels.
“Can everything be explained to everyone in terms they can understand? In 5 Levels, an expert scientist explains a high-level subject in five different layers of complexity— first to a child, then a teenager, then an undergrad majoring in the same subject, a grad student and, finally, a colleague.”
https://www.wired.com/video/series/5-levels
Resources:
#BlackLivesMatter
BackStory – Podcast (Ed Ayers)
Burden to Bear: A History of Racial Health Disparities in America
https://audioboom.com/channels/4987698.rss
Ryan Bomberger Interview – The World and Everything In It Podcast
Reconciliation vs. Revenge
Smithsonian TweenTribune Resources on Race
158 Resources to Understand Racism in America
These Smithsonian resources are designed to foster an equal society, encourage commitment to unbiased choices and promote antiracism in all aspects of life.
The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum invites people to share stories of how communities are supporting each other on a day-to-day basis.
Teaching Young Children About Race
Recommended by educators at Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, this is a practical guide for early childhood educators and parents.
This activity from the National Museum of American history invites viewers to join the student sit-ins through a 22-minute video. Included are focus questions that students should consider while they are watching.
“Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families” will air on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. ET. The show will talk to kids about racism, the recent nationwide protests, embracing diversity and being more empathetic and understanding.
Washington Post Data Points – A Potential ArcGIS Connection?
Fatal Force: 1,004 in 2019
This webpage is no longer being updated and they have a more current page, however it is behind a paywall and Troy hasn’t given me that raise yet . . .
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/national/police-shootings-2019/
Downloadable Data: https://github.com/washingtonpost/data-police-shootings
Compiled since 2015. Uses multiple data sources to build a more complete picture that independently self report as being incomplete.
The Knight Foundation and O Cinema Partner to Offer Free Virtual Screenings of Magnolia Pictures Documentaries I Am Not Your Negro, Whose Streets? and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
Each film will be made available to view each Sunday, for free, during a 24-hour window.
Please register in advance to watch I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO by filling out the below form to receive a secure link and password to view the film. The email with link and password will arrive in your inbox each Sunday at 1pm. This website will be updated each Monday for registration for the current film of the week.
President Obama
Simulations: Proceed with Caution
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/spring-2008/classroom-simulations-proceed-with-caution
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