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: