MSM 616: You Can Also Use Your Face

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about simulations, open source, “vacation time”, and more. Dave is eliciting student thinking, scientifically. 

Jokes:  

Did you hear the story of the haunted refrigerator?

  • It was a chilling tale.

If a dude attacks you with wordplay that’s assault with a dadly weapon


Studies show cows produce more Milk when the Farmer talks to them.

  • It’s a case of in one ear and out the udder.

Don’t use double negatives.

  • They’re a big no no.

Where did the IT employee go?

  • Probably ransomeware

If you wear dozens of mirrors and no one comments/notices, you must later take time and reflect.


Always wanted to try procrastination but I can never seem to get around to it


I was going to start a diet, 

  • But I’ve got too much on my plate

If it’s zero degrees outside today and it’s supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?


Seems like just about every baker I meet kneads dough.


Middle School Science Minute  

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

Eliciting Student Thinking

I was recently reading the January/February 2024 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school science teachers. In this issue, I read the “Editorial” section written by Patty McGinnis.  She wrote an article entitled, “Eliciting Student Thinking.”

Eliciting student thinking is a high-leverage practice in which the teacher utilizes questions and tasks that encourage and promote student thinking and sharing of ideas.

http://k12science.net/eliciting-student-thinking/

To listen to this podcast, please visit: 

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/k12science/id/30073883

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Week Off
  • Michigan History Student Projects
  • Moodle Time on Task
  • MoodleNet Celebrity

The Social Web

Robert Scoble  @Scobleizer

The cult can run it all.  Quote:  Brad Lynch  @SadlyItsBradley  My Windows PC, MacBook Pro, and Steam Deck all streaming their desktop views to my Vision Pro at once And this ALONGSIDE native apps that are also decoding their own video streams.. M2 chip never ceases to impress me.

Megan Basham  @megbasham

I just saw a candle at Nordstrom called “boy smells” and I don’t have any sons, but my understanding is that would not be a good candle.

Jon Erlichman@JonErlichman

“If you want to be successful, I would encourage you to grow a tolerance for failure.” ~ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

Katie Powell  @Beyond_the_Desk

I swear this is not a paid promotion for Boredom Busters, but @RimmeyAPGov  just delivered the best “elevator summary” of the book I’ve heard. Give his podcast a listen, especially if you’re into the use of games in your classroom. @dbc_inc

BTW:  https://app.suno.ai/song/697710f7-4f3e-4b27-9039-df87c4cdb9ce

National Park Service  @NatlParkService

TIP: As you walk down a trail, use a stick to make first contact with spiderwebs. You can also use your face. Do what feels right.

RUTH BUZZI  @Ruth_A_Buzzi

I carry a stone in my purse to throw at anyone who sings Christmas carols in February. I call it my jingle bell rock.

Robert Scoble  @Scobleizer

We can go anywhere instantly soon.

Quote:  Daniel Pikl  @danielpikl

Beautiful  cathedral in Zagreb, Croatia presented in NeRF with @LumaLabsAI https://lumalabs.ai/capture/E522E6 

Strategies:  

Why Reader Response Is So Important for Students

Most of the time, when readers engage in reading a text of any kind, their thinking is silent and invisible.

When we invite readers to share and reflect on what they are reading, they develop a spirit of curiosity and an appreciation of the text’s messages. Discussions and written responses give rise to student voices, allowing them to acknowledge their connections and thoughts and have ownership over their reading processes.

https://www.middleweb.com/50335/why-reader-response-is-so-important-for-students/

Resources:  

TeachFlix

https://teachflix.org/

50 Classic Poems Read By 12 Celebrities: Morgan Freeman, Jodie Foster, Gary Sinise & more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1W7VK6Yo4s

Carl Sagan Baloney Detection

Through their training, scientists are equipped with what Sagan calls a “baloney detection kit” — a set of cognitive tools and techniques that fortify the mind against penetration by falsehoods:

The kit is brought out as a matter of course whenever new ideas are offered for consideration. If the new idea survives examination by the tools in our kit, we grant it warm, although tentative, acceptance. If you’re so inclined, if you don’t want to buy baloney even when it’s reassuring to do so, there are precautions that can be taken; there’s a tried-and-true, consumer-tested method.

https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/01/03/baloney-detection-kit-carl-sagan/

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Tween Shopping Network

What it is: A new piece in The Cut interviews several tweens to get a feel for Gen Alpha’s attitudes on shopping, screen time, and skincare.  

Why it’s surprising: In a follow-up radio interview with WNYC, writer Casey Lewis observed that much of the conversation around today’s tweens characterizes them as Tik-Tok-addled Stanley hoarders, eager to accumulate expensive athleisure and adding yet another layer of acidic serum into their skincare routine every night. Perhaps there is some truth to that stereotype. But the middle schoolers Lewis talked to trawl Sephora and Lululemon as browsers more than buyers, and their fashion staples skew toward the sentimental. A band tee from a first concert, a used pair of low-rise jeans, and a friendship bracelet made from a kit found at Five Below ranked as treasured possessions. The whole piece pushes back on assumptions about tweens, with one exception— young people continue, for some reason, to totally shun coats.

New Shade

What it is: The term “she’s not a girl’s girl” has evolved into a layered and low blow, with some even saying it’s now “the internet’s worst insult.”  Failing to be a “girl’s girl” is leveled as an insult, the concept becomes a cruel way for women to police each other’s behavior. Ironically, a heavy emphasis on being a “girl’s girl” can make girlhood even more complicated and confusing. (For more on the complex social hierarchies of Gen Z, check out our new 7 Minute Video on “Mean Girls” and the power of words).

Who’s Watching?  

What it is: AI monitoring tools may be able to detect some red flags for teens who are at a higher risk for suicide. Some researchers have expressed concern.

Web Spotlight: 

AI and Math Tutoring

Khanmigo, a ChatGPT-powered bot, made frequent calculation errors during a Journal reporter’s test

https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-is-tutoring-students-but-still-struggles-with-basic-math-694e76d3

Weird Old Book Finder

https://weird-old-book-finder.glitch.me/

Random Thoughts . . .  

SiteSucker

I used to use this app, looooonnnggg ago. 

https://ricks-apps.com/osx/sitesucker/index.html

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