MSM 633: The Hauls of Learning
Summary:
Shawn and Troy talk about returning to school (and parents who come back), why teachers succeed, and more. Dave waters down transparency.
Jokes:
I had my timepiece lying on the seat next to me on the bus when this big dude got on and was about to sit. I had to say…
…whoa! Not on my watch.
I tried taking some high resolution photos of local farmland, but they all turned out a bit grainy.
My boss is going to fire the employee with the worst posture.
I have a hunch, it might be me.
I was going to get a brain transplant, but I changed my mind
Whiteboards … are remarkable.
Because the platypus can both lay eggs and produce milk, it’s one of the few animals that can make its own custard.
Expect the worst, it’s the least you can do.
Geology rocks, but Geography is where it’s at!
Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
Every machine in the coin factory broke down all of a sudden without explanation. It just doesn’t make any cents.
Middle School Science Minute
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
K12Science Podcast: Secchi Disk Dip-In Project
I was recently reading the July-August 2024 issue of Science Scope, a journal published by the National Science Teaching Association, for middle school teachers.
In this issue, I read the “Citizen Science” section, written by Jill Nugent. She wrote an article entitled “Summer Science With the Secchi Dip-In Project.”
The Robert Carlson Secchi Dip-In Project is a demonstration of the potential of volunteer monitors to gather environmentally important information on our lakes, rivers, and estuaries. For more information, visit:
https://www.nalms.org/secchidipin
http://k12science.net/secchi-disk/
Reports from the Front Lines
- Taking a Break
- Podcast Listening –
- Vacation
- Back To Work
- Curriculum Work
- Vertical
- Kick-off meetings
The Social Web
Iamyesyouareno @iamyesyouareno
The only store not looted in this South Africa mall is a book store. The jokes write themselves.
Kagan Publishing & Professional Development @KaganOnline
Calling all Kagan educators Are you passionate about making a difference in the educator community and spreading the word about Kagan? If so, we want you to apply to become a #KaganAmbassador! Find all the details here: https://kaganonline.com/ambassador/ #kaganambassadors #kagan
Kick off the 24-25 school year right! Register today for this year’s CAMLE Conference. Join us on 9/28 for outstanding sessions like this one- Lauren Morford from Brentwood MS helps us “teach less,” & let our students take ownership. Register now! https://camle.wildapricot.org/event-5695160
There is always the ‘snecklifter’: someone who lifted the ‘sneck’ or latch of the tavern door and peered in to see if they knew anyone who might stand them a drink.
Resources:
Periodic Presidents
https://periodicpresidents.com/
GenType
Make an alphabet out of anything
This Not That Bell Ringers
BIG news! Edition 4 of my “This, Not That” bellringer puzzles is now released, just in time for back to school. One change for these bellringers is the format from Google’s Jamboard, which is ending soon, to Google Slides or Canva Presentations. I’ve changed all previous bellringer puzzles to those formats as well.
https://blog.tcea.org/this-not-that-bellringers/
AXIS The Culture Translator
Hauls of Learning
What it is: It’s back-to-school season across the US—which means “back to school hauls” are trending on TikTok.
What parents should know: Total back-to-school spending is projected to drop slightly, with parents of K-12 graders spending an average of $586 per student. Since the cost of school supplies has increased by 24.5% over the past four years, that means parents are prioritizing deals and trying to stretch their dollars farther. This economic reality has done little to slow down the onslaught of “hauls” on TikTok where students share items they’re excited to use in the new school year. In the past, these hauls tended to focus on school supplies like backpacks and notebooks (and sometimes still do), but posts are just as likely to include expensive fragrances and high end makeup. Low-slung, baggy sweatpants, cropped cotton tees, animal prints, Converse sneakers, and horseshoe jeans are just some of the trends that teens will be eyeing this season.
Tough Topics
What it is: A new Gallup poll reveals that teens’ mental health, social media experiences, and plans for the future are the things parents worry about very often. Four in 10 parents surveyed say it’s difficult to discuss these particular subjects.
What teens have to say about it: It’s ironic—and maybe a little telling—that the things parents worry about the most appear to be the subjects that they find most difficult to discuss with their teenagers. When a parent is worried about a topic, it would seem their default response is to avoid bringing it up—but teens are actually craving these very conversations. According to the survey, 93 percent found it helpful or very helpful to talk about their mental health, and 83 percent say it’s helpful to talk about social media use. Gen Zers also say they don’t actually want someone to advise them when things make them upset, but rather just want parents to listen.
Just a reminder, you can get the AXIS The Culture Translator Dictionary here: https://axis.org/resource/a-parent-guide-to-teen-slang/
Web Spotlight:
What Motivates Teachers to Enter the Profession
New research suggests that the reason someone chooses to become a teacher could determine how successful they will be in the role.
What if why you choose to become a teacher determines how successful you will be in the role?
Recent evidence has also pointed to declining interest in becoming a teacher, aligned with the decreased professionalization, prestige and pay of the sector. Yet noble individuals press forward and choose to educate our children anyway.
Historically, people went into teaching for relatively straightforward reasons: They desired a stable career, enjoyed having summers off, or had family members who were teachers. However, across the essay responses, we found that those motivations were not the most prevalent, nor were they related to teacher outcomes — but others were.
The two most frequent drivers were altruism (the desire to do selfless good) and intrinsic motivation (an enjoyment of teaching, helping or interacting with students or children). Other interesting but less frequently cited motivations include the impact of prior teachers, love of a content area, and a family connection to teaching.
…individuals seeking their elementary certification were more likely to enjoy working with children, whereas middle and high school preservice teachers were interested in teaching a particular content area.
…men were less likely than women to report that they had “always wanted to teach.”
While altruism was the most frequent answer given, it wasn’t the one most strongly correlated with effectiveness.
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-08-05-what-motivates-teachers-to-enter-the-profession
3 Secrets to Help You Win Gold at Work, According to Greatest-of-All-Time Olympic Athletes
1. Seek group support for your individual creativity
2. Build on the innovation that others have already discovered
3. Dream, and then work like crazy
https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/3-ways-to-innovate-like-an-olympian-at-the-office/281372
Random Thoughts . . .
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