MSM 651: Dirty, Sneaky, Mean and Evil

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Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about snow days, iPads, and more. Dave has ecological habitat tips. 

Jokes:  

A man was caught stealing in a supermarket today while balanced on the shoulders of a couple of vampires. He was charged with shoplifting on two counts.

Adam and Eve, the first people not to read the Apple terms and conditions….

People saying ‘boo! to their friends has risen by 85% in the last year…. 

  • That’s a frightening statistic.

My sea sickness comes in waves

I will not keep reloading my school’s website to see if we have a delay/cancellation for tomorrow due to weather.

I am stronger than this.

I’m definitely going to stop after this next reload.

I got fired from my job at the dress alteration company.

  • Apparently I didn’t turn up enough.

If a Domino’s collapses, do the other stores fall in succession?

What is the least spoken language in the world?

  • Sign Language

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Ecosystems

I was recently reading the November/December 2024 issue of “Science and Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Science 101” column, written by Matt Bobrowsky.  He wrote an article entitled, “Q: What’s a Good Way of Explaining Ecosystems?”  

An ecosystem is like a big neighborhood where plants, animals, and even tiny things like bugs and mushrooms all live together.

 http://k12science.net/ecosystems/

Reports from the Front Lines

The Social Web

‪Marcus Luther‬ ‪@marcusluther.bsky.social‬

The second half of the school year is a great time to start exposing students to more innovative, rule-breaking styles of writing. Feel free to use this resource I lean on if helpful:  docs.google.com/presentation…

‪John Warner‬ ‪@biblioracle.bsky.social‬

If your district, school, or household is concerned about the attitudes and abilities of students when it comes to writing, I think I can help with that. First, why writing matters more than ever in the ChatGPT age: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/john-…

‪Keep Indiana Learning‬ ‪@keepinlearning.bsky.social‬

As we wrap up our #Resources2Love series, we’re ending with a daily essential: Classroom Management! 🌟 What are your go-to resources that ensure smooth sailing in your classroom? Share your tried and true #Resources2Love with us! #EduSky

‪Languages Direct‬ ‪@languages-direct.com‬

France’s language tests for foreigners seeking citizenship defeat French people buff.ly/4hwYRLU #langsky

‪Alex Spiers‬ ‪@alexspiers.bsky.social‬

#creativeHE Our next meetup will on a topic close to my heart and ears: Podcasting as assessment led by Sophie Renaudineau Check the blog post for sign up information. creativehecommunity.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/p…

Strategies:  

Help Students Set Goals in All Subject Areas

https://www.middleweb.com/51861/help-students-set-goals-in-all-subject-areas/

Small Changes to Make Your Classroom More Neurodiversity-Affirming

  • Change 1: Stop Insisting on Eye Contact
  • Change 2: Revisit Your Assessment Practices
  • Change 3: Be More Explicit
  • Change 4: Shift From Compliance-based to Context-based Interpretation of Behavior

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/neurodiversity-affirming/

Why My 7th Graders Memorized the 50 States

https://www.middleweb.com/51788/my-7th-graders-are-memorizing-the-50-states/

Resources:  

‪AXIS The Culture Translator

Slang of the week:  “Bop”

While you might assume “bop” just means a catchy song, the term has taken on an additional meaning for teens. “Bop” is now also a derogatory term referring to a woman who may have had multiple sexual partners. The word itself is a form of “algospeak”—words designed to dodge social media filters and censors (as other words for “promiscuous woman” often get posts flagged and removed). While some online have tried to embrace the term and “reclaim it,” their efforts may have only made the slang term more prominent. “Bop” joins a long list of slang terms designed to tear down women and accuse them of misconduct.

Dinner for One

What it is: An article by Derek Thompson in The Atlantic has sparked conversation about just how much time Americans are choosing to spend by themselves.  

What is happening: People used to go to dinner together; now, many prefer to order takeout and stay home alone. People used to go to the movies; now, many prefer to stay home and watch television alone. In 2023, people spent even more time alone than they did during 2021—which you’ll recall was the tail end of a pandemic. In particular, the amount of time young men spend alone is increasing faster than any other group. When most of us have a window to the world in the palm of our hands, it might feel like the presence of other people isn’t necessary—but whether their presence is good for our well being is a whole other story.

Free Font

https://www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/

Web Spotlight: 

Meet Younger Self for Coffee

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/meet-younger-self-for-coffee-poem-tiktok-trend-rcna192038

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