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October 22, 2022

MSM 562: The English Teacher is Cheating!

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about conferences, kids seeing the future, and more. Dave focuses on student collaboration for Science success. 

Jokes:  

I was worried he’d fail, but my son actually passed his school sculpture project with an A+

  • What a relief

What do you call a sleeping dinosaur?

  • A Dino-snore

What did the zero say to the eight?

  • Nice Belt.

Which knee is the most childish?

  • The kid-knee.

Why did the orange stop halfway across the road?

  • It ran out of juice.

What part of a car works the hardest?

  • The wheels because they’re always tired!
  • The muffler, it’s always exhausted.
  • The pedal on the left, it needs a brake.

What part of the car is the laziest?

  • Calipers, because they are always on brakes.
  • I dunno. The transmission seems a little shifty.

How did the barber win the race? 

  • He knew a shortcut.

What country has the highest amount of diseases

  • GERMany

How do you spell candy with two letters?

  • C and Y

Middle School Science Minute

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

K12Science Podcast:  Student Collaboration

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Methods and Strategies column, written by Kathleen Easley and Jamie Lehto.  They wrote a column entitled, “Let’s Work Together.”  

In this column, they addressed five research-based strategies that support successful collaboration:

1.  Establishing a culture of collaboration

2.  Setting clear expectations

3. “Making the rounds”

4.  Class conversations

5.  Mediating conflict

http://k12science.net/student-collaboration/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Halloween
    • Door Decorating
  • Kids Negotiating the Future
  • Conferences
    • Expectations
    • Themes
  • Project SubGirr  

The Twitterverse  

Scott Bayer #THEBOOKCHAT co-founder  @Lyricalswordz

I may have arrived at the weekend like this. But I made it. And so did you.

Video here:  https://twitter.com/i/status/1583584612298633216  (Note to self:  Cancel that flight on Garuda Indonesia)  

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the day is ‘blutterbunged’ (19th century dialect): dumbfounded, confounded, and open-mouthed in amazement. (Not to be confused with ‘dumfungled’: utterly exhausted.)

Revolving_Door_Admin  @RAD_is_awesome

Remember that behavior-problem students are not to be sent to an administrator. Please follow our RTI and send them to your Buddy Teacher’s class to disrupt a different teacher and different set of students.

Oliver Tacke  @otacke

Did I say I’d bring 3 new #H5P content types to the #OERcamp in Hamburg next week? Sorry, that information is wrong. It will be 4 new #H5P content types.

Jack Berckemeyer @JBerckemeyer

To all my hard working educator friends- may your weekend be filled with rest, support, a good movie, popcorn and tons of chocolate. Plus two adult beverages.

Learn Something @LEARNS0METHlNG_

The pufferfish’s skeleton is made up of spiky bones aren’t actually connected- they just sit under the pufferfish’s skin like caltrops and expand to spread themselves apart and point outward when the pufferfish inflates!

# MIchat #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

ELL Class

“I’ve written a lot about how we’ve been dramatically increasing the number of peer tutors in my ELL classes in order to accelerate learning, and thought readers might find it useful to hear about how my classes typically go.”

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2022/10/18/heres-what-a-typical-ell-class-with-peer-tutors-me-looks-like/

Resources:  

Create Readable Videos

Learn a simple method for creating short, animated videos that bring data and information to life without a voice-over.

https://explaineracademy.com/p/readable#annotations:LdIbblDDEe2Y2uNLmfVzkw

CocoMaterial

Discover CocoMaterial, the Open Source hand-drawn illustration library with 2,461 images. Customize & download!

https://cocomaterial.com/#annotations:ynnPitUqEey06oupkBwHPA

America’s Best And Worst Rated Fast Food Chains, By State

https://digg.com/food/link/best-worst-rated-fast-food-chains-QUaeZvFQbl#annotations:kCJyFFAZEe2GgrPHFu-LVw

Web Spotlight:  

Deion Sanders being brutally honest with his Football Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdlfEhR7jl8#annotations:ZqwYYk8CEe2zZQdt4LZHTg

AXIS The Culture Translator

Gas Lit

What it is: An app called Gas lets teens send anonymous compliments to one another, and, despite not being available nationwide, it’s become the most popular offering in the Apple store.

Random Thoughts . . .  

Scienceagories

(a takeoff on the game–Scattegories) For 2-60 Players

Object: Quickly fill out a category list with answers that begin with the same letter. Score points if no other player matches your answers. Score the most points to win the game.

Game Play: The game is played in 2-3 rounds. To play a round, do the following steps in order:

1. All players take a category sheet and pencil.

2. Setting the Timer: Use either a game timer or a stopwatch. Each round should last 3-4 minutes.

3. Toss a letter die and call out the rolled letter or select a letter from a container (do not use the letters Q, V, X or Z). The selected letter is the key letter that will be used in this round of play.

4. Start the timer.

5. All players quickly fill in the first column of their answer sheets. Answers must fit the category and must begin with the key letter rolled.

Example:

List 1

1. ANIMAL

2. WATER

3. THINGS THAT ARE COLD 4. SPACE

5. MEASUREMENT

6. INSECTS

ETC……

One

COUGAR CLOUD COLD CUTS CAPTAIN CENTIMETER CRICKET

6. When the timer stops, players must immediately stop writing.

7. Scoring a Round: Players, in turn read their answers aloud for number 1. Players correct their own answer sheets by circling an acceptable answer that DOES NOT match any other player’s answer. Continue reading answers until all of the categories have been scored. Then, score 1 point for each of your circled answers. Record your score at the top of the column of your answer sheet.

Starting a New Round: Set the timer again, select a new letter and continue playing using the same category list as you did in the previous round. Fill in the next column with your new answers. NOTE: If the same letter is selected twice in a game, select a different letter.

WINNING THE GAME

After 3 rounds have been played, all players total the 3 scores on their answer sheets. The player with the highest score is the winner.

In case of a tie: The players who tie play one more round with a new letter. The player who has the highest score in that round is the winner.

Rules for Acceptable Answers

1. The first word of your answer must begin with the key letter.

2. The articles “A”, “An”, and “The” cannot be used for their key letters.

3. The exact same answer CANNOT be given twice in one round. Example: You cannot answer Daisy for a flower and also for a girl’s name.

4. When answering with a proper name, the first or last name may be used as long as the key letter is the first letter of your answer. For example, if the key letter is “A” and the category is person, the “A” could be used to start their last name or begin their first name.

5. Creative answers can be acceptable. For example, you could answer Knuckle as a kind of Sandwich. But if one player challenges the answer, the group must vote on its acceptability.

Challenging Answers: While answers are being read, other players may challenge their acceptability. When an answer is challenged, all players (even the challenged player) vote on whether the answer is acceptable. Players who accept the answer give a thumbs-up sign. Players who do not accept the answer give a thumbs-down sign. Majority rules. In the case of a tie, the challenged player’s vote does not count.

Extra Points: When answering with proper names or titles, score an extra point for using the key letter more than once as a fist letter in your answer. For example: Ronald Reagan, Carson City, Simon and Schuster, and the Rouge River for 2 points; Hubert Horatio Humphrey for 3 points.

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-562_English_Teacher_Cheats.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

October 15, 2022

MSM 561: The Full Moon Experience

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about conferences, full moon, and more. Dave has part two on Air Pressure and Barometers. 

Jokes:  

What has four wheels and flies?

  • A garbage truck

What did the toilet roll complain about?

  • People just keep ripping me off!

What did Darth Vader say to Admiral Motti after browsing his collection of George Michael records?

  • “I find your lack of Faith disturbing.”

What’s the first bet that most people make in their lives?

  • The alpha bet

You know what I like about a no-nonsense ballet documentary?

  • It’s on point

What kind of shoes do frogs wear?

  • Open toad

We finished reading Macbeth in class today.

  • It was quite the Shakespearience.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Barometer

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Science 101 column, written by Matt Bobrowsky.  He wrote a column entitled, “Do You Have a Weather-Related Activity That My Students Would Enjoy?”  

In this column, Matt addressed two topics:  Air Pressure and Barometers.  This lead me to do a two-part podcast series.  The previous podcast looked at the topic of air pressure and how it can be explained to students and this podcast will deal with the tool that measures air pressure – barometers.  The air that surrounds us and surrounds the Earth is called air pressure.  So, the pressure in the air surrounding us is called atmospheric pressure.  An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure is called a barometer.

http://k12science.net/barometers/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • ACTEM
  • Micro-credentials
  • AMLE Conference

The Twitterverse  

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the day is ‘rantum-scantum’ (17th century): reckless, disorderly, and chaotic.

G. K. Chesterton  @GKCdaily

Without education we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.

Dr. John Spencer  @spencerideas

Happy Friday. Here’s a dad joke.

Image

Oliver Tacke  @otacke

Oh snappers. I’ll be at the #OERcamp in #Hamburg later this month, and the camp seems to become the stage for presenting two new #H5P content types + one (probably done by then) feature that people have been missing for quite some time now.

Marc Morris  @Longshanks1307

Today’s the 956th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, so obviously I’m reposting the scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry I made with Playmobil.

Image
Image

Image
Image

 

Peter Lorimer  @pighilltweets

It’s only fair, if this 1800-year old (Han Dynasty) ceramic horse is going to live in my head. Then I should gift it, on so it can live in your brain as well!

Mr. Carr on the Web  @MrCarrOnTheWeb

This just popped up in my feed and I’m so glad for it! I love the way Amanda’s brain works. SO inclusive and scaffolded.

Quote Tweet

Amanda Sandoval @historysandoval

I’ve been lesson planning revamping a lot lately and one of the strategies that I keep incorporating in my HyperSlides is a reduced #8Parts. I’m using it with videos, podcasts, speeches, etc… Shout out to @JBuckLearns & @NoyesEnglish for the inspiration.  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1krqtqNMVpoeHbUROcswbfhTAOf2X9VnueaIKy8YOGCM/edit?usp=sharing

Try it on this TED Talk by Matt Diffee:  https://youtu.be/tAMbxnEtNxE  

Kim Campbell  @KimCamp4Kids

First the pandemic and now this….come on…educators can’t get a break!!

Image

Yong Zhao, Ph.D  @YongZhaoEd

Has any of the ed reforms worked at all? “A return to the pre-pandemic status quo would be insufficient and a disservice to students and educators.” High school class of 2022 had lowest ACT scores in over 30 years, data shows  https://t.co/8vALM0bxTX  

Amanda Sandoval   @historysandoval

Played a modified game of Scattegory during lecture. The kids ate it up! Mixed academic rounds with fun topics as they raced to be the first group to fill in all the letters. First time using this strategy, but won’t be the last. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d

Tim Allen @ofctimallen

“If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane. -Robert Frost

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

How growth mindset shrank

https://stuartritchie.substack.com/p/growth-mindset-decline

What Are The Most Misunderstood Ideas In Education?

25 Of The Most Misunderstood Ideas In Education

Resources:  

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Plot Twisted

What it is:  Viewers of a new Netflix movie say they were shocked by graphic depictions of sexual assault and a high school shooting shown in the film.

Why it’s made audiences upset:  Luckiest Girl Alive is an adaptation of a 2015 novel by the same name, and it starts off almost like any dime-a-dozen rom-com. Mila Kunis stars as Ani, an ambitious young woman in New York City with a wealthy fiancé. Ani aspires to move from working for glossies to writing with gravitas. But as the movie progresses, revelations into Ani’s past grow progressively darker and the vibe gets more Gone Girl than Gossip Girl. The movie is trending #1 on Netflix after premiering on September 30, but many have taken to social media to call for a trigger warning and a more accurate synopsis, saying that they felt hoodwinked by the thriller’s intensity and violence. Parents should know that Ani relives trauma after trauma on screen throughout the film, and that the plot’s central focus is a high school gang rape.

Web Spotlight:  

What Does SOS Stand For?

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31911/what-does-sos-stand#annotations:v-YTDEl6Ee20gPeFRT_vNA

Test Yourself for Hidden Bias

Psychologists at Harvard, the University of Virginia and the University of Washington created “Project Implicit” to develop Hidden Bias Tests—called Implicit Association Tests, or IATs, in the academic world—to measure unconscious bias.

https://www.learningforjustice.org/professional-development/test-yourself-for-hidden-bias

Random Thoughts . . .  

Dr. Monte Selby hangs out with a World Famous Podcaster.  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-561_Full_Moon.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

October 8, 2022

MSM 560: Under Pressure

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about MAMLE, middle school concepts, micro-credentials, and more. Dave puts us under pressure.

Jokes:  

Why did the skeleton refuse to go to the Halloween dance?

  • Because he had noBODY to dance with.

I asked my friend to spell wonton backward

  • To which he replied: NOT NOW!

If someone wants to call me a passive person…

  • I say let them.

Have you heard the rumor going around about butter?

  • Never mind, I shouldn’t spread it.

Did y’all hear about the cow who weighed a ton??

  • I personally think it’s a whole lot of bull.

Shoes keep your feet safe from injury.

  • That’s their sole purpose.

I met someone special in a Scottish ICU.

  • Alas…..

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Air Pressure

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Science 101 column, written by Matt Bobrowsky.  He wrote a column entitled, “Do You Have a Weather-Related Activity That My Students Would Enjoy?”  

In this column, Matt addressed two topics:  Air Pressure and Barometers.  This leads me to do a two-part podcast series.  This podcast will look at the topic of air pressure and how it can be explained to students and the next podcast will deal with tool that measures air pressure – barometers.  Air pressure is the force exerted by air on any surface in contact with it.

http://k12science.net/air-pressure/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Monte Selby
  • MAMLE
    • Keynote by Mike Muir
    • Breakout Sessions
    • Dr. Monte Selby
      • NMSA 2010
      • Podcast history
  • ACTEM

The Twitterverse  

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA

Who doesn’t love a Pixar Short? Here’s a list of how to use them in your classroom. https://bit.ly/3UMw3Eo via Adventures of Ms. Smith #edchat #learning #teachertwitter

Megan Vosk (she/her)  @megan_vosk

The @AMLE teacher-leader committee has written an article called. “So You’re A Teacher-Leader, Now What?” So proud to be a part of this team with @DrCameli @cmt215il @BioTeach704 @steph_auditore and others. #teacherleaders #middleschool #collaboration

https://t.co/Xp04U8eHhz

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the day is ‘ramfeezled’ (18th century): feeling worn out, used up, and particularly enfeebled.

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

Extending Penmanship Lessons Beyond School – Edutopia 

“I had long suspected that my son struggled with dysgraphia, a learning disability that affects a student’s ability to write. I needed to step in and figure out how to help him. In my research, I noticed a trend toward providing cursive as an alternative to students struggling with handwriting.”  

https://www.edutopia.org/article/extending-penmanship-lessons-beyond-elementary-school?fbclid=IwAR3UYItpA9PpJe4VECoWa3YRKI6h5Q2bxQbfOyCDLf6hP1CFiqj6Qq3Ppj0

Resources:  

Synth Is Shutting Down  

This fall, Synth is shutting down.  Thank you for believing in the power of audio, from podcasting in the classroom to building relationships asynchronously. You’ll still be able to use the service until October 13th.  

https://gosynth.com/

Alternatives suggested by Richard Byrne:  https://www.freetech4teachers.com/search/label/Synth  

  • Vocaroo
  • Online-Voice-Recorder.com  
  • Twisted Wave  

Web Spotlight:  

6 Strategies to Help Neurodiverse Students Fully Engage in Class

1. The first five minutes:

2. Relaxation:

3. Keep it moving:

4. Recognize DOOM boxes:

5. Words matter:

6. Rule of three: 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-strategies-help-neurodiverse-students-fully-engage-class

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-560_Under_Pressure.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

October 1, 2022

MSM 559: I Can Read It, I Just Can’t Write It

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about AI, students writing questions, jokes, the Twitterverse, and more. Dave has some Joyful Science. 

Jokes:

Stephen King

Mountains aren’t just funny, they’re hill areas.


I got banned from /r/CleanJokes for posting, “Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms! Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms! Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms! Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms! Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms! Frosted Flakes! Cheerios! Lucky Charms!”

  • Apparently, I’m a cereal poster

I saw a picture of myself with a border around it that my friend stole and put on his wall.

  • I can’t believe I’ve been framed.

What do you call Iberian Wildcat websites downloaded in Spain?

  • Spanish Links.

Why aren’t koalas actual bears?

  • They don’t meet the koalafications

What’s it called when you apologize using dots and dashes?

  • Remorse code

I studied Culinary Arts at the University of Bologna

  • Strangely enough, I couldn’t manage to sandwich in any time to eat between courses!

I’m allergic to people that aren’t funny.

  • Guess I’m lack-jokes intolerant.

What happens when you leave your boombox outside a library overnight?

  • It becomes a dewy decibel system.

I bought bird seed about a month ago and I think it’s defective.

  • I took it home and immediately planted some. I haven’t grown any birds yet

At first there were only 25 letters in the alphabet.

  • Nobody knew why

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Joyful Science

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Editor’s Note column, written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.  She wrote a column entitled, “Joyful Science.”  

Remember to plan lessons, follow the curriculum, and cover the content, but don’t forget that essential element in the planning — the students.  Create space and time for them to find the joys in learning by figuring things out, debating, assessing data, developing arguments, and solving problems.  Let’s find ways to make learning joyful. 

http://k12science.net/joyful-science/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • AI Text generators
  • AI Image generators
    • ArchiTECHs of Learning:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/architechs-of-learning/id1541761752  
  • iReady
  • StudentQuiz: https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_studentquiz   

The Twitterverse  

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

A reminder that an ‘empleomaniac’ is someone desperate to hold on to power, no matter what the cost.

Word of the day is ‘arsle’: when you have the distinct impression you’re going backwards instead of making progress.  

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

Teachers, it is now the fall season. Be sure to put pumpkin spice in your lessons as well as your coffee!

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA8 

Ways Teachers Can Talk Less & Get Kids Talking More https://bit.ly/3Ek8Tw9 via @Angela_Watson #edchat #k12 #teachertwitter

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Resources:  

Folktale Readers Theater

*Creative Commons Licensed: This website is a repository for CC-BY licensed scripts for readers theater that come from the folktale traditions of the world. These scripts are free for you to copy, adapt, remix, rewrite, and transform based on your own inspiration; my only request is that you credit the source — Laura Gibbs at Scripts.LauraGibbs.net — so that others can find their way here too. 

https://sites.google.com/view/ccreaderstheater/#annotations:-8JEPj2wEe2qqaNEXLLJLw

Additional Resources:

  • Aaron Shepherd’s page:  http://www.aaronshep.com/  
  • The Skit Book:  https://smile.amazon.com/Skit-Book-101-Skits-Kids/dp/0874837855/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AF2IJL9LVDBC&keywords=The+Skit+Book&qid=1664640655&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjY5IiwicXNhIjoiMC45MiIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+skit+book%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1  
  • Social Studies Readers’ Theater:  https://www.amazon.com/Social-Studies-Readers-Theatre-Children/dp/0872878651  

Summarize

Get a summary of any long YouTube video, like a lecture, live event or a government meeting. Powered by GPT-3.

https://www.summarize.tech/#annotations:u9xqoj0kEe25bBfDUgQgWQ

5 Low-Stakes Activities to Help Teens Open Up

https://www.edutopia.org/video/5-low-stakes-activities-help-teens-open#annotations:xR-mNDwpEe2zlEfv0usKYw

Google | Better Searches, Better Results

Click to access Tips_Tricks_17x22.pdf

Quazel

Uses AI to have conversations to learn a language. Pronunciation examples are provided.

https://talk.quazel.com/en-us/chat/try

European Day of Languages:  Languages Take You Further  

https://op.europa.eu/webpub/dgt/languages-take-you-further/en/discover

AXIS The Culture Translator

Meet Your Match

What it is: A NYT op-ed argues for a return to more traditional forms of dating, like courtship, family set-ups, and even paid matchmakers.

Why it’s trending right now: More than a few recently published articles have pointed to dating app fatigue. For some, these apps seem to lead only to heartbreak, rejection, and frustration instead of lasting partnership. Reality TV shows (such as Indian Matchmaking and Married at First Sight) in addition to scripted hits (like Bridgerton) seem to be striking a nerve, reminding people who aren’t married that maybe meeting people in real life has some benefits. This op-ed writer says that set-ups orchestrated by a third-party add an element of accountability that swiping right just can’t replicate. Maybe your teens won’t be running to you for matchmaker money just yet, but it’s possible that the cultural tide will continue to turn back to real-life dating for the next generation.

Web Spotlight:  

Embracing hard questions over reading approaches and phonics

https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/embracing-hard-questions-over-reading-approaches-and-phonics#annotations:Kz9XWDwaEe2qIZ9f94uRwQ

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-559_Read_Not_Write.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

September 24, 2022

MSM 558: I’m The Problem

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about NFT’s in education, kids learning BEFORE they are supposed to, Dot Day, share some resources, and more. Dave has citizen science about Air Quality.

Jokes:  

Did you hear what the salad said to the dressing when their dating got more serious?

  • Lettuce get married

Have I already told the one about deja vu?


I’m going to get rid of my vacuum…

  • It was just gathering dust

How many sodas does a bird have?

  • Tucans!

My friend always introduces himself as Stephan with a P-H

  • That’s because he’s slightly acidic

What’s a pirate’s favorite letter of the alphabet?


What kind of socks does a pirate wear?

  • It just depends on their wealth status. The rich ones wear argyle, but the poor ones usually wear yarn.

What did the police officer say when arresting the mime?

  • You have the right to be silent

Have I already told the one about deja vu?

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Air Quality with CanAirIO

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Citizen Science column, written by Jill Nugent.  She wrote a column entitled, “Getting a Sense of Local Air Quality.”  

CanAirIO is a citizen science project using mobile and static sensors to measure air quality with cell phones and low-cost technology.  They are looking to build a citizen network, an air quality map that will allow them to know what we are breathing and how we can improve life quality.  With the data collected, official air quality numbers can be validated because what can be measured can be improved.  For more information, please visit:

https://canair.io

http://k12science.net/air-quality-with-canairio/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Kids Taking a Quiz BEFORE they are supposed to
  • H5P Presentation
  • Coaching

Eileen Award

  • Eileen

The Twitterverse  

Ms. V. Paris  @vakesia

In celebration of National Dot Day, I read this book to my Advisory class. They really enjoyed it and understood the moral of the story! #TrojansForward

@ACormierRuss@gwschattle281@TeagueMS_AISD@TRod_Math13#iTeachMoreThanMath #iEducate

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

The first episode of my Foreign Words of the Week series with @RosettaStoneUK is up and running, with some favourite untranslatable words from around the world: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pVksEgwE1Jg

. Please do subscribe if you enjoy these as much as I do.

Word of the day is the German ‘Kopfkino’, your ‘mind cinema’: when you play out the dramatic narrative of an (often unpleasant) event in your head.

WeAreTeachers  @WeAreTeachers

It’s been a long week, OK?

AIMS  @aimsnetwork

5 Low-Stakes Activities to Help Teens Open Up – From #sharing common #interests to making #connections through books and music, these engaging exercises provide stepping stones for teachers to build #relationships in the classroom. #AIMSWHOLEChild https://buff.ly/3SakiWy

Carl Azuz @CarlAzuz

To the BEST AUDIENCE IN THE WORLD: Thank you for your posts, your concerns, your messages and your kindness. Here’s what’s been going on:  https://t.co/l1Kat4MPNv  

I promise this wasn’t a plant, that I didn’t plant for this, that it wasn’t my master plant and that it didn’t come from another plantet. But it stemmed from something that grew on me and I couldn’t leaf it alone.  

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

Conversational Comic Strips

https://www.weareteachers.com/conversational-comic-strips/#annotations:IWYMoDqnEe2XFzv2hlAHeQ

What are NFTs, and What Role Can They Play in K–12?

Nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, have mainly gained popularity with digital artists because they can sell unique versions of their work via blockchain, which keeps a public record of ownership. The total value of digital art, audio and other NFT sales this year is likely to eclipse 2021’s $40 billion.

NFTs aren’t in routine use in most K–12 environments today, but some educators are exploring applications for the tokens.

https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/09/what-are-nfts-and-what-role-can-they-play-k-12#annotations:qu26mjqnEe2ILIc_W8Todw

Resources:  

12 Good Places to Find Historical Images to Spark Inquiry

The vast majority of the images that you will find in the collections listed above are public domain or Creative Commons-licensed images. That said, you should always double-check the usage rights before downloading any images from the galleries. 

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2021/08/12-good-places-to-find-historical.html#annotations:YhHb0jjoEe27ad9ZFK32cg

Maze Generator

https://www.mazegenerator.net/#annotations:vZtaxjjvEe2jSQtDwk-vag

Language Arts Graphic Organizers with Google Drawings

Graphic organizers are a powerful tools for language arts. Students can use them to plan an essay, compare and contrast characters, detail the sequence of a story, explore the meanings of a word, and much more.

https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2016/01/language-arts-graphic-organizers.html#annotations:yEvvwDjwEe25Jt__miKbmQ

Open Library

Books in this collection may be borrowed by logged in patrons.  You may read the books online in your browser or, in some cases, download them into Adobe Digital Editions, a free piece of software used for managing loans.

Please note that works in this collection are protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code) and copying, redistribution or sale, whether or not for profit, by the recipient is not permitted unless authorized by the rightsholder or by law.

See FAQs about borrowing books.

Libraries can participate in our Open Libraries program and lend these digital titles to their patrons by filling out our online form.

https://archive.org/details/inlibrary?tab=collection#annotations:DxEHOjoMEe2Qf8uGhXcoyg

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Mappiness Is

What it is: The “Mappiness Project” aimed to aggregate data from volunteers to determine which activities felt the happiest. They concluded that happiness is most often found in natural environments, like on hiking trails.

Character Building

What it is: Notion is a free app that can be used as a productivity tool or a journal. It’s especially popular on #studytok. Some TikTokers have been using Notion templates to hack their personal growth.  

Song of the Week  “Romantic Homicide” by dv4d: climbing 17 spots to #6 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs USA chart, this depressing guitar dirge is about imagining killing a lover, and feeling no pain or regret afterward. The song gives voice to some of the darkest feelings that can come with relationships—feelings of fear, disappointment, and pain. Although it’s unlikely that a song like this would lead to actual homicide, still, listen for it as a sign that your teen might be dealing with profound heartache. For the lyrics, click here; for the music video, click here.  

http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//educators/downloads/Tips_Tricks_85x11.pdf 

Web Spotlight:  

What 4 Atypical Shocks Are Coming in Education?

  • Federal funding will end: Fiscal Cliff (September 2024) 
  • Enrollment is declining 
  • Inflation and labor 
  • Economic slowdown (recession) 

https://www.techlearning.com/news/what-4-atypical-shocks-are-coming-in-education#annotations:usRBQjnjEe2pKCv_NfY25g

12 things you didn’t know about Google Doodles

Every August, Jessica Yu and a carefully selected committee of Googlers from various backgrounds begin the delicate — and joyful — process of choosing which Google Doodles will appear on the Google homepage in the coming year. They begin meeting regularly in the summer and usually wrap up by late October.

https://blog.google/inside-google/doodles/12-fun-facts-google-doodles/

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-558_Problem.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

September 17, 2022

MSM 557:  English Teachers Catch On About Week Ten

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about current events, kids settling in, and more. Dave is dynamically focused on earth. 

Jokes:  

Why do pirates make terrible construction workers

  • Because their timbers are always shivering

Where do pirates get their cannonballs from?

  • Target

How come pirates love to go to birthday parties?

  • For doubloons

What is a pirate’s favorite color?

  • Not sure, but it definitely isn’t red. They hate being marooned.

How much do pirates charge for corn?

  • A buccaneer

Where do pirates go for fast food?

  • Arby’s

Don’t joke about Dolphins.

  • They have no Porpoise.

Are you sweating while putting gas in your car? Feeling sick when paying for it?

  • You’ve got the Carownervirus

How do you get a country girl to be interested?

  • A tractor

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Our Dynamic Earth

I was recently reading the September/October 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the Editor’s Corner, written by Patty McGinnis.  She wrote a column entitled, “The Human Side of Our Dynamic Earth.”  

Unfortunately, an increasing number and severity of natural disasters has been tied to climate change.  While we may not be able to stop natural disasters from occurring, we can educate students about the link between climate change and natural disasters and the necessity of mitigating and adapting to climate change.

http://k12science.net/our-dynamic-earth/

Reports from the Front Lines

  •  Current Events
    • Reuters News
    • Logical Fallacies
  • Books Being Removed

The Twitterverse  

Vikram Madan (OWL & PENGUIN, BBPP:THE FUNNY BOOK)  @artbyvikram

I will be releasing my #OWLandPENGUIN font when the O&P book comes out (Sept 27) along with an activity kit showing kids how to make coloring pages and mini-comics with it. If you have ideas for how kids can use this font, please comment. Made with @calligraphr_com

Lumi  @Lumieducation

You can now choose to show the Reuse/Download-, Embed-, License- or Copy- Button for your #H5P in your shared links. https://app.Lumi.education

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA

Breaking it all down. https://bit.ly/3aS5zvs via  @meagan_e_kelly  #edchat #teachertwitter #learning

 

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the day is ‘dumfungled’ (19th century): wearied, befuddled, and just a little used up.

Word of the day is ‘bethink’ (10th century): to take thought and reflect; to return to oneself for a moment.  

The Curious Iguana  @curiousiguana

The Queue is inspiring fiction. And it’s INCREDIBLE. Read it!  https://t.co/nubZi8hsJc    

And also music:  

https://www.internationaldotday.org/

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

Newspaper Clipping

Also: 

  • Clapper Board
  • Talking flowers
  • Talking cats
  • Ninja text

https://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp#annotations:OtGAtDOwEe2Qq_vJoyxyPQ

Resources:

Tech Tools

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRy4LnkS9Sr0LSCyrD6tp2DY65wLauEHzchBi3sZg1NwAvFvhhTCX9It2ZsBbZcz7SDrbA4qkxMHY6U/pubhtml?gid=506430650&single=true&fbclid=IwAR22mTm2U4IFHnpbR9KCZJyuVO_oCelRF6m-vYBRBuIR3OnWpNg6cNaSgsE#annotations:OcdcWDReEe22yOtSHe67RQ

15 of The Best TED Ed Riddles to Use with Students in Class

https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2016/03/6-of-best-ted-ed-riddles-to-use-with.html#annotations:lxsMaDRbEe2tYxeiWtc9mA

CommonLit

CommonLit 360 is 100% free for teachers and students, forever. As a nonprofit, our goal is to pay so teachers don’t have to. Read more about why and how we’re free here.

To access the free curriculum, all you need is your free CommonLit Digital account. To learn more about what CommonLit 360 offers, check out CommonLit 360’s Curriculum Overview. 

https://www.commonlit.org/en/library?initiatedFrom=library

Biblionasium

https://www.biblionasium.com/#tab/content-fall-picks

Elections Resources

https://electoral-vote.com/

The website gives an analysis of polls for national races.  Nice graphic on the front page to help kids visualize the data.  Hover over the state for the numbers behind the analysis.  

Real Clear Politics:  

     Senate Map:  https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/senate/elections-map-rcp-projection.html  

     House Map:  https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/house/elections-map.html  

     Governors Races:  https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/governor/elections-map-rcp-projection.html  

Web Spotlight:  

Ig Nobel Awards

https://improbable.com/ig/2022-ceremony/

Why Some Teachers Don’t Want to Go ‘Back to Normal’

By Daniel Lempres 

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-09-15-why-some-teachers-don-t-want-to-go-back-to-normal#annotations:7H7VcjXcEe2ePB8_LBLCZA

The middle school boys thought their teacher was a ‘creep.’ So they tracked how he treated the girls.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/09/metro/middle-school-boys-thought-their-teacher-was-creep-so-they-tracked-how-he-treated-girls/#annotations:jP0scDRgEe2UBrczNFRzSg

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-557_English_Teachers.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

September 10, 2022

MSM 556: Rules Quiz and Your Parents

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about shock therapy for the kids, go on several tangents, share ideas and more . Dave has energy literacy for all. 

Jokes:  

Did you hear about the middle schooler was sprayed deodorant into the mouth?

  • Now he talks with a weird axe-scent

My next-door neighbor keeps boasting that his Golden Retriever dog can bring a ball back from nearly half a mile away.

  • Does that seem a bit far-fetched to you..?

Why should you never scream into a colander?

  • You’ll strain your voice

My wife and I laugh at how competitive we are. 

  • But, I laugh more

Yesterday I spotted an albino Dalmatian

  • It was the best I could do for him

What is the most mythical vegetable?

  • A unicorn

I’ve entered our neighborhoods annual tightest hat competition

  • Just hope I can pull it off this year..

I’m changing my username to “Nobody”

  • That way when I post something stupid I can like it and it will say, “Nobody likes this”

I just saw a burglar kick in his own door

  • He must have been working from home

I was going to rent a Bouncy House this weekend, but it is too expensive. 

  • Mainly due to inflation.

I’m not a fan of elevator music.

  • It’s bad on every level.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Energy Literacy

I was recently reading the July/August 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the Editor’s Corner, written by Patty McGinnis.  She wrote a column entitled, “Energy Literacy.”  

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) defines energy literacy as “an understanding of the nature and role of energy in the world and daily lives accompanied by the ability to apply this understanding to answer questions and solve problems.”

http://k12science.net/energy-literacy/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Knowing your Tech
  • Creativity Takes Time

The Twitterverse 

Mark Tait  @marktait78

Artist formerly known as Prince.  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

I wish King Charles III the best in his leadership. All of the history teachers are hoping it goes better than it did for Charles II.

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the morning is ‘thole’ (14th century): tolerance and forbearance, as towards other people’s feelings and points of view.

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

Word of the day is ‘finifugal’ (19th century): regretting the end of something, such as a good book, or the summer.

Chris Hladczuk  @chrishlad

Make how to search Google mandatory in school:

Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW @drlenapearlman

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA

Do you teach Social Studies? Yes?!? Save these 11 YouTube channels created just for you. https://bit.ly/3QmCP08 via A Page Out of History #sschat #teachertwitter #edu

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

36 LESSONS FROM MY 36 YEARS IN EDUCATION | JON BERGMANN

36 Lessons From My 36 Years in Education | Jon Bergmann

FlashCards – Flippity

Turn a Google Spreadsheet into flashcards. Here is a great explainer from Richard Byrne. Flippity allows terms to be read out loud. You can include videos and images.  

https://flippity.net/

Resources:  

Math

Abbott & Costello 7 x 13 = 28

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

Into the Spooniverse

What it is: An online community of young women who live with chronic pain, called “spoonies” drew attention this week for the ways they post about their illnesses online. #Spoonie has 867 million views on TikTok.  

Beast of Burger

What it is: YouTuber Mr. Beast launched the first brick-and-mortar location of his burger joint at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey.

Song of the Week:  

“Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny: still orbiting the top of music charts alongside Bad Bunny’s other major hit “Me Porto Bonito,” this song is about having a lot of girlfriends, and swapping them out whenever he gets bored. Toward the end, Bunny says he wants to fall in love, but can’t, because he’s addicted to the novelty. The song is almost entirely in Spanish, and the title roughly translates to “Auntie asked me,” as in, “Auntie asked me if I have a lot of girlfriends.” For the (Spanish) lyrics, click here; for a video with Spanish and English side-by-side, click here.

Web Spotlight:  

The U.S. diet is deadly. Here are 7 ideas to get Americans eating healthier

the typical American diet is shortening the lives of many Americans. Diet-related deaths outrank deaths from smoking, and about half of U.S. deaths from heart disease – nearly 900 deaths a day – are linked to poor diet. 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/31/1120004717/the-u-s-diet-is-deadly-here-are-7-ideas-to-get-americans-eating-healthier#annotations:hbKv5iuoEe2fBCMf0c94ag

Girls vs. Stereotypes

Challenge prevailing cultural stereotypes and societal barriers that erode girls’ confidence, leadership and potential.

From August 15 – September 15 we will be launching a topic called, “Girls vs. Stereotypes” and calling for photos of real, confident girls that break barriers and promote gender equality.

How we are going to make it last:

In addition to encouraging more diverse submissions, to combat the societal biases that AI perpetuates in Search, Unsplash is making some tweaks to its algorithm by adding diversity tags to the accepted images which will feature more inclusive photos at the top of Search. Because when you change the algorithm, you change people’s perceptions of what girls can and should look like.

https://unsplash.com/blog/girls-vs-stereotypes/#annotations:7RpxgC6xEe2Sv7tq87iXtw

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-556_Parents.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

September 3, 2022

MSM 555: Jennifer Fryzel’s Vocabulary Pyramid

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy are back to talk about the kickoff of the school year. Dave addresses societal issues.

Jokes:  


What’s the most common doctors in Egypt? 

  • Cairo practors. 


The James Webb Space Telescope runs on Linux.

  • You can’t open Windows in space. 

A lovely young couple decided to get married at a library, but couldn’t. Why not?

  • It was all booked up

There are two words that will open a lot of doors for people. 

  • Push and pull

I was going to cook some alligator for dinner. 

  • Then I realized I only had a croc pot. 

Did you hear about the guy who farted in his wallet? 

  • Now he has gas money

What happens in someone slaps you at high frequency?

  • It Hertz

All snakes are snakes on a plane to flat earthers. 


I was wondering why music was coming from my printer. 

  • Apparently, the paper was jamming

When is it ok to drink pop in class?

  • When you’re plotting points on a coordinate grid because you can go 7 over and 7 UP

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Teaching Societal Issues

I was recently reading the July/August 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the Editor’s Corner, written by Ann Haley MacKenzie.  She wrote a column entitles, “Teaching Societal Issues in the Science Classroom.”  

By incorporating societal issues into our classrooms, we provide students a chance to explore topics in depth, instead of simply glossing over the content.  Here are some reasons to include societal issues in science courses:

– These issues justify information included in science courses.

– Societal issues allow students to find science classes relevant to their daily lives.  

– These societal issues enable teachers to evaluate student success at application and synthesis of ideas.

– Infusing societal issues defines the teacher’s role to be “facilitator” and relegates the textbook’s / digital learning platform status to “information sources.”

– These issues may allow for increased scientific understanding of concepts, ased on cognitive theories of learning.

http://k12science.net/teaching-societal-issues/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Frontloading beginning of the year information:  
    • Key dates
    • Locker skills
    • Planners
    • Where to go?  
    • Expectations
  • Jennifer Fryzel’s Vocabulary Pyramid
  • Excited to be back

Eileen Award

  •  Mike Maffesoli  – topic request

The Twitterverse

Susie Dent @susie_dent

Word of the day is a reminder of ‘ipsedixitism’ (18th century): the assertion that something is ‘fact’ based on one person’s opinion.  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

You’re not a real teacher until you’ve played two truths and a lie with people you’ve known for years.

MiddleWeb  @middleweb

Also see  @Question2Think‘s article “Students Learn from Inquiry, Not Interrogation.” https://middleweb.com/34000/students-learn-from-inquiry-not-interrogation/

#teachertwitter #mschat #middleschool

Quote Tweet:

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA

How to Scaffold Skills for Student Discussions https://bit.ly/3C7mWqH via @middleweb #teaching #hacklearning #edutwitter

Image

Kelly Gallagher  @KellyGToGo

As you begin a new school year, you might ask your students this question I learned from

@ernestmorrell: “What does it mean to get better at reading?” Maybe chart their responses.

Paul Allison  @paulallison

On Teachers Teaching Teachers tonight, we’d love to hear how things are going for you–if you have already returned! OR what you are planning for the fall! We’ll also include some thoughts on the Habits of Mind. Hope you can make it at 9E/8C/7M/6P at https://kumospace.com/youthvoices?roomId=naOiMUqtMYrPHTxtBACw&zoneId=TTncxGjimPe6MrIQ13RO  #nwp

Ditch That Textbook  @DitchThatTxtbk

Looking for some ice breakers for those first few days of school? Canva has some fantastic, customizable, ready-to-use activities for you! Get links to these four ice breaker activities along tons of other ideas in our Back to School post https://ditchthattextbook.com/back-to-school  

Tobi Emonts-Holley  @tobi_emonts

Benjamin Franklin’s daily routine is the ‘hack’ everybody’s looking for:

john johnston  @johnjohnston

Examples and more of using H5P that might be useful for #GlowBlog users interested in creating interactive resources @GlowScot  https://kitchen.opened.ca/tasting-tour/ a branching presentation using H5P b  @cogdog

Save Your Sons  @SaveYourSons

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

Back to School – Level 8 of Jumanji?

Back to School – Level 8 of Jumanji?

Resources:  

How to Open a Combination Lock

Click to access HowToOpenCombonationLock_ENG%20.pdf

Combination Lock Tutorial

AXIS:  The Culture Translator

  1. Rainbow Road

What it is: The DEA has warned of brightly-colored pills and powders containing fentanyl that are being sold to young consumers.

Why it’s on the rise: So-called “rainbow fentanyl” has been seized in 18 US states. Drug enforcement authorities believe that these pills are being purposely made to look like candy in order to entice young adults, calling it a “deliberate effort to drive addiction.”   

  1. #shtwt

What it is: Researchers at Rutgers University have compiled a report on how members of the online communities promoting self harm find each other and interact on Twitter. The report contains some images that are disturbing and graphic.

Why it’s important to know about: Over the past year, Twitter posts that mention #shtwt (a hashtag that indicates self-harm Twitter) are up 500%, according to the Rutgers’ findings. 

Save All

Spaced practice. Free for basic accounts. (Subscription removes a 15 minute delay under certain circumstances). 

https://saveall.ai/landing

Make 8 Bit Art

https://make8bitart.com/

LIST OF ARTICLES WITH A CRITICAL VIEW ON OPEN SCIENCE AND/OR THE REPLICATION CRISIS

This is a non-exhuastive, chronological list of over 70 articles that have a somewhat critical view on one or more issues associated with open science, science reform, and/or the replication crisis. 

https://sites.google.com/site/markrubinsocialpsychresearch/replication-crisis/list-of-articles-critical-of-open-science#annotations:4a7ThCiWEe2hmC-kfZohsQ

U.S. History Collection

PBS, you’ll need to pick your local PBS station. Lots of resources organized by eras. 

https://mainepublic.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/us-history-collection/home/#annotations:G8lEfiMPEe2WsAP7-TlcGg

Science Root Words

Science root words

Kapwing

Kapwing Pro is now 100% free for students and educators. Create learning opportunities, edit video projects, and collaborate on digital content all in one place.

https://www.kapwing.com/edu#annotations:9lRpIBsXEe2UKR8kY1R98Q

Web Spotlight:  

H5P On The Web App

Lumi has put their app on the web!  Create an account and then create using H5P tools.  You can still download the app for off-line creation.  You can check out all the tools at http://h5p.org.  

https://app.lumi.education/

All The Presidents Cousins

a Bay Area middle schooler has revealed family ties among some of American history’s most achieved politicans.

BridgeAnne d’Avignon was on a mission to trace her own roots and uncovered evidence that each American president — except for one — has a common, very famous ancestor.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/all-the-presidents-cousins/1883245/#annotations:tSREbCq7Ee2GRuvOUaSlYQ

A Lifetime Of Planting Trees On A Remote River Island: Meet India’s Forest Man

Payeng started planting here in 1979, stirred by a freakish site: dead snakes piled on sand in scorching temperatures, perished for lack of shade or tree cover.

Once considered “crazy” by local inhabitants, Payeng is celebrated today as a conservationist. Sitting in a meadow beside his forest, he credits a botanical scientist for nurturing his fascination for the natural world.

Yet India’s Forest Man has lived a life that most people dare not imagine: rising before dawn, paddling across a river, nearly every day, for almost 40 years to replenish nature.

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/12/26/572421590/hed-take-his-own-life-before-killing-a-tree-meet-india-s-forest-man

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-555_Jennifer_Fryzel.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

August 13, 2022

MSM 554: The Correct Way to Spell GHOUGHPHTHEIGHTTEEAU

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about summer, starting the school year and more. Dave has the formal, informal science connection. 

Jokes:  

What do you call a nun who has made it to heaven?

  • Nun of the above

Which color loves to go boating?

  • OARange

Which color is the loudest?

  • Yellow

What happens when you rearrange two letters in nuclear?

  • It’s unclear

If you are ever attacked by a bunch of clowns, 

  • Go for the juggler

If you are ever chased by a bunch of taxidermists,

  • Do not play dead

Did you know the toothbrush was invented at Ohio State University?

  • Had it been invented anywhere else, it would be called a teethbrush

What’s it called when buy cashews and almonds and then resell them at a profit? 

  • It’s flipping nuts

They told me it was foolish to fill the room with nitrous oxide… Well, who’s laughing now.


Here’s a bit of current humor: 

I just noticed two large bumps on my car battery. 

  • One tested negative, one positive
  • I hope it’s not terminal

The adjective for metal is metallic, but not so for iron. Which is ironic. 



Middle School Science Minute  

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

Bridging the Informal-Formal Science Education Divide

I was recently reading the June 23, 2022 issue of “NSTA Weekly” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the NSTA Blog feature “With, Not For: Why the Distinction Matters” written by Beth Murphy.  

It is important to foster collaboration between organizations and schools, providing professional learning experiences for educators, and implementing program evaluation that supports practitioners to do their best work.  Collaboration provides the opportunity to bridge the informal-formal science education divide.

http://k12science.net/bridging-the-informal-formal-science-education-divide/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Moodle Upgrade
  • Start of the Year PD
  • Starting School
  • New people, new positions, open positions

The Twitterverse

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔  @TCEA

Looking for ways to combine #writing and #social studies? You’ll definitely want to use the BIG LIST of Social Studies journal prompts. https://bit.ly/3Qm68k7 via Thrive in Grade Five #sschat #elemchat #edutwitter #ela

Nikki Wilkinson  @Wilkinson_STEM

Do you implicitly teach your students how to use the features found in #googleslides? Here is a fun Scavenger Hunt for students to explore and learn how to use #slides. #backtoschool #edutwitter https://bit.ly/3vE4jqw

Susie Dent  @susie_dent

A reminder, should you need it, of ‘mubble-fubbles’ (16th century): vague, Sunday-eveningish blues and a slight sense of doom.  Feckful (16th century): powerful, efficient, and vigorous.  Word of the day is ‘mafting’ (18th century): overpowered by stifling heat and an oppressive lack of air.  A reminder, should you be in need of a smile, that eggs were once called ‘cacklefarts’, penguins were known as ‘arse-feet’, umbrellas as ‘bumbershoots’, and sausages as ‘bags of mystery’ because you never quite know what’s in them.

Gina Brown (M.Ed.)  @GinaInTech  

@DitchThatTxtbk has 20 Back To School Templates to share! Check them out! Two clicks and you have a ready-to-go template to use! Not to mention ALL the other resources @jmattmiller has to offer! THANK YOU!  @GCISDigital  @GCISD [https://ditchthattextbook.com/time-saving-templates|

Vic Nixon, Ed.D. @VNixon1988

This may save my fellow educators some money! Pass it on!

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:  

Back to School – Level 8 of Jumanji?

https://www.amle.org/back-to-school-level-8-of-jumanji/

Resources:  

Webinar:  It’s Time for a School Reset  Presenter: Jack Berckemeyer

What a year school year we had last year. Teacher tired is real, our students have forgotten the rigor of school and in some cases our schools need a reset to start the school year off. Jack will be sharing practical ideas on how to create a team and school wide reset process. We need to be able to provide consistencies for students and regain our hallways, classrooms and schools. All must mean all as we enter a new school year.

https://my.amle.org/Events/Calendar-Of-Events/Meeting-Home-Page?meetingid={BC9910E2-7717-ED11-8124-000D3A0DE1A1}  

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Eastern Standard Time

https://my.amle.org/Events/Calendar-of-Events

AXIS – The Culture Translator

The Most Hated Man On The Internet

What it is: A documentary on the rise and fall of Hunter Moore, the “revenge porn king” of the early 2010s, is one of the most watched things on Netflix this week.  

Why it’s attracting so much attention: In 2022, most young people understand that any digital photograph, no matter how private its contents, could end up someplace public.   

“Search It Up”

What it is: Google’s market research reveals that 40 percent of young people use TikTok or Instagram as their search engine, rather than turning to Google itself.  

“Not Gonna Lie”

What it is: The “Not Gonna Lie” app invites anonymous comments from anyone with access to a shared link on social media.  

Why some teens are loving it: “Not Gonna Lie” might as well have been invented for teens spending a lazy summer afternoon at home in the air conditioning.  NGL is supposed to be a safe space where cyberbullying can’t happen; the developers claim that they use advanced AI to filter out insults, suggestive emoji, and bullying statements. But NBC News tested the app and found that the acronym “KYS” (which means “kill yourself”) still made it through its filter, and the app’s own website says that their Community Guidelines are “coming soon.”  

Kapwing

Now free for teachers and students. Video editing and Meme generator. 

https://www.kapwing.com/edu

33 Problems with Media

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/problems-with-media/#annotations:I3l5ZPofEeyag2Oxz_F7wQ  

Numberless Word Problems

https://numberlesswp.com/#annotations:AYttjASpEe2pbwOrqVW1eA

Web Spotlight:  

Make The First Day Count – Video Motivation

The Language Nerds – 17 Ways . . . 

https://thelanguagenerds.com/2022/how-to-tell-someoen-youre-stupid-politely/?fbclid=IwAR2xWnH6IJCyNEr2ZZI30e42xTzxbTN63OG2vOlFiNhdEqSbJy_V22TofSY

Mobile Phone Ban

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-sydney-high-school-banned-mobile-phones-it-had-dramatic-results-20220803-p5b6zf.html#annotations:rkXkZBdsEe25f0sTC35MEQ

15 things

https://www.wordgenius.com/15-things-americans-say-that-other-countries-dont-understand/Xr0yWBPAJQAG8w82

I Voted Sticker Contest

Commissioners Ashley Dittus and John Quigley are pleased to announce the finalists for our 2nd Annual Ulster Votes I Voted Sticker Contest. During the month of July, you have an opportunity to select your favorite “I voted” logo. The winning design will be distributed to voters who participate in the November 8, 2022 General Election across the county. We want to thank all of the students who contributed to this project – there were many amazing and unique designs! We are grateful to everyone that helped shape this project.

https://elections.ulstercountyny.gov/i-voted-sticker-contest/

Longest One Word Sentence

“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.”

https://nowiknow.com/the-longest-one-word-sentence/

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-554_GHOUGHPHTHEIGHTTEEAU.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

July 2, 2022

MSM 553: Much of Life Blocks Much Of Life is Sorting Blocks

Troy / MSM, Podcast /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about summer, reflecting on the past year, tech changes, and more. Dave isn’t working on the Railroad, but has Engineered us some knowledge. 

Jokes:  

I rode the elevator to the eleventh floor and as I got out, the operator said, “Have a good day, son.” I replied, “Don’t call me son! You’re not my dad!” He scratched his head and said…

  • “No, but I brought you up, didn’t I?!”

Why did the Mummy’s bakery fail?

  • He gave everyone the crepes.

What’s the difference between a literalist and a kleptomaniac?

  • A literalist takes things literally. A kleptomaniac takes things, literally.

I went to a farmer’s retirement.

  • The funeral was beautiful.

I got security cameras fitted outside my house.

  • Just to convince people that I have stuff worth stealing.

I want to open a Jamaican/Irish/Spanish small plate breakfast restaurant

And call it “Tapas the Mornin’ to Ja.”


Where does fruit like to vacation?

  • In Pear-is

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Railway Engineer

I was recently reading the May/June 2022 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read the “Career of the Month” column, written by Luba Vangelova.  She wrote an article entitled, “Railway Engineer.”

Railway engineers design and maintain rail systems used by trains of various types, ranging from long-distance cargo trains to metropolitan light-rail and subway trains.  Cassie Gouger is senior director of design within Union Pacific Railroad’s engineering department, in Omaha, Nebraska.  She shares her career highlights, career path, and her advice for students.

http://k12science.net/railway-engineer/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Summer Time
  • Kicking off Year 15
  • Michigan’s Education Budget
    • Special Ed
    • Teacher Retention
    • Security
    • Foundation Allowance
  • PD 

Eileen Award

  • Twitter:  David Knox – Hope the new position is going well!  

The Twitterverse

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Administrators tend to use the teacher who has been in the profession for about 4-6 years as the poster child assistant to push their newest initiative. They’ve been there long enough to know the ropes but are still naive enough to think that they’re doing something important.

Archana  @aakhramka

Replying to  @cretiredroy  

UͶprofessional Development Podcast  @unprocast

I’m about to get to the best part of the lesson PA SYSTEM: PLEASE PARDON THIS INTERUPTION

𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson

Why would someone want to work under my leadership? That is a question I often asked myself. I hope current administrators do too.

Ryan Sheehy  @sheehyrw

Congratulations to everyone in education that started their new position today! Leadership is not easy but can be so powerful! #BeTheOne #HREdu

Ditch That Textbook  @DitchThatTxtbk

The Magic Automatic Lesson Planner with Google Forms http://ditchthattextbook.com/the-magic-automatic-lesson-planner-with-google-forms/

Marvin Olasky  @MarvinOlasky

33 Problems With Media in One Chart  @ZengerHouse  https://visualcapitalist.com/problems-with-media/  via@VisualCap

#mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.  And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” 

Strategies:

When is a number not a number?

https://gradingforgrowth.com/p/when-is-a-number-not-a-number

Classroom Conversations / Curating “Hot-Button” Conversations

By: Matthew R. Kay

This conversation’s success was not due to special personal ability with facilitation, but to my dedication to this three-step process. First, find a good primary source. Second, make sure you pick the right time to incorporate it. Third, push students toward inquiry through prompting. 

https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/curating-hot-button-conversations

Resources:  

10 Quotes Famous People Never Actually Said

You’ve seen it before: that photograph of Gandhi, Marilyn Monroe, or Abraham Lincoln juxtaposed with a pithy saying that seems just like something they’d have come up with. Well, in many cases, those phrases are just a little too good to be true. Read on for 10 cases where the famous saying and its supposed author don’t match up.

https://www.interestingfacts.com/quotes-famous-people-never-said/YqFJPVuKogAHE3xu

Coloring Page Generator

Does what it says. Upload a picture and it turns it into a coloring page. Neat slider feature that reveals the original and the coloring page. 

https://coloring-page.lolo.dev/

Openverse

Now part of WordPress (previously run by Creative Commons). Images and Audio that is Creative Commons or Public Domain. Great spot to start your search, and your students too.

https://wordpress.org/openverse/

Web Spotlight:

5 teacher organization systems that save me time and restored my sanity

Systems that made sense in my apartment for one did not translate well to a space for multiple groups of 28 students each day.

https://truthforteachers.com/5-teacher-organization-systems-that-save-me-time/

American Battlefield Trust – Live at Gettysburg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfsbWIraXIl7a6HKSJINUg

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

https://middleschoolmatters.com/podcasts/MSM-553_Blocks.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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