MSM 534: Teaching All Day Not Enough, We’ve Got a Plan

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy explain last week (the missing Mr. McGirr), what does a “snow day” look like? Dave takes a look at Woodpeckers.  

Jokes:  

There are 10 types of people in this world, those who can read binary and those who can’t. 

I have some dead batteries that I’m getting rid of. They are available free of charge. 

I was going to tell a joke about construction here…

  • But I’m still working on it.

Did you hear about the new cryptocurrency called Decibel?

  • It’s a sound investment

Respect people who wear glasses.

  • They paid money to see you.

I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. 

  • She hugged me.

A coworker named Celcius just retired recently at work, so they hired a guy named Kelvin to replace him.

  • He’s a temp…

I bought a new pair of camouflage pants last week. I’m not sure if it was my best purchase or not. 

  • I can’t find them anywhere.

I have a joke about pizza. It’s kind of cheesy…..

  • But really, it’s all about the delivery.

How many apples grow on trees….

  • All of them

What grades did the pirate get in middle school?

  • High Seas

Eileen Award:  

  • Shannon Lundgren…..

Middle School Science Minute  

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

The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project

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

 In this issue, I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent.  Jill wrote an article entitled “The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project.”

The Woodpecker Cavity Cam Project study site is based at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in Eastern Minnesota.  The research site features the oak savanna habitat and is home to over 100 breeding red-headed woodpecker adults each year.  Researchers have deployed nest cavity cams at this location to study the woodpeckers and life at the cavity nest sites.  For more information, visit:

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/elwest/woodpecker-cavity-cam

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Last week’s Show (i.e. the Missing Mr. McGirr)
  • Moving classrooms
  • Weather-related days

The Twitterverse  

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

Teachers who are required to submit their lesson plans one year ahead of time: it’s important that you also describe when you plan to blink and breathe during instruction. Admin can provide guidance on how to do that more efficiently and thus have more time for teaching.

Teachers, stop complaining about not being able to go to the bathroom in school. If you weren’t so selfish taking time away from your students to eat and drink, you wouldn’t have a problem of taking MORE time away to use the restroom. This is why people complain about teachers.

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

Strategies:  

7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice

To avoid creating a negative classroom culture, which ultimately impedes learning, new teachers, or teachers facing new circumstances in this less than ideal school year, can employ these attention-getters.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-attention-getters-use-instead-raising-your-voice#annotations:E6RM-oQ0EeygN3OhWIgbwQ

Resources:  

Our 2022 Winter Book Review Festival

Our 2022 Winter Book Review Festival

Shawn’s Reading Reference:  

 

A parenting expert shares the 5 toxic mistakes that can make kids more ‘selfish and entitled’

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/11/psychologist-shares-toxic-parenting-mistakes-that-make-kids-more-selfish-and-entitled-in-adulthood.html#annotations:Yn7ptoKfEeyFX6spqUCu1A

Web Spotlight:

What Happens to Your Brain When You Pay Attention

Attention isn’t just about what we focus on — it’s also about what our brains filter out. By investigating patterns in the brain as people try to focus, computational neuroscientist Mehdi Ordikhani-Seyedlar hopes to build computer models that can be used to treat ADHD and help those who have lost the ability to communicate. Hear more about this exciting science in this brief, fascinating talk.

Random Thoughts . . .

Time to make the Ceppalini . . . 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 533: If You Swing a Cursor, You’ll Hit an Assignment . . .

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about Wordle, subs, trying to throw the teacher under the bus, and more. Dave talks about the challenges of science teaching with all that is going on. 

Jokes:  

What happens if a psychic gets amnesia?

  • Do they forget things that haven’t happened yet?

I got a new calendar for this year. Someone ripped out the 5th month. 

  • I’m dismayed. 

Most orchestra’s are just 1800’s cover bands. 

I got fired from the watch factory. 

  • The Boss saw me making faces.

Singing in the shower is fun….until it becomes a soap opera. 

Is it just me or are circles pointless?

Poop jokes aren’t my favorite, but they’re a strong number two. 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Science Teaching Challenges

I was recently reading the January/February 2022 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the “Editor’s Desk” written by Patty McGinnis.   She wrote an article entitled “Science Teaching Challenges.”

The pandemic has been extremely challenging in ways that could never have been anticipated.  How do teachers keep emotionally healthy, given the tremendous stress that they are under?

http://k12science.net/science-teaching-challenges/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • And Here’s The Logs
  • Subs

The Twitterverse  

𝗧𝗖𝗘𝗔 #TCEA22  @TCEA

Social Emotional Art Choice Board _______  @msavasartroom  #teaching #sel #art #edutwitter

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Wordle 219 1/6 

English teachers: If your student’s Wordles don’t look like this on a daily basis, then you don’t belong in this profession.

Obe Hostetter

https://nerdlegame.com (Math version of Wordle). It can be challenging…. An easier math version is   Ooodle https://mathszone.co.uk/resources/grid/ooodle/  #wordle #math #brainteasers

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

Strategies:  

Why Wordle Works, According to Desmos Lesson Developers

  • Failure is expected.
  • Effective feedback.
  • Different routes to the same answer.
  • Your learning results in a product you can share.
  • It’s social.

Something crucial IMO is that you can’t get behind in Wordle. Just like you can’t binge on Wordle games, you can’t develop a backlog of Wordle games either. “I should really catch up on Wordle,” is something no one has said, which may make it feel easier to pick it back up.

https://danmeyer.substack.com/p/why-wordle-works-according-to-desmos#annotations:uKqUEIB1EeybimvsI2kwPw

Resources:  

Wordle Inspired Games

“Wordle has inspired the creation of many other grid-based word and number games. I’m listing some that teachers might like to offer students. If you have a suggestion, please leave it in a comment.”

https://learninginhand.com/blog/wordle-games-for-the-classroom#annotations%3AUXk74H3uEey8t9v4vZ4U9A=

Apple Personal Safety Guide

Interesting and useful tips. 

Click to access personal-safety-user-guide.pdf

Bark

https://www.bark.us/

Web Spotlight:

Fake You

I got mixed results on this. 

https://fakeyou.com/

The Importance of ELL Strategies – Immersion (Moises in Math Class)

Using untrained child actors from public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, “Immersion” plunges its audience into the visceral experience of a child who cannot understand his teacher. The film puts a human face on the debate about the education of English Language Learners.

http://www.immersionfilm.com/ 

Slang of the Week

Unalive myself/yourself: tongue-in-cheek way of talking about dying by suicide; sometimes used as a way to evade cyberbullying filters on social media sites that would block suicide content. (Ex: “There was no way I was going to pass the chem test today but we got three extra days to study so I don’t have to unalive myself just yet.”)

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 532: Testing Waltz . . . The Warm-Up to the Ballet

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about the rest of the school year. Dave addresses safety in Science. 

Jokes:  

What do you call a dancing cow?

  • A milkshake

What do elves learn in school?

  • The elf a bet

What kind of games do kids play if they can’t play video games?

  • Bored games

How come clownfish isn’t a popular dinner item?

  • It tastes funny

If you use UTC time, this year we’ll see:

  • 2/22/22 22:22:22

You don’t need a parachute to go skydiving. 

  • You need a parachute to go skydiving twice. 

I was going to have alligator for dinner. 

  • Then I realized that all I have is a croc pot. 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Seven Teacher Tips to Create a Culture of Science Safety

I was recently reading the October 20, 2021 NSTA Blog, hosted by the National Science Teaching Association.  This blog was entitled, “Creating a Culture of Science Safety: 7 Teacher Tips for This Fall (and Beyond),” written by Mike Marvel.

The seven tips that follow will help ensure safe lab practices year-round while helping educators establish a science culture rooted in safety:

1.  Discuss risks

2.  Conduct research

3.  Never add methanol to a burning flame

4.  Inspect equipment

5.  Use a safety contract

6.  Provide frequent reminders

7.  Build student confidence

http://k12science.net/seven-teacher-tips-to-create-a-culture-of-science-safety/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Getting back to “normal”?
  • Prepping for next year
  • Semester End
  • Getting in your own professional development.  

The Twitterverse  

Andrea @teachbk

I really dislike how meetings about my job keep me from doing my job

Typical EduCelebrity @EduCelebrity

If your car is the last one in the school parking lot, then you’re not a good teacher despite what you think. Good teachers don’t have cars because they live their whole adult life in the classroom. While you’re going home, they’re already at home! Stop flattering yourself.

Mike @mikekaechele

How evaluations make me a worse teacher. http://michaelkaechele.com/how-evaluations-make-me-a-worse-teacher/

#sel  https://t.co/FWDET1uTkR  

Peggy George  @pgeorge

Paper Bobsled: STE(A)M Olympics-Related Lesson https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2022/01/18/paper-bobsled-steam-olympics-related-lesson/ via  @jackiegerstein

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

Strategies:  

Breaking the Plane

All of sudden, Doug Lemov’s phrase, “Breaking The Plane,” came to me. It’s the catchy term he uses to describe the age-old teacher move of not staying in front of the class and, instead, moving around the room(you can read his piece, What is ‘Breaking the Plane’?, which is on The Best Posts On Classroom Management list).

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2022/01/20/a-look-back-remembering-breaking-the-plane-solved-my-classroom-problems-this-week/

All You Need to Select and Use Mentor Texts

All You Need to Select and Use Mentor Texts

Resources:  

Inside the Mind of A Master Procrastinator

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn’t make sense, but he’s never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window — and encourages us to think harder about what we’re really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

Slang of the Week (from Axis, The Culture Translator) 

Iykyk: “If you know, you know,” referring to a niche interest or an inside joke. (Ex: “We always order our burgers animal style. Iykyk.”)

Web Spotlight:

PROOF POINTS: Combining remote and in-person learning led to chaos, study finds

PROOF POINTS: Combining remote and in-person learning led to chaos, study finds

Color Palette

https://coolors.co/

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 530: I’ve Been To China, No TikTok for Me

/ , /

Summary:

Troy and Shawn talk about coffee, how to help students study, and much more. Dave goes all nuclear with RadioChemists. 

Jokes:  

Remember when air was free at the Gas station. It now costs $1.50. Know why?

  • Inflation

My friend got thrown out of a park for arranging the squirrels by height. 

  • Turns out they didn’t like “critter sizing”

Falcons live 12-15 years. This means that all falcons were born in the 21st Century. Which in turn means that all Falcons are…..

  • Millennial Falcons

The Doctor wasn’t sure if I had poison ivy or shingles, so I asked her to make a rash decision. 

They’ve invented a thought-controlled air freshener. It makes scents if you think about it. 

What do you call Santa when he’s poor? 

  • Saint Nickel-less

What fruit is impossible to eat just one of?

  • A pear

My Bluetooth speaker wasn’t working. I got frustrated and threw it in the lake. 

  • It’s syncing now…

A truck carrying Vicks vapor rub overturned on the highway. Fortunately, no one was hurt. 

  • Amazingly there was no congestion for hours.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

RadioChemists

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the section, “Career of the Month” which featured an article on Radiochemistry.  It was written by Luba Vangelova. 

Radiochemists study radiation from an atomic and molecular perspective and find ways to harness the power of radioactive chemical reactions.  The radiochemist featured is Catherine Riddle, senior research scientist, at the Idaho National Laboratory.

http://k12science.net/radiochemist/

Reports from the Front Lines

The Twitterverse  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Hackers: We have taken control of your gradebooks, lesson objectives, and Zoom codes. If you pay us a ransom in Bitcoin, we will give you access back. 

Teachers: Keep it. It’s all yours.  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Stop saying that the vaccine has not been tested enough. If it had any more testing, it would be a state assessment.  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Admin: Don’t give busy work to students. 

Also Admin: Submit lesson plans, attendance logs, parent phone call records, 3 copies of your grade book, two truths and a lie, 3 suggestions we’ll ignore, and all PLC meeting summaries. Don’t do this during your 4 assigned office hours.

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

If your school’s arranging your vaccine, expect an inservice first: Icebreaker: If you could be a side effect, which one? Presentation: Mindful Antibodies; Rigorous Immunity Activity: Post a selfie with your vaccine card. Stick a Post-It on a colleague’s pic that you like.  

Hart Wilson @riverside_hart

This was so fun, let’s see how you like my Assignment FAQs! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gJ5wrUAXJKeODgbODxDi53QU9woVSsx6nnCCjCxF1aY/preview

#moodle@moodlefairy@Barefootbreeze@photuris5@MisterHazen@VertalerJoost

All of our documentation here https://inside.sou.edu/catl/moodle-how-tos.html by the way. 

Hart Wilson @riverside_hart

Calling all Moodlers! I’ve assembled a list of my favorite hacks for Moodling (also known as the lazy woman’s guide to Moodle!). I’d love to hear what you think and what I’ve left out. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uSysWcOLny6PWw4WAnRZVroURQRhTp3AphNnuyiEDDg/edit?usp=sharing   #Moodle @moodlefairy @Barefootbreeze @photuris5 @MisterHazen

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

Strategies:  

Retrieval as Communication

Probably the question I’m asked most is, How should I study for my exams? which is a fantastic question to ask.

Retrieval as Communication

Resources:  

Parents’ Ultimate Guide to TikTok

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok#annotations:3fmOTmGcEeyOODd7UxywJg

10 Most Significant Education Studies

It was a year of unprecedented hardship for teachers and school leaders. We pored through hundreds of studies to see if we could follow the trail of exactly what happened: The research revealed a complex portrait of a grueling year during which persistent issues of burnout and mental and physical health impacted millions of educators. Meanwhile, many of the old debates continued: Does paper beat digital? Is project-based learning as effective as direct instruction? How do you define what a “good” school is?

https://www.edutopia.org/article/10-most-significant-education-studies-2021#annotations:VWV6FmAvEeyVEy_LEqn7tA

The Culture Translator’s Top Trends of 2021

  • The Great Resignation/#Antiwork
  • Manifesting/Shifting
  • Climate Change Anxiety
  • Squid Game
  • Vaccine Mandates
  • Mental Health Crisis
  • Metaverse

Web Spotlight:

52 things I learned in 2021

View at Medium.com

45 Creative Tricks That Are Used To Film TV Commercials

45 Creative Tricks That Are Used To Film TV Commercials

Non-Newtonian Fluid Dubstep

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 529: They’re Decorating the Hall, But We’re Decorating Our Brains!

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk real-world connections, books, vacation plans, teaching strategies and more. Dave goes Graphic (Novels that is). 

Jokes:  

You’ve heard of Elf on a Shelf? How about?

Cosine on a bovine

COwSine?

Prime on a lime

Goose on a Moose

Here’s a fun fact: 

  • Nothing starts with N and ends with G

My friend was at a local bar & grill when a woman at a table a few feet away from me sneezed and her glass eye came out and he caught it.  He handed it back to her and she popped it in and said thank you. She was a beautiful woman. Gorgeous face stunning body and a beautiful smile to boot. The woman of his dreams, right in front of him. A few moments pass by and she comes up to him and asks for his number and he looked around the room. Surely she must’ve been mistaken. He said “ who me?!!!?” She said “yes of course you. I don’t usually do this kind of thing but you just sort of caught my eye.”

I went out to dinner the other night. I had reservations…

  • But I went anyway

I’m working on a new skill

  • I’m levitating birds

If you melt dry ice, can you take a bath without getting wet?

You know what they say about cliffhangers….

Middle School Science Minute  

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

K12Science Podcast:  Graphic Novels

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “The Science Teacher” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read an article entitled “Picture This! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class” written by Rachelle Haroldson.  

The popularity of graphic novels is not surprising.  They are colorful and engaging, marrying text to images, with diverse characters doing everything from struggling with their tennis game to solving engineering problems to battling villains from the Multiverse.

http://k12science.net/graphic-novels/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Vacation Time
    • MAMSE Conference Presentation
  • The Christmas Season
  • TikTok Challenge

The Twitterverse  

John R. Sowash  @jrsowash

Here is a list of my favorite Chrome Apps and Extensions for K-12 classroom! #techTools #Chromebook #ChromebookEDU http://bit.ly/2Eq6cir

EL Magazine  @ELmagazine

“Decades of research [reveal] how educators can support & teach key skills like self-regulation. Nowhere in the literature do researchers recommend that we shame children into being compliant.” @leeannjung @domsmithRP  Tear Down Your Behavior Chart! http://bit.ly/3nHZhFU

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity 

If we want students to stop using TikTok, then teachers need to start using it. It will no longer be cool for them.  

AIMS

@aimsnetwork

Proposals Open December 6, 2021 – January 2nd 2022 Calling all Exploratory Teachers! What can you #share to help #transform another exploratory #classroom or school? https://buff.ly/3oAlINH

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

Strategies:  

Pretesting

We investigated the relative efficacy of pretesting (i.e., errorful generation) and posttesting (i.e., retrieval practice), two of the most prominent practice test types in the literature to date. Pretesting involves taking tests before to-be-learned information is studied, whereas posttesting involves taking tests after information is studied.

https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxap0000345

https://www.thoughtco.com/importance-and-uses-of-pretests-7674

Resources:  

The Birthday Problem

The Birthday Problem

Common Language (Other than English or Spanish)

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VC_US_CommonLanguagesV9.jpg

The Most Commonly Spoken Language in Every U.S. State (Besides English and Spanish)

Slang of the Week

Yassification: Applying several layers of something that should be good to glam up or make something sound/appear better, even though the result ends up being something cringey or contrived. (Ex: That selfie she thought looked good got completely yassified with all the FaceTune she used.)

Web Spotlight:  

Something to Carry You Into The Break

Seraphic Fire’s rendition of “Goodnight Dear Heart”

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 528: Take Your Victories Where You Can…like Maybe British Columbia

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy discuss what is going on. They discuss self-assessment, field trips, and more. Dave discusses language in science.

Jokes:  

Have you tried blindfolded archery?

  • You really don’t know what you are missing.

What bigger than a tuna?

  • A threena

What rock group has four guys who don’t sing?

  • Mount Rushmore

I dreamed someone broke into my apartment and stole all my stuff. Then replaced it with exact replicas.

I asked my roommate does something seem different to you this morning?

He said, “Do I know you?”

How do cats make coffee?

  • In a purrcolator

I had to stop going to the chiropractor. 

  • He kept trying to manipulate me. 

How do you tell when you are out of invisible ink? 

My friend is dating a guy who is crossed-eyed. I don’t think that it’s going to work out. 

  • They just don’t see eye to eye.

How much does Santa pay to park?

  • Nothing, it’s on the house. 

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Theory, Law, and Hypothesis

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

In this issue, I read an article entitled “Why Do Certain Terms in the Language of Science Cause So Much Confusion?” written by Matt Bobrowski.  

Language in the science classroom includes both technical/scientific terms and non-scientific words.  Some problematic words include theory, law, and hypothesis.

http://k12science.net/theory-law-and-hypothesis/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Take Your Victories Where you can
  • Teacher talk
  • Self-Assessment journey
  • Tech to Curriculum
  • Future Field Trips

The Twitterverse  

AMLE  @AMLE

Need some stocking stuffers for the middle school educators in your life? Shop the AMLE store by Dec 17 & receive 20% off your purchase, including The Successful Middle School: This We Believe and pre-orders of our newest titles. All orders also include a free AMLE tote bag.  https://twitter.com/AMLE/status/1469381492052791296/photo/1  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

We’ve reached the point of the school year where teachers look to long-term weather forecasts desperately looking for a potential snow day.

Jack Berckemeyer  @JBerckemeyer

Parents – you are not helping your child when they get in trouble at school and you respond by saying next time don’t get caught. Time to support schools, teachers and your child. Ownership of responsibility is critical to the success of a child.

Connor Ewing  @ConnorMEwing

Students Don’t Read Syllabi, Exhibit 58623

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

Strategies:  

Resources:  

THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HOW WE LOOK AT CAR CRASHES & HOW WE LOOK AT SCHOOLS

“…human error is described as the reason for 94% of crashes – it’s called “the critical reason.”  But, as the article goes on to explain, the real cause of most crashes are systemic issues like road an vehicle design.”

 “the idea that human error causes nearly all crashes is a useful talking point.”

Schools, and their teachers, are held by many in the public to be primarily responsible for student success or failure, even though research has constantly found outside factors, including institutional socio/economic ones like racism, have been found to be the primary influencers of academic achievement 

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2021/11/30/the-similarities-between-how-we-look-at-car-crashes-how-we-look-at-schools/#annotations:Zz1W-lUcEeymmO9pDHlKNg 

Ways to Say No – Elge Slienotiene of LKPA  

Web Spotlight:  

Where Do We Find The Time? – AMLE

“Many schools aren’t designed for teaching. Most are designed to protect the status quo, emphasizing curriculum’s traverse and compliance more than solid student learning that lasts. Entering our third decade of the 21st century, we know this entrenched cattle call from class to class limits student learning. We know we can do better.”

Where Do We Find the Time to Do All This Stuff?

Immigrants Day

December 18th

A broad range of factors continue to determine the movement of people. They are either voluntary or forced movements as a result of the increased magnitude and frequency of disasters, economic challenges and extreme poverty or conflict. Approximately 281 million people were international migrants in 2020, representing 3.6 per cent of the global population.

All these will significantly affect the characteristics and scale of migration in the future and determine the strategies and policies countries must develop in order to harness the potential of migration while ensuring the fundamental human rights of migrants are protected.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/migrants-day

AXIS – The Culture 

State of Emergency

What it is: The US surgeon general issued an advisory this week, warning of a massive mental health crisis amongst young people, including an increase in suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety.

Slang of the Week:  

“This would have been my thirteenth reason.”: A phrase used mostly on social media as an irreverent nod to the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why; indicates that something is so dumb or offensive that it’s enough to push someone into a mental health abyss.  

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 527: Squid Games . . .We Got You Mr. McGirr

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy start with a long discussion of online learning and lots of real-world experiences. Dave is going to Touch, Talk, and Text Science. 

Jokes:  

The invention of the shovel was groundbreaking.

But it was the invention of numbers that really counted.

I’ll be if Big Ben in London ever stops working, crews would be working around the clock to fix it. 

How do stars prepare for a party?

  • They planet

How does Moses make his coffee?

  • He brews it

What sound does a piano make when thrown down a coal mine?

  • A Flat Minor

Why does Snoop Dogg carry an Umbrella?

  • Fo’Drizzle

A guy walks into a restaurant, but doesn’t know what to get. He tells the server, “I’m not very hungry, I just want something easy.”

The server says “maybe the chicken strips for $6?”

The guys answers, “maybe he does, but that doesn’t help with my hunger”. 

A Random Dad from across the restaurant yells: “Good One!”

I got a new car the other day. I couldn’t figure out my seatbelt. 

  • Then it clicked. 

How do you turn soup into gold? 

  • Add 24 carrots

The inventor of the Ferris Wheel never met the inventor of the Merry-Go-Round.

  • They traveled in different circles.

I’m thinking of getting into the crane business.

  • I hear it’s really booming

There’s a large oil company that is announcing that they are going to produce fuel from insect urine. 

  • I think it’s BP

What do you get when you mix a joke with a rhetorical question?

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Touch, Talk, Text

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read an article entitled “Touch, Talk, Text” written by Sarah J. Carrier, Jill F. Grifenhagen, and Danielle Scharen.  They wrote an article entitled “Touch, Talk, Text.”

Traditional approaches to science instruction often include reading science text, some hands-on science experiences, and teaching science language in isolation.  They propose instead that teachers integrate touch, talk, and text in their science instruction to support authentic scientific inquiry and disciplinary literacy for students.

http://k12science.net/touch-talk-text/

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Writing letters to other students (like maybe in China)

The Twitterverse  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

School Leaders, it’s unfair to ask teachers to buy their own classroom supplies. Instead, have the PTO start a grant program where money is given to teachers for these expenses. Solicit donations to this fund from teachers since they are benefiting from this after all. #edchat

Brian Briggs (he/him/his)  @bribriggs

For day 4 of the #createwithchrome Advent of Activities, the great @mrshowell24shares a THIS OR THAT Holiday Edition! Check it out! https://bit.ly/2021chromeadve

Brad Dale  @bradjdale

New features on your Chromebook Dec 1, 2021 Create a video, scan a doc, and a QR reader. https://timetotalktech.com/2021/12/new-fe

Vince DiGrandi  @Principal_MrD

This Decade-Long Experiment In Teacher Evaluation Is An Unsurprising Failure

https://t.co/PsziIkfOwa

Alan Stein, Jr.  @AlanSteinJr

THIS is culture…

Image

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

Strategies:  

15 Second Video Vocab Challenge

To see what we mean, check out this compilation of 60 winning vocabulary videos. In less time than it takes to watch a sitcom episode, you can practice words you might already know, like distill and nocturnal, and learn some new ones — how about obsequious, callow and peregrination?

Reading Strategies

Background knowledge and strategy instruction were associated with significantly larger effects…

Interventions that included instructional enhancements (graphic organizers and technology) demonstrated significantly lower effects (g =.45) than those that built background knowledge or focused on comprehension strategies.

https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2021/12/03/new-study-examines-what-helps-students-most-with-reading-comprehension/

Resources:  

Mouse.org

Want to change a website? (*Or, know that this is possible, kids do.) 

https://x-ray-goggles.mouse.org/

Richard Byrne has a nice example: 

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2021/12/view-whats-behind-website-with-mouse-x.html

Spinner Wheel

You can enter your own options. Can be used to provide differentiation options for kids. 

​​https://spinnerwheel.com/ 

AMLE Playbook Challenge!  

“The middle grades are a pivotal time in students’ development, as they begin to form their identity and envision the future. Career exploration is a cornerstone of this process and is associated with both positive educational and employment outcomes, keeps students engaged in school, and helps them develop a better sense of self. That’s why ASA and AMLE have teamed up to create Career Exploration in the Middle Grades: A Playbook for Educators that offers a roadmap that ANY school can use to create an impactful program for their students.”  Video:  https://youtu.be/P1hz-_DS2Oo  

Playbook Challenge

Web Spotlight:  

Ubuntu

AXIS – The Culture Translator

Squid Game Sponcon

What it is: YouTuber Mr. Beast released a real-life, blood-free version of the runaway hit show Squid Game. The slickly produced video was sponsored to the tune of $3.5 million by a mobile game called Brawl Stars.

Unreal Estate

What it is: Speaking of screens, your Gen Zer’s first home may only exist in virtual reality. There’s a real estate boom in the metaverse, er, metaverses, and developers are snapping up virtual properties (and yachts) for millions of dollars.

YikYak Is Back

What it is: The controversial anonymous gossip app YikYak returned to the internet this week, promising to behave itself better than last time.

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 526: But It Says, “Pro” . . .

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy talk about tablets, a few ratholes, add-ons, and more. Dave has the Language of science. 

Jokes:  

What if your Dad was a minotaur, and your Mom was a Mermaid. 

  • And you got human half from each and are just some guy. 

Albert Einstein’s little brother Frank was some monster. 

My friend Joe just went on the Dolly Parton diet. 

  • *Shawn- “How did that work out?”
  • It made Joe Lean, Joe Lean, Joe Lean

I have a friend who considers herself the Robin Hood of Memes. 

  • Stealing from one group to feed another

Just a thought, there are more airplanes underwater than there are submarines in the air. 

How much does a roof cost? 

I bought a can of evaporated milk. When I opened the can, it was empty. 

I have a friend who is great at selling home security systems. If they aren’t home, he just leaves a brochure on their kitchen table.

What has four letters, occasionally has twelve letters, always has six letters, but never has five letters.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

The Language of Science

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “Science & Children” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  

 In this issue, I read the section “Editor’s Note” written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.  Elizabeth wrote an article entitled “The Language of Science.”

 The language of science is much more than just knowing technical or content-specific words or phrases. Understanding science requires the development of an academically social language. Students need opportunities to see how language can be used to describe, represent, question, refute, and reach a consensus when learning to make sense of the natural world.

http://k12science.net/the-language-of-science/

Reports from the Front Lines

The Twitterverse  

Elizabeth Curtis  @Eli2003_10

Differentiating for English Learners posters have been placed in every EL classroom and every teachers lounge in our district. Can’t wait to see how our Gen Ed teachers will use these strategies! QR code on the poster provide a TON of resources! @PLSD @PlsdSupt @AlesiaGillison

John R. Sowash @jrsowash

Do you accessorize Google Drive with add-ons? What are your favorites? Here are some of mine: https://bit.ly/3sdKYIe

WORLD Radio @TWERadio

Listen to Sarah Schweinsberg take us with her on a tour of #Plymouth, #Massachusetts to discover what life in the #colony was really like. #Thanksgiving  https://wng.org/podcasts/a-walk-through-plymouth-1637816933  

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

ONLY $39 for Premium AliceKeeler membership Black Friday Special Save 84% on premium membership! Only $39 for the rest of the school year! https://sowl.co/s/roFay

Chris Quinn  @ChrisQuinn64

Our children are great observers and learners! What we model matters! #Friday #edutwitter #teaching #leadership #parenting

AppleInsider  @appleinsider

Apple AR headset to feature M1 Mac levels of processing power, says analyst

https://t.co/27jYu49hwV?amp=1

Gratitude HQ  @gratefuledu64

Simple actions that can make a big difference in your life… #FridayFeeling #selfcare #mentalhealth #grateful  

John R. Sowash  @jrsowash

Annotate Meet is a free Chrome extension by  @MathDenisNJ

that will allow you to draw on your screen while presenting through #GoogleMeet. A great tool for quick demonstrations or impromptu lessons! Install link: https://bit.ly/3hZtKL0 #edTech #remotelearning #ChromebookEDU

Stephanie Howell  @mrshowell24

Love this upgraded version of Tearable slides for history! Thanks

@scottmpetri #edtech #ditchbook #tlap #ETCoaches #hacklearning #GSuiteEdu #GoogleEDU #celebratED #cuechat #k12artchat #masterychat #edchat #LeadLAP #eduprotocols #ShareStuffSunday #googlei #educoach

Ian Jukes  @ijukes

The noise is coming from HERE

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

Resources:  

H5P.org Gamification

H5P is working on a way to gamify the content you create.  “The Chase” turns your H5P activities into a game students can compete in.  With the popularity of Quizziz and Blooket, this should be a nice open source addition to the stable.  https://h5p.org/june-2021-roadmap-update  

Web Spotlight:  

PianoTV  

What are you passionate about?  Well, she’s passionate about pianos.  And TV.  You might be too.  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz0PmHG0RvQHazlEsFU-4uQ

Unfiltered: Teens get real about the fake lives lived on social media

*Warning: Explicit Language

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/unfiltered-teens-social-media-1.6250963#annotations:MZPcBkumEey4_98Rqte24w

Random Thoughts . . .  

Food you need to try:  Cepelinai

https://www.linoslithuanianfood.com/product-page/cepelinai

 

Michigan Marching Band – Pregame Show 11-27-2021  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=596257688277652&notif_id=1638031774995373&notif_t=live_video

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 525: Put the Kids in Rows and See How it Goes

/ , /

Summary:

Shawn and Troy discuss kids “scamming” Mr. McGirr and looking to self-assessment. Dave shares Nature’s Notebook. 

Jokes:  

What do you wear to a Thanksgiving dinner?

  • A Har-vest

What’s a pumpkin’s favorite sport?

  • Squash

I saw a dwarf climbing down a prison wall.

  • I thought, “that’s a little condescending” 

Did you know that Raymond Burr had a brother? 

  • He was a lumberjack. His name was Tim. 

Life is like a helicopter.

  • I don’t know how to operate a helicopter

Hey, I got a new electric car.

  • Now I need a “current” driver’s license
  • When I park, I have to park in parallel

There’s no training to be a trash collector.

  • You just pick it up as you go along

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Nature’s Notebook

http://k12science.net/natures-notebook/

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the section “Citizen Science” written by Jill Nugent.  Jill wrote an article entitled “Taking the Pulse of Our Planet with Nature’s Notebook.”

Nature’s Notebook, a project of the USA National Phenology Network, invites participants to help scientists “take the pulse of our planet.”  With Nature’s Notebook, your students will have the opportunity to observe, document, and share seasonal changes in your geographic area.  For more information, please visit:

https://usanpn.org/natures_notebook

Reports from the Front Lines

The Twitterverse  

Alex Shevrin Venet  @AlexSVenet

Middle grades teachers! I’m excited to be giving a keynote at the FREE Middle Grades Collaborative conference on January 29. Deets and registration: https://middlegradescollaborative.org/conference/  

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

6 Chrome Extensions for Teachers https://alicekeeler.com/2021/11/07/6-c  

Slava Bobrov  @slava__bobrov

Two neurons sensing each other. And trying to connect: #neuroscience  https://twitter.com/i/status/1459398961404518402  

Jcorippo  @jcorippo

Gentle reminder for all of us right now. #eduprotocols  

Typical EduCelebrity   @EduCelebrity

Good administrators allow their staff to wear jeans on Fridays. Elite administrators allow their staff to wear sweatpants.  

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

Strategies:  

The Greatest Enemy of Creativity In Schools Isn’t Testing, It’s Time

“Creativity is one of those ineffable skills that’s important—especially for jobs of the future—but hard to pin down. We know when we feel creative, and we know what creative work looks like. Measuring and assessing such work in a way that keeps kids inspired is another matter,”  

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-12-18-the-greatest-enemy-of-creativity-in-schools-isn-t-testing-it-s-time/

Resources:  

Slinky Drop

https://www.gifbin.com/bin/092011/1317143770_slinky_dropped_in_slowmotion.gif

6 Toilets From History, and What They Taught Us

Across the world, and throughout history, different peoples have developed different ways to deal with their own waste. And while they didn’t always nail the design, their efforts to keep themselves safe have led to the thrones and sanitation systems we know and love today.

Web Spotlight:  

Living in the Coldest Place on Earth

https://www.wired.com/2015/01/amos-chapple-the-coldest-place-on-earth/

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

MSM 524: The Teachers Are Just Like the Students

/ , /

Summary:


Professional Development for staff, a few ratholes, and how teachers can continue to grow. Hey, Dave has PD tips too. 

Jokes: 

What do you call a guy standing in a hole? 

  • Phil
May be an image of text that says 'FEBRUARY 22, 2022 [2/22/22) 22] FALLS ON A TUESDAY, SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO CALL IT 2'S DAY. "I KNOW, I'M A DORK, BUT I'M EXCITED-ABOUT THIS!" FUNNY THOUGHTS AND JOKES'
May be an image of one or more people and text that says '"I can't end my messages with 'Love, Shaq', because the B-52s ruined that for me" Shaquille O'Neal'

I have a new pen that writes underwater. It’s amazing. It writes other words as well. 

How do you get down off an elephant?

  • You don’t. You get down off a duck.

Did you know the first french fry wasn’t cooked in France?

  • It was cooked in Greece

I fear that Elon Musk is going to get into a scandal. It would last for, like, ever.

  • Elongate

I finished writing my book on penguins. 

  • In hindsight, it would’ve been easier to use paper.

I had a happy childhood. My Dad used to roll me down hills in tires. 

  • Those were Goodyears

I called Siri “Alexa”. Now neither one will talk to me. 

My friend has a new boyfriend. However, he’s in another nation. 

  • Imagination

A farmer caught his cow smoking weed. 

  • The steaks have never been higher

Why should you keep a knife in the freezer?

  • For making cold cuts

Hey, did you know that Bruce Lee had a brother? That brother was a vegetarian. 

  • Broco Lee

Middle School Science Minute  

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

The Importance of Professional Development

I was recently reading the November/December 2021 issue of “Science Scope” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association.  In this issue, I read the section “From the Editor’s Desk” written by Patti McGinnis.  Patti wrote an article entitled “The Importance of Professional Development.”

Professional Development is best conducted via opportunities to learn in the workplace through Professional Learning Communities, instructional coaching, or any vehicle that focuses on improving student achievement through teacher practices.

http://k12science.net/the-importance-of-professional-development/ 

Reports from the Front Lines

  • Quality Professional Development 
    • Coaching
    • Self-selected

The Twitterverse  

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

Good administrators allow their staff to wear jeans on Fridays. Elite administrators allow their staff to wear sweatpants.

Sam  @SamIAm2021MD

I am blown away by this COVID vaccine video, one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time

Rick Wormeli@rickwormeli2

Middle School Educators: This is one of the best books to maintain middle school focus this year and in the years ahead – Take a look! @AMLE @DruTomlin4Edu @blocht574 The Successful Middle School This We Believe promotional video with Rick… https://youtu.be/TQZTwE6QqJw via @YouTube  

𝐓𝐂𝐄𝐀@TCEA

8 Ways to Scaffold #Writing for English Learners https://bit.ly/3H5Yzd2   @ValentinaESL

#ell #mllchat #learning #langchat #teachertwitter #readingwritingELs #EB

Moodle Users Association  @moodleassoc

Replying to  @VertalerJoost

Hi Joost, yes all our Town Halls are recorded and available for members to view at their own time and pace. You will find them here: https://bit.ly/3lxtiao

Dr. Bryan Pearlman, EdD, LMSW – #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal

Stress Response In Kids… Fight, Flight, Freeze… #maslowbeforebloom

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

“We are always demanding teachers to innovate and create. We want them to use tech to make all the units. But teachers need time.” –  @maprats

Justin McMillan  @justinwmcmillan

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

Strategies:  

Student Self-Assessment

https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=428873

Resources:  

Open ClipArt

Since 2004, Now with 168094 clipart.

In the Open Clipart collection, all graphics are stored using the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format. Major standard supported all across the web, SVG files are very portable and can easily be scaled, edited or printed without deformation.

” All of Openclipart’s content is public domain due to expired copyright, failing to reach the threshold of originality, or being deeded into the public domain to the greatest legal extent possible by its owners.

https://openclipart.org/#annotations:gQp1DD9mEeyg5oOcAXkM3A

SMART – Servier Medical ART

3000- Free medical images to illustrate your publications and Powerpoint presentations

https://smart.servier.com/#annotations:a8jOokFxEeykE_d5oqZQKg

Web Spotlight:  

16 Powerful Little Known Facts to Help Manage Your Life

https://charliestephen6.medium.com/16-powerful-little-known-facts-to-help-manage-your-life-821fe4006120#annotations:GfF3MEHDEey1GYuLjOFFyw

Slang of the Week

Bugman:  A man who loves being part of consumer culture, loves buying the newest technology, and doesn’t appear to be ashamed of the part they play in the collective “hive-mind”  (hence:  he is a bug man).  Example:  Is Mark Zuckerberg a person, a robot, or the king of the Bugmen?  

Estonian Poet Marie Under – Six Poems

Who was Marie Under and why is she so important for Estonians? Like many Estonian cultural greats of the turbulent 20th century, who lived during the oppressive Soviet occupation, her story is full both of joy and sadness.

https://estonianworld.com/culture/six-poems-estonian-poet-marie/?fbclid=IwAR1ShKLhQztl3D907c4y4kv_QKoOi3k4IL0F4DdjsvVH4ZQsWmiups6BoBo

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site   

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

«< 2 3 4 5 6 >»