Jokes:

Don’t be mad at lazy people. 

• They didn’t do anything

Are people born with a photographic memory?

• Or does it take time to develop?

We can’t allow this year to end. 

• That would be admitting 2021

We’re thinking of getting a new dog. We’re naming it Family or 10 miles. 

• That way when people ask what I’m doing on the weekend, I can say, “hanging out with Family”. 
• Or, I’m always picking up after Family
• Or, I can say that I walk 10 miles three times a day

I was feeling lonely, so I bought some shares of stock. 

• It’s nice to have some company

Did you hear about the blank playing card? 

• He showed up at a party without a suit

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Social Justice in the Science Classroom

I was recently reading the May, 2020 issue of “Next Gen Navigator,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read an article written by Philip Bell, Guest Editor of Next Gen Navigator  The title of the article was “Social Justice in the Science Classroom: Social Justice—Centered Science Teaching and Learning.”

Science education can be used to support more just, sustainable, and culturally thriving futures—especially for those who have historically been and continue to be disenfranchised from science.

Reports from the Front Lines

• Summer Vacation?
  • What If
  • Inquiry Driven Instruction
  • U.S. History Curriculum
• Learning over the summer
• Superforecasters on COVID  

Advisory:

President Obama’s Graduation Speech

President Obama shares a message of optimism with the Class of 2020 as a part of  “Dear Class of 2020,” a virtual commencement to celebrate graduates, their families, and their communities. As uncertain as these times may be, President Obama calls on the Class of 2020 to seize the opportunity to create a new normal, one that is fairer, gives everyone opportunity, treats everyone equally, and builds bridges between people instead of dividing them. 

The Twitterverse

Today, join us…

Quote Tweet

Yong Zhao, Ph.D

@YongZhaoEd

· Jun 9

This Saturday 5:30-6:30pm EDT, join @chrs_dede @travelinedman @punyamishra @mcleod @shynicola @YongZhaoEd for #silverliningforlearning episode 13 with Nina Nim from S. Korea and Chee-Kit Looi from Singapore https://silverliningforlearning.org/category/episodes/…

2h

Larry Ferlazzo via Coopmike48 @coopmike48

Three Resources With Good Ideas For Encouraging Online Student Interaction

Three Resources With Good Ideas On Encouraging Online Student Interaction

  I’m adding these resources to THE BEST IDEAS FOR ONLINE ACTIVITIES TO USE WHEN TEACHING ELLS REMOTELY – SHARE MORE!: 7 Strategies Designed to Increase Student Engagement in Synchronous…

larryferlazzo.edublogs.org

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development. 

Resources:

Connected Papers

Connected papers is a unique, visual tool to help researchers and applied scientists find and explore papers relevant to their field of work.

https://www.connectedpapers.com/

Web Spotlight:  

What Is White Privilege, Really?

Today, white privilege is often described through the lens of Peggy McIntosh’s groundbreaking essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Originally published in 1988, the essay helps readers recognize white privilege by making its effects personal and tangible.

White people are also more likely to see positive portrayals of people who look like them on the news, on TV shows and in movies. They are more likely to be treated as individuals, rather than as representatives of (or exceptions to) a stereotyped racial identity. In other words, they are more often humanized and granted the benefit of the doubt. 

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really

Last Person to Receive a Civil War Pension Dies

Irene Triplett died last week at the age of 90. She was the last person in America to collect a pension from the Civil War, $73.13 each month from the Department of Veterans Affairs right up until she passed away.

https://kottke.org/20/06/last-person-to-receive-a-civil-war-pension-dies

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

My friend was doing a crossword. She asked, “What is a unit of power? 4 letters”

• I said, that’s correct. (What/Watt)  

You know with the pandemic, I have a friend living on a houseboat. He dating the girl on the next boat over. Unfortunately, they’ve drifted apart. 

Someone posted that they had just made some synonym buns. 

• I replied “Just like grammar used to make?”
• I tried buttering them up. 
• Now I’m blocked

What do you call someone who takes care of chickens?

• Yep, Chicken Tenders

Did you know I was named after my Dad?

• It would’ve been impossible to be named before him.

If we could get every cat in the world to meow at the same time, how loud would it be?

• Catastrophically loud

What is a rabbit’s favorite restaurant?

• IHOP

What do you call a happy cowboy?

•  A Jolly Rancher

One of my favorite phrases is “bear with me”. It could either mean “please be patient” or “the heist at the Zoo was a success”. 

Just a thought: If you ever get locked out of your house, talk to your lock calmly. 

• Communication is key

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: The “Story” of Climate Change

I was recently reading the April/May, 2020 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication for middle school teachers, published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the “Commentary” column written by Jason T. Hilton and Patrick A. Burkhart.  The title of the column is “The Facts Do Not Speak for Themselves: Exposing Students to the Powerful Story of Climate Change.”

With the growth of mass media and social media, a cultural emphasis on the stories people tell has quickly displaced a reliance on scientific ways of knowing.  The stories told in classrooms must be relevant to students in the local setting and connected to that which is clearly visible.  Such an approach will allow students to independently arrive at reasoned conclusions that confirm scientifically derived knowledge presented in the classroom.

Reports from the Front Lines

• Brave New World
  • District technology plans 
  • Browser – Brave
• Social Distancing/Facemasks/Numbers
  • Ru’ian Resources for Teachers and Students  
    • https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/WdHRmHXMgSloWhMn5GS_lA 
    • https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/mCmt8_SXGYyl77vUlXx8KA  
• Zoom in the news
• Keep Michigan Learning
  • Timelines
  • Expectations (Roles) of teachers
• Retirement Numbers 
  • Potentially ⅓ of teachers could leave
  • Hiring Middle School trained folk to replace.  Do they exist?  
• Budget

The Twitterverse

Hong Kong Free Press  @HongKongFP 

One of the most nightmarish memories of our generations. It’s the 31st anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre. We remember, we never forget. Freedom and democracy belong to everyone. #64

Watch Can and should creativity be assessed? a discussion among Bill Lucas, James Kaufman, Ron Beghetto and Yong Zhao

Creativity in Crisis Ep1:   https://youtu.be/p7yvjnwwQ1Q  

AMLE @AMLE

Schools likely won’t be fully open until well into next school year. We and 62 other organizations sent a letter to Congress requesting financial support for professional development so ALL #teachers can teach effectively next fall. https://bit.ly/2ZihT3s #education

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Strategies:  

5 Levels Video Series

Great idea for teachers and kids. As a strategy, have students develop explanations for 5 levels. 

“Can everything be explained to everyone in terms they can understand? In 5 Levels, an expert scientist explains a high-level subject in five different layers of complexity— first to a child, then a teenager, then an undergrad majoring in the same subject, a grad student and, finally, a colleague.”

https://www.wired.com/video/series/5-levels

Resources:

#BlackLivesMatter

BackStory – Podcast (Ed Ayers)  

Burden to Bear:  A History of Racial Health Disparities in America

https://audioboom.com/channels/4987698.rss

Ryan Bomberger Interview – The World and Everything In It Podcast

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/the_world_and_everything_in_it/content.blubrry.com/the_world_and_everything_in_it/TWAEII-2020-06-05-1469-6520-Culture-Friday.mp3

Reconciliation vs. Revenge  

Smithsonian TweenTribune Resources on Race

158 Resources to Understand Racism in America

These Smithsonian resources are designed to foster an equal society, encourage commitment to unbiased choices and promote antiracism in all aspects of life.

#MomentsOfResilience

The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum invites people to share stories of how communities are supporting each other on a day-to-day basis.

Teaching Young Children About Race

Recommended by educators at Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, this is a practical guide for early childhood educators and parents.

Greensboro Lunch Counter

This activity from the National Museum of American history invites viewers to join the student sit-ins through a 22-minute video. Included are focus questions that students should consider while they are watching. 

CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall

“Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families” will air on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. ET. The show will talk to kids about racism, the recent nationwide protests, embracing diversity and being more empathetic and understanding.

Washington Post Data Points – A Potential ArcGIS Connection?

Fatal Force:  1,004 in 2019

This webpage is no longer being updated and they have a more current page, however it is behind a paywall and Troy hasn’t given me that raise yet . . .  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/national/police-shootings-2019/

Downloadable Data:  https://github.com/washingtonpost/data-police-shootings  

Compiled since 2015.  Uses multiple data sources to build a more complete picture that independently self report as being incomplete.  

The Knight Foundation and O Cinema Partner to Offer Free Virtual Screenings of Magnolia Pictures Documentaries I Am Not Your Negro, Whose Streets? and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

Each film will be made available to view each Sunday, for free, during a 24-hour window. 

Please register in advance to watch I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO by filling out the below form to receive a secure link and password to view the film. The email with link and password will arrive in your inbox each Sunday at 1pm.  This website will be updated each Monday for registration for the current film of the week.

https://www.magnoliapictures.com/knightfoundationseries?fbclid=IwAR2orrUymJXj8DpI8HdYgvbTFEhtRslep_x9FIq0uAsVb5nkD2GvqTLKOyw

President Obama

https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067#annotations:Q9BP1KQoEeq_qItZOelBLA

Simulations: Proceed with Caution

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/spring-2008/classroom-simulations-proceed-with-caution

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

Did you hear about the test pilot who flew over the rainbow?

• He passed with flying colors. 

---

I had a dream last night that I was a muffler

• I woke up exhausted

---

Since they cancelled the Hockey season, no one has seen the Zamboni driver. I’m not worried though. 

• He’ll resurface eventually

---

I keep trying to come up with a telescope joke. I haven’t given up yet. 

• I’m still looking into it.

---

Why are eskimos frustrated with donuts?

• Never any variety. They are always frosted

---

I  have a friend who writes songs about sewing machines. 

• She is a Singer songwriter

---

When does a joke become a “Dad” joke?

• When it becomes apparent

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Inspiring Earth’s Future Stewards

I was recently reading the April/May, 2020 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication for middle school teachers, published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the “From the Editor’s Desk” column “Inspiring Earth’s Future Stewards,”  written by Patty McGinnis.

She discusses how we will be turning this world over to a new set of stewards — stewards who must cherish and care for our Earth in its entirety. 

Reports from the Front Lines

• Has schooling changed?
  • https://willrichardson.com/has-this-crisis-really-changed-schools/
• What happens when we go back to full face to face?  
  • So what would a “Disrupting Education” model look like?  
• Online Teaching stories
• Summer Plans  
  • Historical Stalking
  • Parallel Socializing
• Denmark Reopening
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-denmark-reopening/reopening-schools-in-denmark-did-not-worsen-outbreak-data-shows-idUSKBN2341N7

The Twitterverse

AudioMass – A Free, Registration-free Audio Editor http://dlvr.it/RXfMWl

Jeff Crews @crewsertech

Diane Ravitch @DianeRavitch

Carol Burris: Charters Are Looting Federal Funds Meant to Save Small Businesses

Larry Ferlazzo @Larryferlazzo

South Korea closes schools again after covid-19 spike – The Washington Post

CBC Toronto @CBCToronto

“It’s like having your own isolation unit,” said John Krohnert of Platinum RV, a dealership in Erin, Ont.

Ian Jukes

@ijukes

End Zoom meeting…

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.   

Resources:

Return to Sender

https://returntosendermap.eu/map/

AudioMass

Online audio editor.  They compare themselves to Audacity.  

https://audiomass.co/

Why you should read Moby Dick

A whole series of why you should read is available. 

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-should-you-read-moby-dick-sascha-morrell#watch

The Series:

https://ed.ted.com/series/reading-between-the-lines

Online Color Test

Are you among the 1 in 255 women and 1 in 12 men who have some form of color vision deficiency? If you work in a field where color is important, or you’re just curious about your color IQ, take our online challenge to find out. Based on the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test, this online challenge is a fun, quick way to better understand your color vision acuity.

Just remember, this is not a replacement for the full test!

https://www.xrite.com/hue-test?pageid=77&lang=en

Web Spotlight:  

Has This Crisis Really Changed Schools?

With respect to those who stand in awe of all that’s changed about schools in the past few months, I would ask “what’s actually changed?”

Has This Crisis Really Changed Schools?

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

What do you call a Bear with no ears?

• B

---

I spent $300 on a Limo with a no driver. 

• That’s a lot of money and I have nothing to Chauffeur it.

---

Why did the rancher put his bulls on stilts?

• He wanted to raise the steaks

---

My friend is turning 32. I told him not to get too excited. 

• We’ll only be celebrating for half a minute. 

---

That same friend really doesn’t trust trees. 

• They seem kind of shady 

---

Why spelling is important:

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Environmental Health Literacy

I was recently reading the April/May, 2020 issue of “Science & Children,” a publication published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the Editor’s Note column “Environmental Health Literacy,”  written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.

She discusses how empowering students to make decisions about personal health and understand the impact humans have on the environment is critical to preparing literate, well-informed citizens.

Reports from the Front Lines

•  Middle School Student Reactions:
  • Don’t want to fall behind
  • Frustrated with the kids who aren’t working “same ones that don’t work in school”
  • Respect the teacher and the work that the teacher is doing
  • Don’t want to lose privileges at home
  • It’s the last week of online school, how do I log in?
• Ending the Year – New Stuff?
• Fall Plans

Advisory:

ONE FINE DAY

written by David Byrne and Brian Eno

David Byrne and the Brooklyn Youth Choir

Saw the wanderin’ eye, inside my heart

Shouts and battle cries, from every part

I can see those tears, every one is true

When the door appears, I’ll go right through, oh

I stand in liquid light, like everyone

I built my life with rhymes, to carry on

And it gives me hope, to see you there

The things I used to know, that one fine

One fine day

In a small dark room, where I will wait

Face to face I find, I contemplate

Even though a man is made of clay

Everything can change that one fine —

One fine day

Then before my eyes, is standing still

I beheld it there, a city on a hill

I complete my tasks, one by one

I remove my masks, when I am done

Then a peace of mind fell over me —

In these troubled times, I still can see

We can use the stars, to guide the way

It is not that far, the one fine —

One fine day

The Twitterverse

Typical EduCelebrity@EduCelebrity

In search of profound tweets from other teachers with ideas I can rip off and present as my own in the future social media postings and publications. Original authors will receive my profoundly pretentious gratitude.

Google for Education@GoogleForEdu

To support the millions of educators, we’re announcing #TeachFromHome — resources to help remote teaching.  https://t.co/zrQQsEPsZK?amp=1  

Typical EduCelebrity@EduCelebrity

Antibody Like a Pirate

Quote Tweet

The Modest Teacher@ModestTeacher

Has anyone written a book about “hacking” the coronavirus yet? If not, what a missed opportunity.

DuckDuckGo  @DuckDuckGo

Want to see what  @Twitter  *thinks* they know about you? @sil found this enlightening page listing your so-called interests. Although you can’t stop the data collection completely, you can stop personalization based on it: Settings → Content preferences https://twitter.com/settings/your_

Alice Keeler@alicekeeler

Google Forms: Create a Branching LESSON – https://alicekeeler.com/2020/05/23/goo

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Resources:

Greek Myth Resource:  Greeking Out!

https://www.espn.com/espnradio/feeds/rss/podcast.xml?id=27807607

Random Thoughts . . .  

Make a Zeppelin . . . and then eat it!

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

Due to the quarantine, I’ll only be telling inside jokes. 

---

I don’t want to brag, but I finished a jigsaw puzzle in a week. It said  “2-4 years” on the box. 

---

What do you call a group of men waiting for a haircut?

• A barbercue.

---

My landlord wants to talk to me about how high my heating bill is. 

• I told him “my door is always open”

---

An elderly couple was in church. The wife turns to her husband and whispers, “I’ve just let out one of those silent farts, what do I do”?

The husband replied, “Change the battery in your hearing aid”. 

---

A priest, a minister, and a rabbit walk into a blood bank. 

• The rabbit says, “I think I might be a type o”.

---

I told my wife to she should embrace her mistakes.

• She gave me a hug. 

---

I dig

You dig

He digs

She digs

We dig

They dig. 

*It’s not a long poem, but it is deep. 

---

A friend went to a for a job interview. He was offered a glass of water. He filled it until it overflowed a bit. 

The interviewer asked if he was nervous. 

He replied “Nope, I always give 110%. 

As part of the interview, he was told that at the start, he would earn $35,000: later that would increase to $55,000. 

He said, “Ok, I’ll come back later”. 

---

I’m really looking forward to 2033. That will be the beginnings of the quaranteens. 

---

I bought my friends an elephant for their room. 

They said “Thanks”. 

I said, “Don’t mention it”. 

---

My friend keeps saying “cheer up man, it could be worse. You could be stuck underground in a hole full of water.

• I know he means well. 

---

Finland has closed their borders. 

• No one will be crossing the Finnish line. 

---

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Unique or Identical

I was recently reading the March, 2020 issue of “The Science Teacher,” a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. 

 In this issue, I read the Focus on Physics column “Being Unique or Being Identical,”  written by Paul G. Hewitt.

He discusses the Macro World and the SubAtomic World.  Being unique is common in the Macro World.  Being identical is common in the SubAtomic World.  He then goes on to use leaves, faces and ladybugs as examples.

Reports from the Front Lines

• Mass Technology Rollouts.  
  • Meeting Middle Schoolers Needs
• Planning for next year
  • Michigan’s Guidance – 

• Ideas for holding a Zoom (or other App) COVID-19 Scavenger Hunt!  

The Twitterverse

Typical EduCelebrity

I recommend students read their online textbooks with a yellow background to re-create the experience of using a highlighter to mark every word they see.

Michigan History Day

Be there or be square! Or watch the recording later, squares are cool. Live stream starts at 3! http://youtube.com/watch?v=IgapZ_1_QMQ… #mihistoryday2020

Mark Ryan

Welcome back to school

Welcome back to school:  https://twitter.com/i/status/1259074269516095488  

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Resources:

Jim Henson on Making Puppets

Jim Henson and Muppeteers show kids how to make puppets from simple things like socks. This video aired on Public Television in 1969, prior to Sesame Street, on Iowa Public Television’s “Volume See” kids’ show. 

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

Never climb into a deep vat of curdled milk. 

• You’ll be in whey over your head.

---

What do you say to your sister when she is crying?

• Hey, are you having a crisis?

---

Thought for the day: Can you buy chickens on the layaway plan?

I used to be a baby, then I grew out of it. 

---

I really, really don’t like Russian dolls.

• They are so full of themselves

---

Where do they build Robot noses?

• The Ol’Factory

---

Why is the alphabet so terrifying?

• A bee sea….

---

My Czech Mate is surprisingly bad at chess.

---

Did you hear about Jamie who was arrested. 

Jamie: “I’m not saying a word without my lawyer present”. 

The officer said: “You’re a lawyer.”

Jamie: “Right. Where’s my present?”

---

You know what makes me smile?

• Facial muscles.

---

I have a friend with a Parrot and an Alexa. All day the parrot keeps asking Alexa to play “Free bird”. 

---

Here’s hoping Elon Musk doesn’t become a politician and get involved in a scandal. 

• Elon- gate would be really drawn out

---

Why is Spring the favorite season of trees? 

• After a long winter, trees are releafed. 

---

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Mindful Modeling

I was recently reading the March, 2020 issue of “Science & Children,” a publication published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the Editor’s Note column “Mindful Modeling,”  written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn.

She discusses bringing the practice of Developing and Using Models into our classrooms as a communication tool for developing and revealing student thinking.

Reports from the Front Lines

• Educational Disruption:  
  • Increasing value of Instructional Tech Coaches?  
  • Future scheduling
  • Constructs for “Classrooms”
• Guidelines for Using Zoom with students
  • District level suggestions
  • Teacher level suggestions
• Alternatives to using Zoom?  Viable alternatives?  
• Bring back letter writing!  
  • 116 handwritten, hand-addressed postcards . . . keeping connected in COVID-19.  
  • Cursive enthusiasts of the world, unite!  
• What kind of PD do teachers need based on where this could take us going into 2021 and 2022?  
  • Dr. Liz Kolb is doing a survey:  
    • Survey Link:  https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8koqAadA1p7ZSCN
• Challenge to our listeners – 
  • Ideas for holding a Zoom (or other App) COVID-19 Scavenger Hunt!  
• Discipline online
• Security of Accounts
• Parent Supports
  • AMLE COVID-19 Resources  
  • H.E.L.P. by Judith Baenan from AMLE

The Twitterverse

Monte Tatom, Ed.D.@drmmtatom

Via @E_Sheninger

~ 8 Fantastic Considerations for Leading Remote Learning ~ https://twitter.com/drmmtatom/status/1252724726901989384

@hcu_dot_edu @DebbieWiles50 @Frideswidel @CounselorTatom

Maria Pickering  @PickeringM42

So many ways to record yourself and your screen for teaching online…Check out this list of options and instructional resources on Wakelet – Video Options for Teaching Online #Covid19 #teachingonline #onlineteachingtools #edtech https://wke.lt/w/s/UCD9ft via

@wakelet

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Resources:

Our American Voices:  Citizenship Choice Board #2

Students make choices on a board that demonstrate four different American values.  

https://bit.ly/3434UASic_OAV_Choice_board2

Web Spotlight:  

April 24, Remembering the Armenian Genocide  

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jokes:

Sasquatch is disrespected by people who question his existence. 

• Yeti never complains

Why did the old woman buy a single roller skate?

• She wanted a mobile home.

I was attacked by 1,3,5,7, and 9.

• The odds were against me.

Did you hear about the new metal band. All their songs about people who criticize them while pretending to be their friends. 

• The Band is “Back Stabbath”

Here’s a corny one:

What happens when you sing in the shower and get shampoo in your mouth?

• It becomes a soap opera
• *It’s important to note that if you want to be Suave, you need to have a bit of Finesse and keep your Head & Shoulders in the game. Don’t foam at the mouth (that could cause a slip of the tongue). 

If anyone gets some canned meat delivered with their groceries, don’t open it. 

• It’s Spam

With baseball on hiatus, they are trying baseball with Turkeys vs Ducks. 

• There’s a lot of fowl play

A friend told me an anecdote about touching an electric fence. 

• It was a short story, but it had a good arc.

How does Spider-Man think of such witty comebacks?

• Because with great power comes great response-ability

What did the pirate say on his birthday following his 79th?

• Aye Matey!

Status Update:

• Statewide Workgroup 
• Zoom “Skills”
  • Student skills
  • Teacher skills – Know the preferences
  • Alternates:  Big Blue Button, www.jitsi.org, 
• What does the Fall look like?
• Grading
  • Parents want responsibility from students
  • Student response
• Shawn’s week
  • Teammates
  • Students
• Focus on SEL
• Equity
  • Internet
    • BRCK  https://www.brck.com/
    • Everyone on
  • Device
    • http://one.laptop.org/  
    •  
• Student Skills in Technology
• Free Stuff
• Professional Development Update
  • Michigan Lowers Hours for recertification

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Executive Functioning

I was recently reading the March, 2020 issue of “Science Scope,” a publication for middle school teachers, published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the column “The Forgotten Factor: Executive Functioning and Success in the Classroom,”  written by Kaitlyn McGlynn and Janey Kelly.

Executive functioning skills are the skills that encompass our mental control and self-regulation and are controlled by the frontal lobe of the brain.

The Twitterverse

Dave Schmittou EdD  @daveschmittou

I would love your help with this. I am hoping to collect data on 500 assistant principals. If you are an AP, would u be willing to take 3 minutes to complete this survey? For everyone else, can u tag an assistant principal you know? I appreciate you!

Typical EduCelebrity  @EduCelebrity

In honor of International Haiku Day: 

Think teaching is easy? 

How’s learning at home going? 

Sorry is a tough word.

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Resources:

Stuff You Need:  The Social Distancing Badge

Get this innovative accessory to your school ID badge!

Stuff You Need:  1350 – Music for a Plague  

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/falsobordone/1350-music-for-a-plague?ref=user_menu

SEL Resources from Dr. John Spencer

Grab his original graphics for engaging starter topics for your Zoom meetings with students.  Catch him on Instagram where he posts quick writing or speaking activities to do with your students in a Zoom meeting.  

https://www.instagram.com/spencereducation/

Random Thoughts . . .  

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

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Jokes:

What kind of music does the Easter Bunny like?

• Hip hop

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What do you call an anesthetized rabbit?

• The Ether Bunny

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For Christmas, I bought my wife beads from an abacus.

• It’s the little things that count

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What’s one good thing about a bad haircut?

• It grows on you

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I think I made a mistake. I clicked on “Start Your Free Trial” and now I’ve been convicted of theft. 

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If you’ve ever seen pictures of Mount Rushmore before the carvings, you know that its beauty was unpresidented. 

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What did one cell say to his sister cell that stepped on his foot?

• mitosis

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Why don’t eggs tell each other jokes? 

• They are afraid to get cracked up.

Status Update:

• Working on district plans
• Teachers and accomplishments
• Moving forward?
• Kids and Etiquette
  • “God bless ‘Mute All” on Zoom!’  (And all the other conferencing software!)  
  • Be careful of what is in the background.  
  • Auditory noise – 
    • Feedback from the computer speakers
    • Headphones please!  
• Tools
  • Moodle – The Blended Learning Model?  
• Zoom
• Training Parents
  • Mom and Daughter
  • Support for parents:  http://www.amle.org/Portals/0/pdf/webinars/Berckemeyer_Quick_Tips.pdf  
  • http://www.amle.org/ServicesEvents/COVID-19Resources/COVID-19Webinars/tabid/1190/Default.aspx 
  • The Ultimate Genius Week!
• Big, Thick, Infectious Packets  
• The Future – With Masks
  • https://rhoback.com/products/the-victory-mask  

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Middle School Science Minute: Grasping The Concepts

I was recently reading the April, 2020 issue of “NSTA Reports,” a publication published by the National Science Teaching Association. 

In this issue, I read the advice column “Ask A Mentor,”  written by Sharon Delesbore. A teacher in New York asked the following question: “As I continue to teach my science class, I often wonder throughout my unit if the students are really grasping the concepts.  How do I know my students are getting it?” Listen in as Sharon provides a great answer to this question.

The Twitterverse

Andrea Sherman  @Ed_Stories

“Remind your students that they are creating a primary source – documentation of what one student was thinking in March of 2020 during the global pandemic. Now we are all a part of history.”  @USHistoryIdeas @middleweb https://middleweb.com/42521/kids-jou  Don’t forget #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST.  

Bob Harrison  @R_O_Harrison

The @H5PTechnology Essay activity is exactly what I’ve been looking for for years! Great way to automate feedback on a free response based on key words—the presence or absence of. Just absolutely outstanding!!

TeacherGoals  @teachergoals

Yong Zhao, Ph.D  @YongZhaoEd

Tomorrow (Sat 5:30pm EDT) live Ep4 #silverliningforlearning Using COL and Cool Open Education Resources hosted by  @punyamishra  @travelinedman  @chrs_dede  @mcleod

with guests from Commonwealth of Learning https://silverliningforlearning.org/category/video

Getty@GettyMuseum

We challenge you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home.

• Choose your favorite artwork
• Find three things lying around your house⠀
• Recreate the artwork with those items 

And share with us.

https://www.getty.edu/art/

Look for your host, Todd Bloch, to have a middle school topic all ready to go!  Make it a strategic part of your personal professional development.

Resources:

Beat Boxing

2005 Female World Beatbox Champion Butterscotch explains the art of beatboxing in 13 levels of difficulty. Starting with just the bass drum, Butterscotch layers more and more vocal drums and instruments on top of each other until she starts adding real, live instruments as well.

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download