MSM #116:Show Me The Money! (Next week’s show is done too.)

/ , , /

Jokes:

Drill Sergeants
A drill sergeant had just chewed out one of his cadets, and as he was walking away, he turned to the cadet and said, “I guess when I die you’ll come and dance on my grave.” The cadet replied, “Not me, Sarge…no sir! I promised myself that when I got out of the Army I’d never stand in another line!”

During a recent password audit, it was found that a
young woman was using the following password:

“MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento”

When asked why she had such a long password, she said
she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters
long and include at least one capital.

On Our Mind:

Class Size
http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/class-size-really-irrelevant?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feedutm_campaign=Feed%3A+LFA+%28Public+School+Insights%3A+What+is+WORKING+in+our+Public+Schools%29

What can you do with an iPhone (or 4)?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QD5Mj_wC-I&feature=related

New Directions for Music Programs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QD5Mj_wC-I&feature=related
(There are other videos of this lady performing other pop songs without the OMG cat.)

From our Listeners:

Troy & Shawn, Thanks for all that you do! I’ve attached a 4 minute
comment on your current podcast.  (Any chance on sharing what apps the University puts on those iPads/iPhones/iPod Touches?)
(FHU’s iKnow + FHU)
Rationale, Applications, Research structure, Paradigm,

Hey guys, interesting article about paying for performance in schools.  If this catches on, then I will write my former middle school, asking for my “back pay” from when I was a student there.

Robert  (Mr. Jackson to some of us.  😉  )

PS  What is a good book for advisory about study skills?
Carol Josel
1.  Other-wise and School-wise could be a resource  (http://www.schoolwisebooks.com/html/owsw.html)
2.  The Parenting School-wise Tips book certainly could be used to teach kids study skills.
3.  I’d sign up for the newsletter also.  That and the cooking ideas at the end of the newsletter are rather tasty!
Susan Krueger
Haven’t tried it, but:  SOAR Curriculum.
7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, Sean Covey
Have tried it.  You can also get it in audio format and use with the kids.  Make sure you have money committed to the program over time.
The Middle School Student’s Guide to Ruling the World! by Susan Mulcaire
We’ve reviewed this work in a previous podcast.

Should Kids be Bribed:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100409/us_time/08599197858900
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1978589,00.html

From listener Dave Bydlowski
—————————————————————–
Middle School Science
—————————————————————–
9a.  Bring Local Earth Science Into Your Classroom

The Museum of the Earth and the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center welcomes your application to participate in a professional development program that is focused on Virtual Fieldwork Experiences and the Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Midwestern Region. This programs if for middle school and high school teachers.  Spend time in the field with scientists and fellow educators to learn ways of incorporating local Earth system science into your classroom! The workshop will be held at the Knabusch Mathematics and Science Center in Monroe, MI on July 28-30, 2010.

Comments from educators that attended past Teacher-Friendly Guide and Virtual Field Experience workshops include:
“I came in wondering and left inspired!”
“This is definitely a project my students can do and I hope to incorporate into my curriculum.”
“When I leave excited & energized, the experience is an excellent one!”

For more information and to apply visit:  http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html

—————————————————————–
9b.  National Lab Day Set for May 12, 2010

May 12 will be the first official National Lab Day for middle school and high school science students and teachers! A number of key events in Washington and in selected states are being planned.

Not signed up yet? Not to worry: even if May 12 doesn’t work for you, National Lab Day is more than just a day. Whether you are looking for help with your science fair, or maybe someone to host a field trip, advise an after-school program, help with a hands-on activity, or supply some cool lab equipment, National Lab Day can help.

At the NLD website you simply sign up then submit your idea for a project (or what you need in your classroom) and the website matches your request with a STEM professional who has also joined the NLD hub. (And you can also get funding for your classroom or project by registering on Donors Choose on the NLD site!)
Learn more and to sign up your project for National Lab Day at:
http://www.nationallabday.org
today.

David Bydlowski
http://k12science.net

From the Twitterverse:

iPad Review

/ /

After taking the iPad to work and using it for just a bit, here are my thoughts.
1. It is early on in the development of the iPad. There will be a lot more applications soon that will make the iPad even more useful.
2. I love the iPad. It is very useful for what I wanted. Just for information, I wanted a “newspaper” replacement and something for the kids to post to Facebook. It does these things well.
3. Taking notes is surprising better than expected. Even without an external keyboard, notes are good.
4. For students to create, it’s not quite there yet. We are not a “cloud” based school at all yet. There doesn’t seem to be a way to let students save documents to their “I” drive. We also use Moodle. Moodle uses a non standard text editor. That renders some things unusable. This should be fixed with Moodle 2.0 in July.
5. The iPad is incredibly fast.
6. Management is another issue. I’m not clear yet how easy these would be to manage for the classroom. Generally, the iPad is associated with one iTunes account. I don’t know how this works with a classroom set.

All in all, I’m hopeful. I won’t be buying a bunch for my school yet, but the future looks bright.

Podcast #115: iPad, iPad, iPad

/ , , /

Advisory:

Online Personal Finance Game from the Council on Economic Education:  http://www.genirevolution.org/index.php
Set up in a popular game format, students work their way through challenges answering key questions to earn points to advance through the game.  If you’ve been to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. you’ll be familiar with the “cloak and dagger” feel of the mission briefings, information gathering, and operative training incorporated in the game.

http://pewresearch.org/millennials/quiz/

On Our Mind:

Thanks to all of our Facebook Fans!
Looking for some more iTunes reviews.

Samsung Grant:
Digital Presenter Contest
http://www.samsunggrants.com/

From The Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Hi Guys,
I have been enjoying the podcast, but I get lazy about sending out science information.  I hope you don’t mind if I continue to send it along to you.  I hope these work out for you.  Enjoy your Spring Break!!
Dave Bydlowski
Podcast Site:  k12science.net
In the iTunes store, just do a search for:  k12science
Twitter:  twitter.com/k12science
—————————————————————–
Middle School Science
—————————————————————–
11a. ISS EarthKAM Spring 2010 Mission
NASA has exciting news! EarthKAM has just launched a new beta version of its Web site. Middle school educators
are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station Spring 2010 Mission from April 27-30, 2010, and be
beta testers of the new site and software. Find out more about this exciting opportunity that allows students to take
pictures of Earth from a digital camera aboard the International Space Station. Just visit:
http://www.EarthKAM.ucsd.edu
—————————————————————–
Middle School and High School Science
—————————————————————–
10a. The Siemens STEM Institute for 6th – 12th Grade Educators
A premier STEM immersion program brought to you by the Siemens Foundation, and administered by Discovery
Education in conjunction with the College Board. It will take place from August 1 – August 6, 2010. The location is
Discovery Communications world headquarters in Silver Spring, MD (outside of Washington D.C.) The application
deadline is April 16, 2010.  The Siemens STEM Institute is a unique immersion program that promotes hands-on, real-world integration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom. Fifty educators will be selected as STEM
Fellows to attend this all expenses-paid, week-long professional development experience, hosted at the world
headquarters of Discovery Communications, located just outside of our nation’s capitol in Washington D.C.
For additional information on the resources and opportunities available through the Siemens STEM Academy,
please visit:
http://www.siemensstemacademy.com
—————————————————————–
10b. ReaL (Regional and Local) Earth Inquiry: Professional Development
On behalf of the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), you are invited to participate in an exciting new
initiative to improve Earth science education across the nation to take place in Monroe, MI from July 28 – 30. PRI
and its Museum of the Earth is a non-profit organization based in Ithaca, New York. Composed of scientists and

educators, its outreach program aims to make the Earth and its life—and the science by which we understand it—

accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. As part of that mission, they are currently developing a series
of Teacher-Friendly Guides to North American Earth System Science. Supported by the National Science
Foundation, the project is a five-year initiative that will bring regional and local Earth system science into
classrooms across the nation.  Stipends and support for travel and lodging total $800.00 per participant.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 3, 2010. For more information and to apply go to
http://www.virtualfieldwork.org/PD_Application,_Summer_2010.html

Letter from Mr. Jackson

Webspotlight:

Social Media Explained in 4 minutes:
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/social-media-explained-visually.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29

Four Day Week?
The Illinois House has sent to the Senate a bill that would allow local school boards to adopt a four-day week. Our first response: Bad idea. Shortening the school week is a move in the wrong direction. Illinois kids need more time in school, not less. They need a longer school day, and a longer school year. U.S. children spend far less time in school than their peers in Europe and Asia. And Chicago public school students spend less time in school than their peers in many charter schools, in suburban schools, and around the country.
Further research, though, provoked our second and prevailing response: A four-day week might be a good option — remember, this would be voluntary — for downstate districts with few students but vast territories. Those districts still would be required to teach the same number of total hours per year. So kids might get longer school days.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-4day-20100330,0,1138284.story

Video Editing:
http://jaycut.com/

Freeology
http://freeology.com/

Google For Teachers Guide
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/free-33-page-guide-google-for-teachers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #114: Ukraine Fan Club and more!

/ , , , /

Jokes:

Suits
My wife and I were at my high school reunion. As I looked around, I noticed the other men in their expensive suits with their bulging stomachs. Proud of the fact that I weighed just five pounds more than I did when I was in high school, the result of trying to beat a living out of a rocky hillside farm, I said to my wife, “I’m the only guy here who can wear the suit he graduated in.” She glanced at the prosperous crowd. “You’re the only one here who has to.”

Charity
A devastated-looking man knocks on the door of a woman known for her charity. “Please, ma’am,” he says when she opens up, “can you help this poor, tragic family down the block? The father just lost his job, and his wife is too ill to work. They’re about to be turned out into the cold streets unless someone can pay their rent.” “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life!” says the woman. “May I ask who you are?” “Their landlord.”

Advisory:

What’s Your Story $10,000 Student Video contest is looking for your original work.  Create a video on internet safety and you could win $10,000 in prize money.  Must be 13+ to participate.
http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/Home.do

On Our Mind:

Mindless Entertainment to get you through this week:
Muppets Humor
1.  Ode to Joy
2.  Classical Chicken
3.  Beaker’s Ballad
* Tip- don’t move on when the big play button shows up, wait a minute.

From The Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Howdy gents!  I enjoyed seeing the article about using smart phones in Algebra class.  Last year I tried another approach to meet students with their own technologies.  I had my “ticket to leave” problem on the board and students had to send me a text message with the answer before they were excused for lunch.  I tried it for a couple of weeks to shake things up and students really enjoyed it.

Your Ukrainian fanclub President,

Robert Jackson
Kyiv International School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSsvt8LBEV4

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Webspotlight:

Amazing Web 2.0 Projects

http://www.terry-freedman.org.uk/web2_2010/Amazing%20Web%202%20Projects.pdf

Girls and Boys on Achievement

http://www.cep-dc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=document_ext.showDocumentByID&nodeID=1&DocumentID=304

DocsPal

http://www.docspal.com/

Create printable PDFs and eBooks from any online content.

Use zinepal.com to create your own magazines and eBooks from any online content. You can select content from blogs, Atom/RSS feeds and other websites. zinepal.com reformats the content into a printable PDF and eBooks for use with eBook readers such as the Amazon Kindle, Barnes&Noble Nook or Sony PRS. It is the easiest way to repurpose online content for other distribution mediums.
http://www.zinepal.com/

Remove pdf password protections:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=200512231728165

Youblisher:
http://www.youblisher.com/

Chartle:  Make online charts and tables that can be exported or shared via the web.
http://www.chartle.net/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #113: Phone the Algebra In.

/ , , , /

Jokes:

In Medical Terms
A man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do.
When the exam was complete, he said, Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me.
Well, in plain English, the doctor said, you’re just lazy.
Okay, said the man. Now give me the big, long, complex medical term so I can tell my wife.

Advisory:

NCMSA Want to send a message from your school to outer space? Send it on two lightsail missions. http://bit.ly/8ZQBqO

On Our Mind:

Gender Equity:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/17/national/main6307774.shtml

From The Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Thank you to Language Arts Teacher for the iTunes post. We greatly appreciate it!

To all of those who are now our fans on Facebook – Thank you! (You know who you are!)

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Service Learning
Students take leadership roles. They develop the activities.
•    Raise money for local charities.

◦    Alpha House
◦    Humane Society
◦    Lion’s Club
◦    Faith in Action
◦    Hospitals
◦    Make a Wish
◦    Chamber of Commerce
◦    Special Olympics
◦    Elementary schools
◦    Local Church events
◦    Senior Centers
◦    Knights of Columbus
◦    Usher local events
◦    Salvation Army
◦    Food Gatherers
◦    American Red Cross
◦    Library
◦    Fire Department

•    Make a partnership (Lions Club)

◦    They talk about why they volunteer as adults
◦    They want the school connection

•    Do a service learning class.
•    Dance Marathons

◦    Stand on your feet for those who can’t stand themselves.
◦    They raise a minimum amount of money to participate.

•    The kids pick the projects. They keep a list of organizations.
•    Gets the kids in front of the community.
•    In class, they practice social skills.
•    Tie in with Social Studies classes. (eg. Studying famine, did chores for charity – brought in money to donate to address famine.)
•    Pin awards to kids with service of 25, 50, 74, 100 & 150 hours of service. Present the pins to the kids at a school board meeting.
•    Presidential Awards are also available online. ( 50,75, 100 hours per calendar year).
•    The idea is that students will always be part of a community.
•    9 week class. Starts in 7th grade. Goes for 2 years. (Building is 7-8)

◦New kids every 9 weeks.
◦ Creates culture of helping.
◦ Custodians participate as well.

•    Middle School students need to be needed.
•    Kids need to know that not every community service opportunity is for everyone. Some kids may not like working with little kids or old people.
•    National Junior Honor’s Society
•    Mill Creek CS&L website on Dexter Schools.
•    Join Middle School Student Council (Michigan Association of Student Councils)
•    Exchange Day between schools

Webspotlight:

Solving Algebra on Smartphones

Research shows that a project to use the devices as teaching tools in some N.C. districts has had a measurable impact on student achievement in math.

Students, some initially skeptical that a phone would help them do better in math, have been quick to embrace the idea of using the mobile device to learn, says Denton, who attends Dixon High School in the 24,000-student Onslow County, N.C., schools.
For some math classes, particularly Algebra 1, Project K-Nect had mathematicians at Drexel University in Philadelphia develop short animated video math problems that teachers can assign to students as homework or classwork.
Some students have taken the technology a step further and created movies with graphics, student actors, and stories highlighting math. Particularly popular are student-created movies with a “CSI” theme in which the drama uses math to solve a crime. One student produced and posted a rap song on polynomials, which was ultimately posted to YouTube and spawned thousands of imitators, says Gross of Digital Millennial Consulting.

Learning Science:

learningscience.org is an organization dedicated to sharing the newer and emerging “learning tools” of science education. Tools such as real-time data collection, simulations, inquiry based lessons, interactive web lessons, micro-worlds, and imaging,  among others, can help make teaching science an exciting and engaging endeavor. These tools can help connect students with science, in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. Take a look at a few different types of “learning tools” at this link, Tool Examples. At this point in our project we are highlighting some of the best web resources for science concepts. Although our main emphasis is on students, teachers, and parents, really anyone interested in science education will find the site useful and informative.

Using the National Science Education Standards (1996, National Academy of Sciences) as our framework, we highlight only the best of these “learning tools” for students and teachers. All of the featured tools go through a  review process. Once a “learning tool” is submitted it is analyzed by an editorial panel of science educators and scientists for content and design.

learningscience.org is proof of concept project and a work in progress. Most of our “learning tools” are web based and free. We will remain a totally FREE online learning community that researches, reviews, and recommends the best of world wide science education interactives. This means that most of these are accessible to teachers, students, and parents who have access to the Internet.  For some of the concepts, we have only a few “learning tools”.  That is why it is important that you join us in this effort. If you are a science professional, or someone who enjoys science, please consider sending us your ideas.. If you have found science resources that we should add,  please share your ideas with others, we would love to hear from you. Just email George Mehler with your suggestions.

learningscience.org is a collaborative project of the Central Bucks School District (PA,USA), the teachers of the Central Bucks School District, The College of Education at Temple University (PA, USA), and George Mehler Ed.D.  George Mehler can be reached at gmehler@cbsd.org or 267 893 2044.
http://learningscience.org/index.htm

Slum Dog Millionaire and Education:

“Having watched hundreds of Indian children learning without teachers at the Hole In The Wall computers, it became obvious that all children can work by themselves, if they want to,” Mitra says.
“Most British children grow up with the internet and have the means to learn what they want in minutes, and this challenges the traditional idea of school being about learning things that will come in handy in the future. They become disengaged.”
Mitra is not alone in noticing this problem. John Dunford, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, last week told the group’s annual conference that computer games and websites have made children impatient and harder to motivate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/16/slumdog-millionaire-education-online-independent

NCMSA10 Conference Notes (Todd Williamson)
http://thetechnorateteacher.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/ncmsa10-education-in-japan/#comment-285

MAMSE10 Conference session notes hosted by Dexter Public Schools.
http://www.dexterschools.org/~millcreek/mamse2010/MCMAMSE/Resources_Pg1.html

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

Podcast #112: Wimp Yourself into Middle school

/ , , /

Jokes:

Rabbits
The LAPD, The FBI, and the CIA are all trying to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. The President decides to give them a test. He releases a rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it. First the CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist. Next the FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming. Finally the LAPD goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten bear. The bear is yelling: “Okay! Okay! I’m a rabbit! I’m a rabbit!”

Advisory:

http://www.wimpyourself.com/

On Our Mind:

You can now sign up to receive updates via email.

The Michigan Joint Education Conference is coming up June 23, 2010.  Presentation proposals are due April 2, 2010.  $79.00 for non-members and $49.00 for members of the member organizations sponsoring the event.  This is a great way to pick up some PD this summer and you won’t have to sell your soul to your administrator . . .

From the Twitterverse:

From our Listeners:

Kitty Holman:

Google Earth for Educators: 50 Exciting Ideas for the Classroom

Ideas for all ages.

http://www.associatesdegree.com/2010/03/14/google-earth-for-educators-50-exciting-ideas-for-the-classroom/

MCSS:  Super Social Studies Saturday! (3-13-2010)
Link to the conference notes including the ones mentioned in the podcast:  http://web.me.com/mcgirr/MCSS_Super_Saturday_3_13_2010/
Lots of great stuff presented integrating middle school geography and World History.

MAMSE:

https://middleschoolmatters.com/Conference_Notes/MAMSE_2010.pdf

Online Learning in the Classroom – a Tool for Differentiation

Melanie Dever

Typical online courses are designed for remote learners, but there are benefits to using an online class structure in a traditional classroom.  This format allows for differentiated instruction and pacing, aids in catching up absent students, and provides materials parents can use to help struggling students.  This session will show different ways to use online course systems in the classroom.  Topics will include online delivery of new material, online assessments, and student collaboration.

A tool for differentiating instruction in a traditional classroom.
From the student: Know and trust the students. They may not work at the same pace every day. Some days they may do very little.
How Parents view Online vs Classroom Learning.
Traditional Classroom
•    Everyone moves at the same pace.
•    Advanced learners could be doing more
•    Struggling learners need more time.
•    Teacher is available to help ,but stretched too thin.
Online Class:
•    Students move at their own pace
•    A greater variety of content
•    Not all kids are disciplined enough to learn independently.
•    Teacher is available, but not necessarily when you need it.
Choose:
Online:
•    Parent think child is bored.
•    Advanced students
•    Independent and motivated students
Traditional
•    child needs guidance
Students who are the most motivated and disciplined and who have the most involved and supportive parents may “self track” out of traditional classrooms.
For profit companies are aggressively seeking out those families.
Combining
•    Blended learning
Just inside the traditional instruction:
tools:
• Weebly
• Wix
•    Google Sites
Examples:
•    Homework Calendar
•    Online Worksheets
•    Online class notes
Mr. Nale.com
Other end (online course:)
Tools:
• Moodle
• Blackboard
• MyiCourse (free)
• Textbook Publishers

Differentiation Benefits:
• • •
Students can work on their own pace, fast or slow. Built in assessments can monitor for mastery before allowing students to progress. Students can choose different tasks or activities.
Cool things you can do:
1.    Be in two places at once:
1.    Students can pause and rewind a lesson
2.    Students can ask questions in a low risk setting.
3.    Teacher is free to have
4.    Parents have access to the lesson
5.    Students can go back to it again.
2.    Show don’t Tell
1.    Use Jing to create screencast.
3. Expand opportunities for student choice in activities and sequence.
4. More
1.    Get out of the “what did I miss”
2.    Give parents and kids access to notes.
3.    Make sub plans
4.    Have tests instantly graded and disaggregated.

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

MSM #111: Dr. Silver’s MAMSE Moment

/ , , , /

Jokes:

Business Man
A young businessman had just started his own firm. He’d rented a beautiful office and had it furnished with antiques. Sitting there, he saw a man come into the outer office. Wishing to appear busy, the businessman picked up the phone and started to pretend he had a big deal working. He threw huge figures around and made giant commitments. Finally, he hung up and asked the visitor, “Can I help you?” The man said, “Sure. I’ve come to install the phone!”

On Our Mind:

You can now sign up to receive updates via email.

From the Twitterverse:

  • stevefarber  Friend: “Someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words.” -Jim Warner
  • mjsamberg  Resources from “Linux in the Classroom”: http://www.tinyurl.com/nctieslinux #ncties
  • zeitz  Who’s pushing Emerging Technologies in higher education? students . . . http://is.gd/9Niwi
  • DanielPink  Fascinating NPR interview with NCLB supporter-turned-critic Diane Ravitch….http://bit.ly/c8Lfvi
  • russeltarr  Using Edmodo in the classroom: http://tinyurl.com/l2nvsb
  • Lilylauren Oh the irony- my predictive text doesn’t know how to spell Nostradamus
  • DeronDurflinger RT @NMHS_Principal: Worst thing to do when moving towards change/successful implementation is to “mandate” #GTAdmin Agreed!
  • drmmtatom Jeopardy Labs: Make Your Own Online Jeopardy Game http://tinyurl.com/yaeha54
  • rmbyrne It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages: Why The Superintendent Firing All the Teachers in One School Should Be Ashamed… http://ff.im/-gEkyv

Twitter MAMSE Special:

  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE http://www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/ Parents train parents. #mamse10
  • Frideswidel #mamse making rainsticks and using the design as a prompt for writing.
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE One out of every three middle school students are obsese or in danger of being obese! #MAMSE10
  • Smhearty School worked with a court system. Saved the court $64,000 a year. #mamse
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE majority of parents are not PITAS (pain in the a**es). We want them involved. #MAMSE10
  • Frideswidel #mamse Candy Writing Assignment: Using the senses to create an advertisement for the candy (then they can eat it).
  • Frideswidel RT @Griffbuddy: #MAMSE Dr. Santo Pino, NMSA, and Dean Hook, presentation: Securing Parent Involvement In Your School.
  • Frideswidel #mamse Art teacher talking about incorporating Art with writing (6+1 Traits). www.marymillerart.com
  • Frideswidel #mamse demo of Stratalogica.
  • dexgeek Technology is only one of the tools that teachers use to engage students. I’m glad I can arm them with the tools and skills. #MAMSE
  • Smhearty We train kids not to think but how to get an A. #mamse
  • Smhearty Got a great compliment today – “Aren’t you guys presenting today? We have other teachers here today.” #mamse
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE Be there. Choose your attitude. Make their day. Play. Fish philosophy in schools (choose your attitude when you come to work).
  • Griffbuddy #MAMSE Advisory is necessary because strong relationships help teachers become adept @ diagnosing student needs. #MAMSE10
  • tanyaov #mamse Wow. MAMSE conference is excellent. I LOVE learning new things.

Finger Wag:

The State of Michigan put out a memo with a bitly link.

Advisory:

Blame Darwin:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575081613327728110.html#articleTabs%3Dinteractive

MAMSE:

Dr. Debbie Silver:  www.debbiesilver.com
Keynotes:  http://www.debbiesilver.com/keynotes/

New Favorite Conference Software:  Skim

Webspotlight:

Google Docs for Administrators:
Sarah Rolle, Director of Technology for Elisabeth Morrow School, shared tips on GoogleDocs Tips for Administrators.
http://www.mguhlin.org/2010/03/googledocs-tips-for-administrators.html

Stratalogica:  http://www.stratalogica.com/NystromDigital/home/login.html;jsessionid=501B5A5D36B68C44263525336DA8C718.StrataLogica1

Mary Miller:  Artist, Teacher, Integrator of Curriculum
http://www.marymillerart.com/

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

MSM-110- Your Master Teacher knows that next week will be even better …

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Jokes:

A Fisherman’s Tale
Two guys are fishing in a boat under a bridge. One looks up and sees a funeral procession starting across the bridge. He stands up, takes off his cap, and bows his head. The procession crosses the bridge and the man puts on his cap, picks up his rod and reel, and continues fishing. The other guy says, “That was touching. I didn’t know you had it in you.” The first guy responds, “Well, I guess it was the thing to do – after all, I was married to her for 40 years.”

Animal Talk
A mother is reading a book to her 3 year old daughter. Mother: “What does the cow say?” Child: “Moo!” Mother: “Great! What does the cat say?” Child: “Meow.” Mother: “Oh, you’re so smart! What does the frog say?” The wide-eyed little 3 year-old looks up at her mother and in her deepest voice replies, “Bud.”

On Our Mind:

Code Organ:
http://www.codeorgan.com/

From our Listeners:

Thanks for all of your efforts to try to keep me up to speed. At my age (23) … I need all the help I can get!

My middle school uses Dropbox to track student discipline and parent contacts by team using Excel. We have found this to be an excellent way to keep track.

Thanks!
Linda

Hi guys,
Here are a couple more middle school science items you might like to use.  On a side note, I did a recent podcast on a one day science institute I went to and did a summation of each of the sessions I went to, similar to what you do with the NMSA sessions you attend.  I like the idea of summarizing things we attend–good idea, thanks!  It is the “Power of Technology” and can be heard at:
http://k12science.net
Keep up the good work,
Dave

11a. US Dept of Energy Grant Program for Middle School Teachers
Fermilab is offering a limited number of positions in its DOE ACTS cohort starting in the summer of 2010. Priority
for this cohort will be given to mid-level teachers (grades 5-9). Participants will meet at Fermilab for four weeks
each summer for three years. During the academic year following each summer, as participants implement their
summer work in their schools and work on small projects, they will be supported by program staff and by each
other, primarily through online meetings, with one or two face-to-face meetings as well.
The program combines three strands of professional development: scientific research, teaching & learning, and
educational leadership. Each year teachers will participate in a research project which will be woven together with
the other two strands to strengthen and reinforce one another. Participants will receive an $800/week stipend for
their summer work. Non-local participants will also receive housing and travel. All participants will be eligible for
grants to support classroom equipment purchases and travel to professional development conferences.
Go to:
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov
and click on DOE ACTS under “Programs for Teachers.” The deadline to apply is March 7, 2010. Please visit:
http://ed.fnal.gov/acts/
—————————————————————–
11b. Young Scientist Challenge
The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in
grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and
innovation among America’s youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery
Communications launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age
when interest in science begins to decline. In 2008 3M joined forces with Discovery Education in a quest to nurture
the next generation of American scientists with an innovative and interactive science program open to every middle
school student in America. Over the last ten years, more than 600,000 middle school students have been nominated
to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the
nation’s top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences. For more information, please visit:
http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
—————————————————————–

From the Twitterverse:

Advisory:

You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School
http://www.walkthetalk.com/pages/inspirational-movies.htm

Webspotlight:

Obama Pitches Education Proposal to Governors

By PETER BAKER and SAM DILLON

Published: February 22, 2010

The president’s proposal, part of the administration’s recommendations for a Congressional overhaul of the No Child Left Behind education program initiated by President George W. Bush, would require states to adopt “college- and career-ready standards” in reading and math to qualify for federal money from a $14 billion program that concentrates on impoverished students.
The president praised efforts by 48 states — all but Alaska and Texas — to develop common standards in math and reading, coordinated by the National Governors Association. The collaboration was a bipartisan project at variance with the highly polarized political mood in Washington that has frustrated many of Mr. Obama’s top priorities in Congress.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/education/23educ.html

What Your Master Teacher Knows

Marge Scherer

“Teaching is the most difficult profession of them all,” educator Lee Shulman recently told a group of teachers and psychologists. The only time a physician comes close to doing what a teacher does is when the doctor faces an emergency room of multiple patients with multiple conditions, all of whom need immediate attention.
Shulman described a few of the basics required of the expert teacher: cognitive understanding of how students learn; emotional preparation to relate to many students whose varied needs are not always evident; content knowledge from which to draw different ways to present a concept; and, finally, the ability to make teaching decisions quickly and act on them.
Willingham goes on to say that ignoring research-based principles of learning—for example, that “factual knowledge precedes skills” or that “proficiency requires practice”—can have negative effects on student learning. He also critiques many familiar principles that he regards as lacking a research base, for example, learning styles theory. “Knowledge of students’ learning style is not necessary,” he says. “Think of lesson content driving decisions about how to teach, not student differences.”
In “One Kid at a Time,” Carol Ann Tomlinson (p. 12) recalls the students who challenged her “certainties” about teaching and started her thinking about the principles that underlie differentiated instruction. Scott taught her how to connect with a student’s interests. Golden taught her how important it is to allow a student to enter the curriculum at a place that makes sense for him. Geoff taught her how to give students permission to pursue their passions and work at their own pace. Figuring out how to make learning work for one student left her better prepared to address the needs of all.
Includes audio
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/What_Your_Master_Teacher_Knows.aspx

The Title I program would be rebranded “College and Career Ready Students” and financed at $14.5 billion in fiscal 2011, not including money provided under the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic-stimulus program.

Kentucky has become the first state to adopt common academic standards that were drafted as part of a nationwide initiative to establish a widely shared and ambitious vision of student learning.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/02/11/22kentucky_ep.h29.html?tkn=Q[QFS3g6%2B4Lphrh9bFmf3dIJegR8pxdCt7lG&cmp=clp-edweek

http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_elizabeth_helfant/art_contemporary_learning

Events & Happenings:

Calendar of Events:

NMSA News:

Other News:

  • Second Life:

MiJEC 2010 Information

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The Michigan Joint Education Conference (MiJEC) has posted some of the information for this year’s conference on their web page. Much of the important stuff is behind the front page. Even though it might say 2009 on it, drill down a little and you’ll see the 2010 information. Applications to present are now open. http://www.mijec.org/speakers/

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