Jokes You Can Use:  

Things you don’t want to hear during surgery:

• Better save that. We’ll need it for the autopsy.
• “Accept this sacrifice, O Great Lord of Darkness.”
• Bo! Bo! Come back with that. Bad dog!
• Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what’s that?
• Hand me that… uh… that uh… that thingy there.
• Oh no! Where’s my Rolex.
• Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived from 500 ml of this stuff before?
• There go the lights again?
• “Ya know, there’s big money in kidneys? and this guy’s got two of ’em.”
• Everybody stand back! I lost my contact lens!
• Could you stop that thing from beating; it’s throwing off my concentration.
• What’s this doing here?
• I hate it when they’re missing stuff in here.
• That’s cool. Now can you make his leg twitch by pressing that one?!
• Well folks, this will be an experiment for all of us.
• Sterile schmerile. The floor’s clean, right?
• OK, now take a picture from this angle. This is truly a freak of nature.
• This patient has already had some kids, am I correct?
• Nurse, did this patient sign an organ donation card?
• Don’t worry. I think it is sharp enough.
• What do you mean “You want a divorce?!?”
• FIRE! FIRE! Everyone get out!
• Oh no! Page 47 of the manual is missing!

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel.
Just before the doors opened they all noticed a $20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?
– Santa Claus, the others clearly don’t exist. 

The best way to make somebody remember you is to borrow money from them.

I never make the same mistake twice. I make it 5-6 times, just to be sure.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

Informal Learning

I was recently reading the November, 2017 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

In this issue, I read the the Editor’s Desk article, “Sparking the “Need to Know,”” written by Patty McGinnis the Editor of Science Scope.  In her article, she discusses how educators can use the power of “need to know” learning in our classrooms.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2017/11/3_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Informal_Learning.html

From the Twitterverse:  

Will Waidelich‏ @WillWaidelich

Philly is ready for #AMLE2017 @AMLE

Todd Bloch‏ @blocht574 Oct 31

This is happening next week! #amle2017 I can’t wait! Look at ALL the Brain Power that will be in Philly #mschat Who will want to see me?

Kelly Malloy‏ @kellys3ps

Love this “struggle time” anchor chart! https://buff.ly/2yXnnng

Rabbi Michael Cohen‏Verified account @TheTechRabbi Nov 2

One of my favorite ideas and drawings to date. Failure anyone? #EduAR

MiddleWeb‏ @middleweb Oct 30

NEW: Getting More Out of Google Docs in Class. @CurtisChandler6 #edchat #edtech #gafe #mschat #educoach #nwp @ncte https://www.middleweb.com/36183/getting-more-out-of-google-docs-in-class/ …

Ken Waller‏ @kenwaller1 Nov 1

#Wellness #Stress #DailyRoutine #Mindfullness Give this checklist routine a test drive…your wellness is worth it! Embrace being present.

Jennifer Williams‏ @JenWilliamsEdu 29m29 minutes ago

14 Favorite Thanksgiving Books + Thanksgiving eBooks for Today’s Readers http://classtechtips.com/2017/11/02/thanksgiving-books-thanksgiving-ebooks/ … @classtechtips #kindnessmatters #literacy

Schools Online‏ @Schools_On_Line 4h4 hours ago

Looking for Remembrance Day activities for your class? Find inspiration in our #Passchendaele100 #WWI resource pack http://ow.ly/C3Bp30fueXz

UOIT EduTech‏ @UOITMEd 23h23 hours ago

126 Bloom’s Taxonomy Verbs For Digital Learning – https://buff.ly/2A3MfHI  #edtechchat #teacherprep #EdLeadership

Impact‏ @ImpactWales 7h7 hours ago

NEW What Makes Great Teaching? From review of underpinning research by R.Coe et al. More info here https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_4hi9nE7-axSXZHUmJjUkRkRXM … Please RT

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

Strategies:

Goose Chase

https://www.goosechase.com/

Carol Dweck Revisits the ‘Growth Mindset’

For many years, I secretly worked on my research. I say “secretly” because, once upon a time, researchers simply published their research in professional journals—and there it stayed.

So a few years back, I published my book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success to share these discoveries with educators. And many educators have applied the mindset principles in spectacular ways with tremendously gratifying results.

A growth mindset isn’t just about effort.Perhaps the most common misconception is simply equating the growth mindset with effort. Certainly, effort is key for students’ achievement, but it’s not the only thing. Students need to try new strategies and seek input from others when they’re stuck. They need this repertoire of approaches—not just sheer effort—to learn and improve.

I also fear that the mindset work is sometimes used to justify why some students aren’t learning: “Oh, he has a fixed mindset.” We used to blame the child’s environment or ability.

Let’s look at what happens when teachers, or parents, claim a growth mindset, but don’t follow through. In recent research, Kathy Liu Sun found that there were many math teachers who endorsed a growth mindset and even said the words “growth mindset” in their middle school math classes, but did not follow through in their classroom practices. In these cases, their students tended to endorse more of a fixed mindset about their math ability.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-revisits-the-growth-mindset.html

Resources:

Sen. Knollenberg shocked by Michigan’s teacher shortage. Let me explain what happened.

State Senator Marty Knollenberg of Troy doesn’t have a reputation as a great humorist in politics. He’s not the Al Franken of the Michigan Senate, shall we say.

But he actually made me laugh out loud this week. The Michigan Department of Education reported that we are now facing a teacher shortage.

There are more than 5,000 fewer certified teachers in Michigan than there were in 2004, and the number of newly certified ones last year was barely a third of what it once was.

“Why hasn’t this been addressed?” he asked. “Who is responsible? It certainly isn’t coming from lawmakers.”

http://michiganradio.org/post/sen-knollenberg-shocked-michigans-teacher-shortage-let-me-explain-what-happened

Pixton

https://www.pixton.com/

Pixton introduces the world to Click-n-Drag Comics™, a revolutionary new patented technology that gives anyone the power to create amazing comics on the web.

From fully posable characters to dynamic panels, props, and speech bubbles, every aspect of a comic can be controlled in an intuitive click-n-drag motion.

Winning over 10 prestigious awards, Pixton Comics was named a “leading Web 2.0 pioneer” and “one of the 20 companies driving innovation and changing the way we use the Internet” by Backbone Magazine / KPMG.

Pixton is the invention of husband-and-wife team Clive & Daina Goodinson, based in Parksville, British Columbia, Canada.

It is not free.    Not by a long shot.  

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother. They are being sent to Siberia. Lina’s father has been separated from the family and sentenced to death in a prison camp. All is lost.

Lina fights for her life, fearless, vowing that if she survives she will honor her family, and the thousands like hers, by documenting their experience in her art and writing. She risks everything to use her art as messages, hoping they will make their way to her father’s prison camp to let him know they are still alive.

It is a long and harrowing journey, and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive? Between Shades of Gray is a riveting novel that steals your breath, captures your heart, and reveals the miraculous nature of the human spirit.

Discussion Guide  

Big Huge Labs

Create graphics (magazine covers, inspirational photos, etc.)

https://bighugelabs.com/

Web Spotlight:

On Accelerated Reader and All the Other Computer Programs

“I just took an Accelerated Reader practice quiz on Elephant and Piggie’s There’s a Bird on Your Head.  A picture book  I have read so many times I think I know it by heart.  A picture book series that my 7th graders end up loving too as we perform plays based on them.  A picture book series that made me cry when the last book came out and they told us all “Thank you for being a reader.”

You know what AR wanted me to know about the book?

It wanted to know what happened and what was said.

That’s it.”

https://pernillesripp.com/2017/10/29/on-accelerated-reader-and-all-the-other-computer-programs/

STEMIE

This STEMIE Coalition-fueled National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship (NICEE) event is an annual celebration of K-12 inventors and entrepreneurs from across the U.S. This far-reaching forum is the marquee event of The STEMIE Coalition. The event provides a live, in-person opportunity for youth inventors and entrepreneurs in grades 3-12 to display their critical thinking skills through inventing, innovating, and entrepreneurial activities.

http://www.stemie.org/

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site

Click the Play button below to listen to the show!

Jokes You Can Use:  

Why did the Clydesdale give a pony a drink of water?

He was a little horse.

What do you call a fish without eyes?

fsh

Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil?

It’s pointless!

What’s the difference between the bird flu and the swine flu?

One requires tweetment and the other an oinkment.

If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do elves get?

Mistle-toes.

Why do people say “break a leg” when you go on stage?

Because every play has a cast.

What kind of ghost has the best hearing?

The eeriest.

Why do seagulls fly over the sea?

Because if they flew over a bay, they would be bagels.

How do you tell if a vampire is sick?

By how much he is coffin.

Middle School Science Minute  

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

TACKLING THE COMPLEX ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

I was recently reading the October, 2017 issue of “Science Scope,” a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association.  

In this issue, I read the “From the Editor’s Desk” column, “Tackling the Complex Issue of Climate Change,” written by Patty McGinnis. The article shares many websites including:

NASA — http://nasa.gov

NOAA — http://noaa.gov

US Global Change Research Program — http://www.globalchange.gov

Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science — https://www.climate.gov/teaching/essential-principles-climate-literacy/essential-principles-climate-literacy

HTTP://K12SCIENCE.NET/PODCAST/PODCAST/ENTRIES/2017/10/9_MIDDLE_SCHOOL_SCIENCE_MINUTE__TACKLING_THE_COMPLEX_ISSUE_OF_CLIMATE_CHANGE.HTML

A question for Dave . . .  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04d42rc  

From the Twitterverse:  

Amanda Dykes‏ @amandacdykes

Look my dad printed Google Earth.

Billy Spicer‏ @MrBillySpicer

Without passion…our learners are often lost. But when there is high interest? Watch out! #shareourpassions #OnFireLearning

Mental Floss‏Verified account @mental_floss

New Smithsonian Exhibit Explains Why Felines Were the Cat’s Meow in Ancient Egypt — http://bit.ly/2hGBqD1

Kelly Malloy‏ @kehttps://t.co/d9m8EUUP12llys3ps

I love this idea of using old catalogs for fast finishers! https://buff.ly/2kMHS03

Fascinating Pictures‏ @Fascinatingpics

When your mom tells you to fix your hair and smile for your school picture

Diane Ravitch‏ @DianeRavitch

Phil Cullen: Is Austrialian Schooling A Joke? http://dianeravitch.net/2017/10/14/is-austrialian-schooling-a-joke/ …

Bill Farrauto‏ @bfarrauto

I pull from a variety of strategies. Depends on which subject. Some more applicable than others. #satchat

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

Strategies:

Less Work, Deeper Learning

There are lots of things that teachers have to do that go above and beyond what the general public sees, but going back to John’s question, “What am I doing for students that they could be doing for themselves?”

http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/15917

21 Phrases to Use in Dealing With Difficult Behaviors

1. “I will never intentionally disrespect you.”
2. “I believe in you.”
3. “I won’t give up on you.”
4. “Let’s work together to solve this.”
5. “I was puzzled when you…”
6. “What do we do here when….”
7. “What should you have done differently?”
8. “How did you intend for that to make ______________ feel?”
9. “How did you feel at the time?”
10. “That seemed upsetting to you.”
11. “I hear what you are saying. I’m listening.”
12. “Is it possible that…?”
13. “What should you do when ___________________?”
14. “What will you do next time?”
15. “When will you do it?”
16. “What do you need to do now to make this right?”
17. “Would you like to _________________ or ____________________?”
18. “Can I count on you to do that?”
19. “Okay, but in case you don’t, what do you think are fair consequences?”
20. “What’s your understanding of what we decided together?”
21. “Do you feel that you’ve been treated fairly?”

http://www.davidgeurin.com/2017/10/21-phrases-to-use-in-dealing-with.html

Resources:

History of Halloween

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

TeachersFirst’s Halloween Resources

Searchable and selectable lesson plans. Today, we look at Halloween.

http://www.teachersfirst.com/holiday/halloween.cfm

PBS Halloween Collection

https://net.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/the-halloween-collection/

Web Spotlight:

Science Magic Tricks

Using Science to Perform Magic Tricks

https://www.thoughtco.com/top-science-magic-tricks-606073

E.S.C.A.P.E Junk News

https://newseumed.org/activity/e-s-c-a-p-e-junk-news/  

Using a downloadable poster, students learn a handy acronym to help them remember six key concepts for evaluating information, then test the concepts in teams.

Random Thoughts . . .  

Personal Web Site

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