Category: Podcast

Larry Ferlazzo ‏@Larryferlazzo

⚓️ ‏@daveschmittou

Staff affirmation board taking on a holiday spirit. My staff is better than yours. #WEgotTHIS

“Does Your State Provide Good Data On Your Schools? Probably Not”

https://t.co/v73F0Aus8Y

Smoochie ‏@TySmithdrums

Cop- “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Bear- “Because I’m a bear.” Cop- “No. You were speeding.” Bear- “Bearly.”

Kelly Gallagher ‏@KellyGToGo

How to help students sort through fake news? One man’s opinion:

http://theduran.com/updated-list-of-false-misleading-clickbait-y-andor-satirical-news-sources/

Molly Smith ‏@historyfriend

History classes are our best hope for teaching Americans to question fake news http://flip.it/A_O6c2 #sschat

https://t.co/4VZIRJQxQW

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

Strategies:

Secondary school BANS pupils from raising hands in class because it ‘doesn’t challenge and support the learning of all’

A secondary school has today been accused of putting ‘gimmicks’ over education after banning pupils from raising their hands to answer questions.

The Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, has written to parents to say it has abolished the ‘age old practice’ because it doesn’t ‘challenge and support the learning of all’.

Liam Conway, who is also a member of the union, added: ‘This is a policy which may have some good reasoning behind it. But problem with this is I suspect it’s a policy that hasn’t been put to proper consultation.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3986156/Secondary-school-BANS-pupils-raising-hands-class-doesn-t-challenge-support-learning-all.html

Resources:

T-Bear

Use the description of each section of the paragraph and the sentences stems listed to help you write your topic sentence (T), brief explanation (B), examples (E), analysis (A), and to relate or reflect (R).

http://nsbsdcreditrecovery.wikispaces.com/file/view/5TBEAR_GraphicOrganizer4.pdf

9 Simple Solutions for Common Teaching Problems

Student Tech Gurus
Inspiration Boards
Tracking Progress Transparently
“Morecabulary”
Broadcast Student Voices
OPB (Other People’s Books)
Celebrity Couple Nickname Game
Boomerang Model
Question Carousel

http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/hack-learning-series/

Web Spotlight:

Blabbr Update

What happens when your favorite web resource runs out of money? Well . . . 🙁 Moodle anyone?

Dear Dan Rather

Some disasters hit us with a sudden and unexpected fury like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. But some boil beneath the surface wreaking destruction without enough of us paying attention.

If you want to see the hair on the back of my neck stand up in anger ask me about one such disaster – our support for public education.

I lay the blame at the doorsteps of state houses across the country. They can’t have it both ways. Either pay for a quality education, or be prepared to pay the consequences. We have enough challenges in this country. Why are we creating another one?

Why declare that our students are failing? Why is education increasingly contentious and polarizing?

And so in public education, we are constantly under attack by folks intent on showing that teachers stink, schools are failing, and the only possible solution is to bring in free market solutions. I would not for one moment contend that all is hunky dory in public education, and it is unquestionably less so every year as more crises are manufactured and jump-started by these folks. Of course we are polarized.

The questions citizens and journalists should be asking in every instance are as follows:

1) Is this crisis real? Is someone playing games with numbers? Did government create this crisis through funding or policy choices?

2) Did we consider all possible solutions, or did we just jump straight to “give a bunch of money to private operators to magically fix this”? Because the fact that we have a problem (and we have many in public education) does not automatically mean that the proposed solution is a real solution.

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2016/11/dear-dan-rather.html

Random Thoughts . . .

November 26, 2016PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 343: The TED-ED Club does that 100 Word Challenge . . . Go!

Jokes You Can Use:

A frog, a duck, and a skunk went to the movies. The frog and duck were allowed to see it, but the skunk wasn’t.

Why?

Because the frog had a greenback, the duck had a bill, but the skunk had only one scent.

***********************

What kind of medical help does a mermaid seek, a vet or a doctor?

***********************

The father of five children had won a toy at a raffle. He called his kids together to ask which one should have the present.

“Who is the most obedient?” he asked. “Who never talks back to mother? Who does everything she says?”

Five small voices answered in unison. “Okay, dad, you get the toy.”

Middle School Science Minute

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

A Closer Look at Flowers

I was recently reading the September, 2016 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 article, “A Closer Look at Flowers: Exploring Structure and Function in Science and Art.” It was written by Laura Robertson. In the article she shows how she integrates artistic design into her unit on flowers by adding another lens through which students can evaluate the specialized structures and organization of flowering plants.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/11/24_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Closer_Look_at_Flowers.html

From the Twitterverse:

⚓️ ‏@daveschmittou

So true! Collaboration cannot be a hoop to jump through or a facade created by admin.

Scott Rocco ‏@ScottRRocco

Black Friday…when the rest of the world gets to experience what it’s like to be at recess duty for a teacher. #teacherprobs

Good info: Using Graphic Organizers Correctly http://edut.to/2fyJHG3 #satchat #k12 #education

Tom Loud ‏@loudlearning

Rules w/out a relationship leads to rebellion! @nalang1 #edchat

MSMI ‏@MSM_Institute

This section of the Middle School Matters Field Guide lays out principles for schools to follow in implementing… https://t.co/FhKw7Ov0mu

Sharon LePage Plante ‏@iplante

5 Ways to Bring Literature to Life with @Buncee – @ClassTechTips http://bit.ly/2gg5Wm0 #edtechchat

ASCD ‏@ASCD

Here are our top ten strategies and practices that can help all students overcome barriers. http://bit.ly/2gCO0WV

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

Strategies:

Blubbr

Appears to be gone.

http://www.blubbr.tv/

Resources:

TED-ED Clubs

How Clubs Work

In TED-Ed Clubs, students work together to discuss and celebrate creative ideas. Club leaders receive TED-Ed’s flexible Clubs curriculum to guide their school’s club and to help inspire tomorrow’s TED speakers and leaders.

You can start the application process by filling out the TED-Ed Clubs application. After your application is reviewed, you’ll receive an email with next steps for gaining approval to start an official TED-Ed Club.

Want to learn more? Dive into the details by downloading this information packet.

http://ed.ted.com/clubs

Digital Public Library of America

https://dp.la/

Web Spotlight:

Biology Resources

ATEP Project.

http://atep.techlit.org/

100 Word Challenge

We ask children to write in school but often there is no apparent purpose that they can see other than pleasing their teacher! This can prompt some very reluctant writers in our classrooms. The 100 Word Challenge seeks to address this problem.

It is a weekly creative writing challenge for children under 16 years of age. Each week a prompt is given, which can be a picture or a series of individual words and the children can use up to 100 words to write a creative piece. This should be posted on a class blog and then linked to the 100 Word Challenge blog. The link is usually open from midday on Sundays until midnight the following Saturday.

By setting a limited word count with a focused theme and a guaranteed audience beyond the class teacher, children have far greater motivation for writing. Those who are reluctant writers feel safe with only 100 words to write, whilst those more advanced writers can really extend themselves with the word restriction.

One of the special things about 100WC is that those entering a piece are encouraged to visit other blogs and leave a constructive comment. Peer ‘talking’ to peer is very powerful and we have seen a real improvement in some writing that has come from suggestions from other children. It also provides another teaching point for teachers to show children how to comment constructively.

The 100 Word Challenge has been used for homework tasks and up leveling practice as well as a regular writing activity. Teachers have found that this has helped with their workload. It certainly helps drive traffic to a blog which in turn helps the motivation for blogging in general. The Quadblogging phenomenon has been able to use 100 Word Challenge for a shared activity. This of course provides an international audience.

Above all – it is fun! Children feel challenged and then really rewarded when they see the comments (please see Team 100WC). Do join in and see writing improve!

https://100wc.net/

Random Thoughts . . .

November 19, 2016November 19, 2016advisory, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 342: ELL strategies, Pictures and Collaboration

Jokes You Can Use:

At a meeting, the principal told a joke. Everyone laughed except one guy.

The principal asked him, “Didn’t you understand my joke?”

The guy replied, “Oh I understood it, but I resigned yesterday.”

I went to this great yard sale the other day. There were lots of sports memorabilia, electronics, and guy stuff. A huge 50 inch flat screen TV caught my eye with a price tag on $50 on it!

“You only want $50 for this big TV? It must have something wrong with it” I remarked.

“I’ll let it go for $50”. He said. “It works great, except when you turn it on the volume starts out and stays all the way up.”

“Man, I sure can’t turn that deal down!”

Once over the hill, I started to pick up speed!

Did you hear about the blind man who took a hammer and saw?

I would think you’d have to be open minded to be a brain surgeon…

Eileen Award:

Twitter: David Carruthers

Advisory:

http://twentytwowords.com/facing-a-tricky-situation-this-mom-turned-to-the-internet-for-some-very-entertaining-solutions/

Middle School Science Minute

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

TESTING THE WATER

I WAS RECENTLY READING THE SEPTEMBER, 2016 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 ARTICLE, “TESTING THE WATER: WORLD WATER MONITORING CHALLENGE.” IT WAS WRITTEN BY JILL NUGENT. THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE PROCESS BY WHICH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CAN GET INVOLVED IN A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT — THE WORLD WATER MONITORING CHALLENGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

HTTP://WWW.MONITORWATER.ORG

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/11/16_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Testing_the_Water.html

From the Twitterverse:

David Britten ‏@colonelb

Leaving school before anyone needs you be like…

If I hear one more time, “But what about the test scores?” Ugh. Humanity is doomed by it’s own limits on critical thinking. #suptchat

Amber Teamann ‏@8Amber8

Thanksgiving Read Alouds for Upper Elementary {Free Printables} http://goo.gl/tvvCds via @TeachToInspire5

edutopia ‏@edutopia

15 questions to replace “How was school today?”: http://edut.to/2g3JNXd . #ptchat

Bashaer Kilani M.Ed ‏@bashaierk

#edchatMENA #meaningful_feedback #satchat

Jennifer Williams ‏@JenWilliamsEdu

Where Are Quality Instructional Materials for English Language Learners? https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/27/where-are-quality-instructional-materials-for-english-language-learners/ … Thanks for sharing @vifglobaled! #ELL

Roberto A. González ‏@robertoglezcano

Cooperation vs Collaboration by @spencerideas #edchat #education #elearning #edtech #designthinking #mathchat

Todd ‏@ToddWhitaker

The minimum goal of professional development is that teachers need to be more excited about teaching tomorrow than they were today. #satchat

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

Strategies:

Five Tips for Getting the ESL Student Talking by EduTopia

Fluency
Individual Needs
High Interest Engagement
Model
Allow Time

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/getting-the-ESL-student-talking-marc-anderson

This Teacher Taught His Class a Powerful (and Debatable) Lesson About Privilege

To teach his class about privilege and social mobility, a high school teacher did an exercise that started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asking them to crumple it up.

http://twentytwowords.com/this-teacher-taught-his-class-a-powerful-and-debatable-lesson-about-privilege/

Breaking the Plane

It’s not just Breaking the Plane that matters, It’s breaking it often. You want to signal that it is normal for you to wander just about anywhere as you teach.

It’s especially important to break the plane early — getting near to students plays such a critical role in managing behavioral situations and especially in making those interactions more private. If, in contrast, you move out into the classroom to establish proximity only when you need to (to address a behavioral situation), this action will be highly visible.

http://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/what-is-breaking-the-plane/

Resources:

Learning English Pronunciation – Antimoon

Reasons for learning how to pronounce English and some tips and strategies for getting it right. This resource is written for the student to reference.

http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc.htm

4 Creative Ways to Use Authentic Materials with ESL Students– FluentU

Using menus, job applications, and newspaper articles to teach practical ESL skills.

http://www.fluentu.com/english/educator/blog/authentic-materials-for-teaching-english/

TIME 100 Photos

Though photography is a much younger medium than painting—the first photo is widely considered to date from 1826—the astonishing technological advances since then mean that there are now far more pictures taken every day than there are canvases in all the world’s galleries and museums. In 2016 alone, hundreds of billions of images were made.

http://100photos.time.com/

Free Download: Learner Profile Survey

We get a lot of requests for our Learner Profile template. Today, I’m sharing the first piece: the Learner Profile Survey. These are the questions we ask our students each year to get a better understanding of who they are, what makes them tick, what their vulnerabilities are.

http://ilearntechnology.com/wordpress/?p=5669

Web Spotlight:

About Don’t Memorise

With our ‘Don’t Memorise, Know More!’ philosophy the learner always remains at the very heart of what we do. Relating real life to theory using a simple story format makes our educational content accessible to all styles of learning.

And It’s Completely Free

https://dontmemorise.com/

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TEACH STUDENTS TO SPOT SKETCHY NEWS STORIES?

Buzzfeed, a popular online source covering digital media and technology, opened the criticism by publishing the frightening results of an analysis of the election stories generating the most engagement — think likes, shares and comments — on Facebook in the final three months of the election. Here’s what they found:

http://blog.williamferriter.com/2016/11/19/what-are-you-doing-to-teach-students-to-spot-sketchy-news-stories/

WWII SketchNotes

At 21-years-old, sketch artist Victor Lundy enrolled in the military at the height of World War II. But instead of completely abandoning his artistic abilities, the architectural enthusiast decided to document his experiences on the battlefield in a series eight of sketchbooks, which he has since donated to the Library of Congress. His incredibly detailed records of the war stretch from scenes of fallen soldiers, air raids, and beach landings, to more conventional scenarios like soldiers playing games on their downtime or taking much needed naps. The now 92-year-old veteran went on to have an acclaimed architectural career after returning from the war in 1944.

It’s hard to imagine a service man taking the time to sketch scenes from one of the bloodiest wars in history, but to have detailed recordings of the event is in itself extraordinary. All sketchbooks have been digitally remastered and can be viewed online HERE.

http://thechive.com/2016/11/15/21-year-old-soldier-sketches-wwii-in-visual-diary-of-his-experiences-21-photos/

https://www.loc.gov/search/?fa=partof%3Alot+14007

Random Thoughts . . .

Thoughts on using WorkShop module in Moodle.

November 12, 2016November 12, 2016PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 341: Thanks Dave!

Jokes You Can Use:

Advisory:

They Said He Didn’t Look Disabled, So This Man Showed Them the Reality of Crohn’s Disease

For some reason, random strangers sometimes get the urge to make assumptions out loud about other random strangers. And no assumption is more frustrating that implying someone is “fine” and “healthy” based solely on their outward appearance.

Ste Walker, a patient with Crohn’s disease, was in a hospital shop in Yorkshire, England, when another customer asked why he was even there, since he looked “fine.”

http://twentytwowords.com/they-said-he-didnt-look-disabled-so-this-man-showed-them-the-reality-of-crohns-disease/

Cerebral Palsy Hasn’t Stopped This Inspirational Man From Achieving Success as a Pro Bodybuilder

The next time you find yourself saying the words “I can’t,” think about Wade McCrae Washington.

http://twentytwowords.com/cerebral-palsy-hasnt-stopped-this-inspirational-man-from-achieving-success-as-a-pro-bodybuilder/

Middle School Science Minute

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE: DOUBLE-STUFFED CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES

I was recently reading the September, 2016 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 article, “Start the School Year With an Authentic Activity.” It was written by Susan German. The article describes an activity in which the author uses double-stuffed chocolate sandwich cookies to help teach students about scientific argumentation.

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/11/10_Middle_School_Science_Minute__Double-Stuffed_Chocolate_Sandwich_Cookies.html

From the Twitterverse:

Kim Campbell ‏@KimCamp4Kids

⚓️ ‏@daveschmittou

There’s no such thing as an average day. You plan for the variations. There’s no such thing as an average student, why do you plan for them?

Kim Campbell Retweeted Monica Fulton

Love this man!!

Kim Campbell added, https://twitter.com/fulton_monica/status/797085112529776640

Ted Fujimoto ‏@tedfujimoto

What letter grades are like #edchat #EdPolicy #edreform #deeperlearning #teaching #edchat #STEMed #pblchat

Liz Davis ‏@lizdavis2

Templates for historical thinking that invite inquiry http://historicalthinking.ca/historical-thinking-concept-templates … #satchathack

TCEAmg ‏@tceamg

ESL/ELL Students Playing with Words http://www.tcea.org/blog/meme-quote-generators/ … #TCEA #txed

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

Strategies:

Two Options for Collecting Students’ Questions to Appear on Review Games

Earlier this week I received the following email from a reader,

“My desire is to create a database of questions in multiple choice, short answer and T/F . I guess a quiz, however I would like to “share” (like g docs) this database with my students so that they could add questions . What app or program would be best for this (open source)?”

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/11/two-options-for-collecting-students.html#.WCc5gqIrJdB

Six Tools for Creating Classroom Quiz Games – A Comparison Chart

Twice in the last week I have given presentations about tools for creating fun formative assessment activities.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/11/six-tools-for-creating-classroom-quiz.html#.WCc_vaIrJdA

WHY DO WE ASK KIDS TO SIT DOWN AND LEARN WHEN THE RESEARCH SAYS…

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/movement-helps-kids-learn/

Resources:

Welcome to IfItWereMyHome.com

The lottery of birth is responsible for much of who we are. If you were not born in the country you were, what would your life be like? Would you be the same person?

IfItWereMyHome.com is your gateway to understanding life outside your home. Use our country comparison tool to compare living conditions in your own country to those of another. Start by selecting a region to compare on the map to the right, and begin your exploration.

You can also use our visualization tool to help understand the impact of a disaster. The Pakistan Flood and BP Oil Spill are currently featured. Check out the individual pages to gain some perspective on these awful tragedies.

http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/

Free Resources From All My Books

November 11, 2016 by Larry Ferlazzo | 0 comments

Every few months, I reprint this post so that new subscribers learn about these resources.

I have many free resources, including excerpts and student hand-outs, available from all my books. Clicking on the covers will lead you to them (and look for two new forthcoming books – another one on ELLs that Katie Hull and I are writing, and a fourth in my student motivation series):

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2016/11/11/free-resources-from-all-my-books-7/

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education

The second edition of The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education has been revised, updated, and expanded since its original publication in 2005. The Encyclopedia is a comprehensive overview of the field; it contains alphabetically organized entries that address important concepts, ideas, terms, people, organizations, publications, and research studies specifically related to middle grades education. This edition contains over 210 entries from nearly 160 expert contributors, this is a 25% increase in the number of entries over the first edition. The Encyclopedia is aimed at a general audience including undergraduate students in middle‐level teacher preparation programs, graduate students, higher education faculty, and practitioners and administrators. The comprehensive list of entries are comprised of both short entries (500 words) and longer entries (2000 words). A significant number of entries appearing in the first edition have been revised and updated. Citations and references are provided for each entry.

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/The-Encyclopedia-of-Middle-Grades-Education-2nd-ed

Teaching French Resources:

French Literature Adapted

Web Spotlight:

How to Create MadLibs Story Starters in Google Sheets

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/11/how-to-create-madlibs-story-starters-in.html#.WCdANKIrJdA

Make Beliefs Comix Offers a Free Book of Bilingual Writing Prompts

Make Beliefs Comix is a free web and iOS app that offers a huge collection of comic templates for students. One of the features that you’ll find on the website is a set of editable ebooks for students to write in. One of the newer additions to the collection is a book titled A Book of Questions.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/11/make-beliefs-comix-offers-free-book-of.html#.WCdAo6IrJdA

Random Thoughts . . .

November 5, 2016November 5, 2016PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 340: History, Elections and Adolescents.

Jokes You Can Use:

After years of wondering why he didn’t look like his younger sister or brother, a young man finally got up the nerve to ask his mother if he was adopted.

“Yes, you were son,” his mother said as she started to cry softly. “But it didn’t work out and they brought you back.”

What kind of meds do kleptomaniacs take to get better?

Did you hear about the professional golfer who got arrested for assaulting his chauffeur?

I opened my electric bill at the same time I opened my water bill.

Needless to say, I was shocked.

The owner of a factory that manufactures thick, brown syrup, produced during the refining of sugar, called his production crew in. “We have more work than we have people do it,” he told his staff. “And, I find that the women we’ve hired in the past do a far better job than the men.”

“What do you suggest we do?” asked one employee.

“It’s simple,” the owner said. “We need mo’lasses!”

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Randy Ziegenfuss

Advisory:

The End of Adolescence

Adolescence as an idea and as an experience grew out of the more general elevation of childhood as an ideal throughout the Western world. By the closing decades of the 19th century, nations defined the quality of their cultures by the treatment of their children. As Julia Lathrop, the first director of the United States Children’s Bureau, the first and only agency exclusively devoted to the wellbeing of children, observed in its second annual report, children’s welfare ‘tests the public spirit and democracy of a community’.

Today, more and more young people’s lives do not fit the contours of adolescence, and the institutions of the 20th century have become worn and dated. Parents are left without the intellectual resources to understand how their teenagers and 20-somethings will manage in a future that seems ever more unlike their own

https://aeon.co/essays/adolescence-is-no-longer-a-bridge-between-childhood-and-adult-life

Middle School Science Minute

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

GROUND PRONGS

I WAS RECENTLY READING THE SUMMER, 2016 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 ARTICLE, “SCOPE ON SAFETY.” IT WAS WRITTEN BY KEN ROY, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR GLASTONBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN GLASTONBURY, CT. THE ARTICLE FOCUSED IN ON THE SAFETY QUESTION OF THE MONTH, WHICH WAS: “WHY SHOULDN’T EXTENSION CORDS WITH BROKEN-OFF GROUND PRONGS BE USED?”

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/9/30_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Ground_Prongs.html

From the Twitterverse:

Secondary Principals ‏@massp

There are a number of ways to design a PBA-GRASPS & RAFT are two blueprints. This ex is “on demand” completed in a class period. #ASCDCEL16

Secondary Principals ‏@massp

Grand Rapids charter school a step closer to youth homeless shelter

Ted Fujimoto ‏@tedfujimoto

RT @Larryferlazzo Stanford professor who pioneered praise movement says we parents are doing it all wrong http://qz.com/587811 via @qz

Tim Childers ‏@tchilders

Just my opinion. Your thoughts?

Jasper Fox Sr. ‏@JasperFoxSR

“So You Wanna Be A Podcaster? Helpful Tips and Tricks from 5 Years of Podcasting” http://jfox.cc/1QHolS8 Tips from @teachercast

Steve Seward ‏@sewardstephen

Are we simply talking about change OR truly walking the talk when it comes to “deeper learning”? #ASCDCEL16 @ASCD @massp

Steve Seward ‏@sewardstephen

Deeper Learning: 4 components theory of action. We MUST empower our teachers if we wish for them to empower students. #ASCDCEL16 @massp

Nick Gourevitch ‏@nickgourevitch

Reminder of where public polling error occurred in 2012. Colorado/Nevada, but also Michigan which always has public poll problems. RCP data:

Josh Ochs ‏@JoshOchs

The Good and Bad Teen Apps Parent Guide now features Pokemon Go & Musical.ly (Videos): http://buff.ly/2d1mPRG

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

Strategies:

Letters to the Next President

https://letters2president.org/

Resources:

YouTube Copier

The YouTube copier tool will help you create a copy of any YouTube video playlist into your own Google Account in 2 easy steps. You can duplicate your own playlists or clone the videos of someone else’s playlist in your own account.

Simply sign-in with your YouTube account and then enter the URL of any YouTube Playlist that you wish to clone. You can set the privacy of the cloned playlist as public (visible to everyone), private (visible only to you) or unlisted (visible to people who have the playlist link).

Merge YouTube Playlists

In addition to copying other playlists into your own YouTube account, you can also use the tool to merge someone else’s playlist with any of of your existing playlist.

There are no restrictions and you can copy any number of YouTube playlists to your channel.

Simply enter the full URL of the website in the search box and hit Submit. If the tool fails to display ads for a particular keyword or web domain, chances are that it is a restricted keyword or the domain is not part of the AdSense program.

https://ctrlq.org/youtube/playlists/

How to search for publicly shared Google Documents, Presentations, and Spreadsheets.

Great tips for searching Google.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYDR4vaLBGE

Random Thoughts . . .

October 22, 2016PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 339: Poe(st) this. Poe(st) it now!

Jokes You Can Use:

Advisory:

Bullied Girl Voted the Ugliest on the Internet Gives an AMAZING Speech

At age 17, Lizzie Velásquez was on the receiving end of that situation and stumbled upon a YouTube video created by online bullies that dubbed her as the “World’s Ugliest Woman.”

Velásquez is diagnosed with Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome as well as Marfan syndrome, and is unable to gain or retain any weight and must eat every 20 minutes in order to survive.

At birth, Velasquez was just 2 pounds and 10 ounces. Doctors even took a picture of her to show to her parents to prepare them, but her size never bothered them.

In fact, they’re her biggest supporters, and the reason she is so inspirational today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0OV92Yyl20

Middle School Science Minute

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

Engineering Seltzer Rockets

I was recently reading the Summer, 2016 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 article, “Engineering Seltzer Rockets.” It was written by Kevin Cunningham. The article describes an activity in which students test and refine seltzer rockets–film canisters powered by effervescent tablets.

From the Twitterverse:

Sue Gorman ‏@sjgorman

⚓️ ‏@daveschmittou

My teachers are better than yours. Saturday morning and relationships are being made. #WEgotTHIS

High school manufacturing program has classes in the workplace http://on.jsonl.in/2eBmYct via @journalsentinel #wischat #wiedu

Positive Quotes.. ‏@YouGotSparkle

Don’t be afraid of being different. Be afraid of being the same as everyone else.

Katie Osgood ‏@KatieOsgood_

What I wld give 2just be able 2…teach. Instead, it’s fighting 2keep basic services, adjusting after budget cuts, prepped 4bad eval. Systems.

Jasper Fox Sr. ‏@JasperFoxSR

“The right to disconnect” a fascinating read:

EducationalAppAdvice ‏@edappadvice

4 Simple Ideas To Use Technology To Engage Students http://buff.ly/2eeYJGx

Daisy Dyer Duerr ‏@DaisyDyerDuerr

The Art and Value of Adapting Your Teaching in the Moment http://bit.ly/2drHVKN #edchat #edtech

Ways 2 give & get meaningful feedback by coaching it up. #satchatwc

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

Strategies:

10 Ideas for Using Comics in your Classroom

A fun alternative to traditional book reports.
Create biographies.
Create autobiographies.
Create goal or vision boards.
Illustrate procedures.
Summarize events.
Craft a visual timeline of events.
Write and illustrate fun fiction stories.
Illustrate concepts and or vocabulary terms.
Model polite conversations.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/10/10-ideas-for-using-comics-in-your.html#.WAtxH5MrJdA

Comic Life:

http://plasq.com/

Educator Store

Resources:

Moodle Frayer Model

Check out this innovative use of the Moodle Database activity. This database preset allows students to enter a concept, definition, image, Example and Non-example. The content is then displayed for all of the class to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PewVeqX5nOs

Moodle Translations

The Tech Coaches have had the pleasure of working alongside an exceptional teacher at William Ford, Ms. Jazel Fakhreddine. Jazel is using her Moodle (iLearn) course to help her ELL students and their families access information in her classroom. By using Google Translate and adding audio files of translations into her Moodle course, students have the choice to read the question in Arabic or hear the question read to them in Arabic.

http://techcoaches.dearbornschools.org/2016/10/21/an-interview-with-a-district-moodle-ilearn-superstar/

Web Spotlight:

Knowing Poe

The Literature, Life, and Times of Edgar Allan Poe… In Baltimore and Beyond

What makes a good writer great? Practice, patience, persistence, and a bit of luck all contribute to a writer’s skill.

But great writers stand apart from all others. Their work is marked by an indefinable something. James Dickey refers to it as the ability to listen to the celestial wireless. Others call it talent or creative genius or simply the “X” factor. Whatever it is, great writers have it.

Edgar Allan Poe is one of these special people.

Through the activities on this site, you can introduce learners (or, be introduced, yourself) to the literature, life, and times of one of America’s foremost writers. Here, you will:

explore his worlds — both fictional and real — from a number of perspectives
examine the complex choices writers such as Poe make as they create their works
investigate the “hard facts” about life and death in Baltimore and the United States during Poe’s lifetime
learn about the continuing impact of Poe’s legacy

The rich classroom resources on this site have been created especially for Maryland students in middle and high school.

In addition to these interactive experiences, there are lesson plans created by Maryland teachers, primary source documents, links for further research, and materials for fun family activities related to Edgar Allan Poe.

Random Thoughts . . .

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/9/8_Middle_School_Science_Minute-3D_Design_Class.html

September 10, 2016September 10, 2016advisory, MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 338: Good Science Reeds . . . er, Reads and other fun things to do with English!

Jokes You Can Use:

What did the teacher say after breaking up a fight by two invisible students.

“Move along, folks. There’s nothing to see here!”

Advisory:

Middle School Science Minute

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

3D Design Class

I was recently reading the Summer, 2016 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 article, “The New Standard in Technology Education: 3D Design Class.” It was written by Andrew Gillen. The article explains how to get started in 3D design and provides an introductory 3D modeling course outline.

From the Twitterverse:

Robyn McCarthy ‏@moocargirl

@DruTomlin_AMLE Link to #trustmapping journal article by Peter Cavanagh http://www.adolescentsuccess.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AdolescentSuccess_November_Volume14-2.pdf …

Will Richardson ‏@willrich45 New Jersey, USA

Always interesting to me how we seem to ignore the very nature of learning when we talk about “learning.” It’s joy, not work.

7 retweets 13 likes

Promethean ‏@Promethean

Free Teacher Tools for #BacktoSchool – Interest Inventories ready for your class! http://bit.ly/CFBTS2016N @ClassFlow

Gary G. Abud, Jr. ‏@MR_ABUD

How do you add skills for only 1 student? Considering Using @ClassDojo to Support PBIS, IEPs & Special Education:

WeAreTeachers ‏@WeAreTeachers

9 creative ideas to help your students go device-free. #teaching #unplug http://bit.ly/2ca4OQ7

pammoran ‏@pammoran

.@WMSWildcatNews 6th grdrs learn 2 open lockers – handy QR code linked 2 video lesson if needed #BYOD #1stday #acps

Tony Vincent ‏@tonyvincent

Is a student not a good test-taker?

iPad Apps for International Dot Day from @erintegration http://tonyv.me/erindot

MindShift ‏@MindShiftKQED

Have you thought about why you are using #edtech before you jump in? #sketchnote via @sylviaduckworth #edchat

Dan McCabe ‏@danieldmccabe Aug 22

Why I Tweet (As a Teacher) #edchat

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

Strategies:

World’s Largest Lesson

http://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/178464378″>The World's Largest Lesson 2016 – with thanks to Sir Ken Robinson and Emma Watson</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/worldslargestlesson”>World's Largest Lesson</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>

Resources:

Fun with English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfRSvTSY0d4

Chemistry Books to Curl Up with

I have a set of books that Shawn might enjoy reading about Chemistry. I know he said that no one ever curls up with a good Chemistry book, but then again, maybe they do. Here are a few suggestions:

Oliver Sacks – “Uncle Tungsten”: Oliver Sacks recently wrote a wonderful and poignant editorial in the NYT about his imminent fate, but the good doctor should rest supremely assured. All his writings are memorable and will live on forever, and none so much in my opinion as his delightful romp through the wonders of chemistry as a child narrated in “Uncle Tungsten”. I myself grew up experimenting with hazardous chemicals, and so this book resonated with me like few others. The book is a paean not just to the magical world of chemistry as explored by a young and receptive mind but also to a nostalgic and charming time when one could buy a pound of each alkali metal from a hardware store and drop it in a lake to see what happens (as Sacks did).

Deborah Blum – “The Poisoner’s Handbook”: This volume is a riveting account of the sinister side of chemistry, and of human nature in general, as it manifested itself in the heyday of New York City during the Jazz Age. Blum is exceedingly accomplished at bringing out the devious motives of poisoners as they exploited the unique chemistry of each poisoning, and she is also very adept at chronicling the rise of forensic science as it pitted science against murder. Thankfully science has largely won that fight – Blum tells us how. If there’s any doubt about how chemistry can come alive and impact society in the most consequential and personal ways, this book should dispel that doubt.

Natalie Angier – “Natural Obsessions”: Angier’s book is a rare example of an underexploited and revealing science genre; what one might call “fly on the wall science”. In this case the particular wall belongs to the laboratory of Robert Weinberg at MIT. Weinberg is one of the most important cancer researchers of the past fifty years and his lab has discovered many of the most important genes and biochemical pathways involved in the spread of this diabolical disease. Angier does a really great job of documenting the everyday struggles, passions, pitfalls, blind alleys and triumphs of basic research. Science done by human beings, with all its warts and glories.

Barry Werth – “The Billion Dollar Molecule”: Another true fly on the wall account, Barry Werth’s book would get anyone interested in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of drug discovery and biotech research. It is quite definitely the best and only book I know in which a probing, highly articulate writer was allowed virtually untrammeled access to the secret world of cutting-edge research carried out by a major, upcoming company (Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Werth’s prose is breathless, vivid and Promethean and makes the scientists at Vertex alternatively look like Gods descended from Olympus and rock stars at Woodstock. While he takes some poetic license, nowhere else have I seen the real world of highly risky and lucrative drug research and the sheer passion of industrial scientists described with such loving care and attention to detail. A must read, along with its less stratospheric but still readable sequel.

Philip Ball – “H2O: A Biography of Water”: If I had to single out one writer who consistently produces highly readable books on popular chemistry it would be Phil Ball. Phil has written many excellent books on the world of molecules and his writing covers a remarkable range of topics – from Paracelsus to Chartres Cathedral – but in my opinion none bridges the mundane and the profound as well as his book on that most beguiling, commonplace and enigmatic of substances – water. Phil explores an astounding range of phenomena in which water plays a key role, from the water cycle in glaciers to water in outer space to water at the molecular level in the human body. There is also a great chapter on what Irving Langmuir called “pathological science” which describes in gory detail the polywater controversy. This book is a must have on the shelf of anyone interested in popular chemistry.

http://wavefunction.fieldofscience.com/2015/04/top-10-popular-chemistry-books-for.html

Keep up the great work,

Dave

Web Spotlight:

Edmodo – Connect with your Facebook or Google accounts.

Gradecam – New interface rollout.

20 practical ways to use Google Forms in class, school

http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/09/08/20-practical-ways-to-use-google-forms-in-class-school/

Random Thoughts . . .

Happy National Teachers Day to all of our Chinese Teachers!

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr127.shtml

September 3, 2016September 3, 2016advisory, MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 337: Advisory Refresher, Welcome Back to School, Contronyms (wait, reverse that).

Jokes You Can Use:

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start.

So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake.

I feel better already.

A buddy of mine has two tickets for the 2017 Super Bowl. Box seats, plus airfares, accommodations, etc. But he didn’t realize when he bought them that this is going to be on the same day as his wedding, so he can’t go.

If you’re interested and want to go instead of him, it’s at St Peter’s Church in New York City at 5pm. Her name’s Louise. She will be the one in the white dress.

Thanks for your help!

I used to be in a band called Missing Cat… you probably saw our posters.

An anesthesiologist has a stock answer to the usual question asked by pre-surgical patients:

“How much will the anesthesia cost?”

“Oh, about $100.00. $1.00 to go to sleep and $99.00 for waking up. Most patients buy the whole package.”

Advisory:

Advisory Tips:

“An advisory is an organized group of one adult and a dozen or so kids that serves as the students’ first line of affiliation in their school,” said Stevenson in Teaching Ten to Fourteen Year Olds. “The group meets at least once daily, usually for the first 20 minutes or so of the day.”

Among the purposes of the advisory, Stevenson writes, are to

ensure that each student is known well at school by at least one adult who is that youngster’s advocate (advisor);
guarantee that every student belongs to a peer group;
help every student find ways of being successful within the academic and social options the school provides;
promote communication and coordination between home and school.

Middle School Science Minute

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

Dissection Preservatives

I was recently reading the April/May, 2016 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 article, “Scope on Safety.” It was written by Ken Roy, director of environmental health and safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, CT. The article focused in on the safety question of the month, which was: “Is there an alternative to the preservatives found in commercial dissecting specimens?”

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/9/1_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Dissection_Preservatives.html

From the Twitterverse:

Donny Sikora ‏@WWMSPPal

Can’t wait to see you on Tuesday! Mr. Sikora #CHAMPIONS

Beth Houf ‏@BethHouf

Beth Houf Retweeted Shelley Burgess

I do the same when people come to me and say “everyone” thinks this or “parents” complained. Which ones? #satchatwc

Beth Houf added,

Shelley Burgess @burgess_shelley

A5: May sound silly, but whenever someone blamed “The District”, I would say…”Who exactly do you mean?” Causes a pause… #satchatwc

Daisy Dyer Duerr ‏@DaisyDyerDuerr

@BethHouf Exactly! “Who is Everyone?” Hand them paper and ask them to write down names. ;0) #satchatwc

Cherra-Lynne Olthof ‏@cherraolthof

Dear teachers…..we got this! Welcome back!! #abed

REMC Association ‏@REMCAssociation

MeL is the place for Michigan Teachers to find classroom resources #BackToSchool http://ow.ly/RXfG303Gk5b #MichEd

Daisy Dyer Duerr ‏@DaisyDyerDuerr

Learning Foreign Languages Sharpens Our Minds http://ow.ly/n9U1303RAS6 #edchat

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

Resources:

Writing Prompts

http://theoryofknowledge.edublogs.org/2016/09/01/tok-essay-prompts-for-may-2017/

Crossword Puzzles

Acquiring an extensive vocabulary is one of the keys to success in learning a language. Many learners spend hours learning long lists of words or trying to memorize flashcards, which can be rather boring — and not always very effective. When doing a crossword, on the other hand, you are actively thinking about the language and using your brain to literally solve a puzzle.Research has shown that this engagement with the language helps the learning process, and it’s certainly a more fun way to learn. But that’s not all, it seems that crosswords may also be beneficial to your social, emotional, mental, and physical health!

http://crosswordenglish.com/

The Great Fire of London

This website was created by the Museum of London in partnership with London Metropolitan Archives, Guildhall Art Gallery and the Monument to mark the 350th anniversary of the fire. It also contains material from seven other contributors and is a one-stop shop for trustworthy, child-friendly content for key stage 1 teaching.

http://www.fireoflondon.org.uk/

Timelines

Easily create timelines. Download as a PDF. Can include pictures and descriptions.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/

Web Spotlight:

25 Words That Are Their Own Opposites

Left can mean either remaining or departed. If the gentlemen have withdrawn to the drawing room for after-dinner cigars, who’s left? (The gentlemen have left and the ladies are left.)

Trim as a verb predates the noun, but it can also mean either adding or taking away. Arising from an Old English word meaning ‘to make firm or strong; to settle, arrange,’ “trim” came to mean ‘to prepare, make ready.’ Depending on who or what was being readied, it could mean either of two contradictory things: ‘to decorate something with ribbons, laces, or the like to give it a finished appearance’ or ‘to cut off the outgrowths or irregularities of.’ And the context doesn’t always make it clear. If you’re trimming the tree are you using tinsel or a chain saw?

http://mentalfloss.com/article/57032/25-words-are-their-own-opposites

Smarthistory

Smarthistory is a leading resource for the study of art and cultural heritage. Our growing collection of videos and essays are designed to be engaging and conversational and cover art that ranges from the paleolithic to the present. Everything on Smarthistory is completely free and our content is offered with no advertising. We are a tiny non-profit organization based in New York, but we reach millions of learners around the world.

Smarthistory is a collaboration of more than 200 art historians, archaeologists, curators and other specialists who want to make the highest-quality art history learning content freely available to a global audience. Contributing editors oversee specific content areas.

http://smarthistory.org/

Random Thoughts . . .

http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2016/8/4_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Making_Science_Real.html

August 27, 2016advisory, MSM, PodcastBy Troy Patterson

MSM 336: Back to School, Make it Real and (don’t use these) because Andy Inhatko is a show host.

Jokes You Can Use:

I finally realized that I needed to get in shape, so I made plans to join a club and work out for one full year.

The year I picked is 2028.

Why do French people eat snails?

They don’t like fast food!

If you’re offered a penny for your thoughts and you give your two cents worth, where does the other penny go?

Eileen Award:

Twitter: Randy Ziegenfuss

Advisory:

The 50,000 foot perspective.

Middle School Science Minute

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

Making Science Real

I was recently reading the April/May, 2016 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 article, “Making Science Real.” It was written by Lauren Swanson, Emily Kang, and Clara Vaz Bauler. The article focused in on supporting English Learners (EL’s) in argumentation and explanation through authentic tasks.

From the Twitterverse:

David Britten ‏@colonelb

The greatest contributor to job creation and economic growth is a teacher. Pass it on.

MI Virt Teach Talent ‏@MIVirtTeachBnk

Send your cover letter, resume, city location and the position you prefer to us today to info@mvttb.com! #MichEd

Mark Barnes ‏@markbarnes19

Education should also be more than college prep. It should also be life skills prep and make a contribution prep.

Advocate by giving kids access to #edtech early and often #satchat

Erik Palmer ‏@erik_palmer

Argument, persuasion, reasoning explained, made teachable: http://goo.gl/c6uso2 #edchat #engchat

Scott McLeod ‏@mcleod

10 Easy Ways To Create an Amazing #SchoolCulture as a Principal This Year | @conprin http://bit.ly/2bNFL6I #cpchat #edadmin

4 retweets 5 likes

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

Strategies:

What Doesn’t Work: Literacy Practices We Should Abandon

5 Less-Than-Optimal Practices

To help us analyze and maximize use of instructional time, here are five common literacy practices in U.S. schools that research suggests are not optimal use of instructional time:

“Look Up the List” Vocabulary Instruction
Giving Students Prizes for Reading
Weekly Spelling Tests
Unsupported Independent Reading
Taking Away Recess as Punishment

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/literacy-practices-we-should-abandon-nell-k-duke

Resources:

FERPA

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016096.pdf

Vocabgrabber

Quickly create vocabulary lists from text.

https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/vocabgrabber

The Hidden Curriculum of Middle School

By: Tracie Cain

http://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/681/The-Hidden-Curriculum-of-Middle-School.aspx

50 for 50 Writing Contest

PBS Education’s 50 for 50 contest invites students in 6th – 12th grade to write a letter of 500 words or less to a Presidential candidate about the issues they care about most and how to get those issues passed in Congress and signed by the President. Two students (one middle school and one high school) will win a trip to Las Vegas to view the final Presidential debate with the media. Click here for ideas on how to incorporate this in your class.

This contest is designed to reinforce the importance of giving students in all 50 states the opportunity to participate in the political process.

Teachers – please complete all of the entry fields below and submit letters on behalf of your students. Entry deadline is September 21st!

http://pbseduelectioncentral.com/50-for-50

6 Opening and Closing Routines for New Teachers

Opening Routines

Share One Word

Quote of the Day

The Reading Minute

Closing Routines

Rate the Learning or Lesson

Closing Statement or Question

Grab a Goal

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/6-opening-and-closing-routines-new-teachers-rebecca-alber

Web Spotlight:

#Go Open

Openly licensed educational resources have enormous potential to increase access to high-quality education opportunities in the United States. Switching to openly licensed educational materials has enabled school districts to repurpose funding typically spent on static textbooks for other pressing needs, such as investing in the transition to digital learning. Visit our Open Education page to learn how resources that are openly licensed can benefit schools.

http://tech.ed.gov/open-education/go-open-districts/

Random Thoughts . . .