This week’s show is a recording of the dinner conversation we enjoyed during the National Middle School Annual Conference. There is a lot of background noise, but the audio is surprisingly decent considering. The conversation revolved largely around the Department of Education questions that Shawn was asked. We should be back with a “normal” show next week.
Scott McLeod does some terrific work. He has posted a comment about the cost of athletic programs as it relates to implementing a 1 to 1 computer program. He points out that it is not about knocking athletic programs. Athletics are important and have a role. Rather, this is about considering costs and coming up with comparables. It’s a short post and worth reading. He finishes with three questions:
All fair questions. I’d propose a few questions myself:
Education is messy. I actually think that this is a strength of education. It makes poor decisions harder to implement. It makes us talk about, discuss, argue, etc. what we want education to do. This is an interesting discussion though. How much does your school (district) spend on athletics?
Last show we talked a little bit about Jack Berkemeyer’s students writing instructions. This passed along my desk today, and I thought it timely.
First, SpongeBob assumes that Patrick knows what a jar is. Next, he assumes Patrick knows what a lid is. Finally, he assumes that Patrick is clear on what success looks like.
This may be a good introduction to students’ writing directions, or maybe just a sanity break for you (do exactly as I do, do exactly as I do,do exactly as I do,do exactly as I do,do exactly as I do)
http://spongebob.nick.com/videos/play/100great-big-pink-loser-clip/
Here’s something fun that you could do with your class- make cotton candy. This could be a great team treat around this time of year. The kids could do lots of the work and everyone could enjoy the results.
http://www.cookingissues.com/2010/11/22/powers-of-two-hand-pulled-cotton-candy-round-the-world/
Speed Versus Age
A Policeman stops a speeding car and tells the woman driver; When I saw you driving down the road, I thought to myself, sixty-five at least. The woman replied: “I don’t think that is quite fair. I think this hat makes me look younger.”
Hearing Aids
Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again.” To which the gentleman said, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will five times!”
NMSA 2010 Conference
Santa:
Activities – Paid site, but you could gather some ideas.
In response to Reid’s question on digital science resources, I thought I could share a few thoughts and ideas.
Probably the best interactive online science simulations are called Gismos and can be found at:
http://www.explorelearning.com
They come at a cost but when you look at them you will see that they really provide skills in inquiry and understanding. They are very “age appropriate” and include topics in earth, moon, and sun; measurement and lab skills; heredity and genetics; ecology and interdependence; motion and force, electricity and magnetism; and many, many more. You can’t go wrong with Gizmos.
………………………..
As far as online textbooks go, there are not a lot of choices, unless you go with a textbook company and Reid did not want to go with a standard textbook. I agree that he will have more success if he looks at “units” instead of a “full year.” In Michigan we recommend four 9-10 week units in grades 5-7. In 8th grade we recommend more units, but units that last shorter periods of time. The other negative about online resources is that they tend to downplay inquiry, which is very important, as well as being more “high schoolish” in their content and delivery. But here are a few choices:
Classzone—They provide resources to their student texts, but provide quite a bit of material. Visit: http://www.classzone.com/cz/index.htm
Prisms—PRISMS is a collection of reviewed phenomena and representations for middle school. The goal is to help increase the amount of content aligned and pedagogically useful resources available in the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) for middle school teachers and students. Visit: http://prisms.mmsa.org/
Khan Academy—You have mentioned quite a few times, but is worth a visit at: http://www.khanacademy.org/
………………………..
I would also recommend that he participate in the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association. Educators can join at: http://www.nmlsta.org/
You mentioned that I write a newsletter and it is the twice-monthly Michigan Science Matters Network eBlast. It is archived at http://msta-mich.org/smn But Science Matters is a network from within the National Science Teachers Association and Indiana is a part of the Network. I would encourage him to contact the State Coordinator: Kate Baird. They are also affiliated with the state science organization—Hoosier Association of Teachers and they can be found at: http://www.hasti.org/
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
Pennies for the Planet! Penny Wars!
The Secret Santa gift exchange is a favorite Christmas season activity. Put a twist on it in your classroom by having students give each other acts of kindness rather than gifts. Remind students how Secret Santa works. Tell them that instead of giving gifts they will be giving acts of kindness. Supply them with a few examples, such as giving compliments, helping with homework or sharing a joke. Give students slips of paper to write their names on and place them in a bag. Students draw the name of their partner for Secret Santa. Remind students to keep their identity secret.
Give the students pieces of A4 paper and have them decorate with Christmas borders so that they look like scrolls. Each day students write their acts of kindness on their scrolls. At the end of the week, everyone tries to guess who their Secret Santa is, and they turn their kindness scroll over to their partner.
http://www.ehow.com/list_6567051_holiday-activities-middle-school-students.html
 *maggiecary Helping Your Child Transition from EZ Readers to Chapter Books: |
 *bdyck Wondering How the Internet Sees You? |
 *bhsprincipal The Answer Sheet | What Tom Friedman got wrong about schools and why it matters – http://wapo.st/eXgscu via @wackjacq #cpchat #bhschat |
 *bhsprincipal Patrick Larkin RT @MrWejr: Teachers Who Shun Social Media Left In the Dark- Vancouver Sun via @jsteffenhagen #edchat #bhschat |
 *cybraryman1 Email Around the World Project: #ellchat #kinderchat |
 *cybraryman1 @kconners09 My Ed Chats page: #sschat (every Monday 7 pm EST) Here’s the link to tonight’s #sschat archive. http://ow.ly/3hdbh@Ron_Peck A properly designed Cooperative Learning Project does work well. Cooperative Learning: #sschat |
 *WackJacq RT @mcleod: New post: The 7 tacit lessons which schools teach children http://bit.lhttp://bit.ly/hMaMCQ #sschat #cpchat (Note: link in the tweet is bad. Here it is: http://www.minddump.org/the-7-tacit-lessons-which-schools-teach-child) |
 *TheSwish @MsTeacher28 We do a Bill of Rights “hand game” http://goo.gl/YHdBh & “Do I Have a Right” from @icivics #sschat |
 *Larryferlazzo The Best Teacher Resources For “Foldables” |
 *mbteach Come see a model lesson on using Skype in the classroom w/myself & @dancallahan at 11:20 #edcampnyc w/@jswiatek at #edcampcitrus |
Session 4
April Tibbles is chief of staff. (I got to sit next to the lovely and talented April Tibbles!)
Greg Darnieder is special advisor to Sec. Duncan. College Access Initiative.
Leah Raphael, Patrick Desmond (Teacher fellows) (LaDezma? A little difficult to hear)
Secondary planning group being developed.
Think about this while we talk: If you had 60 seconds with the secretary, what would you say about middle school?
Speed round:
1st word: Personalization
2nd word: Looping
3rd word: College and career readiness standards.
4th word: Rigor
5th word: Transitioning to high school.
6th word: Data
Are the needs of middle school students distinct?
What does a middle school look like?
Reauthorization of Perkins is coming up next year.
Should that program be revised to include middle grades?
If you had 60 seconds with Arne Duncan . . .
1. Exploratories to drive desire to learn and career choice.
2. This We Believe – No half measures.
3. We would love to have you on the podcast.
Secondary Schools Working Group
Session 4
Jack Berckemeyer
Hands on. See hand out.
steve spangler – diaper genie and bernoulli’s law.
I. Spelling:
Get words from other courses.
Put words on an index card. Tape the card on their back. They get 20 questions to figure out the word.
Harley Davidson spelling words. =
• Snap fingers and spell.
• Have them repeat you spelling the word. Change volume to really low.
• Chanting the word by syllable.
puzzlemaker.com
Word within a word
Paper plate Spelling – Put one letter on each plate. If a word includes more than one instance of a letter, the holder must move. If they start to spell it wrong, interrupt them. Then go back to them. Each and every group has to recite their answer. The kids hear it many times. (Always correct).
Replace a letter with a sound.
Blueberry and banana sentences. Replace the underline with a word. Use only 2 words to replace the line.
II. Reading Strategies
Book Talks
National Geographics (appropriate). Use for students who are finished with the assignments. Pick interesting articles. Use during pre and post learning time.
Story Pyramid- See handout
Useful for any subject. Just switch the questions.
3 Study card
The art of manipulation. The week of the test (Monday)use outlining, teaches listening skills and outlining. Then combine it down to a smaller piece of paper. Then cut it down to one index card.
READ magazine.
Pick a role and sell it to the kid first.
III. Academic Writing Strategies
19 Rules to Final Copy
IV. Creative Writing Strategies
Cliff Hangers
Make the kids be quite for 5 minutes at the beginning of class and write. It gets them focused.
How to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. The follow up is important. Teaches sequence of events and transitions.
Spin a story – Put a brad on a piece of paper with names/locations/conflict. Can also use Weekly World Report – just the headlines.
V. Grammar
We don’t think about grammar as visual. Go to the window- does anyone see a noun?
“Fanatasia” the dancing hippos – kids come up with adjectives.
“Grammar Rock”
VI. Listening Skills
Place an X on the floor where you give direct instruction.
Sound effects on CD. They write what it the effect is.
“Green Grass Grew All Around”- they listen then quiz them.
VII. Oral Communications
Commercials
Songs
Presenting:
Chin Up
Speak so you can be heard
Eye Contact
Have them memorize a poem, then project the words on the back wall.
Use a prop box.
By Alyson Klein
During the recent midterm election, a number of conservative Republican candidates eager to clamp down on what they see as bureaucratic waste took aim at scrapping a familiar target: the 30-year-old U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/12/03/14department.h30.html?tkn=LPSFd931Pu0MSHTZwcv4b9T%2FrkBlNeC1Xsfh&cmp=clp-edweek
Need an example of an author rewriting? Want to teach the “secret” code of adults (cursive)? This is a great example of how Charles Dickens wrote the classic tale.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/30/nyregion/dickens-christmas-carol-pages.html
Author: Charles Dickens
Narrator: Antonia Bath
Publisher:LearnOutLoud.com
Unabridged Edition
Running Time: 2 Hrs. 45 Min.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Literature/European-Classics/A-Christmas-Carol/29311
The Power of Literature Circles
I promise to provide practical resources on the how, when, where, what of lit circles, but let me first make a case for why every K-12 classroom should institute some version of literature circles.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/literature-circles-how-to-and-reasons-why-elena-aguilar
http://gallery.carnegiefoundation.org/collections/quest/collections/sites/aguilar_elena/literature_circles.htm
Interactive White Boards are here, whether we like them or not. Golly, if your classroom doesn’t have one by now, I’d be real surprised. And while tech educators often rail against them (because teachers hog them), I’ve decided to throw up the white flag of surrender- for the kids. It would seem teachers aren’t going to give these things up and let the kids use them. Ever.
http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/34792
NMSA News:
Other News:
From the author:
Welcome to ScienceFix.com! Your place to get your science fix! It is a resource for middle school science teachers. It has resources (created by me, Darren Fix), that teachers can use such as lessons, science links, video demonstrations and web projects/webquests. There are original resources and of course customized (teaching is all about taking other teachers creations and modifying and tailoring it to your classroom). The site is also a blog. The reason for the blog feature is to share some of the more interesting things that are going on in science that might stir some interest in your classroom or just for your own personal enjoyment. Hopefully you can get some use out of it and also have a little fun!
I have been a science teacher for 14 years. Currently I am teaching 7th and 8th grade science at Spring View Middle School, in Rocklin, Ca. I am also the lead technology teacher and I have a masters in education technology via the iMET masters program at California State University, Sacramento. I am a science and technology nerd who thoroughly enjoys teaching. I love to do demonstrations of science concepts and I also try to incorporate the latest discoveries in science into the classroom. I also integrate computer applications into the science curriculum to further enhance the learning experience. I have presented at education conferences such as the state CUE (Computer Using Educators) Conference as well as the CLHS/CLMS (California League of High Schools/ Middle Schools) Technology Conference.
Richard Byrne is one of those teachers who “get it”. He regularly posts really good links. Here is a post about GeoGebra. He provides links to the site as well as support materials. Make his site a regular stop.
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/11/geogebra-tutorials-for-beginners-and.html
Found this post via Scott McLeod:
Alan McCluskey from the Swiss Agency for ICT in education spoke about The 7 tacit lessons which schools teach children:
1. Knowledge is scarce
2. Learning needs a specific place and specific time (lessons in classrooms)
3. Knowledge is best learnt in disconnected little pieces (lessons)
4. To learn you need the help of an approved expert i.e. a teacher
5. To learn you need to follow a path determined by a learning expert (a course of study)
6. You need an expert to assess your progress (a teacher)
7. You can attribute a meaningful numerical value to the value of learning (marks, grades, degrees)
http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2006/06/08/utopia/
So I started thinking about what lessons do we want to teach kids? I mean, what are the big life lessons that we want kids to leave us with? Much of the information that we have will change (or least not be absolutely crucial to know as facts). I would think that we wouldn’t want to teach the 7 things above. Then again, is this the right list? Comments are open for your thoughts.
Tuning
The doorbell rang, and the lady of the house discovered a workman, complete with tool chest, at the front door. “Lady,” he announced, “I’m the piano tuner.” The lady exclaimed, “Why, I didn’t send for a piano tuner.” The man replied, “I know, but your neighbors did.”
Age
A teacher said to her student, “Billy, if both of your parents were born in 1967, how old are they now?” After a few moments, Billy answered, “It depends.” “It depends on what?” she asked. “It depends on whether you ask my father or my mother.”
Space
When the Smith family moved into their new house, a visiting grandparent asked five-year-old Tommy how he liked the new place. “It’s great,” he said. “I have my own room, Alex has his own room, and Jamie has her own room. But poor mom is still in with dad.”
Painting
Mary goes to her first show at an art gallery and is looking at the paintings. One is a huge canvas that has black with yellow blobs of paint splattered all over it. The next painting is a murky gray color that has drips of purple paint streaked across it. Mary walks over to the artist and says, “I don’t understand your paintings.” “I paint what I feel inside me,” explains the artist. “Have you ever tried Alka-Seltzer?”
Guys- I have just recently started to listen to your podcasts and follow you on Twitter. I am impressed and look forward to learning from the networking. I am a middle school principal in Lowell, Indiana. I need some help with a couple of things. First, it is a Science adoption year here in Indiana and I need help locating quality digital resources for adoption instead of textbooks. Do you guys know of any that I could research. Second, I am interested in Second Life and how you guys use this web tool.
Reid
by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com)
Cell Phones, iPods and energy. What do your students need to know?
Have your students take a short quiz on World Hunger. You could have the students take the quiz collaboratively, or take it yourself first, then give it to the students. Good discussion topics. Plus a donation is made every time someone takes the quiz.
http://gifts.wfp.org/quiz/
 *ransomtech ✜ Stephen Ransom Gr8 screencasting tool on Mac!! RT @ScreenFlow: #BlackFriday is here! 15% off ScreenFlow thru end of November 🙂 |
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 *kevcreutz Seven Ways to Build Your Own Educational Games #edtech |
 *kconners09 RT @DanielPink: An inspired school principal (@L_Hilt) tries a FedEx Day for her teachers. Fantastic. |
 *shannonmmiller 10 Terrific iPhone and iPad Musical Performances http://ow.ly/3fUBZ @johnccarver |
 * drmmtatom Twitter Rubric: #fhucid |
 * jeanbont #pun outside class door today: “My arm!”, said Captain Hook, offhandedly. |
 *maggiecary When Your Child’s Grades are Failing: |
This Part for Infamous40000 . . . :
Waiting to hear back from Infamous40000 . . .
PLC is NOT:
The research says that we take on the characteristics of the students we teach.
Culture
Climate
•Standards based (Learning Targets)
Coaching
Early success breeds Hope.
Covey’s concept of Sphere of Influence. Sphere of control is where we need to operate.
Collaboration leads to taking out the walls.
Professional Development:
True Colors
Adults do not learn from experience, they learn from reflection. J. Mezirow
Must build reflection into the PD experience.
The starting of the PLC:
Led to:
Instructional Focus
Formative assessment
Metacognition (Think alouds)
Prior Knowledge
Collaboration is the key.
Starting collaboration:
Grade level;
2 collaborative sessions required per 9 weeks. There was form for follow up.
The next year, 1 was required. The third year, no mention. The idea was to integrate it into what they do.
Special education started getting involved. The special ed teachers gave some ideas for accommodations.
Common planning for departments. Started vertical articulation. This lead to similarities being identified. Identified overlap of standards.
Developed a 2 year plan. Language Arts teachers decided to “loop”. (5th & 6th and 6th & 7th grades.).
Cross curricular
Leads to Differentiation as well.
Leadership Team
The leadership team takes issues to the principal. Makes sure that all teachers have a voice.
Reading became the focus of the school.
Reading became the common core.
First Step:
SRA
Next:
Sphere of Influence.
ICU – Intensive Care Unit
Exploratory Math labs, Lit labs
Saturday School
Summer school
ICU questions. All students are listed on Google Docs. Students who have issues are marked and followed up by everyone (eg. student missing homework).
Every teacher has to make 3 parents calls a week. At least 1 must be positive.
Celebrations at card marking
*************************************************************************************
SoundNote Recording created November 4, 2010 12:30 PM:
Sheila_J_Berlinger@mcpsmd.org
Jennifer_Bernard@mcpsmd.org
Denise_M_DeFlore@mcpsmd.org
Elizabeth_A_Sandall@mcpsmd.org
Pink folder on table and name tag. Types of development paper to share.
This we Believe
“For middle school students to be successful, the school’s organization, curriculum, pedagogy and programs must be based on the developmental readiness, needs and interests of young adolescent learners.”
We need to staff our middle schools with experts in teaching middle school kids.
Outcomes
• Identify the characteristics of the adolescent learner
• Explain the instructional implications for adolescents based on their brain development.
• Articulate how the selection of instructional ….
Characteristics of the Adolescent Learner: Step One
Step one
• Draw 2-3 strips from the envelope.
• Sort the characteristics by the categories on the placemat.
Step two
• Look at the hot pink paper and discuss.
• Consult the document titled “Characteristics of Adolescent Learners.”
• Examine how the characteristics were sorted.
• Compare your lists to one we have provided.
Implications for learning
What implications does the information on the characteristics of the adolescent learner handout have for planning and instruction based on your role in your school district?
I need to incorporate those characteristics into my teaching to support their learning.
Why is rigor important and why does it matter?
• Review your rigor placement.
• Define Rigor:
International competitiveness.
Teaching with the end in mind.
Using thinking based learning.
Green Handout: Rigorous Instruction in the middle school
Triangle image on the page.
1. Explicit opportunities for critical thinking
2. Selection of rigorous instructional materials
3. Appropriately matched and differentiated instructional strategies.
Application activity:
Toni Morrison’s The Big Box
Chosen for an adult audience in a conference setting.
This is an illustration for use around the triangle.
1. Listen to and look at the Big Box.
2. With your table mates, revisit the text with the elements of reasoning.
3. Be prepared to share your assignment element(s).
Reflection:
How did this experience motivate and engage you?
Rigor selection process.
Provocative: To what extent is the curriculum concerned with the central problems in the discipline that challenge students’ previous concepts?
Ambiguous: To what extent does the curriculum focus on cymbals and images paced with multiple meanings?
Complex: To what extent is the curriculum organized around complex, interrelated concepts?
Emotional: To what extent is the curriculum …
(Lilac paper)
Ambiguous: forced us to interpret
Emotional: there were things there that each reader can identify with.
Provacative: Things to defend or discuss vigorously.
Complex:
PACE and the Big Box.
Implications for planning and instruction
What implications do the definition and measure of rigor (PACE) have for planning and instruction based on your role in your school district?
Engaging the students in something worthy of their time.
The elements of thought: The Reasoning Wheel
Richard Paul and Linda Elders model.
1. Points of view
2. Purpose of the thinking
3. Question at issue
4. Information
5. Interpretation and inference
6. Concepts
7. Assumptions
8. Implications and consequences
Am I critical thinker?
Implications: things that might happen
Consequences: Things that will happen.
Discussion:
How would this model support their learning and help ensure rigorous instruction?
Adolescent Brain Development
Emotions?? Highly developed …
Reasoning and reflection?
Under construction …
(Until early or mid-twenties)
Developmental Rates
Significant growth occurs in the adolescent similar to childhood growth.
As those synapses are growing, we need to use them or lose them.
The stronger the relationship between the student and the teacher, the better the ability to set emotions aside and learn.
Prune the students to direct their energy to where it should go and strengthen the core of the tree/student.
Which neuron provides the greater potential for connection?
What students are asked to think about and what they’re asked to do determines the level of neuron they have.
Neuron develops on feedback and challlenge.
Challenge: problem solving, critical thinking, relevant projects, complex materials.
Feedback: Exemplars, connected to clear standards and criteria, various forms, timely, opportunity to use it.
Sense and Meaning
Long term memory: retrieving information
Sense: comprehension, I understand it, it makes sense. Until it makes sense, it’s not stored.
Meaning: Relevance-I can connect it to something else I know. No connection = no meaning.
“Of the two, meaning has the greater impact on the probablily that the information will be stored.” -Sousa
Implications for planning and instruction: What implications does the information on the adolescent brain have for planning and instruction based on your role in your school district?
Rigorous Instructional Practices
• The content refers to WHAT students will learn.
• The process refers to HOW students will learn or explore the content.
• The product is the EVIDENCE of student learning.
Implications for planning and instruction
What do I now have to consider in order to successfully develop adolescent thinkers?
CEU Code: UN8
News:
What Really Happened?
A comparison of Thanksgiving stories:
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/what-really-happened-comparing-stories-of-the-first-thanksgiving/
Sharendipity
ClassTools.net
Purpose Games
What 2 Learn
YoYo Games
Jeopardy Labs
ProProfs Brain Games
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/11/seven-ways-to-build-your-own.html
NMSA News:
Other News:
If you are looking to use rubics, Rubistar is a great resource. It is easy to use and has a ton of pre-made rubrics which can be customized. If Rubistar doesn’t work for you, check out iRubric. Both of these sites give you plenty of examples and allow you to customize your own rubrics. Both of these resources are free for individual teachers. Both can be extended to be used on-line instead of just as paper copies (there may be a cost for that though).