Middle School Matters

MSM 291: (Mystery) Science Theater, SAMR and Plagiarize Check This. Bye Doug. Shawn, Troy and Dave talk about Science Theater, Plagiarism Checkers, Advisory ideas and more.

MSM 290: The Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen Show. Shawn, Troy and Dave are back! We share resources and more.

MSM 289:  Upcoming Vacation, Back to the Future - Grammar, and Election (Signs) Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: Dan Balestrero Advisory: Halloween Candy http://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/candyx600_103014.png Idioms http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/idioms-of-the-world-infographic/ Back to The Future Grammar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXIZoaD8NBg#t=119 10 Greatest Changes of the past 1,000 years http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/30/10-greatest-changes-of-the-past-1000-years Octothorpe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVOM0VycMI Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) From the Twitterverse: Strategies: Counter Factuals Given the perilous political circumstances in some regions of our world today, understanding what could have been, may in fact help us better understand what might be. http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119357/altered-pasts-reviewed-cass-r-sunstein Resources: 6th - 8th Grade Paired Text Question Sets http://www.readworks.org/rw/6th-8th-grade-paired-text-question-sets Yummy Math http://opencurriculum.org/user/yummymath/ NASA Library of Space Sounds http://createdigitalmusic.com/2014/10/nasa-posts-huge-library-space-sounds-youre-free-use/ https://soundcloud.com/nasa Socrative Quiz List http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/access-more-than-1000-socrative-quizzes.html#.VFTVdlPF94U https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dtoP6ivVNJtqTw0d6OSKLEq5WlZZ7ak9onjU1kph0Co/edit#gid=20451944 Election Day Resource www.electoral-vote.com Teacher - Student Assessment http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/10/26/here-are-forms-my-students-are-using-to-evaluate-themselves-me/ Web Spotlight: Gifted and Talented…and Afraid http://eduguideblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/gifted-talented-and-afraid/ 50 Great Teachers: Socrates, The Ancient World's Teaching Superstar We're starting this celebration of teaching with Socrates, the superstar teacher of the ancient world. He was sentenced to death more than 2,400 years ago for "impiety" and "corrupting" the minds of the youth of Athens. http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/10/29/359325963/50-great-teachers-socrates-the-ancient-worlds-teaching-superstar Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site eCommunity

MSM 288:  Search, Forms, Images, PhotoMath- Your Life on Earth. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: Trevor Mattea Advisory: Your Life on Earth Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-CAUSE AND EFFECT I was recently reading the September, 2014 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 "Editor's Roundtable: Cause and Effect," written by Inez Liftig, Editor of Science Scope. In the roundtable, she shares her thoughts and the research which supports that the teaching of cause and effect cannot be an afterthought in instruction; it must be considered an integral part of lesson planning integrated seamlessly with other dimensions of a lesson. From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Google Search Tips Can be useful for students and you. http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//educators/downloads/Tips_Tricks_85x11.pdf Resources: Try the New Add-ons for Google Forms Applications for Education The Form Limiter Add-on mentioned above is useful for delivering timed assessments. Form Limiter can also be used to close the form when you a designated number of submissions have been made. That option is useful when you're using Google Forms to create capped registration lists. gMath for Google Forms is another that teachers will find useful. gMath allows you create and insert graphs and mathematical expressions into your Google Forms. That feature is one that math teachers have wanted for years. http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/try-new-add-ons-for-google-forms.html#.VEmfD5PF_5k PhotoMath PhotoMath reads and solves mathematical expressions by using the camera of your mobile device in real time. It makes math easy and simple by educating users how to solve math problems. https://photomath.net/ ReadWorks Contains lessons and units K-6. This also includes Standards alignment. Additionally, they have resources that are aligned to grade level/strategy. These can be printed. http://www.readworks.org/ Web Spotlight: Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site

MSM 287:  If Siri can answer, don’t take the bet or the bribe! Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: Jenny Lee, Amy Rugg Advisory: 10 Amazing Bets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4sapsEXKpQ#t=92 Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-CUSTODIAL SCIENCE TRAINING I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Scope on Safety," written by Ken Roy, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for the Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, CT. Within this article is the "Question of the Month." This month's question is, "Do custodians need safety training prior to cleaning the floors in a science lab?" http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/10/10_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Custodial_Science_Training.html From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: BoomWriter http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/10/halloween-themed-writing-lessons-from.html#.VEJ-_JPF_Kg A veteran teacher turned coach shadows 2 students for 2 days – a sobering lesson learned http://grantwiggins.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/a-veteran-teacher-turned-coach-shadows-2-students-for-2-days-a-sobering-lesson-learned Resources: Schools told: cash bribes 'fail to improve GCSE grades' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/11135444/Schools-told-cash-bribes-fail-to-improve-GCSE-grades.html Web Spotlight: Online Conference Dr. Tatom’s Presentation: My presentation is scheduled for Friday, 10/24/2014. It will be available at 8:00 AM, EDT. Why I now Friend Student via Social Media http://www.coolcatteacher.com/videos/now-friend-students-social-media/ 8th-grader Writes Hilariously Epic Algebra Problem. JJ Abrams Would Be Proud… A surprising new argument against using kids’ test scores to grade their teachers http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/13/a-new-argument-against-using-kids-test-scores-to-grade-their-teachers/ Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site

MSM 286: It’s International Day of the Girl, Homework, and Muting the Messenger . . . Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Advisory: Radiooooo http://beta.radiooooo.com/ Does My Voice Really Sound Like That? Take it from an expert: It’s weird to hear how your voice really sounds. But why does it sound different to you than everyone else. Hank explains -- in a deep, resonant voice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wThQljxcY&feature=youtu.be 16 Shakespearean Insults *Warning the *H* word is used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Uej8LJ48Q#t=49 Breakfast http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/08/magazine/eaters-all-over.html Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) I was recently reading the September, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Moving Ahead With Alternate Conceptions," written by Aaron Isabelle, Rosemary Millham, and Thais da Cunha. In the article, they explain how alternate conceptions are also referred to as misconceptions, which are deeply ingrained, scientifically inappropriate ideas about something in the physical or natural world. In the article, they state 11 alternate conceptions correlated with the NGSS. An example of an alternate conception is that dinosaurs and cavemen lived at the same time. http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/10/1_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Alternate_Conceptions.html From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Homework http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2012/11/26/homework-an-unnecessary-evil-surprising-findings-from-new-research/ Three critical questions students should keep in mind--any subject, any grade--when reading NF: https://twitter.com/KyleneBeers/status/515988759171829760/photo/1 Resources: How Teacher’s Learn http://thelearningcounsel.com/repository/teachers-as-tech-learners.jpeg http://thelearningcounsel.com/archives/How-Teachers-Learn National Cyber Safety Month https://plus.google.com/photos/+google/albums/5940699556055522273 ScratchJR Coding is the new literacy! With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer. Download for the iPad. http://www.scratchjr.org/index.html Web Spotlight: Mute the Messenger When Dr. Walter Stroup showed that Texas’ standardized testing regime is flawed, the testing company struck back.by Jason Stanford Published on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at 8:00 CST http://www.texasobserver.org/walter-stroup-standardized-testing-pearson/ Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site Book deliberate [sic] Optimism: reclaiming the JOY in education by Dr. Debbie Silver, Jack C Berckemeyer, and Judith Baenen. “Recharge the optimism that made you an educator in the first place! School is where students and staff should feel safe, engaged, and productive - and choosing optimism is the first step toward restoring healthy interactions necessary for enacting real change.”

MSM 285: Dancing Queen in Sonnet or Jeopardy Rocks the Green Pennies . . . From Heaven. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: Martha Riecks, Julia Hiltscher Advisory: Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) New Middle School Science Minute Podcast on "Green Pennies" I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Why the Statue of Liberty is Green: Coatings, Corrosion and Patina," written by Richard H. Moyer and Susan A. Everett. In this 5E-learning-cycle lesson, students test different types of coatings on pennies to observe how the coatings affect the amount of corrosion produced when the penny is placed in a moist environment and a moist, acidic environment. http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/9/26_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Green_Pennies.html From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Jeopardy Rocks! Really easy to create and save Jeopardy style board. You just give them a Title for the board (end of the URL), email address and create a password. Then click and type. Easy peasy. Note that you must complete the entire board before the “Publish” button is available. There are six columns. Each column needs five questions. You also need a Final Jeopardy question. http://www.jeopardy.rocks/ http://www.jeopardy.rocks/msm-2453fbd1-b63f-461a-b530-1e71302129f2/ (Only the Hosts category has real questions.) Google Forms Google has updated Google Forms to include a couple of nice options. First of all, you can now limit respondents to one response. Secondly, you can now shuffle question order. Thirdly, you can now customize the images and fonts in a form. You can do a lot of good stuff with Forms. http://blog.gcflearnfree.org/2014/09/11/use-google-forms-to-create-quizzes-surveys-and-more/ http://googledrive.blogspot.com/2014/09/custom-forms-themes.html PopSonnet What happens when you take a pop song and rewrite it as a sonnet? http://popsonnet.tumblr.com/ Resources: Inside the Brain of a Struggling Reader [Infographic] When a student struggles to learn to read, we often look to social or economic factors, access to books, or the home environment for an explanation. While each of these factors can play a part, treatable brain differences are often part of the equation. http://www.scilearn.com/blog/inside-the-brain-of-a-struggling-reader-infographic See the original infographic at http://www.scilearn.com/blog. Richard Byrne Google Docs Resources 27 (and growing) video tutorials by Richard Byrne on using Google. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtx-qUNKJwDz6b_3NaGTkGXaTPrLCpacY Sources of Free Sound Effects and Music for Multimedia Projects Just as with images, it is important to have students use music and sound effects that they have permission to use. The following resources offer music and sound effects that students can use for free in multimedia projects. http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/sources-of-free-sound-effects-and-music.html

MSM 284: Note(Take) this: Trading Cards, Mentally Strong, Failure in 3D. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: Daniel Edwards, Peter Rattien, Kim Allen Facebook: Coco Gibson Burks Advisory: 18 Things Mentally Strong People Do http://media.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2014/09/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.jpg http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/18-things-mentally-strong-people.html 15 People Who Failed on Their Way to Success Before their success, some of the world’s most successful people experienced epic failure. We celebrate their success but often overlook the path that got them there. A path that is often marked with failure. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/15-highly-successful-people-who-failed-their-way-success.html Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-3 DIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENTS I was recently reading the September, 2014 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 Editor's Roundtable, entitled "Align Your Assessments With Three Dimensional Learning." It was written by the editor of "Science Scope," Inez Liftig. The purpose of the column was to emphasize that effective assessment is integral to the three-dimensional learning and teaching needed to realize the vision of the NGSS and the Framework for K-12 Science Education. http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/9/4_Middle_School_Science_Minute-3_Dimensional_Assessments.html Have a great vacation! From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Trading Cards http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/how-to-create-trading-cards-for.html#.VB2CbytdXFc http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/trading-card-creator-30056.html Note Taking Skills http://www.coolcatteacher.com/note-taking-skills-21st-century-students/ Resources: Socratic Smackdown A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12. The game is designed for 4-40 students. Includes a video tutorial, and a PDF of the instructions. Students earn points. All instructions, support material and score cards are included. Links to Common Core standards are also available. The beauty of Socratic Smackdown is its flexibility. Here are some ways Rebecca Grodner has used the game: “Playing it in small groups, it can encourage shy students. In large groups, it can help you focus on specific learning needs.” “Using it as a form of assessment, or as a practice space for finding supporting evidence for one’s ideas.“ “Framing it as a game to help students learn to negotiate conflict. As a facilitator, some days I found myself helping students mediate arguments in their small groups.” http://www.instituteofplay.org/work/projects/print-play-games-2/socratic-smackdown/ Web Spotlight: Is character education the answer? Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D. September 17, 2014 http://edexcellence.net/articles/is-character-education-the-answer#.VBrfSAYaQ7k.twitter Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site - Moodle & Google Classroom

MSM 283: A Love Letter. Dipsticks. Images. and Memory. Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: iTunes: Twitter: Marc Clark, Deborah Kenny, Crystal Davids, Jeff Emerson Google+: Facebook: Email: Advisory: Cryptic Writing http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/09/01/victorian-cryptographic-love-letter/ Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-LAB SAFETY SPEC ED PARAPROS I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Scope on Safety: Question of the Month" written by Ken Roy, director of environmental health and safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The question of the month, that he responds to, is "Do special education paraprofessionals in my science lab need to have formal training in handling hazardous chemicals?" From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: 13 Tricks to Help You Remember What You’ve Learned Memory is fallible. If you forget everything in this article, remember this fact: Researchers estimate that we lose 90% of everything we learn immediately after learning it. Ninety percent. Have I got your attention now? http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/13-tricks-help-you-remember-what-youve-learned.html 21 Cool Anchor Charts To Teach Close-Reading Skills Close reading is a hot topic that’s just getting hotter! Here are 21 anchor charts, bulletin board ideas and other resources that you can bring into your classroom to turn your readers into even closer readers. http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/21-cool-anchor-charts-to-teach-close-reading-skill-h0xt Resources: Image Resources https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages Free PowToon Account We believe in the importance of education so to celebrate 5 million PowToons created we have over 50,000 FREE Classroom Accounts to give away! Each account gives one teacher + 60 students access (normally $96/yr per account). Offer Expires October 31st, 2014. Accounts are valid for one year. http://www.powtoon.com/lp/toonup/ Web Spotlight: Random Thoughts . . . Google Classroom Personal Web Site

MSM 282: Own your own stuff, just don’t call a plumber. Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: Twitter: André Sprang, Joseph Kenney, KJ Wari, Jochen Horst Advisory: Humans Need Not Apply The video below is long (15 minutes), but thoughtful and riveting. It make the case that just as horses have been replaced by technology, humans are next. If that sounds like silly logic, invest one minute, just to see what you think. www.loopinsight.com/2014/08/16/humans-need-not-apply Getting Over Procrastination http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/a-procrastination-gene Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) Middle School Science Minute -- Think Apps I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Think Instruments, Think Apps: Using App-Based Technology in the Science Classroom" written by Nancy H. Heilbronner. In the article, Nancy describes 10 apps that would be helpful to use in the science classroom. All 10 of the apps could take the place of costly scientific instruments. From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Who's a Math Nerd? *raising hand* http://iamamathnerd.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/countingcircles/ 4 Big Things Transformational Teachers Do http://www.edutopia.org/blog/big-things-transformational-teachers-do-todd-finley Resources: 27 Ways To Promote Intrinsic Motivation In The Classroom by TeachThought Staff http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/27-ways-promote-intrinsic-motivation-classroom/ Web Spotlight: 4 Steps Towards A More Personal Classroom by Linda Pruett http://www.teachthought.com/learning/getting-started-personalized-learning/ 5 Ways to Assess Learning without Giving a Test I ran into a little push-back about assessment. The chief complaint was that increasing the number of assessments requires teachers to give up more instructional time to test kids. I couldn't agree more with. We don't need more tests. We need more instruction. But here's the deal. Assessment is not testing. Assessment is determining if learning is actually taking place. In fact, assessment is a vital component on excellent instruction, and without assessment, you're not delivering instruction. You're disseminating information and opportunities to learn. http://leadlearner2012.blogspot.com/2014/07/5-ways-to-assess-learning-without.html Why All Students Should Write: A Neurological Explanation by Judy Willis M.D., M.Ed., radteach.com http://www.teachthought.com/literacy-2/why-all-students-should-write-a-neurological-explanation-for-literacy/ A strange definition of a ‘bad’ teacher http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/08/09/a-strange-definition-of-a-bad-teacher/ Ideas Of The Mind (Wandering, Divergent And Flipped) In many organizations, we are so intent on the problems and walls that stand before us, that we never allow ourselves the time necessary to think past, around or beyond them. We spend our waking time and mental capacity being now-focused. Completely immersed in plodding forward…and pushing those walls and obstacles with us. Never realizing that taking a step back will not only improve our perspective, but unveil a variety of routes forward that may have not been noticeable, previously. http://dculberh.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/ideas-of-the-mind-wandering-divergent-and-flipped/ Random Thoughts . . . Own your information. eCommunity for Moodle Personal Web Site

MSM 281: We’re Rusty. Shut off the Internet to test. Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: Eileen Award: iTunes: Twitter: Holly Berchet-Hall, Brian Marks, Andre Spang, Torsten Larbig, MEEMIC, Kyle Stalzer, @sarahdateechur, Kit Hard, Yong Park, Dr. Phil Metzger, Secondary Principals (MASSP), Google+: Ryan Easton, Sandra Wozniak Facebook: Email: Advisory: Too Obvious to share Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) WE GET LETTERS I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Letters! We Get Letters" written by Joanna Shubin. In the article, Joanna describes how she has her students write letters to scientists. It is a great way to integrate science and English Language Arts and to generate enthusiasm in all of the students. She suggests that you try having your own students write to scientists, because you will get letters! http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/8/7_Middle_School_Science_Minute-We_Get_Letters.html From the Twitterverse: 4 Ideas To Have A Successful First Year as Principal http://feedly.com/k/1qmcUDJ ~ #ISTEAPLN #fhuedu610 #tn_teta #edchat => @MSMatters #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Stick Pick Twitter Giveaway: So recently I won a copy of Stick Pick. I already have a copy of Stick Pick from back when I reviewed it for the Podcast. If you’d like my copy of Stick Pick, send us an email at middleschooleducators@gmail.com with a short statement on how you use differentiation in your classroom and we’ll throw your name in a random name selector (called Stick Pick) and announce a winner two weeks from the recording of this show. Stick Pick will be making an important product announcement soon and we’ll bring you the news when it happens. Strategies: Random Name Generators Need a way to select students to “volunteer”? http://www.classtools.net/education-games-php/fruit_machine http://primaryschoolict.com/random-name-selector/ http://www.classtools.net/random-name-picker/ * Note that these can also be used for vocabulary words, important terms, etc. Classroom Games http://www.teachhub.com/classroom-games-other-creative-ways-start-day What works in teaching Math http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/MathHome.aspx Resources: Fluency Tutor http://www.fluencytutorforgoogle.com/ Web Spotlight: Making Connections with Advisory Relationships are among the most important elements of student success. By: Ellen D Amore Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site IFTTT Badges

MSM 280: I’d argue that, Ugly Fruit, SPLAT! Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: A chicken walks into a ice cream store. The clerk says, "We don't serve poultry!" The chicken says, "That's OK, I just want a cone." Eileen Award: Twitter: Jason Hovey Advisory: Many Kids Who Are Obese Or Overweight Don't Know It http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/07/23/334091461/many-kids-who-are-obese-and-overweight-dont-know-it The End of ‘Genius’ WHERE does creativity come from? For centuries, we’ve had a clear answer: the lone genius. The idea of the solitary creator is such a common feature of our cultural landscape (as with Newton and the falling apple) that we easily forget it’s an idea in the first place. But the lone genius is a myth that has outlived its usefulness. Fortunately, a more truthful model is emerging: the creative network, as with the crowd-sourced Wikipedia or the writer’s room at “The Daily Show” or — the real heart of creativity — the intimate exchange of the creative pair, such as John Lennon and Paul McCartney and myriad other examples with which we’ve yet to fully reckon. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/opinion/sunday/the-end-of-genius.html Mishapen Fruit 300 million tons thrown away each year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2nSECWq_PE Happy in Your State http://twentytwowords.com/do-you-make-enough-money-to-be-happy-in-your-state/ Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH ARGUMENTATION I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Scientific Explanations and Arguments: Building New Science Content Knowledge Through Argumentation" written by Lauren Brodsky and Andrew Falk. In the article, they describe a process by which to develop science lessons that support students in engaging in and learning through argumentation. They also provide a few suggestions for smaller things you can do to incorporate elements of argumentation, if you don't have time for the entire process. http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/7/16_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Knowledge_Through_Argumentation.html From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: 5 Essential Ingredients For Learning (SPLAT) http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/10630 Metacognition Metacognition is, put simply, thinking about one’s thinking. More precisely, it refers to the processes used to plan, monitor, and assess one’s understanding and performance. Metacognition includes a critical awareness of a) one’s thinking and learning and b) oneself as a thinker and learner. http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/metacognition/ Resources: Principals in U.S. Are More Likely to Consider Their Students Poor http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/23/upshot/principals-in-us-are-more-likely-to-consider-their-students-poor.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1 Class Timers Use multiple timers. Set timers to music. Pause all timers at once. http://www.classtools.net/timer/ Open Curriculum Teacher-curated and Common Core standards-aligned sets of high-quality lessons, activities and assessments. http://www.opencurriculum.org/ Web Spotlight: Gravity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTVIMOix3I#t=73 Random Thoughts . . . Personal Web Site

MSM 279: A test of random facts and Weird Al makes the show this week on Middle School Matters! Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: Test Questions: Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child's name? There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh? Source: http://blog.ivman.com/easy-tests/#more-7571 Random Facts An octopus has three hearts. There’s enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America in 1 foot of water. You can spell the word “upside down” upside down by using other letters of the alphabet: umop apisdn. The name Jessica was created by Shakespeare in the play Merchant of Venice. The YKK on your zipper stands for “Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikigaisha.” Every two minutes, we take more pictures than all of humanity did in the 19th century. Eileen Award: Twitter: Aaron Duff, Adnan Iftekhar, Kelly Lippard Advisory: Chat out of context https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-qpvjjNfLA#t=33 Perceptions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFuw7a13E Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE MINUTE-SCIENTIFIC MODELING I was recently reading the Summer, 2014 issue of "Science Scope," a magazine written for middle school science teachers, published by the National Science Teachers Association. In this issue, I read an article entitled "Modeling What We Can't Sense - Using Evidence We Can" written by Juliana Texley. In her article she challenges the thinking that as we look at the history of science, we often imply that ideas were chronologically wrong, then less wrong, culminating with modern scientific theory. From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Resources: Why Reading Matters http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/07/18/nice-bbc-video-why-reading-matters/ The Seven A’s of Successful High Schools Defining what it means to have a “successful” high school is quite the challenge, with stakeholders often disagreeing on the approach to take. Following, I’ve outlined each of the seven attributes I consider essential in a successful H.S., as well as my rationale for selecting each. http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/10620 Weird Al “Tacky” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWo8apgLys “Word Crimes” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc Leonard Cohen on Creativity, Hard Work, and Why You Should Never Quit Before You Know What It Is You’re Quitting before we quit, we have to have invested all of ourselves in order for the full picture to reveal itself and justify the quitting, which applies equally to everything from work to love http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/07/15/leonard-cohen-paul-zollo-creativity/ Summer Learning Loss So, if all the research says most of the achievement gap is due to summer learning loss, it boggles my mind even more that we are spending huge amounts of resources on countless school reform boondoggles like Race To The Top, Value Added Measurements (VAM), the “next generation” of standardized testing, etc… http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/07/19/is-summer-learning-the-silver-bullet-for-narrowing-the-achievement-gap/ Web Spotlight: Flowboard Presentation software that looks like a magazine layout, functions like HyperCard stacks and is more interactive than Slideshare. It’s an app and until the first 10,000 downloads it’s $9.99. https://flowboard.com/ emaze Think Prezi. With 3D effects. And a translation tool. Basic version is free, the Education version is $2.90/month. http://www.emaze.com/ Random Thoughts . . . ISTE 2014 Personal Web Site

MSM 278: Random Facts, Write about Maths. Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: http://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/really-really-bad-puns Random Facts Eileen Award: iTwitter: Adnan Iftekhar, Kyle S., Mike Paul Google+: Patrick Brule Advisory: Spread of Baby Names http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/07/an-interactive-look-at-history-and.html?m=1 Jobs Charted by State and Salary http://flowingdata.com/2014/07/02/jobs-charted-by-state-and-salary/ Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) Neuroscience-Career Opportunites This is the fourth in a four part series on neuroscience with special guest Aneesha Badrinarayan, Outreach Programs Manager with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, in Ann Arbor, MI. You can visit the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum online at: http://www.aahom.org In this podcast, we look at the question of "How do you prepare for a degree in neuroscience and what are the career opportunities?" http://k12science.net/Podcast/Podcast/Entries/2014/7/3_Middle_School_Science_Minute-Neuroscience_Career_Opportunities.html From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: Using Writing in Mathematics to Deepen Student Learning http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED544239.pdf Anchor Charts Useful or just pretty? http://teachingexperiment.com/2013/11/anchor-charts-all-levels/ School-Wide Twitter Chats http://www.worldtimebuddy.com/new-zealand-wellington-to-est Resources: daFont http://www.dafont.com Shooloo Large repository of Common Core Math Word Problems. https://fun.shooloo.org/ Classroom Icebreakers http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/icebreakers.html What was there Ties historical photos to Google Maps. http://www.whatwasthere.com/ Web Spotlight: The Secret of Effective Motivation By AMY WRZESNIEWSKI and BARRY SCHWARTZ http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/opinion/sunday/the-secret-of-effective-motivation.html?referrer=&_r=0 http://thefederalist.com/2014/01/17/the-death-of-expertise/ Random Thoughts . . .

MSM 277: eHe’s got eSkeletons in e’s Closet! Presented in collaboration with the Association for Middle Level Education. Jokes You Can Use: Advisory: A few minutes with ... a kid who helps the homeless Robby Eimers spends his Saturdays like a lot of 12-year-olds, heading to baseball games or handing out meals to 150 homeless people. Whoa. Wait. Say what? http://www.freep.com/article/20140615/NEWS/306150058/1001/news Middle School Science Minute by Dave Bydlowski (k12science or davidbydlowski@mac.com) Neuroscience for MS Teachers This is the third in a four part series on neuroscience with special guest Aneesha Badrinarayan, Outreach Programs Manager with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, in Ann Arbor, MI. You can visit the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum online at: http://www.aahom.org In this podcast, we look at the question of "Why is neuroscience important for middle school science teachers?" From the Twitterverse: #mschat every Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. And as Troy says, “The Twitter never stops!” Strategies: 20 WORDS THAT ONCE MEANT SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT http://ideas.ted.com/2014/06/18/20-words-that-once-meant-something-very-different/ Visual Note Taking http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2014/06/19/inspired-by-ipadpalooza-2014-visual-notetaking/ http://www.slideshare.net/wfryer/visual-notetaking-with-ipads-june-2014 Resources: Etymonline http://www.etymonline.com/ eSkeletons http://www.eskeletons.org/ Invasion of America Between 1776 and the present, the United States seized roughly one eighth of the habitable world by treaty and executive order. Explore how it acquired North America in this interactive map of every Native American land cession since the birth of the nation. http://invasionofamerica.ehistory.org/ http://www.ehistory.org/ Library of Congress The Library of Congress offers classroom materials and professional development to help teachers effectively use primary sources from the Library's vast digital collections in their teaching. Find Library of Congress lesson plans and more that meet Common Core standards, state content standards, and the standards of national organizations. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/ Web Spotlight: No one can credibly argue that teachers are trained well enough to be effective and efficient in today’s classrooms http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2014/06/no-one-can-credibly-argue-that-teachers-are-trained-well-enough-to-be-effective-and-efficient-in-todays-classrooms.html 40 Before and After Shots That Demonstrate the Power of Visual Effects http://twistedsifter.com/2014/06/before-and-after-shots-of-visual-effects-in-film/ 11 facts about US teachers and schools that put the education reform debate in context The debate over teacher compensation and job security and its relationship to student performance is incredibly bitter and divisive, featuring two competing sides with drastically competing narratives and visions of education. One good place to start with the issue, however, is with some basic facts. Here are eleven. http://www.vox.com/2014/6/16/5810438/11-facts-about-americas-teachers-and-schools Blog? Wiki? Website? One of the questions that I am asked on a fairly frequent basis is, "should I create a blog, a wiki, or a website for my classroom?" Each platform serves a slightly different purpose. Years ago I created a small set of slides to outline the features of each platform. Yesterday, I rediscovered those slides and found that they are still useful. http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/06/blog-wiki-or-website-key-points-to.html#.U6WanY1dXSd Random Thoughts . . . eCommunity for Moodle Personal Web Site