Fwd: Inspiring Middle School Literacy

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: WGBH Education <denise_olson@wgbh.org>
Date: May 21, 2013, 12:32:18 PM EDT
To: gary@hackscience.net
Subject: Inspiring Middle School Literacy
Reply-To: denise_olson@wgbh.org

Welcome to Inspiring Middle School Literacy, a newsletter for middle school educators from WGBH. This newsletter highlights topics in middle school education, along with ways you can boost literacy using the Middle School Literacy Initiative, funded by the Walmart Foundation, and other resources from PBS LearningMediaTM. FEATURED LESSON: Parents, Teens, and Texting Texting is a part of daily life for most teens. In this online lesson for blended learning, students watch videos by teens about texting. They then evaluate statistics about texting, and use these data to form and support their opinions. This featured lesson is from the Walmart Middle School Literacy Initiative. This lesson covers a topic that is engaging to students, while covering some key literacy strategies: comparing and contrasting information; determining important information; understanding fact vs. opinion; and making inferences.  To launch this lesson, determine what students already know about texting, and about the debate between parents and teens over how much texting is too much. The Teacher's Guide accompanying this lesson provides specific questions you can use to start the discussion. An important component of this lesson are writing assignments in which students write opinion pieces supported by facts from the video, charts, and lesson text.  Want to learn more? Click the image to visit the lesson.   Interested in other topics? Click here to other lessons in the Middle School Literacy Initiative, funded by the Walmart Foundation. PROFILE: Emily Dawson, Riverview Grade School, IL  Emily Dawson Emily Dawson is a science teacher at the Riverview Grade School in Peoria, Illinois. She is also a PBS LearningMedia (PBS LM) "Teacher Core" member, affiliated with WTVP in Peoria, and advocating PBS LM's vast collection of educational digital assets to fellow teachers. Ultimately, however, she is an excellent example of someone using blended learning to engage students.   A self-described "space nut," Emily says she is always looking for hands-on activities to get her students excited about science. On Wednesday, May 22 at approximately 10 a.m. CDT, Emily and her middle school students will be launching a weather balloon 100,000 feet up into Earth's atmosphere. The balloon will gather weather data, take photos, and show the students an Earth perspective they would not see from their classroom.   While the weather balloon launch is taking the students outside and giving them lots of hands-on experience, the project was inspired by Dawson's use of PBS LearningMedia. Emily says that when she ran across the balloon launch idea on PBS LM, she knew the project was rich with opportunities for research, design, and tracking the balloon in flight. The launch is the central focus of a multidisciplinary unit on weather, science, and language arts.    WTVP, central Illinois' public television station, will create a program around the launch. Click here for more information, and to follow the launch. You can also follow the project on Twitter, using hashtag #dawsonsciencewtvp.   For other lessons that combine science with English Language Arts, visit the Middle School Literacy Initiative page on PBS LM.    TOPICS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION: The Problem of Textspeak in Middle School Does texting hurt grammar and other communication skills? In a column titled "The Problem of Textspeak in Middle School," TeachThought tackles this issue and presents a fascinating infographic. Click here to read the column and see the full infographic.   What do you think? Does "textspeak" affect your students' grammar and writing? What do they think? Try this quick exercise with them: Have your students write a short paragraph using "textspeak," then have them write the same short paragraph using regular grammar and punctuation. Compare and discuss. Do they see any potential problems when using "textspeak" in regular written communication?   Infographic from onlinecollege.org In This Issue Featured Lesson Profile Topics Free Webinar! Where are We? Shakespeare Survey Find Us on Social Media Free Webinar!   May 22 6pm-7pm EDT   Join AMLE and PBS LearningMedia for a close look at free online literacy lessons  for blended learning! These cross-curricular lessons support literacy strategies while engaging students with interactive exercises, video content, informational texts,  and writing activities. During this free webinar, Carol Studebaker, literacy coach, and Charlotte Hodges, 6th grade teacher, will provide suggestions from the trenches on how to integrate these Common-Core aligned lessons into your classroom.  Space is limited. To register or for more information, click the link below. http://ow.ly/kPRQw  Where Are We? Find the Middle School Literacy Initiative at these webinars and confereces. (Click each for more info.)   AMLE PBS LearningMedia Webinar (see description above) May 22, 6:00pm - 7:00 pm EDT   ISTE   See our poster session and visit our booth in San Antonio June 23 - 26   NAMLE Los Angeles July 12 - 13 Teach Shakespeare? Do you teach Shakespeare in middle school? If so, please take our "Teaching Shakespeare with Digital Media" survey. Your feedback is important to us! Click the image to link to this quick survey.   Find Us on Social Media  Facebook   Twitter Pinterest      The Middle School Literacy Initiative is funded by the Walmart Foundation.    www.wgbh.org www.pbslearningmedia.org  Join Our Mailing List Are you reading a forwarded copy of Inspiring Middle School Literacy? Want your own? Click here to join our mailing list. Contact Us  Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.

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Tweet from Chris Sousa (@csousanh)

	Chris Sousa (@csousanh)
5/21/13, 6:10 AM Why teachers should read aloud to middle-school students blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013… #midleved #edchat

A great reminder from a NELMS friend. 

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Tweet from Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren)

	Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren)
5/17/13, 11:55 AM RT if you agree: Our gov't shouldn't be making billions of dollars by drowning our students in debt #BankonStudents pic.twitter.com/Cr0N2rX14f

This is absolutely an issue about which middle school students and their families should be aware. It sure seems that we have a responsibility to help our students understand the alternatives to going into mountains of debt to earn a degree that has a decreasing value in the urgent economy. I am not advising we direct students away from post-secondary education, but I am recommending that we advise finding ways to pay for it that do not rely on loans that make fie such interest payments. 

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Fwd: All middle grades educators invited to Thrive at AMLE2013

I am scheduled to present "Flipped with Purpose: Beyond Video Instruction" at this conference!

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Association for Middle Level Education <amle@amle.org>
Date: May 20, 2013, 3:18:02 PM EDT
To: gary@hackscience.net
Subject: All middle grades educators invited to Thrive at AMLE2013

View: Web
Association for Middle Level Education 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300 Westerville, OH 43081 www.amle.org l 614-895-4730 l 800-528-6672 l (fax) 614-895-4750     © Copyright 2013 Association for Middle Level Education. All Rights Reserved. This message was sent by the Association for Middle Level Education. Privacy Policy. If you would like to unsubscribe, go here to Manage Subscriptions.

Tweet from Chris Sousa (@csousanh)

	Chris Sousa (@csousanh)
5/17/13, 5:52 AM MT"@MSMatters: Middle School Matters is out! paper.li/MSMatters/1330…" #midleved

Download the official Twitter app here

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Fwd: Summer Institute and more

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: nelms@nelms.org
Date: May 16, 2013, 7:51:17 AM EDT
To: "Dr. Gary L. Ackerman" <gary@hackscience.net>
Subject: Summer Institute and more
Reply-To: NELMS <nelms@nelms.org>

NELMS Summer Institute

June 24, 25 & 26, 2013
Sheraton Harborside, Portsmouth, NH

Meeting the Needs of Middle Level Learners in a 21st Century Common Core Learning Environment

Response to Intervention (RtI) (Customized Models)

• Beyond identification
• Interventions during the school day-without fear of stigma
• Intervention strategies
• Scheduling
• Using data for monitoring and designing on-going instruction

Integrating Depth of Knowledge Skills into the Classroom

• Examples- what do 2s, 3s and 4s look like?
• Problem solving
• What is it?
• What does it look like?
• How do I do it?

Using Technology for Collaboration

• Web 2.0 tools
• How to manage the classroom (norms)
• Collaborations: student to student, student to teacher, teacher to teacher, etc.
• Communication
• Instruction

Project Based Learning Using Common Core State Standards

• Student voice
• Standards based
• Global awareness
• Integrating standards from all content areas
• Successful "doable" models

For more information and/or to register click here.

Scholar Leader Dinners 2013

Not too late to sign up for
Vermont and Massachusetts.
Don't wait, reserve your students place at the table.

This program is intended to give public recognition to two students from each middle level school in your state who have distinguished themselves in terms of outstanding scholarship and leadership. The selection of these two students, who are being recognized as representatives of all young adolescents who might qualify, will be the responsibility of each school, in accordance with the Selection Criteria accompanying this announcement. The students selected, along with their guests, will be invited to attend the statewide Awards Banquet. The Governor, the Commissioner of Education, and other dignitaries will be invited. Each student will receive a plaque with his or her name on it signifying the honor. A photograph of the Scholar Leader receiving the award will also be given to each of the students. Plan now so that your students can participate in this wonderful event!

Click here for more information and/or to register.

 

 

NELMS Summer Institute
Meeting the Needs of Middle Level Learners in a 21st Century Common Core Learning Environment
June 24, 25 & 26, 2013

 

Join us on Facebook and Twitter

©2012 New England League of Middle Schools.. All Rights Reserved

 

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EdTech Infographic

Typically these infographics that make the rounds on the Internet are lean on ideas and rich on eye-candy, but this one seems an exception. 

Do not approach this with the hope of research-based designs, but look to develop some awareness of options for extending and expanding the role if technology in your classroom. 

Check this out:
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/teachers-visual-guide-to-better.html

Download the official LinkedIn app here

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Fwd: Will we be seeing your school at the VT Scholar Leader Awards

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: nelms@nelms.org
Date: May 7, 2013, 11:54:21 AM EDT
To: "Dr. Gary L. Ackerman" <gary@hackscience.net>
Subject: Will we be seeing your school at the VT Scholar Leader Awards
Reply-To: NELMS <nelms@nelms.org>

Vermont Scholar Leader Nomination deadline are less than a week away!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Norwich University, Plumley Armory, Northfield, VT

Registration/Nomination forms are due on May 13, 2013! Don't delay! Get your form mailed or faxed in today!

For more information and registration form about the Vermont Scholar Leader Dinner: Click here.

 

 

 

NELMS Summer Institute
Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, NH
June 24-26, 2013

Join us on Facebook and Twitter

Copyright (C) *|2013|* *|New England League of Middle Schools|* All rights reserved.

 

You are currently subscribed to nelms as: gary@hackscience.net Add nelms@nelms.org to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Tweet from Rick Wormeli (@RickWormeli)

	Rick Wormeli (@RickWormeli)
5/2/13, 10:36 AM Very insightful reflection on middle schl, independent schools by Bill Ivey: Thank You, Public Schools | MiddleWeb middleweb.com/6754/thank-you…

Download the official Twitter app here

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Fwd: May 2, 2013 - Scholar Leader Dinners coming up!

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: nelms@nelms.org
Date: May 2, 2013, 8:20:20 AM EDT
To: "Dr. Gary L. Ackerman" <gary@hackscience.net>
Subject: May 2, 2013 - Scholar Leader Dinners coming up!
Reply-To: NELMS <nelms@nelms.org>

Scholar Leader Dinners 2013

Deadlines are right around the corner.
Don't wait, reserve your students place at the table.

This program is intended to give public recognition to two students from each middle level school in your state who have distinguished themselves in terms of outstanding scholarship and leadership. The selection of these two students, who are being recognized as representatives of all young adolescents who might qualify, will be the responsibility of each school, in accordance with the Selection Criteria accompanying this announcement. The students selected, along with their guests, will be invited to attend the statewide Awards Banquet. The Governor, the Commissioner of Education, and other dignitaries will be invited. Each student will receive a plaque with his or her name on it signifying the honor. A photograph of the Scholar Leader receiving the award will also be given to each of the students. Plan now so that your students can participate in this wonderful event!

Click here for more information and/or to register.

 

NELMS Summer Institute

June 24, 25 & 26, 2013
Sheraton Harborside, Portsmouth, NH

Meeting the Needs of Middle Level Learners in a 21st Century Common Core Learning Environment

Response to Intervention (RtI) (Customized Models)

• Beyond identification
• Interventions during the school day-without fear of stigma
• Intervention strategies
• Scheduling
• Using data for monitoring and designing on-going instruction

Integrating Depth of Knowledge Skills into the Classroom

• Examples- what do 2s, 3s and 4s look like?
• Problem solving
• What is it?
• What does it look like?
• How do I do it?

Using Technology for Collaboration

• Web 2.0 tools
• How to manage the classroom (norms)
• Collaborations: student to student, student to teacher, teacher to teacher, etc.
• Communication
• Instruction

Project Based Learning Using Common Core State Standards

• Student voice
• Standards based
• Global awareness
• Integrating standards from all content areas
• Successful "doable" models

For more information and/or to register click here.

 

Employment Opportunities

Upper Elementary/Middle School Literacy University Trainer position:
Cambridge, MA

The Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative (CRR) at Lesley University seeks a dynamic educator to join its team of university trainers who design and deliver innovative professional development in literacy and teacher best practice for in-service elementary and middle school teachers, specialists and administrators.

The Upper Elementary (Intermediate)/Middle School Literacy Trainer works with grades 3 - 8 teachers, literacy coaches and school and district leaders in the region and around the country. The Center seeks candidates who have held roles such as school reading/literacy coach, instructional coach, district reading specialist, or staff developer at the elementary and/or middle school levels. For more information and to apply:

Intermediate/Middle Literacy Trainer position

NELMS Summer Institute
Meeting the Needs of Middle Level Learners in a 21st Century Common Core Learning Environment
June 24, 25 & 26, 2013

 

Join us on Facebook and Twitter

©2012 New England League of Middle Schools.. All Rights Reserved

 

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Fwd: VT Scholar Leader deadline is just around the corner

-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.

Begin forwarded message:

From: nelms@nelms.org
Date: May 2, 2013, 8:00:00 AM EDT
To: "Dr. Gary L. Ackerman" <gary@hackscience.net>
Subject: VT Scholar Leader deadline is just around the corner
Reply-To: NELMS <nelms@nelms.org>

Vermont Scholar Leader Nomination deadline are less than two weeks away!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Norwich University, Plumley Armory, Northfield, VT

Registration/Nomination forms are due on May 13, 2013! Don't delay! Get your form mailed or faxed in today!

For more information and registration form about the Vermont Scholar Leader Dinner: Click here.

 

 

 

NELMS Summer Institute
Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Portsmouth, NH
June 24-26, 2013

Join us on Facebook and Twitter

Copyright (C) *|2013|* *|New England League of Middle Schools|* All rights reserved.

 

You are currently subscribed to nelms as: gary@hackscience.net Add nelms@nelms.org to your email address book to ensure delivery Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe

Don’t You Love the Providence Student Union? | Diane Ravitch's blog

I am wondering why thus idea had not caught on earlier? Perhaps students will be ignored because "they don't know what is good for them," perhaps they will not be seen as an enfranchised politic, perhaps education is a political aspect of society that is "low- hanging" fruit for officials to construct/ deconstruct every election cycle.

This seems to be taking a turn to the cynical, and the students in the story linked below have insight that deserved attention.


http://dianeravitch.net/2013/04/30/dont-you-love-the-providence-student-union/


-- Gary Ackerman, Ph.D.