Middle School Math Teacher Blog

http://letsplaymath.net/

This is a great resource for challenging and fun games and mnemonics to make math more accessible to students. It fits into TWB because it applies to teacher leadership and organization. This is an easy way for teachers to not only receive ideas, but to also pass them on. We all have the same goal in mind, right? All educators want their students to be as successful and knowledgeable as they can be. That may mean taking and giving advice. 


Shay Eddings

Solar System Webquest

http://teach.fcps.net/trt8/SolarSystem/Planets.htm

This is a webquest about the solar system. It fits into TWB because it is very visually pleasing and easy to navigate... which fall under teacher effectiveness. They have you fill out a worksheet as you go through the webquest, but it could also be used for quizzes, tests, etc. It would be an excellent review resource. This webquest is OUT OF THIS WORLD ;)

Shay Eddings

Middle School Fears Video

http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Middle_School_Transition&video_id=43265

Students discuss fears they had prior to entering middle school in this video. It applies to This We Believe because it has to do with teacher effectiveness. It really opened my eyes because before watching this video, I always thought of teacher effectiveness as it deals with academics only. For instance I would think of teacher effectiveness being the way we present lessons, handle discipline problems, etc. However, I now realize it is so much more than that. These kids are scared to death about the littlest things.  They are worried about not making it to class on time among other things. It is our job to prepare them for life...preparing them for the middle school transition is a part of that.

Shay Eddings

Middle Level Webquest

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/memorial/franchise/ 

This webquest is geared towards students in 6th- 8th grade.  Students investigate different franchises and decide which one they want to invest in.  After they select a franchise, they will prepare a business plan and try to convince their classmates to invest in their franchise through a slideshow presentation.  A rubric is given so students know what is expected of them.    This webquest fits within the scope of This We Believe through several characteristics under Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.  Students are engaged in active, purposeful learning.  Students are definitely at the center of the learning process when working on this project.  The curriculum is also challenging and exploratory.  Students are not listening to teacher lecture but are required to learn independently by researching different sites to find information about franchises and business plans.  Furthermore, different teaching and learning approaches are being used.  The students are divided into groups of three and each assigned a responsibility.  After all of the research has been completed students present a slideshow presentation.  This project incorporates technology and also appeals to visual learners.   I think this would be a great activity to try in the classroom.  ~Wendy Marney