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

Awesome Website for Middle School Students and Those About to Start in the Fall

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/middleschool/index.html 

I am familiar with pbskids.org because my children have grown up watching public television.  However, I was stunned to find this awesome website that is perfectly tailored for students getting ready to enter middle school this fall.  I don't know if the website will change as the school year progresses (hopefully) or if it remains this transitional tool.  This website has it all, games, chats and "tests".  This website fits perfectly within the scope of This We Believe.  The overall look is super friendly and welcoming.  The site addresses every listed interest and concern of the middle school student; family, friends, emotions,body, home, school and money.  Not only does this website present information, it empowers the students to make their voices heard by blogging, voting and chatting.  Although there is no substitute for a live adult as an advocate and mentor, this website offers advice and contact information to hotlines, organizations and volunteer opportunities.  You can even see the entire site in Spanish.  This website was truly made for the student transitioning into middle school.  Way to Go PBS!!!!!                      Gina Elliott

Middle Level Article

http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/MiddleGround/Articles/February2011/Article3/tabid/2328/Default.aspx

Differentiate Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0 Tools

I really enjoyed reading this article on differentiating instruction.  In this article, several middle level teachers talk about their favorite tech tools for differentiating class instruction.  One of the tools mentioned in the article was Audacity.  My multimedia kids use Audacity for several projects and really enjoy it.  The article also mentioned several tools for students who have difficulty taking notes, have difficulty reading, and who are visual learners.   I found several tools that I will try to incorporate into my classroom.  This article fits within the scope of This We Believe under multiple learning and teaching approaches.  All students learn differently and as teachers we need to incorporate different approaches that will accommodate all students.  Technology is one of the many ways to do that and seems to get students excited about learning.    ~Wendy Marney

Middle School Article

www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/education/22middle.html?ref=thecriticalyears

This article discusses the difference between two schools in New York. One school ranges from Kindergarten to 8th grade while the other ranges from 6th to 12th grade. The article focuses on whether it is beneficial to have a middle school program to prepare students for the future or if it would simply be better to allow them to stay in their elementary school for an additional three years where they are comfortable. This article fits into the scope of This We Believe because it addresses the essential attributes because the 6th-12th grade school is challenging the students to look forward to their futures. It also empowers them to be ready for college. This article also addresses culture and community because the kindergarten-6th grade school had an adult advocate (Randi Silverman) that a boy knew he could always count on. I really enjoyed this article because it discusses some of the things we have even talked about in our chat sessions about middle school. 

-Shay Eddings