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Middle School Teachers Chatboard

Year long expression project

by Chris

Jul 31, 2012

I want to design an ever evolving, year long, expressive project for a class of 26. I want the foundation fornth project to be about them, their ideas, gols, emotions, fears, characteristics, etc through art, words, and so forth! I have the ability to use an entire classroom solely for this project and want the walls to be dedicated to this "I am t...See More

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Sara On 7/31/12, Chris wrote:

We do something similar - we have students write up their autobiographies in expository fashion and then also have them write their memoirs to their current point in life.

We read short biographies of prominent people, living and dead, to take a look at how people live their lives and spend their lives. M...See MoreOn 7/31/12, Chris wrote:

We do something similar - we have students write up their autobiographies in expository fashion and then also have them write their memoirs to their current point in life.

We read short biographies of prominent people, living and dead, to take a look at how people live their lives and spend their lives. Martin Luther King, Brad Pitt (believe it or not - he's quite a philanthropist when he could do nothing but make movies and spend the money he makes from movies)Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk - what drives such people? (Edison was likely bipolar) We discuss the concept of choices and living the 'intentional life'. How do we take life on? Passively? Do we live to serve? Do we work to live or live to work?

Then each student tries to find a personal hero (other than family members) and they present that person to the class as a hero and try to define the qualities of heroism they saw in the person.

Last but not least, each student does s "Real Life Project" which is their projection of how their adult life will really be. Life is not school - what will they do for a living?

Then very last, we ask them to articulate some cause to which they could devote some interest and maybe some time. Which of the dozens of volunteer opportunities would they consider? What thorny issue in the world or in our country would they see themselves as being able to contribute their interest? ( we don't ask them to donate to their causes)

Kids like the class. I'm sure they'll like yours too.

We encourage an 'independent learning project' for 3 weeks in which they can engage pretty much any project they want - one of my students taught himself to play the banjo. > I want to design an ever evolving, year long, expressive > project for a class of 26. I want the foundation fornth > project to be about them, their ideas, gols, emotions, > fears, characteristics, etc through art, words, and so > forth! I have the ability to use an entire classroom solely > for this project and want the walls to be dedicated to this > "I am that" project! I could use some help with more ideas > with this...or kind of centralizing everything. It's for an > 8th grade class.

Aug 2, 2012

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Need a Certified Teacher to teach my son in our home

by Rachel

Aug 1, 2012

Looking for a Certified Teacher or Retired Teacher to teach and follow the Abeka academy program with my middle school age son, 7th grade , in my home 4hrs a day 4 days a wk. Florence, AL Please call ASAP 607-267-9961

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Alternative Seating for 6th graders

by teachermomof2

Aug 1, 2012

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Another new year is approaching! I am planning on running my math classes a bit differently this year. I would like to do some small group work with the kids, while others work on games or math boxes (we will be using everyday math). Our desks are one piece s...See More

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froggybee Would crates be high enough? and sturdy enough? On 8/01/12, teachermomof2 wrote: > ------------------------------------------------------------ > -------------------- > > Another new year is approaching! I am planning on running > my math classes a bit differently this year. I would like > to do some small group work with the kids...See More

Aug 2, 2012

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froggybee another thought: those balance balls! You might be able to find some at garage sales too! On 8/01/12, teachermomof2 wrote: > ------------------------------------------------------------ > -------------------- > > Another new year is approaching! I am planning on running > my math classes a bit differently this year. I would like >...See More

Aug 2, 2012

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My struggling 7th grade

by Cynjit

Aug 5, 2012

Okay everyone...please give me some ideas.

I'm planning for next year..and I have been assigned my sixth grade class from last year. They are great kids...but have difficulty academically and a few behaviorally. It is a small class, but majority are reading/writing below grade level and/or receive special education services.

I o...See More

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Sara On 8/05/12, Cynjit wrote: > Okay everyone...please give me some ideas.

I'm not sure that struggling readers can be good writers - is that possible to be a good writer when you're still struggling to read? Your approach of last year sounds like the one that should be continued - they have to read to write. For writing, I'd focus on sent...See More

Aug 6, 2012

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Some ideas What about something such as the Write Source as a guide to help these struggling kids? Maybe it can provide a basis for developing sentence and paragraph skills. Many poor readers and writers have problems visualizing words and what they are writing about.

Maybe develop some visualizing techniques?

Maybe try the book Unjournal...See More

Aug 8, 2012

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10 Reasons to Work Hard in School by Steve Reifman

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 8, 2012

Sometimes kids need it spelled out for them...be sure to share the article using the Twitter and Facebook widgets on the page.

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40 Alternative Assessments for Learning (elem. middle, high)

by Teachers.Net Gazette - by teachers, for teachers

Aug 8, 2012

Unique and effective ways to assess student learning without test sheets!

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How to Use Quotes to Promote Literacy Development - THIS ONE

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 9, 2012

How to Use Quotes to Promote Literacy Development By Steve Reifman

In addition to its character-building mission, our “Quote of the Day” conversations also offer a powerful way to promote literacy. When I speak of literacy, I am referring to the specific skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. [Click below to rea...See More

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7 Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 10, 2012

7 Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers By Steve Reifman

By employing the strategies described below, reading will become something that students do willingly, even eagerly, and the adults in their lives will not have to resort to trickery, bribery, manipulation, or any other tactic that will, at best, lead to temporary compliance. After all...See More

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SUGGESTIONS.......7th grade life science.

by CBP

Aug 10, 2012

As I began my very first year of teaching, I find the Comprehensive Curriculum very overwhelming. When I look at it one section at a time, I feel a little better. However, as I try to map it my curriculum for the next month or so I start to contradict and quetsion my own actions as to if the decisions I am making or correct.

The first 40 o...See More

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Razmum On 8/10/12, CBP wrote: > The first 40 or so GLE's in 7th grade Life science ar > teaching science as inquiry....does. So do I just > incorparte them into my lessons with Chemisry in Life which > is my first unit and carry on through animal and plant > cells or do I just teach Science as Inquiry first? I have > totally confused my...See More

Aug 19, 2012

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anyone else not know their daily schedule?

by anon for now

Aug 11, 2012

Anyone else out there not have their daily schedule of what they will be teaching? School for us starts aug 27 , we are block scheduled. So frustrating as to why administrators wait so long!!!!

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I still don't know We start Aug. 28 and I still don't know my scheudle for sure. It often changes just before school starts. For those of us who can teach multiple subjects (and therefore can be juggled around at will), it makes it hard. I would spend more time planning lessons during the summer if I knew what I was teaching. In my case, I think my principal doesn't ...See More

Aug 16, 2012

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Jane On 8/16/12, I still don't know wrote: > We start Aug. 28 and I still don't know my scheudle for sure. > It often changes just before school starts. For those of us > who can teach multiple subjects (and therefore can be juggled > around at will), it makes it hard. I would spend more time > planning lessons during the summer if I knew...See More

Aug 17, 2012

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