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Middle School Teachers Chatboard

Lesson Planning

by kgirl

May 27, 2013

Hi,

Teachers, I'm new, and I want to be one of the best teachers ever, but, right now, I'm having trouble just getting past the interview. Please email me at [email removed].

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moving to common core

by Nicole

May 29, 2013

our school is changing over to common core next year. We are told there are no funds for resources, no training on Common Core (but we can use our own time to go to a CTA summer institute if we want, and have to create entirely new units based on common core standards which we don't fully understand yet, and no new resources will be provided - oh, ...See More

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the Common Core Standards? On 5/29/13, Nicole wrote:

How is Common Core different from any other previous standards? Have you ever read the old story "The Emperor Has On No Clothes?" I'd be happy to be told I'm wrong - it would restore my faith in the system - but I don't see how Common Core is anything but the same standards we've long had with some differences in...See MoreOn 5/29/13, Nicole wrote:

How is Common Core different from any other previous standards? Have you ever read the old story "The Emperor Has On No Clothes?" I'd be happy to be told I'm wrong - it would restore my faith in the system - but I don't see how Common Core is anything but the same standards we've long had with some differences in how it's organized and worded.

By coincidence, I spent all of yesterday reading the Common Core Standards for ELA. There is NOTHING in them that wasn't in every other set of standards that have come for the last 20 years. There was Nothing that was new in them. They were organized differently and the sentences were worded differently but those two minor differences aside, the Common Core Standards are the same standards we've been given to use in Reading/Writing instruction for the last 20 years.

I seriously doubt if any of your administrators have read the Common Core Standards or any of the standards that preceded them. They are very time-consuming to read and they are written in long, obtuse sentences that are difficult to read and absorb and - they go on and on and on.

You do not have to create entirely new units to be in conformity with the 'new' Common Core Standards. Last night I wrote new numbers - the Common Core numbers - next to every objective in every lesson plan I have. I changed Nothing in my lesson plans because it's not necessary.

Don't your students already have copies of your texts and nonfiction books? If not, how can they read them, close reading or not? In any case, there are many 'listening' standards - have your students listen to a reading and you'll be meeting the listening standards.

But I went carefully through the ELA and L standards for 6th through 8th and I saw nothing in there about 'close reading' - I know the phrase and was taught the concept in grad school but I didn't see it in there. I will check again and report back on "Close Reading and the Common Core Standards."

> our school is changing over to common core next year. We > are told there are no funds for resources, no training on > Common Core (but we can use our own time to go to a CTA > summer institute if we want, and have to create entirely > new units based on common core standards which we don't > fully understand yet, and no new resources will be provided > - oh, but we need to copy for all our classes the texts and > nonfiction books we find ourselves so that every student > can do close reading strategies with them. Oh, and the > school has only one copier. Feeling set up to fail. Any > suggestions???

Jun 15, 2013

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Deb ms/IA Do not throw out your current curriculum! Go through what you already have in place and pair it up with the CC standards. Unless you are adopting new curriculum there is no need to go find all new stuff. You will be surprised at how many standards you already do within your current curriculum.

You can look up many close readings online an...See More

Jun 28, 2013

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What some middle schoolers wrote

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 2, 2013

Click below to read an exciting article about "Something Amazing Happening in My Classroom!"

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What's Going on in Middle School Fiction??

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 19, 2013

Click below to read one author's perspective, and suggestions. (or copy-paste: gazette.teachers.net/gazette/wordpress/max-elliot-anderson/whats-going-on-in-middle-grade-fiction)

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I have a question

by Educator83

Jun 24, 2013

Hello.

I was wondering, is there anyway possible to be able to teach in nyc even though you are not yet done with schoo? I have been struggling for years to finish school and due to financial reasons, I have always been stuck. I do have educational background and am very familiar with Common Core and NYC DOE. I also have tken many college...See More

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Anonyous Hi,

While I have no concrete knowledge of New Yorks policies, I would venture to make an educated guess and say no, unless it is through an after school program, classroom aide, or internship while completing a credential program. There are other options that may assist you including a program called Teach for America. Google that as well...See More

Jun 24, 2013

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Sara On 6/24/13, Educator83 wrote: > Hello.

Full time teaching jobs in general are hard to come by these days. There is not much chance of landing a full,time teaching job without a degree. Unless... You'd consider being an aide. So-called wrap-around aides do not necessarily have a degree, kindergarten aides around here may or may not have...See More

Jul 7, 2013

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Writing Workshop

by CenTeacher

Jun 27, 2013

Anyone have any advice or resources to recommended when trying to implement Writing Workshop for the first time?

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Nan On 6/27/13, CenTeacher wrote: > Anyone have any advice or resources to recommended when > trying to implement Writing Workshop for the first time?

Check out Teacher's Write with Kate Messner. They have a lot of good ideas.

Nan

Jun 27, 2013

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You might want to look at this site writing fix

On 6/27/13, Nan wrote: > On 6/27/13, CenTeacher wrote: >> Anyone have any advice or resources to recommended when >> trying to implement Writing Workshop for the first time? > > Check out Teacher's Write with Kate Messner. They have a lot > of good ideas. > > Nan

Jun 28, 2013

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9 Classroom Photo Tours - gr. K - Middle School

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jul 4, 2013

As you contemplate your classroom set-up for the coming school year, let these photo tours of classrooms from all over the US provide ideas for making your classroom a center of learning! (click below or paste in gazette.teachers.net/gazette/wordpress/teachers-net-community/classroom-arrangement)

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Advisory/College and Career Readiness Ideas

by Kevin

Jul 5, 2013

I am revamping my junior high's Advisory/CCR program for the upcoming year. I am writing/piecing together the curriculum from the ground up. We will be doing a semester of School Preparedness and Success Skills and a semester of Character Education. Any suggestions of links to aid me in this process would be greatly appreciated (especially for the ...See More

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Kelly Check out the AVID curriculum. http://Www.avid.org

Jul 5, 2013

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steve On 7/05/13, Kevin wrote: > I am revamping my junior high's Advisory/CCR program for > the upcoming year. I am writing/piecing together the > curriculum from the ground up. We will be doing a semester > of School Preparedness and Success Skills and a semester of > Character Education. Any suggestions of links to aid me in > this pr...See More

Jul 7, 2013

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Teachers.Net Gazette - survey of teachers' opinions on...

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jul 7, 2013

Should schools teach cursive writing? Why or why not?

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I am going to be a middle school teacher!

by Jennifer

Jul 8, 2013

I am currently getting my degree for middle school education and I start my fieldwork in August of 2013. Does anyone have any advice for me? Anything to help me along would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little nervous. :)

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Bill T (now retired) First, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but...See MoreFirst, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but my stints in 3rd and 4th grade were unqualified catastrophes - it takes a special person to deal with that all day long, just as it takes a person with special skills to deal with middle schoolers.

But enough about me...

*** don't, I say again, DON'T listen to the naysayers, the ones who tell you "horror stories" about the things these "hormonal" miscreants do. I won't tell you that you won't have challenges. You already know that, but "war" stories are usually exaggerated to enhance the reputation and credibility of the authors.

*** as someone has already suggested, develop a decent sense of humor. A caution here. That doesn't mean act "silly" as the students sometimes do. The key, here, is to not take every word, every action as a personal affront.

*** No disrespect intended to other posters, but don't place too much in the words of published "experts," like Kohn and Wong. Sure, they're published authors, big names in the education world, but such have not been in a middle school classroom since Jesus was in swaddling clothes. Education has morphed in a big way in the past few years. Oftentimes, these "experts" are writing for situations that no longer apply.

*** hopefully they will appoint you a "mentor," teacher to help see you through your early years, but another caution....sometimes those mentors fall into the same category as the "experts" I mentioned above. I say sometimes. That is not usually the case, but just be cautious.

*** consistency and flexibility have already been mentioned. Without both, you won't do well in middle school

*** stay out of the "teachers lounge" It can be a den of inequity and frequently a site for massive pity parties. you're there for the kids, not for the politics and the drama

*** the kids will know, almost immediately, if you like and want to be with them. There's no fooling them. By this I do NOT advocate you being their "friend." Others have already told you that and they are correct. But neither should you be their adversary. You don't need to be in order to gain their respect. Indeed, being abrasive and overbearing is a very good way to gain their enmity. Respect IS earned, as has already been said.

Jul 20, 2013

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Beth Special Needs I have not taught middle school in a LONG time and I am sure much has changed, but one thing I remember as important is to listen well. They have a strong sense of justice and want to heard. I also remember getting parents involved is much harder at this level than it is in elementary school, but every bit as important. Anything you can do toward t...See More

Aug 17, 2013

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