HOMEGROWN ARKANSAS

Students work - to promote local farmers by encouraging us all to purchase and consume local foods, and - to change the way people think about food.

 - message from EAST Director, Chris Forster
"Please follow the link below to read the article (in savvy KiDS magazine, page 24) featuring, HOMEGROWN ARKANSAS, a group of eStem High School Seniors enrolled in EAST. This is a great article and I am very proud of all of them. Thank you for showing them your support!"
   
    http://www.savvykidsofarkansas.com/from-the-mag/issue-archive/

The seven members of HOMEGROWN ARKANSAS,

who are all seniors at eStem High Public Charter School,

in Little Rock, Arkansas are:

 

Zoe Corwyn

Alaina Grundy

Margaret Justus

Kasia Kready

Monica Velasquez

Claire Vogelgesang

Katie Walker

14 Year Old Girl explains why exactly the middle school years can be so daunting.

This American Life Radio Station

449: Middle School

 

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/449/middle-school?act=0#play

Prologue

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Host Ira Glass interviews a 14-year old named Annie, who emailed us asking if we would do a show about middle school. She explains why exactly the middle school years can be so daunting. (4 1/2 minutes) Education • Teenagers

• Ira Glass

Oct 28, 2011

This week, at the suggestion of a 14-year-old listener, we bring you stories from the awkward, confusing, hormonally charged world of middle school. Including a teacher who transforms peer pressure into a force for good, and reports from the frontlines of the middle school dance.
(Pictured: 7th graders at a costume dance, dressed as characters from The Outsiders.)

 

Motivating Middle School Students Podcasat

http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/TodaysMiddleLevelEducator/tabid/1409/Default.aspx

I'm linking to the page because I don't know how to post the actual file.  The podcast is two down on the page.  The first key words mentioned in this audio file are relevant and technology.  It is also mentioned that teachers become so focused on teaching to the standards that they fail to realize they aren't reaching kids in a way that is understood. 

1/12/2010
Motivating Young Adolescents (20:07)
Jack Berckemeyer is joined by Kim Campbell, classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre. Jack and Kim share ideas about student motivation and the role of the classroom teacher. They discuss practical ways to motivate the young adolescent.
Resources:

• The Power of Self-Esteem: Build It and They Will Flourish
  by Jim Paterson (MG, Oct. '07)
• Successful Teachers Develop Academic Momentum with Reluctant Students
  (MSJ, May '08)

WebQuest for Middle Level

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

The content for this webquest site focuses on content of the Solar System. It was created by an educator to provide her students with information about our Solar System. The webquest focuses on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This webquest could also be a jumping off point in which students can learn how to create their own website with the teacher's assistance. When the students create their own webquest the content becomes more challenging, exploratory, integrated, and relevant to the student. The students learn to collaborate with one another plus they are given ownership. All these things fit with This We Believe.

Blog for Middle School Level

EduBloggerCon.com is an educator blog, where educators can go and follow blogs concerning education; you can post comments and post blogs. The site also provides upcoming events in professional development, logo ideas, activities ideas, and links to other educational blogs for the educator and the student. This site goes with, this we believe, it provide the educator with professional development and an avenue to learn more knowledge of curriculum. Educators learn what other educators around the world are doing in their classrooms.

http://www.edubloggercon.com/

Podcast: Building Relationships with Your Students

Today’s Middle Level Educator a podcast from National Middle School Association (NMSA). This is a podcast with Howard Orman, principal, who discusses way of motivating and building positive relationship with your students. Orman and Jack Brickmeyer talks about how middle school students from ten years ago are not that much different than students of today; only a few things have change and that is manners and the students are more challenged, students of today think they are entitled to things. This podcast goes with “This We Believe” culture and community within and outside the classroom. How important it is to meet students needs and relating to students on a more personal level, but within the code of ethics. The podcast is free, all you need to do is open an iTunes account and select podcast and type in “Building positive relationships with your students”.

Resource Site for Middle School Podcasts

http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/TodaysMiddleLevelEducator/tabid/1409/Default.aspx

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Listen Online 5/17/2011 Active Learning for the Creative Classroom (21:40) Mary Henton, manager of the Middle School Portal Two, talks with Cally Stockton, author of Minds and Motion: Active Learning for the Classroom. They discuss various activities from the book and classroom experiences. Resources: Minds and Motion: Active Learning for the Creative Classroom by Cally Stockton

Listen Online 1/12/2010 Motivating Young Adolescents (20:07) Jack Berckemeyer is joined by Kim Campbell, classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre. Jack and Kim share ideas about student motivation and the role of the classroom teacher. They discuss practical ways to motivate the young adolescent. Resources: The Power of Self-Esteem: Build It and They Will Flourish by Jim Paterson (MG, Oct. '07) Successful Teachers Develop Academic Momentum with Reluctant Students (MSJ, May '08)

Listen Online 11/24/2009 Building Positive Relationships with Your Students (19:02) Join Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director for NMSA, and Howard Ormond, principal and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre, for a discussion on specific strategies to motivate young adolescents. They examine the importance of building positive relationships with your students and how teachers can truly impact the lives of young adolescents. Resources: The Power of Self-Esteem: Build It and They Will Flourish by Jim Patterson (MG, Oct. '07) Successful Teachers Develop Academic Momentum with Reluctant Students (MSJ, May '08)

Listen Online 10/26/2009 School Uniforms: Jeans or Jackets? (17:25) The impact of school uniforms is an issue that affects schools, parents, and students alike. Join Jack Berckemeyer, NMSA assistant executive director, and Ms. Ernie Rambo as they focus on this timely topic. Ernie is a classroom teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been directly involved with the implications of the uniform issue. Jack and Ernie examine the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms and talk about questions the teachers might have regarding the uniform issue and how to address students concerns. Resources: School Uniforms: Policies and Procedures by David L. Hough (RMLEOnline, 2005, 25, 1) Varieties of Parent Involvement in Schoolingby Vincent A. Anfara, Jr. & Steven B. Mertens (MSJ, Jan. '08)

Listen Online 9/29/2009 Connecting the Dots - NMSA09 Preview (7:10) Jack Berckemeyer, assistant executive director of NMSA, talks with Rita Pierson about her upcoming speech at the NMSA09 Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rita shares her thoughts on what topics she will cover as the Teacher Luncheon speaker. Rita's vast knowledge in staff motivation, poverty issues, and school climate make Rita a must hear speaker. For more information about the NMSA09 Annual Conference and the Teacher's Luncheon please visit www.nmsa.org/annual

Listen Online 9/21/2009 The Culture of Formative Assessment (21:38) In this second part of a two-part discussion about formative assessment, Kate Garrison, Manager of Products and services for Professional Development with Measured Progress, discusses the culture of formative assessment. Resources: Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom by Catherine Garrison & Michael Ehringhaus Effective Classroom Assessment: Linking Assessment with Instruction by Catherine Garrison, Dennis Chandler, & Michael Ehringhaus Using Formative Assessments to Individualize Instruction and Promote Learning by Juliann M. Kaftan, Gayle A. Buck, & Alysa Haack

Listen Online 7/31/09 The Evolution of Advisory (18:57) Bob Spear and Jack Berckemeyer discuss the importance of advisory in the middle school. They also examine how advisory has changed over the last several years with the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act and other mandates. This episode provides schools and individuals with a sense of understanding the importance a quality advisory program brings to any great middle school. Resources: Taking the Lead in Implementing and Improving Advisory by Bob Spear Research Summary - Advisory Programs Advisor-Advisee Programs: Important But Problematic by Vincent A. Anfara, Jr. (MSJ, Sept. '06)

Listen Online 7/17/2009 Single Sex Classrooms (15:54) Ever wonder about the issues regarding the single sex classroom? Jack Berckemeyer, National Middle School Association assistant executive director, and Judith Baenen, editor of NMSA's The Family Connection and member of the Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre, take on this hot topic! Judith shares her knowledge of the single sex classroom and why it has become such a huge issue. The conversation also examines the differences between how girls learn versus boys and what teachers can do to address those distinctions. Resources: Exploring the "Cusp Culture" Helps Adolescents Navigate the Way to Adulthood by Judith Baenen Understanding and Appreciating the Wonder Years by John H. Lounsbury What Research Says: Do Single-Sex Classes and Schools Make a Difference? by Vincent A. Anfara, Jr. & Steven B. Mertens

Listen Online 6/29/2009 The Students are SOAR-ing (10:39) Kim Campbell, a classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Cadre, talks about the SOAR program with NMSA's Assistant Executive Director, Jack Berckemeyer. The SOAR program has been used at Kim's school to help deal with the achievement gap. Jack and Kim share practical ways to introduce SOAR and provide concrete examples of the program's impact in the lives of young adolescents. Resources: Research Summary - Student Achievement and the Middle School Concept Student Achievement in New Literacies for the 21st Century by William Kist (MSJ, Sept. '03) On Target - Student Achievement: What Works to Improve Student Achievement

Listen Online 6/4/2009 Formative Assessment: Debunking the Myths (21:13) Formative assessment is a verb, not a noun. A process whereby students and teachers maintain ongoing conversation about learning, formative assessment is key to student achievement. Kate Garrison, manager of products and services for professional development with Measured Progress, debunks 5 myths about formative assessment in the first of this 2-part discussion. Resources: Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom by Catherine Garrison & Michael Ehringhaus Effective Classroom Assessment: Linking Assessment with Instruction by Catherine Garrison, Dennis Chandler, & Michael Ehringhaus Using Formative Assessments to Individualize Instruction and Promote Learning by Juliann M. Kaftan, Gayle A. Buck, & Alysa Haack

Websites for Middle Schools

This We Believe talks about students and their personal development and when their needs are met, their academic success will increase. The transition to middle school is different for middle school students. Some students may find themselves at a new location, while other students may only have to go to a different floor. These website are sites that will help students and parents who are making the transition from elementary to middle school.

http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/EnglishLanguageArts/ParentResources/Helpful+Websites+for+Parents+of+Middle+School+Students.htm

http://www.sldirectory.com/virtual.html

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

Creating a webquest

It seems that the best way to find the perfect webquest is to create one.  Here is a website with an easy to follow guide.

http://webquest.org/index-resources.php

Webquests are outstanding, as the promote many qualities of the In This We Believe ideals.  It is challenging and empowering for students to be a dynamic and active part of what they are learning.  It invovles technology and is therefor relevant.  It is a very active form of learning and should show students that you value them (as you are reaching out with material that should appeal to them).

This follows the This We Believe ideal of being developmentally responsive, as it should stimulate a student's natural curiousity. It also challenges a student;  even more apt, it challenges a student to be self empowered - both key attributes to This We Believe.  The material itself is challenging and a student must be motivated to follow its course;  this very process empowers the student, as they are in control of, and taking an active role in, their own lesson.  It is an active and purposeful education, as students progressively witness and establish relationships between topics; they personally interrelate the information.

Here is a directory of educational resources

These sites are useful tools to teachers in following the principles of This We Believe.  This is so because  one of these websites directly lists the principles.  They list many different approaches to curriculum, as they appreciate that many different approaches must be attempted and analized to discover what approach works with this unique age group.  They also aknowledge that curriculum must be varied and challenging, and present itself to many different learning stayles - this is highlighted in the curriculum, instruction, and assessment of This We Believe.  Multiple Learning approaches are also addressed, as they encourage using different kinds of tools (including digital/computer). 

Here are some resources that will cover every aspect of In This We Believe

http://www.alline.org/euro/middle.html

This website is a tremendous resource for curriculum and lessons, for all areas of study.  It also has many links to other useful sites. 

Also, here is another excellent site ...

http://www.sitesforteachers.com/

These resources should help all teachers develop an academic and personal approach to teaching and responding to middle school students in accordance with In This We Believe ideals, found here ...

http://www.nmsa.org/AboutNMSA/ThisWeBelieve/The14Characteristics/tabid/1274/Default.aspx

NY TImes article on K-8 and 6-12 schools

Here's an interesting article that looks at two different middle schools with two different approaches.  Both share a philosophy that middle schools should be done away with, but disagree in how to approach that.  This article focuses on the unique transitional period of middle school students.  To me, this is an example of In This We Believe's idea of an authentic and ongoing assesment of what works and what doesn't work for students.  These educators have to come a belief that it is better to avoid one of the two large educational transition period for kids (whether it be at 6th or 8th grade, respectively).  This process is still ongoing and presents more questions than answeres, however. Does this give the students the educational environment they need?  Does this allow them the relationships they need with both educators (adult role models or coddlers?) and peers (should they be exposed to students they can model from or is there a danger mixing them with students that are physically and emotionally beyond them?).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/education/22middle.html?pagewanted=1&ref=thecriticalyears

Billings Middle School Blog

Here is a fantastic blog, run by the school's Technology Integration Coordinator.  This blog fits the In This We Believe bill on so many levels.  It incorporates technology (obviously), but it also encourages individuals and community, it brings students and educators together and gives them common ground, it brings information to students in an intriguing way, it promotes active learning, and it also empowers students to make choices that directly involve themselves in both the academic and social aspects of school and community.  It is fantastic.

http://www.billingsmiddleschool.org/beta/

Podcast on motivating middle school students

http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/TodaysMiddleLevelEducator/tabid/1409/Default.aspx

I'm linking to the page because I don't know how to post the actual file.  The podcast is two down on the page.  The first key words mentioned in this audio file are relevant and technology.  It is also mentioned that teachers become so focused on teaching to the standards that they fail to realize they aren't reaching kids in a way that is understood.  These both directing relate to This We Believe principles in curriculum and in educators (as educators must be willing to learn about their students and how to approach them).  This We Believe is directly addressed as motivating students is about creating a school environment that encourages learning, as well as having a challenging curriculum that interests students.  These qualities are what these podcasts seek to address.

1/12/2010
Motivating Young Adolescents (20:07)
Jack Berckemeyer is joined by Kim Campbell, classroom teacher and member of the NMSA Site-Based Services Speakers Cadre. Jack and Kim share ideas about student motivation and the role of the classroom teacher. They discuss practical ways to motivate the young adolescent.
Resources:

• The Power of Self-Esteem: Build It and They Will Flourish
  by Jim Paterson (MG, Oct. '07)
• Successful Teachers Develop Academic Momentum with Reluctant Students
  (MSJ, May '08)

Middle School Rap

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-schoolrap-20110209,0,2771753.story

This is rap that a middle school is claiming enhances education and improves test scores.  I would say this follows This We Believe in many different ways:  it shows caring and innitiative towards students from the educators, because they clearly worked hard to bring educational material to the students in a unique and interest way.  Tt shows commited leaders using active and varied educational approaches, as this approach should appeal to visual, audio, musical, tech savy students, and students that are interested in modern pop culture.  It shows a desire to make material relevant to students by presenting a unique and youth centered appeal to a modern media style.  It also shows a willingness to think outside of "the box" in the approach to students and education.  It shows creativity and care.

Staffing at the Middle School Level

This article indicates the severity of leaderships within our middle schools. The article asks are the least qualified principals assigned to the neediest school buildings? “This We Believe” states that leaders (Principals) need to be knowledgeable about the age group in which she/he is servicing and collaborate with others parents, staff, and community.

How do you use math?

Weapons of Math Destruction

In “This We Believe”
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment are important and informative in a student’s academic future. When a student is proficient in the district’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments however, that student has to take remedial math in college then who is the blame?

Parent teacher conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr5kWOdkHYA&feature=related

This video is a discussion between a parent and teacher it goes with in this we believe and parent involvement.

Perspective

A Vision of K-12 Learners Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=grec_index

This Youtube clip demonstrates how imperative is is that we adhere to the Essential Attributes of This We Believe, which state that an education for young adolescents (for all children) must be 1. Developmentally Responsive; 2. Challenging; 3. Empowering; 4. Equitable.

What Teachers Make

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBmSbiVXo0&NR=1

This is a short youtube clip of a teacher named Taylor Mali going off on someone who asked him what he makes.