Explore 4-5 of the website provided in class

Explore 4-5 websites provided in class and reflect on them as a ML teacher

            http://www.daveyd.com

As we discussed in the last class, middle level students are incredibly interested in rap and hip-hop.  I like the idea of letting them explore this aspect of musical history and this idea seems like a great place to start.  Many of my students want to write reaserch papers on current rappers.  I love that I have a website to send them to that can help them broaden their horizons regarding this genre.

            www.freerice.com

The possibilities of this website seem endless!  I was amazed at how addicting “freerice” is.  To start with, you could use this website as an extension activity for students who finish researching or typing quickly.  You could also have students do a project about world hunger and the implications of the grains of rice they are providing. I think the “video game” aspect of the site (no matter how loosely you use the term “video game”) will provide an instant attention grabber.

            www.nmsa.org

This website is, not surprisingly, a wealth of knowledge for the middle level teacher.  I found the MiddleTalk list serve to be particularly intriguing. I know that teaching can often be an isolating career, even within the inter-disciplinary situations that middle schools provide.  I like the idea of opening up our professional dialogue to teachers across the country.  I’m definitely considering joining the National Middle School Association so that I will have access to this resource. 

            http://abolishthenword.com

What a powerful into… I can see many projects born from this website.  I know many of my students are particularly interested in the “n-word.”  I would be very interested to hear them debate on the pros and cons of keeping the word in today’s vernacular, especially if they used resources such as this one, which explore so much history. 

Suggested Websites

Suggest 2-3 websites the you use or know that would be good for MLE teachers to know about

            As an English teacher, I decided to share two of the best websites I have found for grammar and writing lessons.  I chose these websites in particular because they will be especially relevant for middle level students.

 

            http://www.readwritethink.org/

Read-Write-Think is one of the best compilation/search engine sites that I have come across for middle level students.  This website does an excellent job of providing resources that cater to student-centered (as opposed to teacher-centered) learning.  I have found many lessons here that keep my students engaged because they utilize many of the aspects of PIES+.  You can search by subject area and grade level, and the site provides lessons from their own stock pile, as well as other reputable sources.  

 

            http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Grammar Girl has been a savior!  As most English teachers know, it is difficult to get any student (and especially a middle-level student) engaged in a grammar lesson.  Grammar Girl does an amazing job of explaining a concept quickly, clearly, and engagingly. The website also provides printed versions of the pod-cast that you can print out for students.  I usually have my students underline the important parts as we go along, which keeps my kinesthetic and visual learners engaged as well during Grammar Girl's explanations. 

Obstacles

The top ten obstacles facing middle school students are...

... dealing with puberty.

... relating to their peers.

... understanding the changes they are going through.

... learning (again) how to cope with their parents.

... changing from elementary school to middle school.

... dealing with the media onslaught that they are exposed to.

... negotiating peer pressure.

... figuring out their sexuality.

... learning to be responsible for their own actions.

... dealing with growing pains.