How Can We

Digitally Engage &

Energize our

Students in

45 Days?

Melanie Wiscount

Hershey Middle School - PA

Derry Township School District

Middle School BE Courses

Beginning Building Blocks

• Curriculum

• Standards –NETS

–NBEA

• SCANS

The New Three R’s

• Rigor – Vigor (Middle-level)

MIDDLE LEVEL ISSUES; Vol. 7 #1, January, 2007

Academic Vigor and Meeting the Learning Needs of Middle Level

Students

By Chris Sousa and Robert C. Spear, Ed.D

• Relationships

• Relevance

21st

Century Skills

• Digital Age Literacy

• Inventive Thinking

• Effective Communication

• High Productivity

Characteristics of

Young Adolescents

• Physical

• Cognitive

• Social/Emotional

Keep In Mind…

• Appropriate for Middle Level

• Process over Product

• Completion Formula – Grades 6-12 N X 3 or N X 4

– Grades 3-6 N X 4 or N X 5

• TIME!

Instructional Philosophy

• Connect to their Interests!

• Integrate!

• Facilitate!

• Authentic Assessment!

How We Learn

10% of what we READ

20% of what we HEAR

30% of what we SEE

50% of what we SEE and HEAR

70% of what is DISCUSSED with OTHERS

80% of what is EXPERIENCED

PERSONALLY

95% of what we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE

William Glasser

Classroom Environment

• Accelerative Learning –Appeal to senses

• Music

• Lighting

• Posters/Bulletin Boards

• Themes

• Props

Set the Stage

• Memorize Names 1st Day

• Meet & Greet

• Listen to Students

• Make Conversation

• Show Genuine Concern

• Bell-ringer

Instructional Strategies

• Get Up & Moving

• Repeat Directions

• Time Cues

• Brief and Debrief

• Ask Two Before Me

Instructional Strategies

• Self Assess & Peer Assess

• Post Key/Model

• Different activities – 10-12 minutes

(3-4 a period)

• Over Plan

• Use Humor

Activities

• Grouping

• Student Choice

• Shout Outs

• Post-Its Graffiti

• Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt

Scenario One

Scenario Two

Scenario Three

Activities

• Information Seekers

• Write/Wipe Boards

• Scattergories®

• Ring Around the Research

Ring Around the Research • A - Reader • B - Paraphraser •C - Predictor

Activities

• Financial Fitness for Life

• Stock Portfolio

• Problem-solving Scenarios

• World View

Projects - PBLs

• Community Highlights/History

• Totem Pole Presentation

• Career Project

• Lost Pet/For Sale

Lost Pet/For Sale

Projects - PBLs

• Meteorologist for a Day

• Extreme Bedroom Makeover

• American Idol® Votes

Meteorologist for a Day

Extreme Bedroom Makeover

Extreme Bedroom Makeover

American Idol® Votes

American Idol® Votes

Projects - PBLs

• Amusement Park

Comparison

• Excel Timeline

• History & Culture through

Food Flyer

Amusement Park

Comparison

Amusement Park

Comparison

Excel Timeline & Quiz

Excel Timeline & Quiz

History & Culture Through

Food Recipe Flyer

Make Use of Every Minute!

• Create Graphical Organizers

• Web Worksheets

• PowerPoint/Excel Games

• Assign Jobs

• Teachable Moments

Make Use of Every Minute!

• Notebook Housekeeping

• Keyboarding Skills

• Activities for my Fast

Completers

Put Your Course Online

• Course Management System

–Moodle

• Calendar

• Screencasts

• Resources – paper

• Resources – electronic

–derrymoodle.caiu.org (no www.)

Put Your Course Online

Put Your Course Online

• Teacher’s Web Site

–Link to Moodle

–NBEA Presentation Files

Online Learning &

Assessment

• Moodle

• United Streaming

• Track Star

• Quizlab

Digital Tools

• Voice Recognition

• Screencasts – Vodcasts

• Scanners

• Digital Cameras

• Answer Remotes

Soft Skills -

Collaboration

• Family of Learners

• Teamwork

• Discussion Board – Wikis

– Blogs

Soft Skills -

Collaboration

• Monster Exchange

• Change Seats

• Peer Help

Soft Skills

• Pay Attention to Detail

• Time Management

• Nonverbal Communication

• Problem-solving

Soft Skills

• Listening

• Introductions

• Name Association

• Organization Skills

Health & Well-being

• Ergonomics

• Workstation Workout

• Non-food Rewards

• Great Web Sites

NMSA: Exploring Essential Components: Physical Activity,

Nutrition, and the Young Adolescent ppt

Extras

• Internet Safety & Security

• Guest Speakers

• Celebrate the Child

• Volunteer Students’ Time

• Technology Showcase

Tips & Tricks

• Application Tricks

–Office Shortcuts

–Auto Summarization

–Word Outline to PPT

Tips

• Put the Student First

• Know Your Student

• Merge & Downsize

• Make Learning Fun

• Connect! Connect! Connect!

Ultimate Goal

• Life-long Learner

–Success

–Self-sufficiency

–Progression & Self-improvement

Enthusiasm

Excitement

Engagement

Hershey ___________!

Educating Our Children –

The Most Important

Thing a Community

Does

Any Questions?

Thank you for your

attention and interest!

Go out and

Celebrate Learning!

Melanie Wiscount

mwiscount@hershey.k12.pa.us

717-531-2222 ext 4108