Today's Middle Level Educator

9/2/2012
Middle School Matters #217: Dr. Doubet, Formative Assessment (17:18)
AMLE and hosts Shawn McGirr and Troy Patterson of Middle School Matters speak with Dr. Kristina Doubet, associate professor of middle and secondary education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Dr. Doubet shares how formative assessment is a critical first step in differentiating instruction, itemizes misconceptions about the concept, and includes tips on effectively using formative assessment in the classroom. With more than 10 years of experience teaching middle and secondary English, Dr. Doubet prepares future middle and high school teachers for careers in the classroom. She completed her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at the University of Virginia where she studied the impact of differentiated instruction on student performance in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Dr. Doubet works regularly with practicing teachers from all grade levels and content areas as a staff developer for schools and districts implementing initiatives in the areas of Common Core State Standards, formative assessment, and differentiated instruction. Contact info: doubetkj@jmu.edu

Resources:

• Smart in the Middle Grades: Classrooms that Work for Bright Middle Schoolers by Kristina Doubet and Carol Ann Tomlinson
• Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom
• Collections of Assessment and Differentiated Instruction books
• Full MSM #217 podcast

6/25/2012
Middle School Matters #209: Popcorn Please! (15:56)
Our inaugural podcast with partner Middle School Matters, show hosts Shawn McGirr and Troy Patterson speak with Todd Williamson, director of technology and science for Carteret County Schools (Beaufort, NC), MiddleTalk participant, and NCMSA Technology Specialist. Todd discusses the Tech-in-20 series, a program designed to introduce teachers to technology with flexibility to differentiate staff development for various learners. Also covered is the Middle School Portal—Math and Science Pathways project.

Resources:

• Todd Williamson's blog – The Technorate Teacher
• Middle School Portal – www.msteacher2.org
• Full MSM #209 podcast

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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