Group items tagged

Diane Ravitch calls it. Read her blog post on this major ethical issue. I think we need an independent testing company. Isn't there a conflict of interest here when a company creates textbooks and the test? "I am an 8th grade teacher in Xxxx, NY. On Day 1 of the NYS ELA 8 Exam, I discovered what I believe to be a huge ethical flaw in the State test. The state test included a passage on why leaves change color that is included in the Pearson-generated NYS ELA 8 text. I taught it in my class just last week. In a test with 6 passages and questions to complete in 90 minutes, it was a huge advantage to students fortunate enough to use a Pearson text and not that of a rival publisher. It may very well have an impact on student test scores. This has not yet received any attention in the press. Could you help me bring this to the attention of the public?"

I've uploaded the portfolio assignment that I use for my one semester 8th grade keyboarding class. It includes movie making, self creation of rubrics, MLA paper writing, memos, block letters, blogging, and an efolio component along with QR Codes. I wanted to share this but also was testing the functionality of the site for sharing resources. Hope you'll share. (Note: KS3 in the UK means grades 7-9 - the site will be adding US grade levels soon.)

Here's another contest that may interest you. If you join TES Connect, you'll be entered to win $125US (equivalent of 100 British pounds) in Amazon vouchers. You can also download my 8th grade portfolio and other resources I've put exclusively on TES' website.

An 8th grade history teacher's blog about history, technology, and education. Includes lots of videos, presentations, and lessons, activities, and resources for making history more engaging in the classroom.

One 8th grade class's experience with backchanneling while watching a video. Great ideas here!

Teacher wanting to connect from London, England.

This teacher, Kelly, is interested in starting a project focusing on India in mid-/February 2009. She's located in London. Anyone interested? She has 8th grade students. If so, please contact her on this page.

Many students across the country aren't prepared for the more rigorous math, a think tank has found, posing potential challenges to the education system.

Florida takes a huge step forward (or backwards?) in virtual ed.

A new law requires every district to set up an online school for grades K-8th grade. I'm just curious about a few things -- why the arbitrary selection of ages? I'm not sure that virtual education is a good idea for k, 1, 2 -- would need to be convinced. To me, it has great application for high school -- but yet high school isn't part of it. Many virtual classes I've seen are NOT well constructed and the online teachers aren't accessible. The teacher must be there while teachers are learning. Just have a lot of ideas here but questions too!

Two Million Minutes (Running time: 54 minutes) THE DOCUMENTARY Regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the clock starts ticking. From that very moment the child has approximately - …Two Million Minutes until high school graduation…Two Million Minutes to build their intellectual foundation…Two Million Minutes to prepare for college and ultimately career…Two Million Minutes to go from a teenager to an adult

A live event hosted by an 8th grade classroom investigating social justice issues. All are welcome to attend.

National Geographic, Airbus, and ePals have partnered to raise awareness of biodiversity worldwide, especially among young people. A major component of this effort is a summer photo contest for students age 6-16, called "See the Bigger Picture". Students can submit digital photos online or via mailed electronic media until September 8th. The contest is open to kids aged between 6 and 16*. Submit one color image that you think captures the spirit or idea of biodiversity. It could be a favourite tree or a plant, an animal or an insect, even a whole ecosystem (from your own back yard to somewhere you've visited on vacation) - your image should show people why biodiversity is a good thing that we should try to preserve.

This is the lesson planning guide for grades PreK-6th grade for the President's speech on September 8th.

Ann is doing great things with backchannel chats with her 7th and 8th graders - this is a fascinating post and I learned a lot.

In 2002, The No Child Left Behind Act said that students should be technologically literate by the end of the 8th grade. Texas developed a long list of specific technology skills students should know, but nobody has required that students learn them. "We have a difficult time finding the time for the students to be taught these technology skills since teachers have to focus on preparing students for the TAKS test," said Mark Gabehart, AISD's technology chief.

National Geographic, Airbus, and ePals have partnered to raise awareness of biodiversity worldwide, especially among young people. A major component of this effort is a summer photo contest for students age 6-16, called "See the Bigger Picture". Students can submit digital photos online or via mailed electronic media until September 8th. The contest is open to kids aged between 6 and 16.

"mLearing and ELT: Are We Mobile Ready?"

As promised in my posting of April 8th 2011 I would like to share here some first insights into the results from my survey into Mobile Learning 2011 and what some of the statistical comparisons show when matched against results from the same survey last year.