This page has numerous links that provide information on the jigsaw technique for cooperative learning. It also includes jigsaw activity ideas for grades 4-12.
This website has tons of resources for middle school teachers that other teachers have given. On the left side there is a tab that you can choose what subject area to get curriculm resources for.
I think this would be a great idea to implement into a curriculum. Having students learn about money and financial resources would prepare them for the real world! There is a tab for educators (you have to create a free account) and you can download lesson plans for particular grades.
Please watch this 2 minute video! This could be especially helpful for anyone going into the English/Literature area, but it could be useful for any and all teachers. This video shows how teachers can create a Podcast for a student to give individual feedback on an assignment. These can be sent through email to the student for them to listen to. Great idea for keeping up with technology!
Part of professional development is keeping up to date with technology in the classroom. This is a GREAT article with ideas for using technology like podcasts and social media in the classroom. Students do "lower level thinking" like podcasts at home. Then come to school with the information for "higher level thinking" and do hands on activities. It also includes a link for each 10 social media sites to use in the classroom.
This page focuses on professional development through classroom management and addressing behavior problems. There are links to modules for learning more about addressing classroom issues and management. There are links for activities to do in the classroom for different age groups. Also there are links that take you to recommended readings. This page is great for new teachers or just a brush up on creating classroom managment.
This is a fun article about professional development and how sometimes it needs to be custom made to meet different needs. It includes real stories from teachers who have experienced the best and worst professional development experiences. These stories could be great ideas to do in the future with other teachers or what to avoid!
This organization is dedicated exclusively to the middle school grade levels. This might be very helpful for those wishing to teach this age group. There is great information on workshops and conferences for professional development that would be helpful in the future.