Messages from the Middle

Choosing Your Attitude

2011-12-07T11:05:00.001-06:00

We had some PD time dedicated to our Middle School staff this week where we had the chance to talk about our school culture and climate. We had some great conversations and reflections about what we as individuals bring to our school culture. We watched this video and most seemed to enjoy it and value the message. After watching the video, I challenged each teacher to choose their attitude each day with a purpose and keep it on a list somewhere. I am doing the same thing and finding it quite powerful. Enjoy the video. Laugh out loud. I hope you too can commit to choosing YOUR attitude.

Digital Textbooks - By Our Teachers!

2011-11-11T13:52:00.000-06:00

Just read this article from Education Week (CLICK HERE), and it got me excited about the future of textbooks. Personally, I am struggling with the notion of spending money, from an already tight budget, on textbooks. Why? Because I feel (and hope) we are on the cusp of heading towards a digital curriculum. The idea of paying teachers to spend time writing their own digital textbooks is awesome!

One, it would save the district some money (theoretically-I don't really have hard numbers). But that's not the best part. Our teachers are experts about the content in their classrooms. Who better to write the textbook? I know I value the expertise of our teachers. This would be perfect! There would be no wasted chapters. The information would be relevant and up to date. It would be a living document. We would have the ability to update, transform and recreate, as we get data back from formative assessments.

If done right, this could revolutionize local education. Real life, relevant problems could be used in the text. I'm excited! Tell me what you think!

Starting Somewhere

2011-10-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

It was a little while ago, but the entire Middle School joined the community in the Start Somewhere walk as a part of Governor Branstad' healthiest state initiative. It was a great event. Thanks to Keith's Foods for organizing the walk and for the bottle of water at the end. The students really enjoyed the chance to get out and be a part of something. Here's a picture of us walking our way to a healthier lifestyle.

Bully Prevention Tips

2011-10-07T13:49:00.000-05:00

October is Bully Prevention Month and here at DCMS we are on a full blown mission to stop bullying. We meet in our Social Skills/Bully Prevention groups once a week for 30 minutes. This is sacred time for our students and teachers, as we have lessons and conversations about character, choices, and creating the best culture possible in our school!

I just read a great piece that has some bully prevention tips for principals, teachers, and parents. Give it a look. CLICK TO READ. There's some great ideas here. Let me know what you think. It will take everyone to stop bullying!

When the Honeymoon is Over

2011-10-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

This post is for the teachers. We all enjoy getting back to school and working with the kids. Typically, we get a nice little "honeymoon" phase when the kids are on their best behavior and things are fairly peaceful. That period of time is different every year, but eventually, the honeymoon must end. So here is a nice article to help keep our spirits high and motivated throughout the year. CLICK TO READ. The main theme is clearly taking care of yourself. As educators, it is very easy to get wrapped in the lives of our students and their needs. It is extremely important to have balance in our work and our personal lives. To be the best we can be, sometimes we have to focus on ourselves!

The Middle School Dilemma!?

2011-09-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

Whenever I tell people I am the principal of a middle school, I usually get the same look. You know it, that, "You poor man, I don't know how you do it" look. Let me begin by saying, I love my job. Working in our middle school has been one of the most personally satisfying career changes I have ever made.

Now, with that being said, it's not an easy job. There are many studies and research teams out there trying to find a way to get the most out of the middle school experience for kids. And quite honestly, nobody has really come up with a tremendous plan. I stumbled upon this article today about someone tackling the middle school "mess," as they call it. CLICK TO READ. A warning - it contains some drastic changes - and I'm not saying I agree or disagree with any of them. But I do think we have to think "outside the box" when working with middle school children. This is an extremely important time in their lives. So as we continue our work to change the way we teach and learn - I feel good knowing we are trying our very best to make the greatest impact we can for all of our students.

I found it to be an interesting read. Let me know what you think!

Homecoming 2011

2011-09-27T13:29:00.000-05:00

It has come and gone, but Homecoming was great fun at DCMS. Our students did a tremendous job with the dress up days and activities. We collected over 500 food items to donate in our effort to "KO Hunger!" Here are a few photos from the week.

Well done students! And I think we can all agree we had a great time but it gets to be quite exhausting! LOOK!

Bring on HOMECOMING WEEK!

2011-09-16T15:09:00.002-05:00

It's already here. Homecoming time! The student council has released next week's dress up day's and activities, and I can tell we are going to have some fun. This year' theme is KO the Kobras. Dress up days will be:

Tuesday - "Senior Citizen's Day" (disclaimer:we asked the kids who they wanted to dress like and they said, "old people, you know, like our parents") So in an attempt at political correctness we are going with the senior citizen day.

Wednesday - "Wild and Wacky Day" - just dress crazy!

Thursday - "Steve Urkel Day" - show up your best impression of Urkel.

Friday - "Mustang Pride Day" - School colors and face painting at lunch.

We will incorporate a food drive to support the Lord's Cupboard in our attempt to KO Hunger! Each grade level will be competing against the others to bring in the most food to fight hunger in our area.

I'm looking forward to a great week. I will charge up the camera and post some pics next week. GO MUSTANGS!

Implementing the Core

2011-09-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

As I'm sure most of you know, or have heard, we are working diligently aligning our school district's curriculum to the Core curriculum. Sometimes known as the Common Core or Iowa Core. I have given up trying to figure out what we are supposed to call it, so I am just using "the Core."

Anyway, there are multiple sites and resources out there to help schools and teachers with the alignment process and I wanted to share one I found today. The Leadership and Learning Center has a wealth of resources. It is also led by Dr. Douglas Reeves, who I am a huge fan of, so I think you should all check it out. Here is a link to the Center's blog, which directly relates to Core implementation. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Twitter Hashtags

2011-09-15T13:58:00.001-05:00

Here's a great resource for our teachers using Twitter. This is a list of hashtags you can use to find specific topics for your classroom. CLICK HERE to see tags. I hope we will continue to see more of our staff on Twitter. The amount of resources to connect to are endless!

And yes. I am on Twitter. My Twitter name is @Ryan_A_Woods. One of my personal goals is to be more interactive with it this year.

And We're Back!

2011-09-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

I know it's been a while but I am back up and running, or blogging. The school year is off to a tremendous start. We are in the middle of Student Council elections. I just watched all of our candidates speeches and the votes are being counted. All the candidates did an excellent job.

I really feel we are going to have a super year. The staff is excited and we are working hard to make this the best educational experience possible. Our 3 Middle School initiatives this year are to reduce the number of bullying issues, integrate technology in to every classroom, and to continue to work towards a fair and accurate grading system. I know the staff is on board and willing to do what it takes to create a positive experience for every student.

I will be posting updates, ideas, pictures, and information throughout the year. I hope this blog is a source of sharing and dialogue for all of our stakeholders. Please feel free to comment on any post as they year progresses. Now that I am blogging again I will do my best to update frequently!

Here's to a great school year. GO MUSTANGS!!

Mustang Challenge

2011-05-25T14:36:00.001-05:00

DCMS students and staff took part in the Mustang Challenge on Thursday, May 19. This was a day of character counts education and lessons on teamwork. Students were divided in to teams for physical and mental challenges. At the end of the day, Mrs. Bassett's Bees were crowned champion, but it was a great educational day for all. Enjoy the pics.

Teacher Appreciation Week

2011-05-04T14:36:00.000-05:00

It's Teacher Appreciation Week and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our teachers. We have a tremendous group of dedicated people who make working at Davis County Middle School a true joy. They care deeply about our students and work diligently to help each child reach their full potential. So when you see a teacher tell them thanks!

School Lunch Debate

2011-04-19T21:22:00.000-05:00

First of all - I would like to say how much I appreciate Dan Roberts and his food service staff for the tremendous job they do preparing and serving lunch to our student body day in and day out. It's easy to take for granted that every day lunch will just be there for us. The fact is it takes hard work by great people to make that happen every day. The great thing about Dan and his team is they are constantly trying to upgrade the product they serve. Well done Lunch Team!

I just read an article in the Washington Post that got me thinking about school lunch. (Here it is) It's an easy target to complain about and the rules seem to constantly be changing. But one piece of the article got me thinking.
All of this raises important questions about whose responsibility it is to decide what to feed America’s schoolchildren, who should determine what’s healthful and what’s not, and what role parents play in that decision-making process. We also have to consider whether serving nutritionally sound meals at school is itself part of the curriculum; teaching kids what foods are best for their bodies by offering such foods at lunchtime.
It's a great question. Who is responsible to decide what our school children should eat. Obviously the government has some say in what they offer in the lunch program, but what about lunches from home. Is the school responsible to police what shows up in a lunch box? Do we do enough to educate our students about healthy nutrition and what is the parents role in that decision making process? I'm pretty sure the Iowa Core doesn't mention lunch - should it? Just wondering.

Project Based Learning

2011-04-19T09:10:00.000-05:00

As we build our schedule for next year there may be a few changes at the middle school. I stress may. As any of you who have ever built a schedule for hundreds of kids knows, it's not official until it's official. But as we look to make some changes one piece I would like to see implemented is a course designed around Project Based Learning. What's is it? Click here to read a little about it.

I like the idea because it directly puts our students in the position to use critical thinking and problem solving skills. One of our goals is to get our students working collaboratively to solve problems that are relevant to them. I believe this type of learning also provides a tremendous opportunity to create partnerships with our community members. I know we have many people who are supportive and willing to work with our students and this type of work lends itself to working with our stakeholders.

As with anything new we will have to do our homework and iron out the wrinkles. If you do a little research of your own, let me know what you think.

Opening Day Lessons

2011-04-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

I am a HUGE baseball fan. So Opening Day is one of my favorite days of the year. There are so many great things about baseball. As I watched my beloved Royals yesterday (we lost) I got to thinking about how baseball and education have a lot in common.
I was a baseball coach for 13 years. Honestly, it was a great experience and I honestly believe it greatly prepared me for my current position as an administrator. I learned patience, persistence, and leadership skills that I just am not sure I would have gained anywhere else. I have memories that I hope will last a lifetime and made friendships that I am sure will last forever. Relationships are a big part of coaching and maybe the most important piece of being a successful administrator.

I am also a big time Kansas City Royals fan. Talk about having patience. Being a fan, and I mean a real fan, is not easy. You feel the highs and lows with your team. You start each season with the belief that "this is our year." You walk tall during the winning streaks and you look for silver linings during the losing streaks. You wake up with the confidence that today we will win. Even when we are playing the Yankees and deep down you're a little worried. Loyalty comes with a price. Sometimes it hurts to love your team. But at the end of the day, it's YOUR team, and that makes it worth it! These are just a few reasons why I love baseball. It's also why I love being an educator. I have all of these feelings and emotions about our school and our staff.

I'm actually quite lucky. I have balance. I love my Royals, even as they struggle. But at work - I get to manage the Yankees - my school team line-up is full of all-stars. So "Go Royals" and "Go Team!" I'm going to enjoy the ride.

p.s. KC is only one game out of first place. THIS IS OUR YEAR!!!

Blogging Encourages Students to Write

2011-03-28T13:49:00.000-05:00

Just read a great article from a Minnesota newspaper. Elementary students in the Eden Prairie district are blogging and loving it. Teachers feel the experience has given the students great motivation to write. There's nothing better than writing something for the whole world to read. Great stuff. Click here to read all about it.

Middle School Musical

2011-03-24T12:42:00.000-05:00

The DCMS musical "Follow That Rabbit" begins tonight at 6:30 PM at the Theatre. Doors open at 6:00. Encore performance is Friday night. Same time. Yours truly will be selling tickets at the door. Mrs. Norton and our students have been rehearsing since January. We are taking the whole middle school to see dress rehearsal this afternoon. I'm looking forward to the show. I hope everyone can come out and see it.

Way To Go Baxter!!

2011-03-11T14:11:00.001-06:00

Baxter Knapp qualified to represent our school and participate at the state level of the National Geographic Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek. The state Bee will be held on Friday, April 1, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Student participants in the state level must be in grade levels of four through eight and must have participated in and won the contest at the school-level that involved at least six students. Baxter then took a written test that was scored by the National Geographic Bee organization, to see if he qualified to go onto the state level. We receive in writing that Baxter will be competing at the state level.

Winners of the state level and territory will advance to the national competition, which will be held May 24^th and 25^th at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. The final round of the 2011 National Geographic Bee, featuring Alex Trebek, will air on the National Geographic Channel on May 25^th and then on public television stations.

Good Luck at the State Geography Bee Baxter!

Teacher Resource

2011-03-08T12:45:00.000-06:00

As I was Skyping with a colleague form the AEA yesterday she showed me a website that I have to share with all of our teachers. It a super resource and it aligns with the Iowa/Common Core. It allows teachers to search for state standards and then choose a subject area and grade level. It then displays numerous lesson plans by the Core standards. It really is a great tool when looking to add or tweak existing curriculum. Take a look.http://www.thinkfinity.org/.

Parent / Teacher Conferences

2011-02-28T08:10:00.000-06:00

Davis County schools are hosting P/T conferences this week. Teachers will be meeting with parents from 4:30 to 8:00 Monday evening and from 1:00 - 4:00 and 5:00 to 8:00 on Thursday. Middle School and High School teachers will be in the middle school gym on Thursday. I hope all parents have an opportunity to come and discuss their child's education on one of these days. If these times do not work out for any reason please contact the school and we will gladly set up a conference that meets with your availability. Our teachers and students have a lot to be proud of and I know they welcome the opportunity to share with our families. See you at conferences!

Want to Create Change? Just Dance!

2011-02-23T19:37:00.001-06:00

I saw this today on the http://www.iowafuture.org/ website. First I watched the video and laughed. Then I watched it again and thought about the message. The message makes sense. Some people think leading is hard, but if you watch the video, you learn being a "first follower" is maybe even harder. And honestly, as education continues to make changes to improve, we will need brave "first followers" to truly lead the way! Watch the video - it is enjoyable. But then watch it again and process the message. Tell me what you think. Click here to view article and video.

iPad's in Education

2011-02-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

Does anyone have an iPad our there? (I do) Here a site that lists how iPad's are being used in the field of education. There's no doubt the iPad is a wonderful piece of technology. Because it is new there are some questions to its viability as an educational tool. When school districts are using limited funds we have to make decisions about what is the best thing we can put in front of students to create the best learning environment. So should we buy laptop computers of iPad's? It's a tough question because I think both have places in the classroom. What do you think and why?

Readership Boost

2011-02-11T10:09:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Mrs. Grove my blog readership hit an all time high. She is beginning a blogging unit in computer ed. class and they began by looking at my blog and leaving some comments. I really enjoyed reading what our middle school students had to say about some of the things happening in education. Take the time to go back and read the comments.

"Middle School Matters"

2011-02-11T10:06:00.000-06:00

It will be interesting to see where this goes. CLICK TO READ. Former First Lady Laura Bush announced that the Bush Institute will focus on improving middle schools as a way to increase graduation rates. I am interested to watch and see what kind of data they get linking success in middle school to graduation rates. There's no doubt there's a connection. I am more interested to see what kind of innovations they suggest to improve the educational curriculum in middle schools.

Another Way to Grade

2011-02-07T16:35:00.000-06:00

I have posted a few of my thoughts regarding some rethinking when it comes to assessing our students. Some have probably read this, but here is an interesting article from the Des Moines Register about an Iowa school moving to a standards based grading system. (CLICK TO READ). Take a look and let me know what you think!

Assessment and Grading - Time for a Change?

2011-02-03T11:34:00.000-06:00

I think most of the teachers in the middle school have figured out my thoughts on assessment and grading. At least they know I am pushing for some changes. It's a hot topic and there are many interesting ideas about which direction schools should move when it comes to assessing their students. Currently, we are in the discussion/feedback stage, but hopefully preparing to make a shift to a more standards based system. So in the interest of sharing more ideas, here's a blog from a teacher who has made the shift. I liked it - hope you do too. (Click here to read)

Iowa's Future

2011-02-01T09:08:00.000-06:00

Via my Twitter PLN I once again have stumbled upon something cool. Check out this site. Quite simply, it's a site dedicated to the future of Iowa's students. Some great stuff about innovation in education and where school's are and will be headed can be found there. Why must we focus on the future for our students? According to the site: "Because tomorrow will take them to places—real and virtual—we’ve never been. Because tomorrow they will perform jobs that today don’t yet exist. Because tomorrow belongs to them." Great quote. Great site. It got me thinking and I'm sure it will you too.

Teaching Digital Citizenship

2011-01-28T13:31:00.000-06:00

I know - I have older posts discussing digital citizenship, but I have been having conversations with some of my peers about the topic lately, so here we go again. DCMS is not unlike most schools across the nation when it comes to our cell phone / electronic device policy. It pretty much says: "Don't have them. And if you have them, we better not catch you using them." I will admit, that policy is due for an overhaul. We are currently using Ipod's and Kindle's in our Second Chance Reading classrooms to read books. I think this is great. The students love it and they are engaged in their learning. They are using a piece of technology that is a part of their everyday lives. It makes sense. But technically, it's a violation of our policy in the most literal sense.

I believe we could serve a much greater purpose if we spent time teaching students how to use technology and social media responsibly, rather than punishing them for having it and using it. This blogger has some ideas about teaching digital citizenship. Tackling this issue may be a little scary, but we talk about education being relevant everyday. What's more relevant to today's learners than the digital devices they use every day? Well, except when they come to school.

Laptop vs Pencil?

2011-01-27T13:37:00.000-06:00

Just read a great post by Scott McLeod. (HERE IT IS) It reinforces, quite well I think, the necessity for continuing to push new and innovative technology in front of today's learners. Read it - I think you will like it!

Helping Out One of Our Own

2011-01-21T10:16:00.000-06:00

I am very proud of our middle school students for their efforts to help out one of our families who tragically lost their home to a house fire. The student council organized a "penny drive" to raise money for the Runnels family to help them recover some of their lost belongings. Kelsey is a 6th grader in our middle school and she had been a trooper through the tragedy. Our students should be proud of themselves for how they have rallied around her to help out her and her family. The students raised $400.00 with the penny drive and purchased a Wal-Mart gift card to present to the family. Below is a picture of out student council reps, who organized the drive, presenting the gift card to Mr. Runnels and Kelsey.

DCMS Geography Bee

2011-01-20T15:23:00.002-06:00

We hosted our annual Geography Bee yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Cook tested some of our young minds with numerous questions about World Geography. I was very impressed with the knowledge our students have about the subject. Congratulations to all the participants in the competition and special recognition to Baxter Knapp for winning the 2011 Geography Bee. Baxter will now take a test which will be submitted for a chance to compete at the state level. Also, thank you Mrs. Cook for hosting the competition and for being brave enough to pronounce the names of countries and rivers most of us have never heard of.

A Visit from the Lincoln's

2011-01-20T15:13:00.000-06:00

It was an exciting day at DCMS. We had some very special guests. Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary were here to visit and share some wonderful stories and information with our students. The assemblies were very informative and our students had some great questions for the Lincoln's. A big thanks to P.I.E. for sponsoring their visit.

Jason Glass - New Iowa Dept. of Education Director

2011-01-19T15:09:00.000-06:00

Just in case you haven't been reading the newspapers, Iowa has a new leader in the Department of Education. Jason Glass is a 39 year old educational consultant coming to us from Ohio. I just read this Q & A from the Des Moines Register. Some may say he has great ideas, others may be concerned he is too radical. READ THIS and tell me what you think.

Cursive Writing - Useful or Waste of Time?

2011-01-18T13:26:00.000-06:00

I admit it - I don't use cursive writing. I tend to print when forced to write by hand. Although, sometimes I use a hybrid style of print and cursive. Why? I have no idea.

I have personally questioned for years the educational value of learning to write in cursive. Now it seems so are some states. THIS ARTICLE mentions that cursive writing is slowly disappearing from lesson plans in the state of Georgia. Cursive isn't even mentioned in the states new curriculum standards. Honestly, after a quick review of the Common Core cursive is never mentioned there either. Therefore, I think it's safe to assume it will not show up in any Iowa standards either. So tell me, short of a signature, why use cursive at all and why use school time to teach it?

Tracking Your Goals

2011-01-13T12:56:00.000-06:00

Once again I am passing on something my Twitter PLN passed on to me. Here is a site (CLICK HERE) that allows you to set goals and then keep track of them on the web. There's no downloads necessary. Everyone knows setting goals is extremely valuable. A major problem with personal goals is keeping track of progress, or lack of progress. I like data, so I think this is a great way to keep track of where you are headed with your goals. Good luck!

The Necessity of Failure

2011-01-10T14:10:00.002-06:00

Great message here from Robert Marzano. He briefly discusses the inevitability and necessity of failure in the learning process. I think this is an important message because too often the fear of failure drives our decisions. Watch the video and tell me what you think. http://bcove.me/rukgobhr

Teachers Matter!

2011-01-04T12:50:00.000-06:00

I just read a blog post from the new leader of the Iowa Department of Education, Jason Glass. You will be happy to hear he believes teachers are far and away the number one factor in determining a student's success or failure. I think most people would agree with this but it is nice to see some data out there reflecting the importance of what our teachers do. The more time a student spends with an effective teacher the greater the odds are that the student will achieve at a significantly higher level. That's powerful data for schools when it comes to hiring and training their teaching staffs. Not only must we hire quality people, we must provide the best possible professional development to allow them to be as effective as possible. Click HERE to read the post.

$$$ For Technology!

2011-01-03T12:59:00.000-06:00

The Davis County Middle School was awarded $10,000 from the Davis County Community Foundation Grant. This money will be used to purchase a new mobile laptop laboratory. This a great opportunity to create greater access for our students to get their hands on technology that will allow them to continue to acquire skills for today's world. The middle school is committed to using new and existing technologies to engage our students and offer the best education possible. A big THANK YOU to the Davis County Community Foundation for helping our school be The Best That it Can Be!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-20T13:55:00.003-06:00

Before things get too hectic, as we wind down for break, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. I hope everyone enjoys some time off and has the opportunity to spend some quality time with their families. The weather is sounding a little iffy around Christmas Day so please travel safe. I look forward to seeing everyone in January. Happy Holidays!

Student Creativity

2010-12-17T16:33:00.001-06:00

Mrs. Cook gave me some examples of student projects from 6th grade social studies. They were working on a marketing/economy unit and had to make a commercial for a new toothpaste that consumers would want to buy. Check them out. They are awesome!

Well Done Middle School!

2010-12-17T14:52:00.000-06:00

A big CONGRATULATIONS to our middle school band and vocal students for their performance last night. All of their hard work and preparation paid off. We had a great crowd and the performances were outstanding. I know I had fun and I saw a lot of smiling faces in the crowd. Thanks to Ms. Norton, Mr. McBride, Mrs. Archer, and Mrs. McConnell for their efforts preparing the kids for the show. Thank you to Lyle Sterling and Park Mikels for their help with accompaniment and our chaperons Mr. Hill and Mr. Huggins for helping everything run smoothly.

The Students Know!

2010-12-14T11:01:00.000-06:00

As a school administrator I have a multitude of information at my disposal that is supposed to help me determine quality teaching. Believe me, it's tougher than you think. Or so I thought. According to this research (READ HERE) the students are the people to ask if you want to know what good teaching is.

According to this report student feedback about their teachers is typically in line with performance in the classroom. So when the kids start talking about teaching and teachers - listen up - it's likely some useful information!

Make Your Own Comics

2010-12-13T11:24:00.000-06:00

This teacher's blog (CLICK HERE) is cool. She has some great technology finds and gives some ideas about how to use them in the classroom. This one mentions a site where students can log on and create their own super hero comic strip - up to 21 pages long. Many ways this could be used in the classroom! Cool stuff!!

Blogs for Teachers

2010-12-09T08:36:00.000-06:00

Here's a great site that has links to numerous blogs for teachers. (Click HERE to view) The blogs cover elementary, middle school, specific subject areas, technology and more. Great resource. Check it out!

Merit Pay for Schools?

2010-12-07T14:33:00.000-06:00

In all my years in education I have been opposed to the idea of merit pay. Not because I don't think our system could use some change - I have just never seen a system that was fair and gave everyone the same chance to qualify for bonuses. With that being said - I just read this (Click HERE) and find the data interesting. A Texas school that offers a merit pay system had higher teacher retention and higher test scores. I would say those are two powerful data points. I guess I will have to keep reading.

Busy Day at DCMS

2010-12-02T13:03:00.000-06:00

I know - every day is busy at the Middle School, but as I was walking through classrooms today there was so much action I had to take a few photos. Mr. Hill's science class was launching marshmallows with their homemade catapults and Mrs. Cook's 6th graders were creating advertisements for world economies. Cool stuff and I always enjoy seeing the students working together!

Math Class Ideas for Everyone!

2010-12-02T12:35:00.000-06:00

I always enjoy reading about innovative ideas in the classroom. Here's one from a math teacher - but I think some of the concepts would work in any classroom. Enjoy! Click HERE to Read!

Twitter for Teacher and Students

2010-12-02T08:31:00.000-06:00

Great post (Click HERE) about how teachers can implement Twitter into their classroom. I constantly check my Twitter feed. There is definitely a place for this social media piece in the classroom. The best part - the students will LOVE it!

What do Grades Really Mean?

2010-11-29T13:20:00.000-06:00

I just read this (Click HERE to view) and had to post it. I found this to be an extremely interesting article because we have started having these exact same conversations here at DCMS. It's always reassuring to hear some issues are being tackled by educators nationwide.

We have just started asking ourselves what our grades really mean. The teachers have begun to discuss our current grading practices and looking at some other possible systems of grading. Grades are and have always been very subjective in nature. We are looking at the possibility of trying to remove some of that subjectivity and find out exactly what our students really know. Believe me, it's much more difficult than it sounds. If it was easy - it wouldn't be an issue in education all over the country. If you have any thoughts - leave a comment!

Thank You!

2010-11-22T09:47:00.000-06:00

A big thank you to the Bloomfield Pamida and the Pamida Foundation for their donation of $874.07 to Davis County Middle School. The funds were made possible through Pamida's Back-to-School fundraising promotion and their 2010 School Spirit Event and their Foundation Match program.

Thanks Pamida for supporting our students and our school with your generous donation!

Educational Dilemma - What's Important?

2010-11-19T09:13:00.002-06:00

I just read a piece in which Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said he would rather have his kids in a class of 26 students with an excellent teacher than a class of 22 with an average teacher. (Click HERE to read) That may sound like a "duh" statement, but it really creates a very important question. As schools look for ways to make budgets work, class size is always considered. There is a lot of data out there to show smaller class sizes typically equates to higher quality learning. I don't know how those studies rate the effectiveness of the teachers that are teaching those classes.

So my question is: What is the MOST important factor in determining success in the classroom? Is it the effectiveness of the teacher or the size of the class? Is it the culture of the building or the abilities of the students when they arrive? Should schools hire more teachers to reduce class sizes or spend funds to train existing teachers to be more effective?

Obviously, it would be great to have it all. But the way public schools are funded typically means having to make some tough choices. Personally, I think I agree with Sec. Duncan. I want my child in a classroom with a teacher who is a rock star - regardless of class size. What are your thoughts?

Skype, IPad's, Flip Cam's and Promethean - in Kindergarten!

2010-11-17T14:31:00.000-06:00

When is the appropriate time to introduce technology to school children? Apparently, as soon as they show up in kindergarten. Great article about a class of 5 and 6 year-old's using multiple types of technology for learning. Click HERE to read!

Good News!

2010-11-16T18:16:00.000-06:00

Here's a little good news for our district. A recent study shows that students learning with Interactive White Board technology learn faster than those without. Since we are invested in Promethean technology this is promising. According to the article, a student using IWB technology as a learning tool can learn 12 months of material in 9 months. Click HERE to read article.

Skype in the Classroom Directory

2010-11-13T19:44:00.000-06:00

Skype is rolling out a directory to connect teachers who use Skype. Great idea! Lots of potential for now and the future. Click HERE to check it out.

Student Masks from "Masque"

2010-11-12T09:41:00.001-06:00

Ms. Williams' 7th grade students recently read Edgar Allen Poe's "Masque of the Red Death" in language arts class. It's a great story and like most of Poe's works, it gives you a lot to think about and discuss in class. Ms. Williams had the students create their own masks which are symbolic of the masquerade ball from the story. They are all hanging from the ceiling on her classroom, which is cool to see. The students love it. Here are a few examples.

The Top 25

2010-11-12T08:53:00.000-06:00

Here's a list of the top 25 sites from Tech and Learning. There's some cool stuff on here from digital storytelling sites to social networking site where teachers go to share ideas and lessons. Take a look. I bet you find one you may be able to use whether you are a teacher, parent, or student! Click HERE to view site.

Had to Share This

2010-11-10T19:38:00.000-06:00

I just read this (CLICK TO READ) and had to share it. It's inspiring because if we really are trying to get better - we have to be willing to share ideas. And when we share them we must be willing to discuss and debate them as professionals. I assume we are all guilty of dismissing new ideas once in a while just because it's easier than making a change. I hope you read it. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

More Facebook in the Classroom?!

2010-11-09T09:36:00.000-06:00

I admit it. I am one of the few people on planet Earth not on Facebook. I also admit I am probably going to have to give in and join. Why? Well, it's 2010 and social media is the way our world is currently operating. I refused to join Twitter for a while but joined last June. Now I use Twitter everyday. I use it as my Professional Learning Network (PLN). I don't follow celebrities, but I do follow quite a few people who work in education. And they forward a wealth of information that I can use to learn and hopefully become a better administrator.

I'm relatively sure Facebook could provide me with another networking tool. The business world is using it. Our students are using it. The parents of our students are using it. Most of our teachers are using it. I truly believe it's only a matter of time before schools find creative and educational ways to use it. This teacher in Council Bluffs is already using it - with First graders! Click HERE to read. It makes sense. Why not use a tool that our students already use in their daily lives. Plus, it's a great way to keep parents informed about what's happening in class.

OK, fine. I'll join. Soon. I promise!

Another Great Tech Resource

2010-11-04T14:40:00.000-05:00

Here's an A - Z technology tool kit. Lots of resources at this site. Almost all of them are FREE! Click here to view.

Technology Time Savers

2010-11-04T07:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a great site for teachers who want to start using more technology but feel like they may not have a lot of free time. I haven't met a lot of teachers with a ton of extra time so this might be a great resource. Click HERE to check it out!

Science Gizmos

2010-11-02T13:13:00.002-05:00

This year we purchased some virtual software licenses for our math and science teachers to use in their classrooms. These licenses allow all of the students of these teachers to access virtual labs (or Gizmos) all year long. Mr. Hill invited me in to participate in a lab last week and I was very impressed. Every student was engaged in their virtual lab and the discussions the students were having all centered around the experiment being performed. Today I was in Mrs. Lister's 6th grade science class and remembered to bring the camera. Below are a couple of photos of the students using a Gizmo to learn about the food chain. To read more about Gizmos CLICK HERE.

P/T CONFERENCES

2010-11-02T12:40:00.002-05:00

P/T Conferences begin tonight from 4:30 - 8:00 PM and continue Thursday from 1:00 - 4:00 and 5:00 - 8:00 PM. I hope to see a lot of parents at the middle school. I know our teachers welcome the opportunity to discuss your child's education.

Want to Ask Better Questions?

2010-11-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

"Once you have learned how to ask questions – relevant and appropriate and substantial questions – you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know ."

That's one of my favorite quotes about learning. I wish I knew who said it. I think I got it from the Alan November website, which has numerous quotes to think about. But this post is about asking questions. As educators we are constantly trying ask a better question. Why? Because we know asking the right question is truly an art. Anyone can ask questions, but we want to ask questions that allow our students to process and think independently. Questions that create opportunities for research and connections to others in a quest to obtain new and important information. And hopefully, we ask questions that teach our students the importance of asking questions.

Anyway, here's a site that is dedicated to help anyone ask better questions. Click HERE to view site. Happy reading and happy questioning!

Parents - PBS Helping to Teach Digital Citizenship

2010-10-27T08:47:00.002-05:00

Great link for parents wanting to help kids learn safe and responsible technology use. PBS is starting a digital citizenship initiative. Wonderful opportunity for parents and children to learn together about safe Internet usage. And it's FREE!! Click HERE to get the information.

What's Your Sentence?

2010-10-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

This looks like a neat idea for the classroom. (Click HERE to read) Can you explain your life - what it's about and why you're here - in a single sentence? It's tougher than it sounds but an interesting exercise. Good luck. If you have a good one share it here.

Dr. Grammar Makes House Calls

2010-10-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

Not a day goes by, as an educator, when the subject of writing doesn't get discussed. Sometimes it seems like it is becoming a lost art. We live in the world of text messages and instant messaging so the complete sentence is being pushed aside. I understand the necessity for both skills and as a former English teacher I believe every writer needs a bigger toolbox. Clearly, so does the University of Northern Iowa. So when you are sweating over that paper due tomorrow and don't know what to do - call Dr. Grammar. It's actually a website sponsored by UNI and it can be found HERE. Awesome idea and a super resource for students and teachers.

Career Day at Indian Hills

2010-10-22T10:48:00.001-05:00

Our 8th grade students had the opportunity to visit the Indian Hills Community College campus last Friday for Career Day. The students were able to select three occupational areas and spend time with professionals from the field. Our kids were able to converse with police officers, chefs, aviation pilots, military personnel, and many, many others. They also received a free lunch and a free t-shirt. To the left is our 8th grade class sporting their new IHCC shirts when we arrived back at school.

Rappin' in Math

2010-10-21T07:41:00.000-05:00

Neat idea from Edutopia site. A math teacher shares his lesson plans for creating raps for concepts in Math class. Kids will love it and could be done in any subject area. Click HERE to check it out.

Good Enough? - I Hope Not!

2010-10-19T20:22:00.001-05:00

Great post on Nick Sauer's blog. (Click HERE to read) By the way, Nick is one of the people who taught me how to build a blog. But that's not why I am mentioning his post here. His post is about educators and administrators who feel overwhelmed with new and advanced technology. And let's face it - technology can be very overwhelming. But Nick also poses a very good question. Don't we owe it to the profession and our students to be the very best we can be?

I had a great experience as a student. I think my teachers were knowledgeable and worked hard to allow me to be successful in the classroom. I wouldn't change anything about my educational experience. But I can honestly say, as a principal today, I do not want my teachers to teach the way I was taught. It won't work. I never used the Internet until I was in college. The word Facebook didn't exist. Cellphones actually had cords on them and the only thing they could do was make a call. Technology has changed the world we live in. Which is the only world our students have ever known.

It's okay to feel overwhelmed by technology and other new innovations in education. But it can't be used as an excuse to stay in your comfort zone. When I coached I constantly reminded my players - we were either getting better or getting worse, because it is impossible to stay the same. Does this apply to education today? What do you think?

The Roles We Play

2010-10-15T15:05:00.000-05:00

If you are around education long you will hear someone discussing the many roles we play as educators. Teachers today no longer just teach a subject area, they must perform a multitude of tasks. Throw in the technology revolution on top of all the other "things" we teach and it really becomes a tough task. This is not going to be a post about how an educator's job is an impossible task - because I don't think it is. But I do believe we have to think hard about what we do and what is truly important in education today. THIS ARTICLE discusses the role society and schools should play in today's world of technology and cyber-bullying. There have been numerous tragedies lately due to some unfortunate choices some individuals have made. The question is, how well equipped are we to help our students make the right choices about technology not everyone truly understands?

The article has one quote that really stuck out to me. It says, "I think that the technological revolution has in some cases outpaced schools' ability to keep track of it." I believe this is an understatement. Schools have absolutely no chance to keep up with the speed of new technology. But I do think we can help teach students how to use technology the right way. The respectful way. So if this is one of educations new roles, does something else have to give? And if so what? Your thoughts??

PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES - DATE CHANGE!!!

2010-10-15T14:45:00.000-05:00

PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES HAS BEEN MOVED FROM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1 TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2. SAME TIME SCHEDULE - NEW DAY!!! PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD.

Teachers - Want to be in the NY Times?

2010-10-13T15:47:00.002-05:00

Calling all teachers. Here's your chance to be in the NY Times. They are publishing an article about how technology is changing the classroom and want to include teacher videos. Click HERE to read all about it!

Fun and Creative

2010-10-12T14:34:00.002-05:00

This is cool. (Click HERE to view site) Students, or anyone can create their own wild self. And then save it as their desktop or share it with others. Definitely an opportunity for teachers to allow students to show a little of their creative side. Neat!

No More Internet Filters! - Say What?!

2010-10-05T16:35:00.004-05:00

Here's one that will make you think. So if you aren't in the mood to question your beliefs about Internet access in schools do not read THIS. There's actually a school out there who has taken down the filters from the Internet. Except for the really bad stuff, students have access to pretty much anything they want. Why? Because there are educators who believe that teaching students responsible Internet use will yield better results than simply restricting students from the things they already know exist. Huh! What do you think? Leave a comment and let's discuss.

Homecoming Week Wrap-up!

2010-10-01T15:54:00.002-05:00

What a week! Homecoming is finally winding down but we had a lot of fun. The staff and students did an outstanding job embracing our dress up days and activities. Good luck to Coach Koser and the Mustangs in tonight's game. Here's an inspirational video to enjoy!

Twin / Multiples Day

2010-10-01T13:49:00.006-05:00

Thursday was Twin Day at DCMS. We had a lot of students looking freakishly alike. We even had a group of teachers dressed as a Yahtzee. The question is how many of our young ones know what that is?

Facebook in the Classroom?!

2010-09-30T09:11:00.002-05:00

I have to admit it. I am starting to look hard at why we aren't using social media as a learning tool. We block Facebook and similar sites here in Davis County, but do we need to maybe look again at why? According to this blog (click HERE to read) we could possibly do great things implementing social media in the classroom. What do you think?

More of the Wild and Wacky

2010-09-29T12:56:00.005-05:00

Scooby Doo slilppers? Well done Dane!

Wild and Wacky Day

2010-09-29T12:52:00.004-05:00

Today is Wild and Wacky Day and the students did not disappoint. It has been a lot of fun to see so many of our students get involved with the week's dress up themes.

Black and White Day

2010-09-29T12:47:00.004-05:00

Tuesday was Black and White at the Middle School. The kids did a great job of being creative and having fun with their outfits. Lots of school spirit on display this week!

Flip Camera in the Classroom

2010-09-28T16:03:00.002-05:00

Here is a blog with some great ideas for teachers to use a Flip camera in the classroom. I know we have some teachers here with Flip cams so I hope this is useful. I liked this site becasue I have a Flip but have wondered about how it could be used in the classrooms. Great ideas here. Click HERE to read.

Homecoming Week!

2010-09-27T16:21:00.004-05:00

The Middle School kids looked a little beat up today as we kicked off Homecoming Week. Today was Fake an Injury Day and the students really showed some creativity. I've never seen so many crutches in use at one time. Tomorrow is Black and White Day so I'm looking forward to what the students come up with. I'm sure it will be fun!

Flip It!

2010-09-23T10:55:00.002-05:00

Just read THIS and was intrigued. A high school math teacher is recording his lectures/lessons on YouTube and assigning them as "homework." The next day the students work on the problems in the classroom. So students don't go home to do the work without help and they can watch the teacher's lecture as many times as they want to. Wow! Definitely innovative.

Students Working Together

2010-09-23T10:21:00.004-05:00

It's always great to see our students working together. Today Mrs. Cook's 6th grade geography students were creating visuals to represent the 8 elements of culture.

Great Idea for Beginning Bloggers!

2010-09-22T08:41:00.002-05:00

Once again, Twitter has brought something my way that I probably would not have found otherwise. This is a teacher blog sharing her ideas about how she teaches 7th graders to begin blogging. And she does it using paper. Very cool introductory lesson. Click HERE to view the blog.

Prepare for Launch

2010-09-17T13:12:00.002-05:00

Mr. Hill's 8th grade science students were launching their rockets today. It's a very interesting project and the students are having a great time. They have each built their own rocket and now are working to hit targets at different distances. There are many factors involved like air pressure, trajectory, wind and numerous others that make this a great learning activity. It's fun to watch our students work together and learn from one another in this type of activity.

Interersting Idea?!

2010-09-16T13:21:00.002-05:00

I receive a lot of educational articles and I have to admit I just don't have time to read them all. I typically read the title and scan the first part to see if it is something I want to spend my time reading and thinking about. This one (click HERE to read) grabbed my attention and I had to finish it. Once again, the resources out there are endless and this would be a cool thing to create in every school. What do you think?

No Excuses!

2010-09-15T13:04:00.003-05:00

Yes, I have been a little slow with new posts but rest assured I am constantly looking for new ideas to add to the blog. Please share if you have any.

For those of you who wonder what goes on in the building during the teacher professional development days, I will give you some insider's knowledge. This week we had some really outstanding discussions. In the morning we met as an entire district to learn about Professional Learning Communities (PLC's). The staff was divided into 11 different PLC's to discuss an article concerning a new methodology of teaching and learning. It never ceases to impress me how serious our teachers are about educating young people. The teams had some great discussions and the information will be very beneficial as we pursue the best way possible to educate kids.

The afternoon was spent discussing technology in the middle school. I am very interested in finding new and innovative ways to make connections to today's digital learners and the staff had some great insight on what we currently do and what we need to be looking at doing in the future. This was a "no roadblock" conversation so we only focused on what would be the best scenarios for teaching and learning. As you can imagine, some great ideas were shared. It is always fun when educators get excited about the possibilities for the future.

2010-09-12T20:00:00.002-05:00

Here's another photo from Friday's lunch. We had numerous desserts. They all tasted great (trust me, I know) I just thought this one looked great too. Thanks Becky H. for the cake!

Iowa vs Iowa State Tailgate

2010-09-12T19:52:00.002-05:00

Friday we held our Big Game Tailgate during lunch. The staff brought in some great food that we shared over the noon hour. Here's a pic from the 3rd lunch shift. Lots of Hawk fans and Mr. Husted. You have to give him credit for the courage to sit at that table with the ladies AND wearing that shirt!

The Speed Of Technology

2010-09-08T15:46:00.002-05:00

I just read this and thought two things. First. Wow! It always amazes me how technology continues to get better and faster. It truly boggles the mind to think about what might be next. How long before Google is actually just reading my mind? Second. Uh-oh. How in the world is education supposed to keep up with the pace of technology? Obviously, I think technology is central to teaching and learning in today's classrooms. Our students are digital learners and it is up to us to find innovative ways to reach them and teach them. Clearly, change is happening. The question is: Can we make the necessary changes while we still have an opportunity to have an impact?

Short Week - Busy Week

2010-09-07T13:35:00.002-05:00

Great 3-day weekend but we are back at it at DCMS. It's only a 4-day week but we have a lot going on. We have a volleyball game tonight with Centerville with a 4:15 start time. Then they travel to Blakesburg on Thursday. The cross country squad is in Van Buren tonight (4:30) and at home Thursday night (4:40). No football this week but we play our first game next Tuesday. I hope everyone can make it out to support our kids. I know they have been working hard in practice.

This is Great!!

2010-09-02T07:48:00.002-05:00

Once again as I was reading my Twitter feed I stumbled upon something really great. I never thought Twitter would be that useful but I have been totally proven wrong on that one. Here is a site (one of many) that's only purpose is to connect teachers to other teachers from around the world so they can collaborate on projects. How great would it be for the students of Davis County Middle School to be working on a project with kids in another state and maybe another country?! Amazing! Click HERE to see the site.

Something to Make You Think!?

2010-09-01T09:02:00.005-05:00

I just read this and found it to be quite interesting. I thought I would share it with everyone. Let me know your thoughts. Click here to view article

Week 2 - Happy Monday

2010-08-30T10:13:00.003-05:00

Week #1 is in the books. It was a great week at DCMS. The students were enthusiastic and the staff was extremely helpful. I think most of our kids are back into the routine and ready for teachers to break out "the good stuff." (A Quality Education)

We have numerous students involved with extra-curricular activities this fall. I will have to get the camera back out and post some photos for all to see.

We are looking into purchasing "Gizmos" software for out math and science departments. It's interactive/virtual software that looks like a great fit for our curriculum. Check out www.explorelearning.com if you want to see for yourself.

Day 2 - Still Rolling Along

2010-08-25T13:38:00.002-05:00

As expected, the first day of school was a good one. Lots of excitement from students and staff. It's amazing how quickly young people can get right back in to their routines. The staff was great yesterday. Naturally, we had a few nervous students and the teachers and associates were there to help calm nerves.

Day 2 continues to roll along. We made it through our fundraising assembly. Be prepared to be hit up to buy a magazine or two for our school. As we continue to make plans to implement new technology every drop in the bucket helps.

The first couple days have been a great learning experience for me. I am finding that an important part of my job, as I continue to push for ways to reach our digital learners, will be to find creative ways to secure funds to pay for new technology and learning. The good news is, we have many teachers who are up for the challenge of reaching out to our global students at Davis County Middle School!

2010-08-24T16:33:00.001-05:00

Everyone is happier at lunch time. Including Mason Mietzner and myself!

2010-08-24T14:49:00.003-05:00

Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Becker hand out schedules to the 8th graders before school.

Off and Blogging!

2010-08-23T20:58:00.003-05:00

First day of school tomorrow. Personally, I'm excited and I am assuming there are a few students and teachers who feel the same way. After spending the past week working with our teachers I feel like we are going to have a great year. We have a few new faces, me included, so I am sure these first few days will be about learning about each other and building on existing relationships.

I hope this is a great year for everyone involved with Davis County schools. I really feel this is an exciting time in education. As our students look to the future our teachers continue to learn and implement new strategies, methods, and technologies to connect with today's learners. I read a blog the other day that said, "The gap between what we can imagine and what we can do has never been smaller." I think that quote has tremendous value for teachers and students today. We can do more than we ever imagined if we are willing to think in a new way, learn in a new way, and knock down a few doors that we may have been afraid to open before.

This is one of my attempts to bring our school out of Bloomfield, Iowa and into the world. I told myself I was going to write a blog to promote our school and hopefully make connections that can take us places we have never been. I'm hoping for the best. Wish me luck!