Waffle Bytes

(Part of our Stay-At-Home series focused on practical ways you can use a resource to foster creativity, connections, and collaboration.) There are many organizations that are offering video resource (or TV programming) each day which may be useful to parents and teachers.  Here is a short list of a few that are freely available you may want to check out: Public television (and their companion websites) are changing programming to focus on materials for K-12 Students at home until further notice.  PBS stations have blocked out time for each level - 7-9am is PBS Kids materials appropriate for 2-8 year olds; 9am - 1pm is for students Grades 4-8; 1-6pm is for students Grades 9-12. Additionally many have companion resources that can be used with the programming.  PBS Learning has resources and learning activities in most subject areas.  Students do need to make a (free) account if they do not already have one.  Discovery Education is providing daily learni...

(Part of our Stay-At-Home series focused on practical ways you can use a resource to foster creativity, connections, and collaboration.) Parents - There is a growing body of research that shows being outside in nature can have positive benefits for our mental well-being.  With what we are dealing with currently, I think we all can use activities that are good for our mental health. Go for a walk There are many activities that you can do while walking.  Here are some suggestions to make it an learning adventure: Make Observations Have kids share or journal what they experienced with their senses during the walk.  For instance, today I saw  our mating crane pair was back from the south, I felt  my face warm on one side from the sun and cool on the other from the wind, I heard  the frogs that have returned to the creek.  You could even showcase a sense a day! Observe the clouds, the weather, wildlife, insects, amount/types of traffic Look for...

This week I just found out about WKAR's Curious Crew TV shows .  If you teach science at the lower level - or have a kid that is curious - these shows are worth checking out.  From the site: "Inquisitive kids take a hands-on approach to investigating principles of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with award-winning educator Rob Stephenson." The show has several kids that test & learn about different science principals using household items.  In addition to the shows (which can be streamed on the site, or watched on live TV), there are "Curiosity Guides" that teachers (or even parents) can use to recreate or explore what is seen on the show further.   Check it out!

For math teachers in Calhoun County - (Not an educator in Calhoun County, Michigan? There are local contests at various locations; you can visit the website to view a schedule) Sumdog's math contest for Calhoun County starts Friday February 10, 2016 and will run until the following Thursday . Cost: It's free to take part and there are plenty of prizes to be won! Levels: Suggested grades K-8 When: Students can play online either at school or at home using the website or the app! In order to join in the fun, teachers can enter their class here: http://www.sumdog.com/enter_ contest For any questions, contact info@sumdog.com

For 6-12 th grade math, science, or civics teachers in Michigan. (from MDOT_TRAC) What : 1 day free MDOT-TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Training  When: Thursday November 17 Time: 8:00am-3:30 pm   Where: MDOT Transportation Service Center                   15300 West Michigan Avenue                   Marshall, MI  49068 Registration : Contact information provided at end of page For this FREE training and hands-on tools provided by MDOT:   Educators will learn to use (and will receive) hands-on math and science tools/exercises. Supplies are replenished as used.   Six SCECH hours are also available for the training. At least 1200 Michigan teachers have been trained to use these tools.  The program is used in 26 of the 50 states and is available for use in grades 6-12.  Training covers civil engineering r...

From Brandy Archer at MeL - some great resources that you may find useful: Greetings, Below are links to great Open Educational Resources (FREE).  Some of these (Word Generation) I have shared before.  Keep scrolling down and you will even see some quick mindfulness activities to help students focus. SERP MEDIA Open Educational Resources for Public Use . Visit the SERP Media Website . LITERACY : WordGen Weekly . Visit the WordGen Weekly Website . WordGen Weekly (the “original” Word Generation program) is a supplementary curricular resource that offers a series of discussable dilemmas designed to promote academic language and other academic practices prioritized in the 21st century learning standards. The program is unique in its cross-disciplinary design, giving teachers of ELA, science, social studies, and math the chance to collaborate on the shared goal of helping students use aca...

For math teachers in Calhoun County - (Not an educator in Calhoun County, Michigan? There are local contests at various locations; you can visit the website to view a schedule) Sumdog's math contest for Calhoun County starts Friday February 26, 2016 and will run until the following Thursday . Cost: It's free to take part and there are plenty of prizes to be won! Levels: Suggested grades K-8 When: Students can play online either at school or at home using the website or the app! In order to join in the fun, teachers can enter their class here: http://www.sumdog.com/enter_ contest For any questions, contact info@sumdog.com

Just received this.  I think it would be a great opportunity to attend! Cyber Innovation Center Resource Showcase ...for teachers and admins. Feb 11, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. , Aeronautic Building Capital City Airport, Lansing, MI.  Share with middle/high school teachers (math, science, tech, CTE). Opportunity for integration into ongoing and emerging programming for open education resources. Registration and info: http://goo.gl/forms/ti6q4YABRS

From Discovery Education: Harnes s the Excitement of Football to En gage Students in Math & Science EA SPORTS, Madden NFL, the NFL Players Association, and Discovery Education are proud to introduce EA SPORTS Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers, an engaging middle school educational program designed to translate students' love for football into a deeper understanding of the math and science behind America's greatest game. Engage your students in the quick-thinking world of football strategy by presenting authentic situations where they make the call. Your students will learn and apply math and science concepts as they design strategies, solve problems, and make decisions for their players. Download the Teacher Guide for a highlight reel of tips and information! Later, we'll be transporting your class to EA Headquarters to explore the STEAM that goes into making the world's coolest games. Watch for our Virtual Field Trip, COMING SPRING 2016!

Google Search does much more than search websites.  It has many features embedded right in.  These are great back-pocket nuggets for when you are in a hurry and don't have time to open another app or pullout a calculator (or can't find a coin to settle the argument). Here area a few math related items you can perform right in the search bar: Calculator: If you start to type numbers into the search bar, a calculator will appear as the top search.  You can do complex arithmetic - just make sure to remember your order of operations and use parenthesis! Calculations: Not sure how to type symbols on your keyboard?  You can phrase the problem as a question and it will still calculate it for you. Graphing: It isn't just a calculator, it's a graphing calculator! Add the word graph before typing in your function to see the graph.  You can even mouse over the graph to get coordinate points. Playing the Odds: Typing in "flip a coin" brings up ...

(for teachers in southern to mid-Michigan - easy driving distance to Ypsilanti) How would you like to become involved in a professional development project involving engaging students in Cyber Discovery? We are looking for teams of two teachers from eight different schools in southern to mid-Michigan (easy driving distance to Ypsilanti, Michigan) who are interested in making up a diverse group of dynamic team-oriented people! Requirements: Both teachers teaching ninth grade.  One teacher will come from math, computer science, or technology,  One teacher will come from an area in history, art, theater, English or other humanities class  (If this doesn't fit you, then do pass the opportunity along to someone else who would be interested in this program!) William Sverdlik & Zenia Bahorski of Eastern Michigan University have been awarded a grant from the national organization National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (NICERC). NICERC is fund...

Registration for the MICCSS MOOC is now open! Audience : K-12 ELA & Math Educators and Curriculum Leaders Course Duration : 4 weeks - July 14, 2014 to August 15, 2014 Cost : Free (optional - 20 SCECHs for $10 fee; you MUST register prior to July 11 to be eligible for SCECHs) Registration : http://www.solutionwhere.com/remcam Course Information : This is a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for Michigan educators to help build awareness and share implementation strategies for the MI Common Core State Standards (MICCSS).  It is an online course - all work will be completed online using Moodle.  The course will be moderated and facilitated by instructional leaders around the state.  Participants are expected to participate in forums and submit weekly assignments.

MyScript Calculator Basics:  MyScript Calculator allows you to handwrite the equations and then it converts it to type text while solving it.  This eliminates the back & forth movement from selecting numbers and mathematical symbols from a selection screen.  It handles fractions, factorials, exponentials, trigonometry, logarithms in addition to basic math operations. Drawbacks :  Be careful if you are doing equations - you cannot use an "x" as it reads that as a multiplication symbol.  However, you can use other variable symbols. Current Costs:   currently FREE! Link to iTunes Store:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/ app/myscript-calculator/ id578979413?mt=8