NMSA in Action

Try the Newest Technology

For all middle level educators attending NMSA's 35th Annual Conference and Exhibit in Denver, Colorado, there will be opportunities to see the latest technologies in action and get your hands on them! Tech "sandboxes" will be located in the public areas of the Colorado Convention Center. A map of the sandboxes will be included in the conference program book.

Currently, tech sandboxes will host the following technologies:

• Videoconferencing and virtual field trips and curricula from Tandberg
• Whiteboards, slates, and student feedback devices from Promethean
• International gateway and tools for middle level educators from ePals
• Teachers online from PBS Teachers
• A video production studio from SchoolTube
• Various technologies from Web 2.0 for professional development

The 21st Century Classroom being designed by Bennett, Wagner, and Grody Architects and built in the exhibit hall by Adolfson and Peterson Construction has grown by leaps and bounds and has taken on a new twist. During exhibit hall hours on Thursday, teachers and students from Aurora Public Schools will be actively teaching and learning in the 21st Century Classroom. On Friday, the classroom will feature students and teachers from Douglas County Public Schools.

On Saturday during the exhibit hall hours, the classroom will be open for interested attendees! You will have the opportunity to go inside the classroom and get your hands on all the technologies that you've seen during the previous two days. Schedules for the action in the classroom will be handed out at registration.

The conference is also providing, for the first time, a technology strand. The rooms for these sessions will be equipped with the technology needed to make them truly come alive. There are a number of sessions in this strand, along with featured sessions by Montgomery County (MD) Schools, Douglas County (CO) Schools, Will Richardson, Karen Cator, Kate Clark, Tim DiScipio, Sonny Magana, Jan Zanetis, and many others.

MSP2: Middle School Portal Pathways

Calling all middle school math and science teachers! Join a virtual professional learning community of middle level math and science educators at http://msteacher.org

• Develop increased content knowledge in science, mathematics, technology, and developmentally appropriate pedagogy
• Participate in individual and collaborative professional development
• Easily locate and identify exemplary, standards-based resources
• Increase your understanding of Web 2.0 tools
• More effectively integrate technology into your existing teaching practice
• Explore math and science standards-based topics in depth
• Connect to "just-in-time" teaching ideas

More about MSP2
The Ohio State University College of Education, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center are expanding the NSDL Middle School Portal to support middle school educators and youth by creating the Middle School Portal Pathways (MSP2). MSP2 capitalizes on Web 2.0 tools to promote interactivity, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among its users. The MSP2 is one of the National Science Digital Libraries funded by the National Science Foundation.

Look for details as MSP2 adds features for middle school aged youth and adolescent health and safety education.

October is Month of the Young Adolescent ...

... an international celebration initiated by National Middle School Association (NMSA) that focuses on advocating for 10- to 15-year-olds. Key messages for organizations, states, schools, and communities include

• It is critical to student success that parents, family members, or caregivers of young adolescents are knowledgeable about this age group and engaged in their children's lives.
• Healthy bodies plus healthy minds equal healthy young adolescents.
• The education young adolescents experience during this formative period of life will, in large measure, determine the future for all citizens.
• Every young adolescent should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams and aspirations, and post-secondary education should be a possibility for all.
• Month of the Young Adolescent gives everyone the opportunity to showcase the great achievements of middle grades students. Here are ways the month is celebrated:
• States proclaim the month of October, Month of the Young Adolescent.
• Schools host weekly activities for parents and students, including carnival nights, open house, a math game night, a read aloud night or a crafts night.
• Schools host informational nights for community members, business leaders, and opinion leaders highlighting the diverse needs of young adolescents.
• Local community leaders are invited to shadow a student, teacher, or principal for a day.
• Community organizations offer open recreation times.
• Mentor programs are planned for young adolescents in their community
• Parents and community members are invited to visit, tutor, or volunteer at their local schools.

Visit www.nmsa.org/moya to enjoy featured student artwork and podcasts, to get ideas for your celebration, and to take advantage of customizable publicity resources.

Free Resource for Families

Your NMSA membership gives you free access to a quarterly resource for use with families. The Family Connection, edited by Judith Baenen, is a double-sided newsletter that's easy to read and a great informational resource for parents. Find it online at www.nmsa.org as a pdf that can be printed and distributed exactly as-is or you can cut and paste articles for use in your school newsletter. The fall issue is now available and features articles on students' sleep habits, text messaging, parents as volunteers, and more.