Over the weekend, I went to King of Prussia to go see the new Mandela film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, based on the autobiography bearing the same title.
All
I'll say is this, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris do a phenomenal job portraying Nelson and Winnie Mandela respectively!
Go see it!
You must go see the film!
Here's the trailer from youtube:
Some call me "Flem"
- Dr. Stephen R. Flemming
- I'm an elementary school teacher turned high school English teacher, School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL), and adjunct professor here in Philly. These posts are the views, as I see them, from room 105, my first classroom number. Enjoy, engage, and share!
Monday, December 30, 2013
INNN, West Philadelphia, born and raised...
I thoroughly enjoyed the Fresh Prince of Bel Air sitcom starring West Philly's own Will Smith in the 1990s. I recently decided to purchase many seasons of the show on DVD for my viewing pleasure. There were many episodes that I had long forgot about which brought fresh laughs!
As an adult, I now look at the episodes with a different lens--only if I feel like thinking while watching.
The "Father Knows Best" episode of season 5 was about Ashley Banks's (Tatyana Ali) decision to secretly withdraw from her prestigious private school, Bel Air Academy, to attend the neighborhood public school, Morris High School.
Her decision sparks outrage and something that Uncle Phil (James Avery) called a "capital crime."
What's interesting though, is to hear the dialogue play out throughout the entire episode. We get to hear the characters' varied opinions of public schools and of private schools. (So now you understand why I chose to blog about the episode? Yup!)
Ashley thanks Will for opening her eyes to a real, non-"fake" world, where, as she states, there are real people "who take public transportation and don't have butlers." (That would be me, although I do hope to lose some of my "realness" and get my Honda back up and running again...but I digress.)
Will risks life and limb to defend Ashely's decision to Uncle Phil.
Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) is concerned about what a public school image would look like to a Princeton's admissions officer.
Vivian (Daphne Reid) wants to at least have a conversation about Ashley attending public school.
And we know that Uncle Phil is dead-set against it, even after meeting Ashley's homeroom teacher at Morris High. Note: It is Will who notes that it was a public school teacher who visited their home and questions when a teacher from Bel Air Academy ever visited.
If you can, watch the episode and see how it ends. According to at least one particular youtube source, the episode can be found on Amazon's website. I have the DVDs and am enjoying a visit back to the 90s.
(No mention of charter schools. I'm just saying.)
As an adult, I now look at the episodes with a different lens--only if I feel like thinking while watching.
The "Father Knows Best" episode of season 5 was about Ashley Banks's (Tatyana Ali) decision to secretly withdraw from her prestigious private school, Bel Air Academy, to attend the neighborhood public school, Morris High School.
Her decision sparks outrage and something that Uncle Phil (James Avery) called a "capital crime."
What's interesting though, is to hear the dialogue play out throughout the entire episode. We get to hear the characters' varied opinions of public schools and of private schools. (So now you understand why I chose to blog about the episode? Yup!)
Ashley thanks Will for opening her eyes to a real, non-"fake" world, where, as she states, there are real people "who take public transportation and don't have butlers." (That would be me, although I do hope to lose some of my "realness" and get my Honda back up and running again...but I digress.)
Will risks life and limb to defend Ashely's decision to Uncle Phil.
Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) is concerned about what a public school image would look like to a Princeton's admissions officer.
Vivian (Daphne Reid) wants to at least have a conversation about Ashley attending public school.
And we know that Uncle Phil is dead-set against it, even after meeting Ashley's homeroom teacher at Morris High. Note: It is Will who notes that it was a public school teacher who visited their home and questions when a teacher from Bel Air Academy ever visited.
If you can, watch the episode and see how it ends. According to at least one particular youtube source, the episode can be found on Amazon's website. I have the DVDs and am enjoying a visit back to the 90s.
(No mention of charter schools. I'm just saying.)
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Biogaphy of Jackie Robinson
A few moments ago I completed one biography of Jackie Robinson, Jackie Robinson: An American Hero by Anne Schraff. This particular biography is written for middle school-level students.
Up until now, I had never sat and read a biography on this great man, Jackie Robinson. I had learned only tidbits of information on him while in school. So as an adult, I'm choosing to read up on him and others, not just for personal information's sake, but also in preparation to expose my current 5th grade students to pioneers and leaders who are/were of African American descent.
This particular biography, which I purchased through www.townsendpress.com for $1, explores the life of Robinson with just the right amount of information and at just the right pace for students in upper elementary and middle school or even high school. I'm an adult and I learned quite a bit from reading this particular biography.
I did not know that Jackie Robinson was quite skilled at a few sports. In school, we knew him just as a baseball great.
I did not know that he and his wife had a son who struggled with a drug addiction and some personality struggles.
Furthermore, I learned that Jackie Robinson considered himself a liberal Republican and often worked, politically, on behalf of the Republican party at a time when most African Americans identified with the Democrats.
I enjoyed learning about Jackie Robinson in greater detail than what was covered in school, during Black History Month. As a result of reading this particular version of his biography, I'm inspired to read other versions.
The author of this particular biography, Anne Schraff, has authored several books geared toward adolescence that do not disappoint. For those who enjoy reading realistic fiction, the plots of which draw readers into the often unstable and complicated world of the American teenager, Schraff along with author Paul Langan, both do a phenomenal job of satiated that desire!
Up until now, I had never sat and read a biography on this great man, Jackie Robinson. I had learned only tidbits of information on him while in school. So as an adult, I'm choosing to read up on him and others, not just for personal information's sake, but also in preparation to expose my current 5th grade students to pioneers and leaders who are/were of African American descent.
This particular biography, which I purchased through www.townsendpress.com for $1, explores the life of Robinson with just the right amount of information and at just the right pace for students in upper elementary and middle school or even high school. I'm an adult and I learned quite a bit from reading this particular biography.
I did not know that Jackie Robinson was quite skilled at a few sports. In school, we knew him just as a baseball great.
I did not know that he and his wife had a son who struggled with a drug addiction and some personality struggles.
Furthermore, I learned that Jackie Robinson considered himself a liberal Republican and often worked, politically, on behalf of the Republican party at a time when most African Americans identified with the Democrats.
I enjoyed learning about Jackie Robinson in greater detail than what was covered in school, during Black History Month. As a result of reading this particular version of his biography, I'm inspired to read other versions.
The author of this particular biography, Anne Schraff, has authored several books geared toward adolescence that do not disappoint. For those who enjoy reading realistic fiction, the plots of which draw readers into the often unstable and complicated world of the American teenager, Schraff along with author Paul Langan, both do a phenomenal job of satiated that desire!
Monday, December 23, 2013
Inspired by Booker T. Washington
Shamefully, I admit that until this past Saturday, I had not read the autobiography of Booker T. Washington. So this past Saturday I started and completed, Up From Slavery: An Autobiography, Washington's life story. To finish the autobiography in a day isn't as daunting as it sounds, block out a couple of hours and wham...done!
"Inspired" doesn't even begin to capture how I felt all while reading the book!!! It was uplifting, encouraging, and just--------I don't know---------I'm stumped for words!
To read of his hard work, tireless determination, and awe-inspiring journey to become the best possible teacher, mentor, and father figure he could be, it really hit home!
As I read, I saw myself a few times in Booker T. Washington. I've long held the philosophy that I teach reading, writing, and life to my students. Infusing my little life-talks, and life's little truths every now and then during the day is the norm.
Some years after graduating and on one of his visits back to John B. Kelly, one former student said to me, "Mr. Flemming, I miss those little talks you'd give us."
Booker T. Washington:
"When the hotel season ended, I returned to Malden and taught in the town's black school. I began work at 8 a.m. and it usually continued until 10 p.m. In addition to teaching standard academic content, I taught the pupils how to comb their hair, use a toothbrush, and keep their clothing, hands, and faces clean."
I've never worked in a hotel, but upon graduating college, I decided to stay and teach here in Philadelphia, and in what happens to be a predominately black school. Sometimes my days start at 6:20am AT school and at times ends at 5:00pm, AT school!
In addition to anthologies, DVDs, and novels, maps, globes, and folders, I have kept bars of soap, lotion, a brush, and small deodorant bottles in a cabinet. "Yo bruh man, Mr. Johnny (pseudonym) sir, come here." {whispering to him} "When the class leaves, there's a bottle of lotion in that cabinet, use it," I'd say emphatically. "If you have to come out of the house with your mouth and face ashy, just come to 105, open up the cabinet and lotion your face. Don't walk around like that any more, you hear me?"
Reading Mr. Washington's autobiography, gave me a little more pep in my step, more expresso in my coffee, and more gas in the tank to continue a little while longer on this journey, to run on ahead to see what the end's gonna be!
(This winter break is gonna do that too!! Believe that!!)
"Inspired" doesn't even begin to capture how I felt all while reading the book!!! It was uplifting, encouraging, and just--------I don't know---------I'm stumped for words!
To read of his hard work, tireless determination, and awe-inspiring journey to become the best possible teacher, mentor, and father figure he could be, it really hit home!
As I read, I saw myself a few times in Booker T. Washington. I've long held the philosophy that I teach reading, writing, and life to my students. Infusing my little life-talks, and life's little truths every now and then during the day is the norm.
Some years after graduating and on one of his visits back to John B. Kelly, one former student said to me, "Mr. Flemming, I miss those little talks you'd give us."
Booker T. Washington:
"When the hotel season ended, I returned to Malden and taught in the town's black school. I began work at 8 a.m. and it usually continued until 10 p.m. In addition to teaching standard academic content, I taught the pupils how to comb their hair, use a toothbrush, and keep their clothing, hands, and faces clean."
I've never worked in a hotel, but upon graduating college, I decided to stay and teach here in Philadelphia, and in what happens to be a predominately black school. Sometimes my days start at 6:20am AT school and at times ends at 5:00pm, AT school!
In addition to anthologies, DVDs, and novels, maps, globes, and folders, I have kept bars of soap, lotion, a brush, and small deodorant bottles in a cabinet. "Yo bruh man, Mr. Johnny (pseudonym) sir, come here." {whispering to him} "When the class leaves, there's a bottle of lotion in that cabinet, use it," I'd say emphatically. "If you have to come out of the house with your mouth and face ashy, just come to 105, open up the cabinet and lotion your face. Don't walk around like that any more, you hear me?"
Reading Mr. Washington's autobiography, gave me a little more pep in my step, more expresso in my coffee, and more gas in the tank to continue a little while longer on this journey, to run on ahead to see what the end's gonna be!
(This winter break is gonna do that too!! Believe that!!)
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Rigor
A "new" understanding huh? Oh okay!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Let us teach!
Had to tweet this--> "I think I'll take a couple of RTII's and wash it down with a shot of SWBAT before I lay down on my IOTs with my comfortable AYPs!"
Geez!! So unnerved!!!! Let us teach!! Human and financial resources are what we need, not more acronyms and buzz words!
Geez!! So unnerved!!!! Let us teach!! Human and financial resources are what we need, not more acronyms and buzz words!
SWBAT, IOT, IEP, RTII, CSAP, CR, CRAP, PSSA, AYP, RTTT
Sometimes 140 characters are just not enough!
Why didn't anyone tell me that SWBAT would give Susie Q. caring adults at home?
I sure wish I would've known that IOT was what it took to get Johnny A. to create that historical collage.
And for the love of apples, I sure in the heck wish I would have been privy to the fact that all it took was a couple of RTIIs to get Shabookie to sit down for the 60 seconds it took for me to give directions!
I hate principals' meetings buzz words. I hate being told that I better phrase my objectives using the "SWBAT / IOT" format. I hate that fact that we have tight-wads majoring in the minor in and around the School District of Philadelphia, City Hall, Harrisburg and across the nation!
I'd tell some of these folks where they can take their buzz words, but I don't think the Lord would be happy with my suggested places. Therefore, I'll leave it to your imaginations what they can do with these acros and buzzies!
Why didn't anyone tell me that SWBAT would give Susie Q. caring adults at home?
I sure wish I would've known that IOT was what it took to get Johnny A. to create that historical collage.
And for the love of apples, I sure in the heck wish I would have been privy to the fact that all it took was a couple of RTIIs to get Shabookie to sit down for the 60 seconds it took for me to give directions!
I hate principals' meetings buzz words. I hate being told that I better phrase my objectives using the "SWBAT / IOT" format. I hate that fact that we have tight-wads majoring in the minor in and around the School District of Philadelphia, City Hall, Harrisburg and across the nation!
I'd tell some of these folks where they can take their buzz words, but I don't think the Lord would be happy with my suggested places. Therefore, I'll leave it to your imaginations what they can do with these acros and buzzies!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Stage a "Read In"
So, here's a John B. Kelly Elementary School room 105 tradition. It's an ELA tradition, but I didn't want the fact that I'm more of a content area teacher this year get in the way of a good tradition. Note: it gets better every year!
Why not?
I'm sitting here reading a section of a chapter in Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis's Strategies that Work: Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and Engagement (2007). This particular section, in a nutshell, speaks of the "researcher's" workshop and as a part, the professional relationship of classroom teacher and librarian.
NOW I'm steamed!!! Not because of anything the authors wrote, but because I'm a teacher in the city of Philadelphia. I'm a public school teacher in the largest school district in Pennsylvania and among the largest 10 or so in the entire nation. I'm HEATED because of the ostentatious lack of interest, respect, foresight, and investment of MY and others' tax dollars into what could be a first rate school district.
Our public schools have the potential to be so much more than what they are. It's not for a lack of qualified staff. It's not for a lack of interested and competent teachers and paraprofessionals. It's not for a lack of the commitment of many well meaning neighborhood coalitions of groups, parents, and meaningful stakeholders!
It's because of the lack of true and dedicated public servants! Many sit in plush offices, with a full staff of workers spewing their bombastic rhetoric and vitriolic diatribes bemoaning the hard work of committed, selfless, hardworking, dedicated, competent, experienced, and WILLING teachers and school staff here in Philadelphia and around the nation!
Our public schools should be more than what they are! Why not have a librarian in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not have a certified school nurse in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not have a certified reading specialist, who is not following the roster of a prep teacher (sorry, specialist teacher) in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not an art, music, and instrumental music teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a gym teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a first rate library either adjacent to or in addition to a first rate computer lab in every school with the staff to work it in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a foreign language teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not certified school counselors in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not social workers, truancy officers, nutritionists, specialized nontraditional curriculum tracts like chess, robotics, dance, drama, voice, computer animation, gardening, home economics and more in every school every day? We have students come every day!
I'm sick of this nonsense! I'm sick of this bafoonery! You defund us then blame us! You want some of our paychecks back while holding us to higher standards! You're insane! You've sown to the wind and rest assure, you will reap the whirlwind!
NOW I'm steamed!!! Not because of anything the authors wrote, but because I'm a teacher in the city of Philadelphia. I'm a public school teacher in the largest school district in Pennsylvania and among the largest 10 or so in the entire nation. I'm HEATED because of the ostentatious lack of interest, respect, foresight, and investment of MY and others' tax dollars into what could be a first rate school district.
Our public schools have the potential to be so much more than what they are. It's not for a lack of qualified staff. It's not for a lack of interested and competent teachers and paraprofessionals. It's not for a lack of the commitment of many well meaning neighborhood coalitions of groups, parents, and meaningful stakeholders!
It's because of the lack of true and dedicated public servants! Many sit in plush offices, with a full staff of workers spewing their bombastic rhetoric and vitriolic diatribes bemoaning the hard work of committed, selfless, hardworking, dedicated, competent, experienced, and WILLING teachers and school staff here in Philadelphia and around the nation!
Our public schools should be more than what they are! Why not have a librarian in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not have a certified school nurse in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not have a certified reading specialist, who is not following the roster of a prep teacher (sorry, specialist teacher) in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not an art, music, and instrumental music teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a gym teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a first rate library either adjacent to or in addition to a first rate computer lab in every school with the staff to work it in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not a foreign language teacher in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not certified school counselors in every school every day? We have students come every day! Why not social workers, truancy officers, nutritionists, specialized nontraditional curriculum tracts like chess, robotics, dance, drama, voice, computer animation, gardening, home economics and more in every school every day? We have students come every day!
I'm sick of this nonsense! I'm sick of this bafoonery! You defund us then blame us! You want some of our paychecks back while holding us to higher standards! You're insane! You've sown to the wind and rest assure, you will reap the whirlwind!
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