Bubble Students

Recently I was instructed to "not pour [my] time and resources into these (low achieving) kids. They're not going to move. Focus on the movable kids, the ones in the bubble."

Dear World,
Every student with whom I come in contact and who I have the privilege of teaching is in my "bubble." Every student will move forward if I push hard enough! Period! So shame on you school district personnel, principals, teachers, and others who want to just focus on the "bubble" kids! Every child deserves a chance to learn and deserves a high quality educational experience!

I am not a charter school teacher, nor do I embrace the overall charter school philosophy that I will pick and choose with whom I'll work! Students are expelled all the time from charter schools for infractions that real public schools must face and deal with (a challenge I actually welcome).

Personally, I hate it when my students get suspended, in-house or out-of-school. My philosophy? I can't teach you if you're not here! The rapport that I intentionally establish with each and every child is absolutely fundamental to academic success!

So, sorry to bust your "bubble" school district big wigs, curriculum developers, and whoever else doesn't actually teach, but if you are looking for a "yes" man and a "fluffy" type dude-teacher, I "ain't" the one!

Focus on the "bubble" kids only? You got me "chopp'd" psh!

Sincerely,
Flem

5th Annual Read-In

Five years ago, I started a tradition with my 6th graders. I called it a "Read In". The last day before Christmas break, this annual reading event is held.

When I first rolled out the idea, a kid replied that year, "That's decent!" Ever since then, I knew I was on to something.  The premise is that we spend extended times reading whatever we like to read, while nibbling on cookies and sipping hot chocolate supplied by me.

This year, I continued the tradition. Other teachers have come to look forward to this ELA tradition in room 105. This year we were privileged to have our Councilwoman, Mrs. Cindy Bass come and read to one of the classes! This year I also had a caterer, make homemade cookies. She baked over 300 cookies; over 300 big and soft M&M, chocolate, and oatmeal cookies!

Today was such a huge success! Those Common Core folks would probably have my head for being such a nontraditional teacher. But I have a few words for them if they dare to set foot in my classroom and tell me it's all about the nonfiction and that reading is not a personal act! Psshhh!!!

By the way, the kid that replied "That's decent!" was a young lady with an IEP for reading. She scored achieved "proficient" that year in reading on the state assessments! I'm just saying....

The 8-Week Plan

So I have a question. What kind of an "educator" from out of town walks through a school for the first time and deems it necessary for the said school to develop an 8-week plan/instructional focus on graphic organizers?

What???!!!???

Who does that? It's laughable!
Go somewhere and teach something!