She is Malala!

Yesterday I showed the ABC News 20/20 Special on Malala, which first aired a few weeks ago. My 5th graders were definitely interested in her life's story. I asked them to consider a few questions as they watched. Some of the "notes" they took, ended up being three or four pages of vivid details from the documentary. We then turned this into a very traditional writing assignment under the guise of that "other" writing genre known as the constructed response. Doing that however, did not prove to be a difficult task for them. Most wanted to write about her!

Here's the link:

http://watchabc.go.com/2020/SH559026/VDKA0_h4z0gfdp/2020-1011-unbreakable-one-girl-changing-the-world

Skyping in Science class!

Today was great! We "skyped" and "hung out" on Google (Google Hangout) with entomology Ph.D candidates at Penn State! This was the first time I had ever attempted something like this and it was fun! My 5th graders asked many excellent questions and the Penn State students were very gracious and wonderful! I can say for sure that there are future scientists that are sitting in my classroom at John B. Kelly Elementary School!

Social Media and The Classroom

I'm not sure how other teachers use social media to teach or to communicate with families, but here's how I use social media:

Twitter for homework and announcements
www.twitter.com/Flemming105










Instagram for examples of projects, student work, or just funny scenes from the classroom! (Note, no student pictures without parental consent)
www.instagram.com/myclassroom105

Science Fun!!!

I've taught every major subject but science! This is my first year taking on that challenge! So far we've delved into entomology and my students, other colleagues, and students of other grades have caught the entomological fever! It is very exciting so see other children come up and say, "Mr. Flemming, I saw a bug in the hallway" or "Mr. Flemming, I saw a daddy-long legs in my house!"

Recently, my students caught a praying mantis in the school yard, bagged it and brought it in from recess. We took it to the classroom, took a couple of pictures, and all made our way back to the yard to set Major (that's what we named him) free! Check out some pics on our class instagram site (www.instagram.com/myclassroom105).

It is equally exciting to collaborate with other colleagues as they come across "bug" articles or video clips and share them with me!

Even though, we've moved on to cytology, we're weaving in and out of entomology as the children come across interesting finds (both living, dead, and otherwise). As recently as yesterday a kid found a dead ant in the classroom and is anxious to look at it under the microscopes I purchased for the class.

This is fun! I want my ELA back, but at the same time, I'm making the most of science by making it experiential!!

The Classroom...

Here's a link to my first ever article in a magazine of any type! I appreciate Forest of the Rain for giving me that chance. I love writing and I write frequently, but never have I done this before. I hope you enjoy my take on "The Classroom"

Click the link...

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A2hcmw/2013FallEditionLivin/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffree.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F1358914%2F2013-Fall-Edition-Living-Education-eMagazine-Vol.-VII