Jacked up though it may be...

As a black man living in the United States of America in 2015, I could enumerate a dozen or more reasons why I hate America! Except that, I don't "hate" it. "Hate" is too strong a word in my opinion. I could opine on all that I'm dissatisfied with here in this country; the sickening miscarriage of justice in more than a few instances, the human/financial/racial inequalities in our public schools, the overall treatment of our poor/working class, etc. etc. etc.

Except that every family has that member (or two or three or four) who is the one that causes you to bow your head in shame and reluctantly admit that not only you know him/her, but that you're related. America has its issues. Issues that leave that sour taste of disdain in our mouths, cause our blood to boil and our blood pressure to rise!

The origin of this country is rooted in extreme racism and violent acts of imperialism and terrorism. It has many-a-fault and many-an-injustice! These are facts and they must be taught! (Including, not only the facts that we love to hate, but the facts that gave our own ancestry pain--the fact that Africans sold each other into slavery among others).

Jacked up though the past and present may be, you must admit, there is something about this country that causes many to flock here, legally and illegally.

Here, we can criticize our government, protest, rally, march, write whatever we want in the press, be a Muslim, Jew, Christian, Buddhist, or have no religious affiliation at all.

If we're hungry we can do something as "simple" as, go to the store and grab a bite to eat. Perhaps a lil somethin wit salt, pepper, ketchup, and hot sauce! Fried onions and mayo on the bread? Yessir!! We can turn on a faucet and clean water comes out. Hit a switch and "let there be light", or air, heat, a ceiling fan, garbage disposal, trash compactor, ice or water from the 'fridge.

There are no sirens ringing every few seconds because where you are just might be on the receiving end of a bomb or rocket, though other real dangers persist.

No, America isn't perfect and she/Uncle Sam, whichever designation you want to give it/us, has a long way to go!! I have been to places where life is much worse, however! Where crowds of children surrounded our vehicle, fingers to their mouths, indicating they want something to eat and me wishing I had the world to give them!

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the fallen men and women of the many wars that involved the United States Armed Forces. Politics aside, they did as they were instructed and fought. And died. Men and women of all colors and creeds. Died.

I salute all of our fallen soldiers.  I especially want to salute those who were my ancestors; the brave black soldiers in each of America's wars. You fought for this country and yet were continually mistreated  and regarded much differently than your white counterparts. You clung to the possibility that maybe, just maybe things at home would be different. Perhaps your gallant efforts would return the same in legislation, policy, and overall perception.

Well...

You bequeathed to us your spirit, your disposition, your will, and your drive. The blood that runs in my veins, once ran in yours. Blood, that once spilled, spelled determination and resolution.

Thank you!

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/african-americans-and-emancipation/resources/african-american-soldiers-battle-fort-wa

First Time for Everything

This year was my first year for many things.
1st time teaching 3rd grade
1st time as a self-contained teacher
1st time teaching math for an entire school year
1st time working with just 26 students
1st time moving classrooms
1st time (in a few years) not having the level of technology with which I've become accustomed to teaching
1st time with one accordion-style and 3 cinderblock walls and no bulletin board (several brands of tape and I still don't know how to get stuff to stay on the walls for more than a week)
1st time with cubbies in the classroom
And it's the first time I noticed a couple of grey hairs (wish this was a joke, but it's not...lol, smh)

If my brain was functioning a bit more normally, I'm sure I could think of many more firsts.

I've learned quite a bit about this age group and about me. Because I am a real teacher and because this is not community service nor a resume builder for me, I'm committed to reflecting and learning.

Reflecting on what went well and what didn't.
And if given this teaching assignment again, I'll build on what worked and improve on the areas that may not have worked so well.

Having taught 3 different grades during the past 3 school years and being in the #phled elementary school culture, it's not weird nor is it uncommon to not know what grade you'll teach the following school year, but in many instances, you may not even know what school you'll be at. I've taught 3 different grades in 3 different years, but there are some teachers who have been at 3 (or more) different SCHOOLS in 3 different years!

"It's the culture you create..."

"It's the culture you (universal 'you') create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."

A fragment frequently whispered by someone with whom I'm very close throughout any given day of the week.

"It's the culture you (universal) create..."

If you create a culture where kids feel comfortable roaming around, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where kids feel comfortable using profanity then storming out and making their way to once sacred areas of the building, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where kids trash a room, use profanity, assault other kids, then storm out and make their way to once sacred and revered parts of the building, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where the adults are forced to think twice before defending themselves against a violent, rage-filled kid for fear of being written up, people will end up hurt

If you create a culture where, no matter how much kids don't do during the year, they know they'll be pushed ahead? Then they won't do.

If you create a culture where adults are publicly humiliated and disrespected, then the kids will follow suit.

If you create a culture that includes a laissez-faire philosophy, more will ultimately have to be done.

If you create a culture where adults feel nauseous whenever they enter the building, they'll do exactly what's required.

If you create a culture where kids who behave badly are treated to cookies, cakes, fried chicken and all day movies, then their brain has been wired to continue in their wrong. Only when they become of age and commit a crime, they'll be confused as to why they must face a consequence and not a commendation.

"It's the culture you (universal 'you') create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."

The ((((BIG)))) Reveal!!

Since the fall, the 3rd grade students of room 207 at John B. Kelly Elementary School (my kids, ha..duhh lol) have been exchanging correspondences with the 3rd grade students of Mr. Shankle's 3rd grade class at Meadow Point Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado!!

On average, twice a month, we would write each other. And on average, twice a month the students in both classes would anxiously await a big brown envelope with their teacher's name on it.

Today was the day that the students finally got the chance to meet face to face with their pen pals. No, we didn't travel to Colorado (what a field trip that would've been). And no, they didn't make their way to Philadelphia. We harnessed the power of technology and the internet to converse via Google Hangout!

The experience was a great one overall, with each child getting the opportunity to speak for a few seconds with his/her pen pal. The combination of excitement and nervousness may have been too much for some of them as their often active mouths suddenly became mute!! lol It's OK.

They all shared the same sentiments; that it was nice to write letters to each other all year, that it was a pleasure to meet them, and all of them ended with a quick discussion of summer plans. It really was nice. (Next year I'll have to plan what the other children will do while the others are meeting their pen pals...the teachers out there can understand what I'm *not* saying aloud)

Aside from reverting back to a fun, old school method of communicating (which, by the way, included both teachers hand writing letters---a challenge for me for sure--), both of us noticed changes in our students' writing. Changes that may not have come without this pen pal experience!

I urge you, go old school with your students! Write a letter or two and send it! (Maybe next year, it's almost summer and to be honest, it's about time! For me it's not the kids or colleagues from whom I need a break, it's....nevermind)

I was informed later that there was news coverage of the event on my colleague's end! Denver's NBC affiliate covered the story!

Third graders meet pen pals face-to-face online http://t.co/T1vLBpCsnK #9NEWS

— 9NEWS Denver (@9NEWS) May 21, 2015

What Bill Green said!

I went to NewsWorks website to read a story on Jim Kenney's victory!! Congratulations Jim!!

Here's what the former School Reform Commission (SRC) Chair, Bill Green, had to say regarding question #1 on the ballot about the elimination of the SRC:

"Regarding the SRC-abolishment ballot question, he said it would be "disastrous" to have a mayor and school district run by the teachers union."

So, I'm guessing it would have been better if we had a mayor and school district run by billionaires from Montgomery County!

What concerns me most is that this guy, Green, is a member of the governing body of our schools.

GRRRRR YYYUUUUCKKK BLAAAAAA UGGGGHHH!!!!

This just underscores the need for an elected body (whether partial or full---that can be debated) that is responsive to the people of Philadelphia, NOT big money or people who make STUPID statements like that!

On the Williams Watch

So, this is just my humble opinion, but I say we should watch the legislative agenda of State Senator Anthony H. Williams now that he lost the Mayoral Primary Election. He's already proposed and supported legislation that would further decimate Philadelphia's public schools of the necessary finances and resources that make public schools, schools.

Unlike Kenney, he was not required to resign his office as state senator in order to run for mayor's office. Therefore, his job in Harrisburg, yup, he still has that.

Despite being backed by very wealthy people and organizations, the Associated Press called the race in Jim Kenney's favor.

AP: Kenney wins.

— Philly Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) May 20, 2015

He doesn't seem like the type of person who will loose gracefully. I hope I'm wrong. But if working for the School District of Philadelphia hasn't taught me anything else, it's to be skeptical! VERY skeptical!!!

A "Primary Election Day" convo on KYW...

Traveling home from a rally in Chestnut Hill, listening to KYW News Radio's election day coverage, the conversation between Larry Kane and Terry Madonna---why such a low turnout? (~28% or so I think---for what in actuality will likely be for the next Mayor of Philadelphia since registered Dems outnumber registered Repubs in Philly 8:1)

One of the possible reasons for very low voter turn out during this particular election they discussed was the absence of a big "thing" and single big "issue". They said that for the most part, the candidates all generally agreed on the broad issues du jour.

They said that education seemed to be the biggest issue, but that such issues are up to the state and school officials to handle anyway, so candidates for Mayor and City Council running on those issues is for all intents and purposes, fruitless. (Their commentary, my emphasis)

One, I'm a voter and tax payer and in the grand scheme of things, I may not be able to do much, but that doesn't stop me from speaking up and speaking out on behalf of my students, colleagues, and the community at large. Neither has it nor should it stop a candidate for elected office. So I understand  their point, but I want to refocus the narrative a bit. I digress...

My real reaction comes in response to the possibility that voter turn out was low this time because "education is the only big issue there is" (emphasis mine).

One, I hope that the education platform is NOT the reason why voter turn out was so low this time.
Actually, I don't want there to EVER be a reason for voter turn out being low, but I digress.

Two, if it is the reason, then shame on us Philadelphians for not seeing such an issue as big enough to make a statement on!

If education in Philadelphia is the big ticket item of the past several months (and I believe that it is), the improvement of a system ought to be the TOP priority of all of us!!

And as I finish up this post, the tweets are coming in, the Associated Press is calling it! Jim Kenney winning the Primary Battle, the mayoral candidate endorsed by the TEACHERS of Philadelphia!!

They Quit!!

Over the course of the past few years, I've seen several people QUIT, with very little or no notice than to stick around and deal with all of this. I'm not speaking on the #phled macro-level (although based on what I hear that happens too), but on the micro, local neighborhood school level! I can't say I blame them one bit!!! It isn't the children, the community, the parents, nor is it the faculty that drives them to leave their job and not look back. A lot can be said of another position in the building, however.

...........

THEY SHOWED OFF at Grumblethorpe!!!!!

Yesterday, my students and I hiked ourselves over to Grumblethorpe here in Germantown, a 10-15 minute walk from our school. I had never been, but for years other classes at John B. Kelly School have and continue to make their way over there and engage in hands-on lessons and experiences of historical, geographical, and horticultural significance.

THEY SHOWED OFF!!!
(in a good way)

Just as they did in our "classroom without borders" at City Hall, they demonstrated the power of the effects of real teaching and learning!

The first few minutes of the experience at Grumblethorpe served to build or establish schema, with a discussion on history and geography. When asked to identify the seven continents of the world, they did it without missing a beat!!

What's the big deal Mr. Flemming?

The reply from the staff at Grumblethorpe, "WOW!!! I really wasn't expecting that!! This is the first public school group, and we've had many, that was able to do that!! I actually think I need to take a second and just stand in awe! I expected to be here for several minutes!"

No, I was not offended in the least bit! I was proud! Proud of my students for showing off as I secretly patted myself on the back for holding my ground as a teacher and belief that test prepping is not teaching and that in my homeroom, English/Language Arts, Math, SCIENCE and SOCIAL STUDIES are all important (and the media by which I sometimes employ to teach them---music, art, kinesthetics, and more).

Their response to the intelligence of my students was matched with a statement from one of my notorious "outburst-ers".  His comment, "THAT'S A SHAME!!!" (That of all of the public school groups they've hosted and for sometime, that we were the first group who could do that with no trouble, in concert, and without skipping a beat.)

My students continued to show off as they continued to demonstrate what they knew during a Q&A about various historical events!

As the morning progressed, the groups were split in two and they got an opportunity to plant pumpkins in the yard and basil in cups. As they dug spaces to plant the sprouting pumpkin plants, they found grubs and worms and their excitement couldn't be contained (not that any attempts were made either).

Meanwhile the other group continued to impress our hosts as they recalled facts about what plants need to grow, including air? No!! (sort of lol) but "carbon dioxide".  Love it!!

After about an hour and a half, we made our way back to school, they had lunch, and afterwards I praised the mess out of them for being so intelligent and encouraged them, as I often do, to never stop loving to learn! With one student in particular, I told him that people may call him names, that it had happened to me, but to let it roll off like water on a duck's back. Being interested in and loving history and science is NOTHING for which to be ashamed.

No, no SWBAT discussions. I think I've made my positions clear in other posts!

A Reading Teacher's Confession

So, I'm about to confess here.
I assigned a book recommended by another 3rd grade teacher for the kids to read the other day, this while I really needed to work with others one-on-one. The confession part, I hadn't read the book. My colleague had a class set of books and until now, hadn't gotten around to using them.

The kids LOVE the book and can't put it down. Sooooo, do you know what I'M going to do? Read it! Their excitement has made my a bit jealous and I want to know what it is about the book that makes it so interesting!!

I'm actually excited that *this* is my confession because they are LOVING the book and are letting me know that. They're boasting about what chapter they are on. The are sneaking and talking about it (I say sneak because there are times when we should enjoy relative silence when reading....but sometimes I pretend I don't hear them). One girl said to me as I was collecting them to put away for tomorrow, "Mr. Flemming, this is a really good book. I'm on chapter {whatever it was}." All I could do was smile!

Here's to taking the book home tonight and reading it for myself! lol

Learning Objectives

Which would you rather have? A teacher who can post some phenomenal objectives, written exactly how the school district wants but can't teach his/her way out of a paper bag OR a teacher who normally does post objectives and in a format taught to him by career teacher-educators, professors of education and may forget to re-post those objectives every now and then BUT delivers first rate, student-centered, pedagogically sound instruction? Which would you rather have?

On this day, I was sitting with a group of students who needed further instruction on fluency, so I used a reader's theatre approach with a script that was appropriate and a bit humorous. Meanwhile, another student who needed help with fluency, I had that person on a computer program practicing their sight words via a sight word bingo game. Still yet another student was on the computer on a fun educational website of their choice. The other students had just finished silent pleasure reading and were now partnered up (with a partner of their choice), spread out across the room, on carpets, in seats, cuddled on desks, and were reading to each other a book of their choice. BUT my search-engine, standards-based, SWBATs and IOTs were on a chart paper, flipped over because I used another sheet to TEACH because my technology was malfunctioning!

But we want to give some administrators more autonomy with hiring (site selection) and transfers (non-seniority based personnel transfer decisions) and with firing (proposal in Harrisburg to not base layoff on seniority)---not with the current college of principals we have now! The results for most, not all, but most will be cronyism, nepotism, favoritism, and any other "ism" and schism!!

Breakfast with my Boys and Lunch with my Ladies!

Yesterday the kids and I had a great time just "chillin". I had breakfast with my boys before school and lunch with my ladies during lunch! Continental in style, the guys and I enjoyed talking about superheroes and which one I would be (Batman---he has no superpowers, so whenever he wins, it's all him). They then proceeded to flip, jump, and run around the classroom.

Then came lunch with my ladies at 12. They enjoyed their school lunch and I treated them to something extra, buffalo wings. They organized the desks neatly in the form of a lunch table and talked about "womanhood" (no exaggeration, they toasted with the Hawaiian Punch I provided. They toasted to "womanhood"). They also discussed the law and how it was a law that allowed wives to hit their husbands but that the husbands can't hit their wives.

It was just a time to chill with the teacher and I believe they all enjoyed some down time with me, as I did with them.

With any classroom dynamic, it's not all a flowery bed of ease. That's life. But this time was our time to "let our hair down" or to just flip around the room, jump and run and knock over a classmates donut and muffin.

Mother to Son

Reflecting on Mothers Day and my mother, the matriarchs before her, and others who have adopted me into their lives as their son, I thought about Langston Hughes's Mother To Son and how well the poem describes the resolution of my mother; her strength, her determination to be a woman of God in word, in deed, and in truth!

Then...

I thought about the conversations that my students (3rd graders) and I had about the poem (which they committed to memory and perform VERY well) and what it means. I remember being so proud that they were able to grasp the comparison of "Mother's" crystal stair/rugged stair to life; what it was and what it was not.

I thought about and remembered how we discussed how the poem shifts from what life had been for Mother, how Mother tackled life head on and the exhortation that Mother gives "To Son".

I recall to my mind how my 3rd grade students "got it" and the examples they gave of what Mother might have been referring to when she discussed those "tacks in it", those "splinters", those "boards torn up" those "places with no carpet on the floor" and the bareness of it all. I remember them giving very real examples, some of which probably drawn from a place not too far from their own observations, reality, and experiences.

Then I remember how they and I quoted the poem with a bit of an attitude from the depthtidude of our soulitude when we transitioned to how Mother reacted to life's enigmas as she's just kept "a-climbin on" and "reachin {those} landins" and "turnin corners" even in dark. (We discussed the abstract concept of 'faith'). I remember the neck swings and hair tosses of the girls in the class as we recited those parts.

Finally, with even more resolution in our tone of voice, we'd look at "boy" and encourage him not to give up nor to give in; not to feel bad or sorry for himself, not to "set down on the steps 'cause you finds it kinder hard." But rather, take a hint from "Mother". After all, she's still "goin honey", she's still "climbin'" even though life for her "ain't been no crystal stair."

Happy Mothers Day to all of  the phenomenal mothers out there! Big ups to all of those who knowingly or unknowingly assume the role of a mother for someone; someone who you may not even realize is watching you, beholding your life, your style, your grace, your patience, your poise, your labor of love, YOU! Much love to you all!

Order in the Court!

Because I don't want to end with a rant on the evils of the testing industry, the debauchery known as school reform, and the vices of some politicians along with their school reformy backers, I'll begin with those folks and say this: the following learning experience could NEVER be captured on a standardized paper and pencil bubble test! The following scenario involves THIRD GRADE students in a real PUBLIC SCHOOL in the GERMANTOWN section of Philadelphia! Furthermore, despite the scenario that follows, I'd probably be considered a "failing teacher" because I didn't create a lesson plan that called upon the almighty Danielson, nor did I carry lesson plans with me that included those insidious acronyms "SWBAT" and "IOT", nor did I have them read a "passage" about judges, the biography of the judge we were going to visit or the history of the structure of City Hall! With that...

A week ago, my students and I took a journey to Courtroom 534, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA. No, no one was in trouble! We've been studying the Constitution and particularly, the Bill of Rights. I thought it would be a nice capstone for our studies by touring a courtroom and conversing with a real judge! Nothing could have prepared me for the fantastic time we had there!

Her honor, Judge Shreeves-Johns called me into chambers and together, along with her Court Crier (I learned something new), fine-tuned what we thought would happen in the moments that would follow. She would pose different scenarios to the children that would test various amendments of the Bill of Rights. They, the students, would in-turn, reply with their opinion on the legality of said issues.

All rise!

Her honor, adorned in her black robe (kids 'shock' face---Mr. Flemming, you have a robe like that! You wore it in class! Me to them, "Shhh!! Court!") walks in to a nervous and eager group of third graders (and three equally as intrigued adults).

She, along with her staff involved each child in the trial process. Jury, sherriffs, court crier, prosecution or plaintiff, defense counsel and defendant.

She posed various legal scenarios and asked for those who represented the state and the defense to speak to the allegations and their legality as it pertains to the various amendments. Most of the children were sharp and where anyone may have been a bit nervous, she looked to the jury for anyone who may have had a legal opinion. She used the court crier (one of the kids) and "polled" the jury quite a few times. After each "case", roles were switched and another case was brought before the court.

Where she challenged them, they met the challenge each time! Even when a few were nervous and got tripped up, it was warming to see the rest of the class come to the rescue and "stick it" to the judge (in a way only 8 and 9 year old children can)!!

The eloquence with which a few of them spoke was astounding! Some legal issues involved more than one amendment, but that didn't unnerve the kids one bit! They made their case to the shock and dropped jaws of even her court staff!

In one case, the defense attorney was jacking up the case for her client and the client, who knew the law, replied loudly, "you're supposed to be HELPING me!!" Judge Shreeves-Johns was impressed and remarked that he could easily represent himself in the case.

In another case, the defense attorney was extremely nervous and didn't answer the judge's questions in a  way that would help her client. The client was "locked up" as a result, but in her wisdom, the judge opened up the possibility of an appeal to everyone, appointed one of the jurors to be the new counsel and had the lawyer become a sheriff (no shade to sheriffs at all, lol)

After some time, the children got a chance to ask her some questions as they related to the Bill of Rights and the law. I prepped the kids ahead of time for this possibility and had them write down questions on 3x5 cards and have them in their pocket, ready to pull out in a moment's notice if the opportunity presented itself!

Knowing 207, knowing my students, questions would NOT be an issue! (smile)

A couple of questions really stood out. One asked whether or not she, the judge, felt bad if she had to "lock up people". She paused only for a second and replied "no", because in her courtroom, if she must "lock people up", they did what they were accused of and need to learn that there are consequences for breaking the law.

Another question that had me grin from ear to ear with unfettered pride was, "So the 2nd amendment gives people the right to own guns, but does it give people a right to kill? I ask the question because I don't think it does!" (What the???) One edu-commentator/poet/inspirationalist wrote that we can tell a lot about whether a child is learning, not by the questions s/he answers, but the questions s/he asks!

After court, we got the chance to take pictures with Judge Shreeves-Johns and thanked her for allowing us into her space for a little more than an hour!

Her stenographer, real court crier and aids were all GREAT!!! The chaperones who accompanied me were both impressed as well! Words cannot explain my pride for my kids that day! They were sharp!!!

Even now, a week later, I'm still so very proud and impressed with my students! THIS is real and experiential learning, for which I am an advocate and of which I am a practitioner!

They learned a lot and based on our experience and some of the conversations I overheard, many wouldn't mind a career in law! Isn't that what this is all about? Inspiring a generation of children and youth? Real teaching and learning?

Go 'head 207!! Y'all did the thang!!!

One of Philly's problems...

Many vilify teachers and the unions that represent us and would swear on stack of Bibles that if we get rid of the unions that public education would improve. I don't have time to point out all of the errors with this school of thought.

One issue I do want to point out is leadership, at the building level and at the district level. Unfortunately the sun rises and sets on leadership. The climate and school culture they create makes all the difference in the world, union or no union.

I don't have time to pat my own self on the back, but as a former director for the YMCA, I STILL have former employees calling me and asking me for a reference and I haven't been a Youth Program Director there since 2007! Kids-turned-adults are STILL talking positively about the programs and times they had as kids dating back to 2001. That says something!!

I'm just convinced that some people don't have the sense God gave a Billy Goat!!!