Sweet and Bitter Irony: Music From A Closed School

http://www.knightarts.org/community/akron/jazz-for-the-eyes

That could be the name of a song, or did someone already copyright that? Sweet and Bitter Irony: Music From A Closed School

Earlier today, and clearly in my summer "chill mode", I was enjoying a cup of coffee, resting under the foliage of a small tree, in my car when...a sound....a sweet sound....a soothing sound.....a saxophone sound!!

It didn't take long to realize that there was someone playing their sax somewhere near the shuttered George Pepper Middle School out in Southwest Philly.

The music was....mellow....soft....nice!
And in front of a school that likely did not have a vibrant music program in the years just preceding its closing. Unfortunately it's vibrant music and other arts programs that the majority of our schools wrongly settle without.

As a classroom teacher, I do appreciate music and the visual arts and do my best to incorporate them both into the 207 experience. But I have no issue with admitting that I don't have the extensive creative background or experience to make the most of integrating such media into the teaching and learning event.

Yes, Sweet and Bitter Irony indeed!! That such beautiful music now IS and, then too, from the outside of the school!



Pictures of Pepper - http://www.schoolclosingcollective.com/?q=node/12
One account of Pepper's history - http://hiddencityphila.org/2013/04/final-bell-nears-at-brutalist-southwest-philly-middle-school/

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled today that same sex marriages can be in all 50 states.  Those so-inclined and so-desiring and even well-wishers erupted in congratulatory cheers, hugs, and high-fives. A historical moment here in the states!

That same Constitution, upon which the decision was made, allows for a rule of law in this country where people can freely express their opinions, beliefs, and even petition the government, which we’ve seen.

Just as so many have expressed their beliefs, I have one and it’s that I disagree with the decision. (I felt that collective WHAT???????!!!!!!).

Do not misinterpret disagreement for hatred. I do not hate anyone. I just disagree, just like some people are disagreeing with me right now, as is your right. That’s one of the nice things about living here in the United States.

This is also one of those times when most seem to refer to the Bible to both defend their position and to cut at contrasting views. Well, it is the Bible upon which I base my beliefs; beliefs that should not misinterpret disagreement for hatred. I do not hate anyone. Living in America, we’re all entitled to a belief system, religious or otherwise, or no religious belief system at all, and we can disagree.

We can disagree! Or can’t we?

Lessons from "A Bug's Life"

"Silence gives consent." No doubt you've heard it, albeit not always true. But silence can provide the fodder of false assumption to principals, policy makers, law makers, and district officials that all is well. It can also solidify fear!

Sometimes the onus is on a few individuals and organizations to speak up, be the voice of many, and risk distorted classroom observations, censure (whatever that means...ha), daily classroom visits, ludicrous write-ups, etc. etc. etc. to say what is often spoken of behind closed doors, at dinner tables, in cafes, at the copier, and other private/not-so-private places. {Except that I/we cannot say what you can say, how you can say it and from the place and experience through which it is said. As a black man, I have particular experiences and places from which I speak. Your experience is not mine.}*

(Although I must say, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia voters have CLEARLY made their voices heard during the past two elections!!!!!!!!)

I understand (sometimes) people's desire to remain quiet. There are families to think about. They don't want to make waves. They don't want the principal hovering over them all the time. In some minds, we're all better off leaving well enough alone.

Well, if no one ever spoke up, I'd still be in chains, women still wouldn't be able to vote, neither would African Americans. We wouldn't have the Americans with Disabilities Act. There'd be no teachers of color. It would still be illegal to teach black kids how to read and write and THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON!!

As advocates, we can all stand to improve in our efforts and to encourage others to join us!!

Here to help us, "A Bug's Life!!" This from the desk of Ed-Deformers everywhere...a behind the scenes conversation in board rooms, offices, state capital AND capitol corridors across the country, DC, etc:

*Added hours after the original post as I pondered, staring into the night, consuming my blueberry water ice

Maron/Obama Podcast -- Episode 613 - President Barack Obama

Episode 613 - President Barack Obama
Click to listen.

I decided to listen to the entire Maron/Obama podcast before adding my little opinion to the mix of the potpourri of opinions that I'm sure are out there (most of which I have not read/listened to) regarding President Obama's use of the word "nigger".

While Maron wanted to have a conversation that wasn't policy driven, but more friendly and personal, it's kind of hard to have the President of the United States in your garage and it not turn political.

President Obama did discuss many of his agenda items including some that became more prevalent in the last few years: climate change, the ACA, common sense gun laws, education, poverty, policing, etc.

Then there was the discussion on race and how it's "incontrovertible" that progress has been made since the 50s, 60s, and 70s but that America still isn't "cured" of racism.

I'm sure there's no shortage of opinion out there over his choice of one word out of the many he uttered during the nearly hour-long conversation. I'm sure that many closet racists are now coming out and are low key satisfied that they now have a reason to repeat the word publicly in a feigned attempt at opining over the President's talk with Maron. (Tip from me to you, don't even think about it!)

I think it's important to consider the context in which the President used the word and the what that he was saying. Don't miss the message!

Here's a very small portion of what he said:
"And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say 'nigger' in public. That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior."

The message:
Racism is not nonexistent simply because it's not nice to use the word 'nigger' in public and most may not. Racism is not nonexistent because it's not as "overt" as it once was. Racism still exists and it will take some time to get to a point where it doesn't exist.

I do not take issue with the President had to say, especially considering the context in which it was said and the message he was trying to convey.

And a little 411, a little post-script from the streets and the chairs of the barbershop, there is a difference in the use of the word ending in "er" and "a". That's a whole different post for a whole different day.

$40M Plymouth Whitemarsh High School face-lift

I chose not to play around with the "Whitemarsh" part of the school's name....ahem...

Schools deserve facade-lifts, renovations, improvements and the like! ALL schools deserve that!

No shade thrown at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School out in the Philly 'burbs, but why can't kids who look like me also have buildings that are modernized, comfortable, clean, bright, and welcoming!! There are some buildings I vowed never to teach in because they were so dark and ominous. If I as an undergrad felt that way, I can only imagine how the children and staff who must walk into those buildings feel. (But here comes Charter Man to the rescue, taking money away from said schools. Money that could be used for improvements.)

Folks in Harrisburg, City Hall, and 440 love to put the onus on teachers and our union and love to lay a world of problems at our feet as if we're the cause for all of this city's educational woes. We're not.

Let's try something different, BILLION dollar investments in public education and our schools (modern buildings, technology, real PD by teachers/colleges profs, modern libraries, clean & green spaces to read, study, eat and whatever, etc. etc. etc.)

Here's the thing. All we're asking for at this moment here in Philly, a nurse in every school every day, librarians and counselors in our schools, keeping our guest teachers, and music/art teachers in every school. Of course we have a longer list, but at the moment, these are just some of the basic ticket items that every school should have....now.

I have a feeling Plymouth-Whitemarsh (which I happened to drive by this past Saturday) has all of these items and having them isn't considered a luxury.

My mom, the MBA and a question for #phled

Yesterday, in-between Father's Day events,  I asked my mother more information about the Philadelphia public schools she attended. I already knew she attended Pastorious Elementary in Germantown (not a true public school anymore) and I *thought* Northeast High School for at least a year.

At some point during the discussion she and my youngest sister asked some very objective questions about charter schools. Despite my predilection for true public schools and what they've accomplished and the great potential for improvements that are needed, I gave an objective answer about what they are, how they formed, and how they've departed from that original vision over time.

When discussing Philadelphia specifically, she being a very thoughtful person, an accountant, and MBA she asked, "Who thought it was a good idea to take 1/3 of my "household budget" (reference to Philadelphia's charters eating ~1/3 of the district's operating budget) to "make improvements" and think that it was ok? Does Philadelphia (schools) have extra money that you can afford to do that?" There were several follow-up questions about our financial solvency and the financial impact of the existence of these pseudo-public schools.

Maybe my mom should be Chief Financial Officer, yes?

(No! Never mind, because if this heaven-forsaken district comes at my mom the wrong way, I'm telling you there'd be all kinds and shapes of problems!! When it comes to my family, all "sense" goes out the window!!)

By the way, she was bussed to Solis-Cohen Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Junior High after Pastorious. She also attended Wagner Junior High for a quick second somewhere in there as well. She's a product of Philadelphia's public school system, a Temple University and Eastern University grad, an MBA and working for a worldwide quasi-government agency.

My dad!

To my father, Stephen P. Flemming,
This man, my dad, my "pops" is truly a gentleman and a scholar! He's shown genuine care for his wife who is our mother, for all of his children and for his grandchild! So while today is the summer solstice, it's also Father's Day and MY dad's birthday!!!

He raised us to be strong believers in God and to embrace and live by the principles of His holy writ, the Bible! Thank you!

He taught us boys by example how women should be treated. That they should be treated like the Queens they are, to love, protect, and provide! Thank you!

While everyone is so progressive, I can appreciate the traditional values of family, friendship, and love that I hold dear; that he holds dear; that he taught us! Thank you!

At his age, he can hang (physically) with the best of them, and to be honest, he can OUTLAST them in almost anything involving endurance! He might be old {ducks}, but he's an OG for real!

Ladies and Gentlemen, my dad (and little Flem up there too)

Big Flem and Little Flem bearing the same 1st name!

Quil Lemons, Photographer Extraordinaire!!

His name is Quil Lemons. He’s 18 years old and fine example of a young black man doing some good in the hood!

Quil and his camera work wonders and those wonders were on display at the James Oliver Gallery on the 700 block of Chestnut Street here in Philly!

After ascending Jacob’s ladder, an unending and very steep stairway to heaven, I quickly discovered the climb was worth it! I beheld white walls awash with Quil’s photographs, on display for all of the guests take in. Pictures of young men, young ladies, objects, and an object of his affection, his sister, Zuri!

I eventually made my way to introduce myself to mister picture-taker extraodinaire, mentioning that his mother and I went to school together and that I was proud of what he was able to accomplish!

During the evening I made my way to James Oliver, the owner of the gallery and thanked him for giving Quil the opportunity to showcase his talents. While it may not have been my place to thank him, I felt like I needed to do so on behalf of young black men everywhere who are making a fine mark on the world with our talents and abilities, one way or another! I informed him that I read the piece on Fox29’s website and appreciate the focus on the positive contributions of our youth to society at large!

FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV

As I sat and munched on the hors d’oeuvres that were available, I noticed Quil doing “Quil”, snapping candid shots of the guests he knew. As he snapped, I got a quick snap in myself, a pic of him getting pics!

Capturing young ladies seated just outside of the picture!

All the best to Quil and big ups to mom, Jade and grandmom for raising a great kid!! Now, on to New York for college!!

Related:
Young, black, male, and plays classical!!

Re: The Suburban Station Violinist

Breakfast with the Boys and Lunch with the Ladies is CATCHING!!!!!

Recently, I blogged about an idea I had to enjoy some time with my students, down time, "chill" time, if you please! I talked it up among colleagues and family and it went off without a hitch at Pennell Elementary with a buddy of mine since nine (years old) and just this week with my sister, also a teacher here in Philly! Here are candid shots of a good time had by all---breakfast with her boys and lunch with her ladies at a school in the Lawncrest section of the city! To sum up, my sister? Her #ClassOnGeek

As the school year closes (or is closed for many), this may be an idea you'll want to consider! It would mean so much to your students to spend some "chill time" with the teacher and NOTHING does it like food! (Can I get an AMEN? lol)

Teacher Feel Good Moments...

Only a small part of me is concerned with how my writing/tweeting/blogging about my meet-ups with former students is perceived. In this profession, where of late, we are perceived as enemy number one, it brings me so much joy to catch up with those who've been impacted the most by the learning experiences in room 105 (now 207).

Just today I caught up with so many and it made my heart glad!
Just before walking in the barbershop:

"Yo (name of former student) "Ayo wassup, Mr. Flem?!" Other young bol, "who dat?" "Dats my teacher....my old teacher!" (6 years ago)

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) June 16, 2015

While in the barbershop, caught up with a former student. Didn't have much time to talk this time, but always see him in the neighborhood, so it's cool.

Walking out of the shop, at a stop light, this less than 30 second encounter with a former student:

"Yoooo, Mr. Flemming, I was just looking for you!!! I graduated yesterday (12th)!! Guess what my quote was? {insert the Flem 6th gr mantra}"

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) June 16, 2015

Then later I was invited to a discussion led by a few of mine from 2012. They were leading various discussions and break-out sessions on some of the issues that are plaguing African American communities today including but not limited to: police brutality, the lack of African American studies classes, racial profiling, etc.

Supporting former students at Pickett HS presenting on issues affecting the black community! #educolor pic.twitter.com/o2pMNRtIwc

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) June 16, 2015

Student T. Charity (cc: @adoptdogs1) pic.twitter.com/m8HSqSEu9H

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) June 16, 2015

I feel good! This is why we do what we do! It's in my to keep connected with them, even years later! No words can describe the hugs and that warm feeling as soon as I walked into the lunchroom where we all gathered at the outset! They made my day and I made theirs!

Outsourcing our guest teachers...

This morning I received a text message from a guest teacher, a wonderful COworker I haven't seen in a few years! She informed me that she was on her way to see me. I was like a kid at Christmas, the thought of seeing such a great person and colleague!!!

In the few minutes in between the text and her coming to my new....scratch that...changed location (207), I thought about her and the other wonderful guest teachers who come to help us out here at the school and how they are VERY MUCH a part of the faculty here. The children respect them. The staff respects them. They teach. They call parents. They hold detentions. They ARE teachers!!!!

I'm not naive enough to believe that this is the case everywhere, but I love the dynamics here! I believe it's because the staff here, overall, work very well together and embrace the guest teachers who pitch right in!!

Then, I think about how the school district wants to outsource guest teacher services. I can only wonder what that will mean for the climate of the school building. I can only wonder...

Undergrad in Edu?

"Is your bachelor's degree in education?"
"YES!!"

I was proud to answer "yes" to that question when asked several weeks ago! Yes, I do have a Bachelor of Science in Education from the Temple University!

Yes, my Master's degree is in education as well.

It's what I've wanted to do. It's what I've always wanted to do. It's what I've done, even when I was a teenager growing up in church and given very grown-up teaching responsibilities!

I often say, I will DEFEND (emphasis on this word every time) the teaching profession!!! (It matters not to whom I must stand up either and that has put me in tight spots more than a few times too!)
Not only will I defend the sanctity and nobility of the teaching profession itself, but also the congeniality of this profession with PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

I have this thing about proving nay-sayers wrong!

Roaches?!?

As I sit and reflect, I'm glad I went beyond your typical science lessons and ventured into entomology a bit. Even though I did indeed move on to other topics in science, we found ourselves constantly returning to bugs.

Our first Madagascar Hissing Cockroach died. We purchased him from the Insectarium here in Philly. 207's own Visiting Entomologist, Ms. Megan (Ph.D Candidate) came to the school to present other insects to us and left behind 4 additional Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. Our other Visiting Entomologist, Mr. Ian, Google "Hung Out" with us earlier in the year.

Google Hanging Out with our own Visiting Entomologist, Mr. Ian (Ph.D candidate)

Learning from our very own Visiting Entomologist, Ms. Megan (Ph.D candidate)

Recently, I purchased a newer, more transparent container and that breathed fresher life into the kids (and me) at the end of the school year! We're excited to view our insects differently! We're excited about picking dandelions (a food the cockroaches love and a fact we learned on our own via Instagram videos and pictures)! We're excited to just watch the insects go about their business.

It's Just What We Do!

Plan. Teach. Collaborate. Grade. Help. Call. Email. Meet. Discuss. Comfort. Listen. Buy. ETC ETC ETC.

You know we do all of that. But teachers are the type who will, once we hear of an emergency closing of schools due to heat and the fact that many of our school buildings aren't equipped with proper cooling systems, ventilation, and all that jazz yet the district wants to approve new charter schools, a complex, polarizing system of which already eats more than $750M, ~1/3 of the school district's operating budget------wait, I lost my train of thought...

Oh yeah, we also advocate, but I digress.

Once we heard that schools were closing early, immediately jumped into the mode of making phone calls home--during class, sending texts--during class, updating our class social media sites--during class (because we do not get any extra time to do it). We do all of this to ensure that our students, our children are safe!!

We even walk children nearly a mile away to a location where they are safe and in the care of an adult because parents are at work.

We also walk children home because no one answered a phone and we wanted to be sure someone was there. They were.

It's just what we do.

Yet...

Certified School Nurses

Today, the entire 3rd grade class took a trip to a local park, our last big "thing" for the school year as an entire class. One of my students was bitten by some insect and starting having a reaction that was "irritating and hurting", according to her.

I literally had to pause and think about what day it was and whether or not our school nurse was at our school on this particular day! Wednesday? YES!! "Baby girl, let's walk back to the school and get you some help." As we were walking, I called ahead to let our certified school nurse know what had transpired, how the patient...I mean student was feeling/reacting (I got carried away), and that we were on the way. ETA? 20 minutes. All was calm, but her mark was reddening.

I stayed with the child as our certified school nurse worked to ease her discomfort and treat the area that was giving my student trouble.

I took the time to again express my gratitude to her, our certified school nurse, for being at our school and that I believe in the idea of a (at least one) certified school nurse at every school, every day of the school week, no matter the size of the building or student population!

The School District of Philadelphia wants to outsource school health services.
Why not? Here are just four quick answers and reasons!

1.  We know that our certified school nurses are well trained and prepared to provide highly skilled services to students in public school populations, which often times means not only meeting the students' heath needs but also working closely with the counselor (if there is one, smh) to service the child's emotional, mental, and academic needs.

2.  Most, if not all of the school nurses we have left in the School District of Philadelphia, have the qualifications that could land them better paying and highly respected positions elsewhere! They choose to stay! That says a lot.

3.  You get what you pay for! The school district want to go cheap! Cheap almost always ends up costing! Contracting out health services? Suppose for whatever reason, they want out? Then what? Suppose for whatever reason, the company tanks? Then what? Suppose building principals have issues with these outside contractors and the level of care they provide? Then what?

4. The district approved 5 new charter schools!

Children deserve...

Outsource school nursing services!
Outsource guest teachers!
Layoffs!
School closings!
Limited music/arts education or no music/arts education!
EC clubs? Only if the primary goal is to increase scores!!! No dilly dally!
Reading is only to be assessed, not enjoyed!

I've long held the belief that our children are worth BILLION dollar investments!
We invest millions/billions in everything else! Stadiums, war, entertainment, why not education?!?

Children deserve highly qualified, certified, knowledgeable, capable, culturally competent, and caring teachers and faculty! Said faculty who are partly responsible (parents/guardians having a major part) for the education of the future of this country and world deserve to be adequately compensated!

Children deserve bright, attractive, up-to-date, clean, and therefore inviting school buildings! Safe learning and play spaces! Comfortable eating and study places! Green, peaceful, and calm spaces!

Children deserve a wide range of quality social and health services, ESPECIALLY, NOT EXCEPT, children who live in areas where there are higher concentrations of poverty and crime!

Children deserve a curriculum rich in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, History, the Arts, Geography, Science, Technology, Kinesthetics, Foreign Language, and more!

Children deserve a chance at hoping, at dreaming, at wondering, at exploring, at possible!
That takes resources, both financial and human!!

Instead we....I mean...THEY, many (not all) in Harrisburg, City Hall, and 440 N. Broad...send them the message that my children aren't worth it! That children who look like me aren't worth those investments, aren't worth a chance at hoping, at dreaming, at wondering, at exploring, at possible.

They send that message by gutting school buildings of everything that makes public schools, school! They want to cut costs, save money, go cheap! Everyone knows that cheap ends up costing!

Why I teach Social Studies!

So, I'm one of those who does not just focus on English/Language Arts and Math, much to the displeasure of some! But I believe in the teaching of Social Studies and all that it means, history, geography, law, civics, etc. etc. etc.

My reason and subsequent mantra for doing so is so that kids "won't think that Paris is the capital of Pennsylvania or that Texas is a country!"

I didn't just pull those random inaccuracies out of a hat. But my first week of teaching 6th grade Social Studies, I remember attempting to gauge what the students knew and put out a survey of some basic facts that I believed that should've known by 6th grade! You guessed it! Those were some of the "facts" I got!

1.  What is the capital of Pennsylvania? Paris
2.  Name one other country in the world. Texas

And then this, today....

.@CNN mistakenly labels Pennsylvania as New York in on-screen map http://t.co/TiR1Ayim2C pic.twitter.com/BH7dEKPNC8

— Philly.com (@phillydotcom) June 10, 2015

Former student makes staying, worth it!!!

I made my way to a local park to search for a child when I ran into a few former students of mine. As I continued my search, a young man suddenly began quoting a mantra I coined some years ago. As I heard the very familiar refrain and that from a deep voice, I quickly turned my head and recognized a face I hadn't seen in several years!!

It felt good that this kid, now a young man at Lincoln University is in college!
It felt good that he remembered "the motto!"
It felt good that he thought enough of his former teacher, who had a one track mind, to get my attention by attempting to hide behind another former student and reciting "the motto"!

It's the little things that make my remaining here, despite.......stuff.....worth it!!!!!!

What's REALLY going on!! (In the classroom...)

So, since the "data" show that I'm a failing teacher by the most insane measures, I consider it my responsibility to bring to you the actual learning that takes place in my classroom, including what happened about 45 minutes ago!

We're not just watching Lion King II: Simba's Pride, but we're analyzing it like we would any literary work. (This is actually the first time that I've done this all year and I could kick myself in the head for NOT doing this! As a middle school level ELA teacher, I did it all the time and it really did help the children with comprehending and enjoying the literature. This year, being my first year in 3rd grade, I didn't know what to expect during the course of this year at all, I digress...)

I paused the video at some point when the fight between the outsiders and Simba's pride was beginning to end. A child noted the similarities and differences between the war with the outsiders and Simba's pride with the Civil War (which we've been studying).  She effectively compared and contrasted the two situations much to my amazement!!!! BUT, it's not a constructed response on a state mandated test, so then I guess such real learning doesn't count!

I love the fact that they are learning. Conversely, I hate the fact that "learning" has been so narrowly defined by non-educating, number crunching, try-to-make-everything-so-neat-and-reformy-by-relegating-education-to-an-algorithm folks!

Calm Down!!

I know this teacher at a school, somewhere here in these great United States, who had a child to bite her. This child, apparently, is known for causing havoc in his school building and this teacher has been advocating for this child to get help. Nominal help was provided, but based on her accounts, it seems to be extremely limited at best and not very effective, overall. The incident was written up and when the teacher went to follow up, she was told, and I quote, "calm down." Apparently, this principal uses such phrases all the time whenever teachers have concerns and bring them to him/her.

I wonder if the child were to bite this principal, if s/he would be so calm, cool, and collected?

Hmm...

The Memoirs of a "Failing" Teacher

My third grade students responded to a constructed response prompt based on a poem by Emily Dickinson. This constructed response asked the students to dissect Dickinson's very complex use of the English language by determining the narrator's intent. It was a first draft based on a poem that generated a great deal of discussion and disagreement among many educated adults including English teachers, English MAJORS and other college graduates! The poem they were given was certainly developmentally inappropriate for third grade students who are still learning how to read and write well.

The second constructed response prompt was based on a nonfiction article about the current state of eagles and how laws passed by the government helped to save them.

One, the two constructed response prompts did not require the same type of thinking nor evidence. Two, the second passage, as was the first, was taken from the benchmark assessment given by the school district and was also a first draft. Three, I did not teach the article or poem, nor did the children have an opportunity to write anything but a rough draft.

If authentic and meaningful assessment of teaching and learning is the goal and measuring children's writing progress is the means to that end, I'd suggest viewing samples of writing from the initial planning stages to when those same pieces are considered by students to be final drafts and therefore publishable copies of their work. If students drafted writing pieces, then received further instruction on improving their writing, were given a chance to rewrite their pieces, we'd truly be able to gauge to some degree if the teaching was effective. Even then, teaching is cyclical, an ebb and flow of considering what worked and what did not for the class as a whole and for particular students. I constantly self-evaluate, collaborate, and reteach.

From what was submitted, we can only barely determine if the students even understood the pieces they had to read in order to respond to the prompt. Writing conferences with students would help determine that. I cannot even determine whether or not it was the way the question was phrased that gave them some difficulty. Writing conferences with students would help determine that as well.

Comparing the results of rough drafts of two different writing tasks, one of which is beyond the zone of children's proximal development, further comparing the results of said drafts without any teaching associated with either task and to suggest that I, as a teacher, failed them in some way is offensive and irresponsible.