Some call me "Flem"

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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!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

It's About Service

We don't do it for the recognition, but for service-sake. Still, let me tell you what we in the 5th grade wing are all about.

"Reading Buddies" at the local nursing home
Every first Monday of the month a few of my students and I head over to a local nursing home after school to read with the residents. The intergenerational bond we've formed is real. Our last visit was "Bring A Classmate Who Had Never Been Before" Day



Autistic Support classroom volunteers
Two of the students volunteer in Autistic Support classrooms twice a week for about a half an hour. One of them got started when he stared into one of their classrooms. I asked if he wanted to volunteer. He consented, so did the teacher. The other got started when she snickered at the students. After nearly jumping down her throat, I asked the teacher if she could gain a different appreciation and respect for her classmates by volunteering to work with them. She's been volunteering willingly ever since.

Leukemia Research fundraiser
In a school-wide effort to raise money for Leukemia research, one of our 5th grade homerooms won the competition. Truthfully, we forgot that there was a prize. The focus was on helping.

10th Annual Philly Spring Clean Up
Getting 5th graders up and out by 9am on a SATURDAY is no small feat. And to CLEAN?? "Mr. Flemming, you out yo mind!!" But about 5 of them did! They showed up at the school to help sweep, pick up litter, plant raspberries, and dedicate new signs for the school's pocket/urban meadow. Two of the students are also Reading Buddies every 1st Monday! Service is in our blood!



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