The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

I sit here having just finished the last page of Christopher Paul Curtis's, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963. The first word to come to mind was "riveting".

I started it two days ago and sat for a few hours tonight and finished it off.

The first half of the book gives us the main character's, Kenny's, first person view of his family. Ten year old Kenny, lives with his father, mother, older brother, and younger sister. He takes us on a typical everyday journey of a traditional working class African-American family. Scenes are set at home, in school, and in the neighborhood. Dad works outside the home while mom holds down the fort inside the home.

Chapter titles are one-liners from within the chapter, capturing the chapter's essence as only a 10-year old can.

We see such themes as sibling rivalry, bullying, tested friendship, and the "blood is thicker" principle all at work. Furthermore, we see the rebellious oldest son, whose parents are at their wits end, set the stage for the second half of the book.

Thinking that some time away from the hustle, bustle, and unrighteous influences of Flint, Michigan, the Watson parents decide that Byron, the oldest son, needs to spend some time away, in Birmingham, in 1963. There, Grandma Sands welcomes everyone with open arms, reuniting with her daughter, Mrs. Watson and her family whom she hadn't seen in a decade.

The family stays for a few weeks before a tragic event in the city forces them to cut the trip short, change the plan for their oldest son, and cause another of their children to feel shame!

There were times I chuckled, out right laughed, frowned, sighed, and put paper under each line so that my eyes would not catch a glimpse at what would be forthcoming.

I would recommend this book for those in 6th grade and up. The book does contain some cursing and swearing. I'd just give parents a heads up before they read the book with their child. As a parent, I'd want that heads-up.

Mrs. Michelle Obama

Here's an excerpt from The White House's website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/first-lady-michelle-obama)

"A product of Chicago public schools, Mrs. Obama studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life."

I just thought it was important to note that she was a product of Chicago's Public Schools.

Drake vs. Drake

As a Social Studies and Science teacher, I try my very best to make the content meaningful, challenging, and interesting! Today as I was teaching and as they were learning about early English pirates/sea dogs, we came across the name Drake.

Once we got to that slide, I flashed this picture on the smart board.

The girls in one of the classes, literally went ballistic, as if Mr. Drake himself was going to come through the screen. That picture was then followed by an "x" through it and the statement, "not that Drake, but this one..." Sir Francis Drake, Queen Elisabeth's top "dog" (literally, they were called sea dogs, for those who didn't know)

This "fluke" of the Drakes, while a small diversion, changed the pace a bit of a terse review of what the students themselves had actually presented to the class the week prior.

Make it fun!

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!!