Bodine High Class Reunion

It's not a "major" year (10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50...), but it is a year.
In a few moments I'm headed out to to an "in-between" year class reunion with my fellow Bodine High School classmates and graduates! A corps of the class worked very hard to put it all together!!

Some of us met up a few years ago and again earlier in the fall of this year, but this one is promising to be the biggest one yet and I am really looking forward to it!!

Among us are physicians, contractors, veterans of the U.S. Armed Services (thank you), psychologists, accountants, teachers, principals, systems analysts, world travelers, spouses, parents, best friends since high school, college professors, judges, white collar workers, blue collar workers, clergy collar wearers, neighbors, non-profit managers, small business owners, and the list goes on! AND I couldn't be more proud!!!!!!!!

When we were freshmen at Bodine High School for International Affairs, it was all new to us! The classes, the work, the heavy emphasis on international affairs and foreign language, the International Days, the Ms. Paige, Ms. Brown, Mr. Molowitz, Ms. Ton, Mr. Young, Dr. P. Karen Hill, etc. etc.

Now we are those adults, those young adults making an impact on the world and in our communities!!

We now have widespread internet (wish we had this in high school), MySp---ahem---Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, this and that kinda chat, KIDS with cell phones (I didn't get my first until I bought my own prepaid cell during spring semester freshman year in college) and so much more!

My, how the world has changed!

Sadly, we've also experienced unthinkable tragedies in our personal lives and even within our class since our days in high school! One of our very own, Ms. Nekeisha Eugene was taken from us too soon, right here in Philly.

Here's to "Bodine High with blue and white, your knowledge leads us to the light. The school makes life a learning day, with Bodine High we're on our way!" (Bodinians, did I get the alma mater right or nah? lol)

Here's to past memories, memories yet to be made, things we wish we could forget, things will never forget, people we'll never forget and here's to Nekeisha!

No Syrians? But...

It's intriguing  (sickening actually) to hear all of the arguments against Syrian refugees coming into the U.S and stronger border control especially in the Southwest, when the history of this country was rife with terrorism, imperialism, and racism at its origins.

The Kids Know...

The students know if you respect and care for them. Even the ones who technically aren't "yours".

When students I've never had say "Good Morning Mr. Flemming" as they pass me in the corridors and not just the regular or typical "Hi Mr. Flemming" with a wave, they see something in you. Not that "hi" is 'wrong'. It's just that a "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon" speaks to you on a different level.

When a 1st grader said that to me this morning, I really did feel special. I greeted him back with a "Good Morning". He then said, "Have a good day Mr. Flemming". I REALLY felt special then.

It happens often, kindergarten through 5th grade, in the neighborhood, in the hallway, etc.

Love and care is shown more than it's said.

That Convo in Class tho!!

Monday and Tuesday we watched and analyzed Madagascar 3. No, we really did. It wasn't just movie watching. We examined the characters, the settings, and the conflicts. Today we debriefed and these kids DID THE THING!!!

We had the types of conversations that I'm used to having with my older students and with my last year's 207.

The questions and answers, the questions that other questions generated, the depth of knowledge (not that official DOK jargon, but the real kind), their understanding of "deep" stuff had me grinning from ear to ear and church shouting with excitement!!!

Yesterday I took a risk and asked a symbolism-related question and two of them NAILED IT!!!!

I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They won't rise to low expectations, you have to stoop pretty low for that!!

Hit Send: An "LOL" Moment

If you want a sign that this generation is Generation Tech, here's one:

I often compose emails with my students, projecting the email itself on the screen and getting their input for content. This is writing, grammar, 21st century soft skills, and whatever content area we're learning all woven into the same lesson.

There are times when I have them draft emails on a template that I xerox, which I found online.

We've emailed entomologists and authors.

Today, as we were concluding the email, I asked, "So how should be end our email?"

The kid I called on, "hit send" lol
(Not sincerely or thank you or yours truly, but "hit send")

Where science and art meet!

Some of my best ideas come spur of the moment. This following is one example.

I often think of ways to remove, not think outside of, the metaphorical "box". What can I do differently today to engage my students? How can I present the material in another interesting way? How can I make learning an EXPERIENCE today and not take them down the same rote, ritualistic, redundant road?

I had art supplies on hand for about three years that just sat there. DING! As a way to synthesize all that we learned to date in science, using these supplies, boys and girls, make an insect in 20 minutes. Oh and you have to make ONE insect, as a group! Ahhh!

Just before releasing them to work, I gave instructions and tips for working together and resolving inevitable conflicts peacefully.

Here the raw supplies each group received and small video bites from each group.

https://instagram.com/p/-cALcNy5Fz/

Some #phled polls

Check these polls I put on my TL today:
(Polling is anonymous for those concerned. I've participated in a few myself)

I'm just curious, that's all.

There are teachers out of the classroom who could do more to help the teaching teachers. #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015

My principal pitches in and helps when s/he sees teachers are losing preps (whatever that help looks like) #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015

Teachers are losing preps all over the place. #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015

I have at least one elected official who I can count on to get what we need in my school. #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015

My principal fights to get what we need in our school. #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015

My school has a nurse 5 days a week. #phled

— S. R. Flemming (@kellygrade6) November 24, 2015