Social Studies Stations

A few weeks back I tried an idea that I had tried a few years back, Social Studies stations; the upper elementary version of "centers." Each station would have a different activity that either reinforces what we had already taught or would introduce them to something that will be forthcoming.  The activities vary from the traditional worksheet or some game/activity.

The students loved the idea! They would even to come class and ask if we were going to do "stations" today. So, if they are learning and it's different, why not give it a shot?!

Arts and Content Areas

Today one of my classes got upset because we skipped our daily singing of several American patriotic songs (including all of the verses of the Negro national anthem) as a part of our Social Studies routine. This only goes to reinforce the facts that the arts need to be included in a school's program and that they can be successfully infused in content area subjects. I am an ardent believer in Dr. Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences concept. This idea drives my planning and teaching.

Camden

From my lost files...

Last night I read a blog post about our sister city, Camden, just over the bridge in New Jersey. As an urban center, deeply entrenched in poverty, drugs, and violence, their public schools face many of the same struggles that urban public schools face across the nation, including Philadelphia.

There is a lot that saddens me when it comes to our government's treatment of the one establishment that can be everyone's ticket to some sense of normalcy and stability as they mature into adulthood.
This establishment, public schools, could give every child hope, help every kid realize a dream, aid every youth in achieving a goal, and put every young person on a path toward active democracy and a productive life!

But, in America, where money does more talking than one's lips, it's a lopsided system. Big money and the politicians it buys, want the destruction of public schools and the organizations that bring together teachers who have dedicated their lives in service of teaching and helping young people.
In America, where in areas that have the least, big money becomes bigger money as money-hungry hippos see opportunities to feed their fat faces with the sale of magical curricula and tests and where publicly funded, philanthropically-backed, privately managed, politically connected, media loved charter schools are the panacea of the day.

No conversation needs to be had or agreed upon about working conditions, salaries, benefits, or anything. They know what's best. No agreement needs to be discussed about what they will do and what the teachers will do. They tell the teachers what they'll do, how they'll do, when they'll do and when that happens and the results they want aren't realized, they very obedient underpaid teacher gets shown the door. End of "conversation."

Camden, you fight! You fight with all the power and strength that is in you to fight. Your state education superintendent's mind may already be made up. He already has the blessing of the governor. But you don't go down without a fight!!! Band together and let the world know that the goings-on in Camden are undemocratic and against the will of those who know kids best!!!

How It Should Be Done

This is how real professional development and teacher evaluation works!

For a second time, one of the professors of the college where I'm pursuing my M.Ed with Reading Specialist cert, came to observe and collaborate with me.

After her observation and our debriefing, I felt empowered! She has taught in the K-12 setting and continues to teach at the graduate level! She came to observe specific teaching strategies employed when working with a small group of learners.

Based on past experiences and the latest reading research, she commended me on what I had done well and offered unabrasive, nonintrusive, very practical suggestions for how I can enhance a particular pedagogical approach and writing model!

The relationship was professional and collegial and felt very right. There was a sense of mutual respect, my respect of her years of experience and her respect of my classroom. I wish all district PD's and meager attempts at professional collaboration and observations were like this and not just about "domain 2", whatever the heck that is!

When she left, I still had a 3rd block to teach. With that class, I immediately employed her suggestions and I'm pleased with the initial outcome.

I look forward to trying this again and again and emailing her the results of my attempts.

That is how real professional development and teacher coaching and enhancement takes place! It's not a "I'm out for your job" situation! It's all about improving upon the noblest of professions, teaching!

Vygotsky speaks of that "more knowledgeable" other! Professional development, observations, and collaborations ought to be done by and with those who've "been there, done that" and have the t-shirt and key chain to prove it!

That's our fault too I guess!!

On the trolley a few moments ago:

I'm sitting, rereading a William Still book for the third time and a couple of early 20s get on with about four children. Based on some of what I heard, I don't think at least two of them belonged to this couple. I'm also unsure of the relationship of the couple. Nevertheless...

I'm reading, one little girl, maybe 3 years old, is very active, refusing to sit down as the trolley is moving. She's playful and jovial, but even over the playful "demands" of the young woman refuses to sit down. She falls a few times, but no injuries. The young woman says "that's what the @*%$ you get" and laughs!

The little 3 year old girl replies, "Who you talkin' to you dumb @*%$??" Because she was loud, most of the trolley, including the young woman, erupts in laughter!!

Me? I'm FUMING!!!! Here's what I see.

I see a future 5th or 6th grader who is out of control.
I see non-supportive parents.
I see a spoiled brat who'll get whatever she wants.
I see parents that will only come to the school if there is a problem and will defend this girl.
I see a child who will likely not get A's and B's because education doesn't seem to be a priority.
I see suspensions in this child's future.
I see early sexual activity.
I see looking to the government for help.
I see a cycle that I've ALREADY SEEN over and over again.
I see legislatures in Harrisburg and City Hall putting the blame on teachers.
I see principals who want to know what "strategies" we have in place to put this child on the road to proficiency.

At this point, I don't care if I'm being judgmental. I don't care if I'm being a doomsday prophet. I don't care if I'm being stereotypical. I don't care if I'm being insensitive. I don't care if anything I just wrote is politically incorrect! I don't care if this post offends anyone! I'm calling a spade a spade! A rose by any other name is still a rose! I don't care!

I am sick and tired of our public schools and my colleagues and I taking the fault and taking the blame for circumstances beyond our control!!! That little girl needs some REAL parents! Parents who will model before her appropriate social and academic behaviors! Period!

Sue me!

~Flem

I MUST be tough!

I'll be moving to a different section of the city soon. Today, as I met with the leasing agent, she noticed that I was a teacher. When it came out that I was a 5th grade teacher in our city's public schools, her response? "Oh you MUST be tough huh?"

I didn't take offense at all in the least bit! I chuckled and said, "you better know it! I have to be!"

I firmly believe that public school teachers anywhere, especially in urban areas, are THE toughest in the profession! Those of us who remain for a number of years, our skin MUST be made of teflon!!

We get attacked by politicians, demonized by philanthropies, unappreciated by some parents, harrassed by many students, frequently observed by some "out to get you" principals, yet we STILL come to work every day! Some would call that crazy! I call it dedicated! Years of dedicated service and commitment to students and communities needs to be celebrated, paid well, and not considered dead weight!!!

Yup, we MUST be tough!

Made My Day

{Walking up 38th Street, toward the Wawa, young man walks up to me and shakes my hand. I give the "Oh Lawd, you're one of my alum from somewhere but you're grown up and I don't recognize your face" look}

Him: You had me at the Y

{I look at name tag then at his mom who was with him, spit out his last name then his whole name excitedly! I then proceed to not believe who I'm looking at and how grown he had gotten! We commence the inevitable small talk and realize there was a connection between another former student I had some years ago in public school}

This encounter really made my weekend, especially since he's doing well and hasn't been beat up by urban life and the struggles that come with being around so much foolishness!

Shout out to his mother who I recognized once o took a second look!! Mom dukes, you've done a great job!!

Shout out to him (I'll call him Bob). Shout out to you Bob for staying on the straight and narrow!!

If we have had the privilege of being in a teacher/student encounter (even if you were 7 and in the second grade 12 years ago) stop me! Say hi! Give me a few seconds and I'll spit out your first and last name too!

That really made my day!