"Mr. Flemming, weren't you embarrassed?"

"Boys and girls, so I found out that our Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches eat frozen veggies, particularly the string beans! Actually, not while they're frozen. I thaw them out first and then they eat them."

Kid, "They're vegetarian."

Flem, "Actually, they're.....................herbivore! Sheesh! Don't know why the word wasn't coming to me. Plus you know I told you they like dandelions too. So I've gone onto people's lawns and quickly snatched the dandelions and put them in my trunk. I even drove to a SEPTA parking lot and picked a few to feed to our pets."

Kid, "Wait! Huh??? A SEPTA PARKING LOT??? People's lawns???"

Flem, "Yup, I had to hurry up" (Wait did I admit trespassing? Ooops)

Kid, "Mr. Flemming!!!!!!! Weren't you embarrassed?"

Flem, "UHH, YEAH! Big ole man like me pickin' dandelions! That's why I had to hurry up!"

We share a laugh!!

(So the dandelions from another's lawn was true. But their lawn was right next to my apartment door in our complex. The windows are low in our units. So while I technically didn't make my way onto their lawn, I did have to quickly rrrreeeeaaaach over, under their window, snatch the dandelion, unlock my outside door and keep it moving. lol)

Breakfast with the Boys

Several weeks ago I had an idea to have breakfast with my boys and lunch with the ladies in my class, my treat. I shared the idea with a couple other teachers from around the district---actually my sister who is a teacher and a buddy of mine since 9, also a teacher. So glad to see that it's catching on!

Here, a blurred picture of the breakfast he had with his 5th grade boys at another public school in Germantown! I challenge YOU, have breakfast with the boys in your class! Sit with them. Talk with them. Chill with them! No shades drawn on the girls, but as a male, a black male, I know we tend to get the short end of every stick that's out there!

His #ClassOnGeek

Dear Somebody, Anybody

Dear Whoever,

I didn't do anything all year, but I got an "A". Why?

See, now I'm going to think that I can do this every year and still get "A's". Then when it's time to go to college or trade school, I'll be surprised because life doesn't really work like that!!

Why did you do it??? Why make me think I'm doing OK when I'm not??? Huh?? WHY?????

I bet your kids at home don't get A's for doing nothing!! Why is it OK to treat me like this?

Huh? Wait, you were told to???? Who told you???

Who??!!??

I can't believe it!! I won't believe it!!!
Believe it? If you say so...

But I would expect that person to be the one to....oh never mind...

Wait hol' up! They told you to do what? Give me a packet and pass me? Packet and pass? PACKET AND PASS??? If I didn't do anything all year, why the heck do you think I'm going to do a packet?

Wait, I'm going to pass even if I don't do the packet?

Som' ain't right! Ya'll settin me up to fail and go to jail! Yoo, I'm not feelin' that!

I ain feelin' that, AT. ALL!!!

~Signed
#KidWitPotentialButSomeYallAintPushinMe

Jacked up though it may be...

As a black man living in the United States of America in 2015, I could enumerate a dozen or more reasons why I hate America! Except that, I don't "hate" it. "Hate" is too strong a word in my opinion. I could opine on all that I'm dissatisfied with here in this country; the sickening miscarriage of justice in more than a few instances, the human/financial/racial inequalities in our public schools, the overall treatment of our poor/working class, etc. etc. etc.

Except that every family has that member (or two or three or four) who is the one that causes you to bow your head in shame and reluctantly admit that not only you know him/her, but that you're related. America has its issues. Issues that leave that sour taste of disdain in our mouths, cause our blood to boil and our blood pressure to rise!

The origin of this country is rooted in extreme racism and violent acts of imperialism and terrorism. It has many-a-fault and many-an-injustice! These are facts and they must be taught! (Including, not only the facts that we love to hate, but the facts that gave our own ancestry pain--the fact that Africans sold each other into slavery among others).

Jacked up though the past and present may be, you must admit, there is something about this country that causes many to flock here, legally and illegally.

Here, we can criticize our government, protest, rally, march, write whatever we want in the press, be a Muslim, Jew, Christian, Buddhist, or have no religious affiliation at all.

If we're hungry we can do something as "simple" as, go to the store and grab a bite to eat. Perhaps a lil somethin wit salt, pepper, ketchup, and hot sauce! Fried onions and mayo on the bread? Yessir!! We can turn on a faucet and clean water comes out. Hit a switch and "let there be light", or air, heat, a ceiling fan, garbage disposal, trash compactor, ice or water from the 'fridge.

There are no sirens ringing every few seconds because where you are just might be on the receiving end of a bomb or rocket, though other real dangers persist.

No, America isn't perfect and she/Uncle Sam, whichever designation you want to give it/us, has a long way to go!! I have been to places where life is much worse, however! Where crowds of children surrounded our vehicle, fingers to their mouths, indicating they want something to eat and me wishing I had the world to give them!

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the fallen men and women of the many wars that involved the United States Armed Forces. Politics aside, they did as they were instructed and fought. And died. Men and women of all colors and creeds. Died.

I salute all of our fallen soldiers.  I especially want to salute those who were my ancestors; the brave black soldiers in each of America's wars. You fought for this country and yet were continually mistreated  and regarded much differently than your white counterparts. You clung to the possibility that maybe, just maybe things at home would be different. Perhaps your gallant efforts would return the same in legislation, policy, and overall perception.

Well...

You bequeathed to us your spirit, your disposition, your will, and your drive. The blood that runs in my veins, once ran in yours. Blood, that once spilled, spelled determination and resolution.

Thank you!

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/african-americans-and-emancipation/resources/african-american-soldiers-battle-fort-wa

First Time for Everything

This year was my first year for many things.
1st time teaching 3rd grade
1st time as a self-contained teacher
1st time teaching math for an entire school year
1st time working with just 26 students
1st time moving classrooms
1st time (in a few years) not having the level of technology with which I've become accustomed to teaching
1st time with one accordion-style and 3 cinderblock walls and no bulletin board (several brands of tape and I still don't know how to get stuff to stay on the walls for more than a week)
1st time with cubbies in the classroom
And it's the first time I noticed a couple of grey hairs (wish this was a joke, but it's not...lol, smh)

If my brain was functioning a bit more normally, I'm sure I could think of many more firsts.

I've learned quite a bit about this age group and about me. Because I am a real teacher and because this is not community service nor a resume builder for me, I'm committed to reflecting and learning.

Reflecting on what went well and what didn't.
And if given this teaching assignment again, I'll build on what worked and improve on the areas that may not have worked so well.

Having taught 3 different grades during the past 3 school years and being in the #phled elementary school culture, it's not weird nor is it uncommon to not know what grade you'll teach the following school year, but in many instances, you may not even know what school you'll be at. I've taught 3 different grades in 3 different years, but there are some teachers who have been at 3 (or more) different SCHOOLS in 3 different years!

"It's the culture you create..."

"It's the culture you (universal 'you') create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."

A fragment frequently whispered by someone with whom I'm very close throughout any given day of the week.

"It's the culture you (universal) create..."

If you create a culture where kids feel comfortable roaming around, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where kids feel comfortable using profanity then storming out and making their way to once sacred areas of the building, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where kids trash a room, use profanity, assault other kids, then storm out and make their way to once sacred and revered parts of the building, that's what they'll do.

If you create a culture where the adults are forced to think twice before defending themselves against a violent, rage-filled kid for fear of being written up, people will end up hurt

If you create a culture where, no matter how much kids don't do during the year, they know they'll be pushed ahead? Then they won't do.

If you create a culture where adults are publicly humiliated and disrespected, then the kids will follow suit.

If you create a culture that includes a laissez-faire philosophy, more will ultimately have to be done.

If you create a culture where adults feel nauseous whenever they enter the building, they'll do exactly what's required.

If you create a culture where kids who behave badly are treated to cookies, cakes, fried chicken and all day movies, then their brain has been wired to continue in their wrong. Only when they become of age and commit a crime, they'll be confused as to why they must face a consequence and not a commendation.

"It's the culture you (universal 'you') create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."
"It's the culture you create..."

The ((((BIG)))) Reveal!!

Since the fall, the 3rd grade students of room 207 at John B. Kelly Elementary School (my kids, ha..duhh lol) have been exchanging correspondences with the 3rd grade students of Mr. Shankle's 3rd grade class at Meadow Point Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado!!

On average, twice a month, we would write each other. And on average, twice a month the students in both classes would anxiously await a big brown envelope with their teacher's name on it.

Today was the day that the students finally got the chance to meet face to face with their pen pals. No, we didn't travel to Colorado (what a field trip that would've been). And no, they didn't make their way to Philadelphia. We harnessed the power of technology and the internet to converse via Google Hangout!

The experience was a great one overall, with each child getting the opportunity to speak for a few seconds with his/her pen pal. The combination of excitement and nervousness may have been too much for some of them as their often active mouths suddenly became mute!! lol It's OK.

They all shared the same sentiments; that it was nice to write letters to each other all year, that it was a pleasure to meet them, and all of them ended with a quick discussion of summer plans. It really was nice. (Next year I'll have to plan what the other children will do while the others are meeting their pen pals...the teachers out there can understand what I'm *not* saying aloud)

Aside from reverting back to a fun, old school method of communicating (which, by the way, included both teachers hand writing letters---a challenge for me for sure--), both of us noticed changes in our students' writing. Changes that may not have come without this pen pal experience!

I urge you, go old school with your students! Write a letter or two and send it! (Maybe next year, it's almost summer and to be honest, it's about time! For me it's not the kids or colleagues from whom I need a break, it's....nevermind)

I was informed later that there was news coverage of the event on my colleague's end! Denver's NBC affiliate covered the story!

Third graders meet pen pals face-to-face online http://t.co/T1vLBpCsnK #9NEWS

— 9NEWS Denver (@9NEWS) May 21, 2015