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MEET MRS. FELICE CLYNE-DAVIS Hi, everyone! I’ve been a New York City public school teacher for the past 25 years. I’ve taught the fifth grade Alpha program for 12 years at PS 165. I enjoy integrating my passions for literacy, popular culture, media background and infusing technology across the curriculum areas!
MRS. DAVIS • In addition to teaching, I have authored several sports, human interest and entertainment articles that have appeared in various national and local publications. My own writing background helps me guide and mentor student authors.
MRS. CLYNE DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • In our class, student authors learn how to craft their pieces and write with power and conviction while developing their own passionate voices as writers!
MRS. CLYNE DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • Students in our class flourish as readers, writers, creative problem solvers and observers of the world around us. We use strategies like the Independent Investigation Model to promote critical and high-order thinking while fostering independence and personal ownership in reading, writing and social studies.
MRS. CLYNE- DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • Our students have often been featured as Kidsday reporters in Newsday and I believe in exposing them to the culture of the greatest city in the world. One of our annual outings is our pilgrimage to Broadway where we have seen shows like the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Bye, Bye Birdie and the Addams Family. Afterwards, we produce a Playbill project about our Broadway experiences, analyzing important literary elements of the show along with the themes-morals-values it promotes. We also compare and contrast the stage production to the cinematic counterpart. (Here’s our class at the Addams Family on Broadway a couple of years ago. )
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS During this upcoming school year, we will go to see the musical, ALADDIN, based on the Walt Disney movie.
MRS. DAVIS • After 20 years of teaching,in 2011-12, I took a sabbatical break, studying and pursuing some of my own interests like volunteering at the Paley Center where I worked in Visitors’ Services and assisted with community outreach, tour groups, researching, writing & preparing special programs, grant proposals & helping guests in the media library. In addition, I got to attend live museum seminars that featured Jerry Seinfeld, the NY One news team reliving 9/11 on its 10th anniversary and a 20th anniversary tribute to one of my heroes, Linda Ellerbee of Nick News. We will take a trip to the Paley Center in the fall, as we’ve done in the past!
MRS. DAVIS • As a life-long cat owner, I got to pursue another passion during my sabbatical—volunteering for two local rescues, working with cats and helping with fundraising-grant writing. (That’s my own Danny Partridge Clyne-Davis pictured above while Nice, one of my friends from the catroom where I volunteer at is underneath. I volunteer at a local adoption event on Saturdays (twice a month) and love working with animals!)
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • And now, back to school…Our students’ deep, thoughtful and intuitive book club conversations have impressed their teachers and visitors including administrators, superintendents, deputy chancellors and educators from other schools.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • We often have special theme days. For instance, after our independent investigation projects, Become a Westerner, we shared our findings in monologues and came dressed for the occasion!
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • In terms of technology, in the spring of 2010, we received a high tech classroom! Each kid has their own laptop and the room was wired with extra speedy internet service so all 25 (or so) kids could get online at the same time.Let’s hope everything stays in working order! We’ll need your help to ensure all high tech materials are correctly stored and taken care of properly.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • You will spend a good portion of each day on the computer, working on assignments in every subject that will be posted on the class website. Your new teacher is also getting acquainted with Edmodo, a secure social learning site for teachers and students where I hope to enable our class to connect and collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices).
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • We are very excited that we will use I-pads and several great educational apps for small group & individual work. I have had an I-phone for a while and look forward to getting acquainted with the new I-pads!
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • We will integrate the new Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics into all of our work. But whenever possible, it will be fun while you are receiving a strong, solid education.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • In math, we focus on problem solving and writing critically. Students keep math journals, complete problems of the week, conduct investigations and play math games (while creating some of their own). Along with using GoMath, we participate in the math exemplar program that contains real-world problem solving tasks along with a differentiated version of the task and standards-based rubrics that focus on problem solving and communication. We complete various math projects that include designing our own surveys while creating various graphs and charts, analyzing data and making real-life connections.
MRS. CLYNE DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • You will become real authors and journalists! Students have their own fairytales published online at Scholastic, their editorials published on the school’s website as well as produce their own weekly newscasts.Wealso create a class magazine, that is filled with our own fabulous feature articles!
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • Students also receive class and individual assignments. We use a Smartboard in the classroom to view assignments, websites, educational video clips, powerpoint presentations and the occasional television show or movie. We often view the film counterpart to a book they read in class while comparing and contrasting various elements. (The website, TeachwithMovies.org is a valuable tool for providing lessons that has students analyze important literary elements including important themes and values that are promoted in the movie or television program).
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • You probably know we put on a big musical each year. It’s one of my greatest passions to do this and share sensational idealistic songs that promote sharing, caring, respect, cooperation and believing in oneself.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • In 2008 we were featured in a Daily News (http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-04-16/entertainment/29433242_1_wcbs-fm-songs-rock-n-roll) article about how we use pop culture in our classroom and our planned CBS-FM musical tribute in honor of the station’s return to the airwaves following a two year hiatus. (I was a CBS-FM intern in college and worked with veteran dee jays including Cousin Brucie Morrow and Bob Shannon)). This story garnered us a lot of publicity on the radio & several WCBS-FM dee jays, Mr. G. (the weatherman) and station personnel came to our show that “rocked the house” thanks to the help of the amazing arts team & technology specialist at PS 165 along with the talented children.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS20 • In 2009, we produced a 50th anniversary Motown tribute which was covered on New York One. Then in 2010 following the Haiti earthquake, we produced a musical fundraiser, Behind the Hits, based on the book by WCBS-FM dee jay Bob Shannon. He actually recorded an introduction to the show that helped raise over $1200 for Doctors without Borders and The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, with the support of the PTA and the school administration. This show, too was covered by New York One and the local newspapers.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • In 2011, our musical extravaganza, John’s Secret Dreams (based on the beautiful children’s book about John Lennon) failed to get tv coverage but did raise over $1200 for local food pantries and WHY Hunger, an international charity for the poor.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • I am so proud of how incredibly nice some of my former students are. In fact our teaching motto is, It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice. There is no greater feeling than running into a former student who tells you that fifth grade was so much FUN and thanks you for exposing them to lots of “cool” music, pop culture and the opportunity to think outside the box, be themselves, and most importantly, think for themselves.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • I have been fortunate to have worked with amazing kids throughout her teaching career. I still get sad every June when I have to say goodbye to them as they transition from elementary to middle school. It is joyful working with bright, creative and motivated kids who are sensitive smart and most importantly, kind & compassionate young people.
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • It has been an excellent adventure and “A Sunshine Day” in our classroom. Throughout the years, my students have excelled academically and shined in the performing arts while showcasing their beautiful work in both of these realms. They have grown immensely as students and human beings while learning there are no easy answers or solutions, as well as to persevere with whatever task they’re working on and to never give up their hopes and dreams! (My own dreams were met recently when I met my childhood heroes, the Brady boys! Here’s me with Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and we even put on a musical version of the 1970’s sitcom with our students several years ago!))
MRS. CLYNE-DAVIS’ COOL CLASS • I am looking forward to working together while getting to know you and your families so we can create our own excellent adventures and special memories. Let’s get on with the show!
