It is Friday!!! The sun is shining but there's a chill in the air, a perfect day to take advantage of a work jeans day. It's quickly becoming the time of year that I crave curling up in front of the fireplace blazing with light and heat. Of course, I have to be in my fluffy robe, a cup of French Vanilla coffee on the end-table and a good book in hand.
I haven't read one good murder mystery or steamy romance for months and it's high time I do. But instead of my usual no-brain reading, the next book I'm going to tear into is "The New Kids" by Brooke Hauser. It's one of those books that I happen to read a review about in some educational email and for some reason I decided it sounded like something an ESL teacher should read. I've had it on my desk for over a week and finally this morning, while moving it from one pile to another, I opened it up. Oh my gosh, my intent was to read just the first page but I found myself still reading 20 minutes later. I am recommending a book that I haven't even finished the first chapter in! This book is enjoyable with the promise of being great. You can borrow my copy when I finish.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Disappointment Builds Character
My high school friends and I have been talking about taking a cruise for our 60th, yes I know I don't look that old, birthdays. That would be in the summer of 2012 and a warm tropical spot sounds like what we need. Of course, none of us should be in the sun, or wear a bathing suit, or need all the fattening foods that would be at our fingertips, but that wasn't even on our radar when we started the planning and plotting. Heck, I even designed a T-shirt: Class of 1970: Successful, Sensitive, Sensual, Sexy, Savvy, Spectacular, and Sixty. And it goes without saying that not a one of us would have worn it in public. Did you notice the words "would have"?
Just as I had feared, we aren't going. Darn economy. Some of us aren't as successful as we had hoped and to spend money on something as fun and foolish as floating around on a giant hotel just isn't in the cards. I'm disappointed to say the least, why can't I win the lottery so we could all go, carefree for 7 days of crazy girl fun, no husbands, boyfriends, or grand kids to interfere with our wild side. Only arthritis, blood pressure or high cholesterol meds would keep us from being the young crazy gals of 42 years ago. (some of us were never too wild, we just wanted to be)
So how does this all twist around into something educational? Well, it doesn't, I just wanted to vent. And to cry about years lost and time fading. However, I'm gaining some things with old age, a tolerance for disappointment, an understanding of what ifs, and wrinkles around my neck! How many high powered jars of cream do I have to buy before I regain that sexy little neck of a 50 year old?
Just as I had feared, we aren't going. Darn economy. Some of us aren't as successful as we had hoped and to spend money on something as fun and foolish as floating around on a giant hotel just isn't in the cards. I'm disappointed to say the least, why can't I win the lottery so we could all go, carefree for 7 days of crazy girl fun, no husbands, boyfriends, or grand kids to interfere with our wild side. Only arthritis, blood pressure or high cholesterol meds would keep us from being the young crazy gals of 42 years ago. (some of us were never too wild, we just wanted to be)
So how does this all twist around into something educational? Well, it doesn't, I just wanted to vent. And to cry about years lost and time fading. However, I'm gaining some things with old age, a tolerance for disappointment, an understanding of what ifs, and wrinkles around my neck! How many high powered jars of cream do I have to buy before I regain that sexy little neck of a 50 year old?
Oops! Your Culture is Showing
Today I was asked a question about private schools and the responsibilities they have to serve ESL students. It was time for some of my favorite flashbacks, back to when my husband was a principal in a Catholic school, we lived in the old convent, and I drove 17 miles to my teaching job in a Catholic school. The ironic part of this story is, we aren't Catholic.
Just goes to show that you don't have to be a member of a group to contribute or benefit in some way from new experiences. We both attended mass, used God's name as leverage when dealing with a behavior issue, and saw the power of community. We decided that our kids were going to attend one of these great, small, loving schools, but as with most administrators in education, we moved on to a higher paying position. My exposure to a different religion stopped as quickly as it began.
The diversity of religion is the reason for conflict among nations, individuals, communities. The differences between my religious beliefs and those of my catholic friends are vast in some ways and very similar in others. Because I took the time to attend and participate in this religious community, my life has been enriched and blessed. I have a deeper appreciation and understanding that I never would have had unless I had experienced life with these wonderful people.
Understanding a different culture will broaden your life. Make it more complete, but there is the fear factor. The fear of not knowing when to stand, when to pray, when to sing, what to sing are all minor things but think of the many people who come to our country with their belief systems, their cultural celebrations, their way of life, with no idea what to do or when to do it. The message we send these new Americans can be one of acceptance and support or one of refusal and denial. The best way to become aware of the differences and similarities is to research, attend culturally diverse celebrations, attend a religious ceremony that is different than your own, and to just get to know those around us. A great book to help with your research or reference is:
Multicultural Students with Special Language Needs, Practical Strategies for Assessment and Intervention, 3rd Edition. by Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin. ISBN978-1-57503-139-2.
This easy to read, well organized, and hands on book gives general information about cultural diversity and religious differences for families from Anglo European, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Pacific Island, Middle Eastern, and Russian backgrounds. I highly recommend it.
Just goes to show that you don't have to be a member of a group to contribute or benefit in some way from new experiences. We both attended mass, used God's name as leverage when dealing with a behavior issue, and saw the power of community. We decided that our kids were going to attend one of these great, small, loving schools, but as with most administrators in education, we moved on to a higher paying position. My exposure to a different religion stopped as quickly as it began.
The diversity of religion is the reason for conflict among nations, individuals, communities. The differences between my religious beliefs and those of my catholic friends are vast in some ways and very similar in others. Because I took the time to attend and participate in this religious community, my life has been enriched and blessed. I have a deeper appreciation and understanding that I never would have had unless I had experienced life with these wonderful people.
Understanding a different culture will broaden your life. Make it more complete, but there is the fear factor. The fear of not knowing when to stand, when to pray, when to sing, what to sing are all minor things but think of the many people who come to our country with their belief systems, their cultural celebrations, their way of life, with no idea what to do or when to do it. The message we send these new Americans can be one of acceptance and support or one of refusal and denial. The best way to become aware of the differences and similarities is to research, attend culturally diverse celebrations, attend a religious ceremony that is different than your own, and to just get to know those around us. A great book to help with your research or reference is:
Multicultural Students with Special Language Needs, Practical Strategies for Assessment and Intervention, 3rd Edition. by Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin. ISBN978-1-57503-139-2.
This easy to read, well organized, and hands on book gives general information about cultural diversity and religious differences for families from Anglo European, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Pacific Island, Middle Eastern, and Russian backgrounds. I highly recommend it.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Returning to My Favorite Spot
Today I am using an office in the elementary building that I taught ESL in for 11 years. My job has changed, I don't work directly for this district anymore, but for our area educational educational agency and my role for today is to be availabe to any teacher or administrator who may have an ESL question or concern. This is in addition to my regular online/telephone work which keeps me busy enough when I'm in my regular office. But I love this! I can see all the students as they move from class to class, taking me back to memories of students, teachers, administrators and parents of yesteryear, reminding me of why I do what I do. Why I continue to read and study, why I constantly search for meaningful and creative tools to share.
In my latest search, I ran across a free online dictionary, http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php. I've tried it out and have found it easy to use if you have all the downloads you need to run the visual and audio programs. I think it's worth the time and energy to check it out. It's another tool to help improve classroom instruction.
I'm going to take a little walk around the building and check out my old classroom. They say you can't go home again but it sure feels like home. It's one of my favorite places in the world and I'm going to soak it in.
P.S. Thank you to http://careertechtesting.blogspot.com/ again for leading me to great information to share.
In my latest search, I ran across a free online dictionary, http://visual.merriam-webster.com/index.php. I've tried it out and have found it easy to use if you have all the downloads you need to run the visual and audio programs. I think it's worth the time and energy to check it out. It's another tool to help improve classroom instruction.
I'm going to take a little walk around the building and check out my old classroom. They say you can't go home again but it sure feels like home. It's one of my favorite places in the world and I'm going to soak it in.
P.S. Thank you to http://careertechtesting.blogspot.com/ again for leading me to great information to share.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
If you can follow my thought process on this one, you deserve a pat on the back!
I visit my mom once a week if weather and family schedules allow. It is terrible that an overnight stay with your mom has to be decided around the availability of someone watching the dog! Yes, a dog, a puppy still and one not to be trusted. He is the most spoiled dog we have ever had but he's the cutest. And yes, I've said that about all the dogs that have influenced my life.
But back to mom, and not really to her but the drive to and from her home, after work, before work. Soon winter light and weather will influence this drive, sometimes making it an impossible trek. However, last night and this morning I had no fears of bad roads. The beauty of the changing leaves dancing in the twilight of evening and the early rays of morning can take a busy day and make it bearable, or a hectic dash to the office not so daunting. The splendid leaves of the red maple, golden oak, ones of orange, green and brown of all the other trees blend into a palette of peace and promise. The more you see, the deeper the desire becomes for more addicting scenery. Soaking in this beauty is enriching for the mind and soul, cleansing away life's stresses and worries.
Just like the many beautiful trees that beg for a second look, so do the two sites I am going to talk about today. I've mentioned them before, but I find both of them to be so interesting and valuable that I have to do a repeat.
I'd like to remind you of a blog that comes to us by way of Oklahoma. Who knew there were such powerful minds in that rustic, wide-open state. The Career Testing Center blog (http://careertechtesting.blogspot.com/) has been addressing classroom use of Twitter and other social media, providing us with encouragement of use and promise of successful connections with and for our students. The last few posts entice us with titles such as:
But back to mom, and not really to her but the drive to and from her home, after work, before work. Soon winter light and weather will influence this drive, sometimes making it an impossible trek. However, last night and this morning I had no fears of bad roads. The beauty of the changing leaves dancing in the twilight of evening and the early rays of morning can take a busy day and make it bearable, or a hectic dash to the office not so daunting. The splendid leaves of the red maple, golden oak, ones of orange, green and brown of all the other trees blend into a palette of peace and promise. The more you see, the deeper the desire becomes for more addicting scenery. Soaking in this beauty is enriching for the mind and soul, cleansing away life's stresses and worries.
Just like the many beautiful trees that beg for a second look, so do the two sites I am going to talk about today. I've mentioned them before, but I find both of them to be so interesting and valuable that I have to do a repeat.
I'd like to remind you of a blog that comes to us by way of Oklahoma. Who knew there were such powerful minds in that rustic, wide-open state. The Career Testing Center blog (http://careertechtesting.blogspot.com/) has been addressing classroom use of Twitter and other social media, providing us with encouragement of use and promise of successful connections with and for our students. The last few posts entice us with titles such as:
The A-Z Dictionary of Educational Twitter Hashtags
34 Interesting Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom
Nearly 200 Websites to Find Out About Anything and Everything
and more. I encourage you to take another look at the advice given here, it is well thought out and useful.
I've mentioned the second site in my list of resources but never brought it to the forefront for conversation. In today's Kenneth Beare - About.com ESL Guide <esl.guide@about.com> newsletter, several links are given to many useful tools for working with beginning level students. Check it out for fluid, purposeful ideas for working with the brand new ELLs in your classroom.
Well, time for lunch. Time to take in the freshness of fall and the beauty of falling leaves. Rake? Who said that? No four letter words allowed here. SWT
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