3 More Weeks Before Goodbye

The time is almost here. Three more weeks. 21 days plus 2. About 552 hours. Over 33,000 minutes. I wonder how quickly those minutes will diminish.

Eight years ago my daughter left for three weeks in Paris with her school's exchange program. I was fine. I knew she was coming back. I knew one of the teachers she was going with. And did I mention, she was coming back. Now the story is different. She is leaving to spend a year in Leeds, England attending Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School. I don't know anybody there. I have never been to Leeds. Yes, I know I can take a virtual tour of the city. I still don't know anybody there.

Soon it will only be 551 hours before she leaves. I know that she is going to learn more about God, arts and social justice. I know she has a heart that wants to seek God, and bring hope to the hopeless. I know I trust her--because I know her. Did I mention that I don't know anyone else in Leeds? I guess I need to remember that today we have technology that will help us keep in touch very differently than when I first left Finland.

It was 1986. I was flying to Singapore. I knew two other people! My mother said goodbye, and we promised to write to each other. As soon as I arrived in Singapore, Finland started a postal strike. Then the Chernobyl disaster happened, and no letters came from Finland! There was no Skype, instant messaging, none of us had computers; I think Nokia was still making rubber boots instead of cell phones.During those first few years in Asia, I was still making calls to home via the operator. Even then, it was so expensive that it only happened a few times per year.

Times have definitely changed. I don't just expect an e-mail from my daughter, I expect face time, talking while looking at her (just to make sure that she is okay), reading each others blogs, and learning how God is working in her life. And then there is the possibility of visiting!! Maybe I will get to know somebody else in Leeds?

P.S. If you would like to take a peek at my daughter's blog, here is the link:
Broken and Beautiful Soul

New school year with JOY

Last week I read a poem (on another blogger's site) that talked about inhaling joy and exhaling joy robbers. It really made me think about this coming school year.What could I do "to inhale" more joy?
I was reading Larry Ferlazzo's blog about quotes and storytelling. (You can read it here.) The part that really caught my attention was the 40 Story quotes. This quote below by Harold Goddard, brought me JOY! It gave me hope. It encouraged me. It challenged me. It made me inhale JOY!

“The destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in.”

 It also reminded me about a few very important things:

• I will face battles this school year, but winning them does not always have to be my priority
• Everyone has stories to tell
• At times my students' stories might not match my idea of a good story, but I need to believe in my students--they are an endless source of stories
• It is okay to lose a battle, but gain a destiny together with my students!!
• Stories = inhaling JOY!

This quote by an artist, Jonathan Harris, also spoke to me about the power of words and stories.

“No matter what you do in life, what you create, what career you have, whether you have a family or kids, or make a lot of money. Your greatest creation is always going to be your life’s story.” 

This spoke to me again about the power of our stories. Whether it is the story of my student escaping a war-torn country, a new family adopting five children because both of their parents died, or a simple story about shopping for new school supplies; I can exhale the joy robbers by focusing on my students' stories-- their creations. Because when you create something new you are inhaling JOY: maybe a new word that you learned finally to use in the correct way; maybe you can now write a complex sentence; maybe you have learned enough words to write a story that researches to the second page. There is a definite JOY in a finished story.

How could you inhale more JOY this year??

Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC)

Last week when I was displaced (floors getting redone at home), I sat at our local coffee shop to write my blog and just read with a good cup of coffee. To my surprise, I got to observe something extraordinary!

I looked up from my book and saw a group of young people with down syndrome moving tables around the coffee shop. They pulled 3-4 tables together, went to get something to eat and drink, and sat down. I was intrigued. Did they all know each other? Why did they all have the same book bags?

It didn't take very long before I starter hearing reading and discussion coming from the tables. I could not do anything except listen.

-can you read this page?
-I will help you with the difficult words.
-get your journals ready
-where is you pen or pencil?
-you need to write this down in your journal.
-what do you think about this?
-can you give us your opinion?

By now I am really wondering what is going on. I decided to be brave and start a conversation with the lady next to me (as she appeared to be the mother of one of the young people in the group). She was kind enough to explain to me what was happening.

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) offers weekly opportunities for people with developmental disabilities (DD) to read and learn together, talk about books, and make friends in a relaxed, community setting. 

She explained that further what this book club is and what it offers to the young adults.

A program of The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, NCBC was established in June 2002 to provide adolescents and adults with DD – regardless of reading ability – the chance to be members of a book club.  NCBC has become the preeminent program of its kind.  Today there are NCBC programs in over 100 cities across North America and Europe.

I was even more intrigued. Thanks to wireless Internet it did not take me very long to find a website that explained the program and its history to me. Read here to find more information about this book club.

I also had a chance to talk with the leader of  the bookclub afterwards. She explained that these clubs are community based, and they meet in community settings like this coffee shop. She further explained how they read "real" books, books that have more mature topics.

This bookclub must be doing something right as the developmentally disabled young adults sat around the table for an hour or more reading, discussing and writing about their current book. I was blessed by just watching them.

Next Chapter Book Club

Check out this list affiliates around the world. There just might be one close to you; or if not, you could start one!

    

Dust Storm Inside

Have you ever had your wood floors refinished while living in the house?

I am living this experiment at the moment!!! Why? I didn't really think it would be that bad. After all, they would be done pretty quickly. Right?
Boy was I wrong!

First, we had to empty upstairs. That meant countless stairs as we carried everything to the basement. Then came the dilemma; what to do with the furniture upstairs? There was no way to move everything to the basement. After some creative designing, most of the furniture fit in the bathroom!!  I was amazed. It pays to have good people working for you.

Second, we also had to figure out where to place our living room furniture. Garage would have been the obvious place except we don't have one! Kitchen was the next obvious place. The amazing fact is that even though there is a lot of stuff in the kitchen, there is still room to cook and eat while sitting on a stool.

The noise, however, is totally a different story. I can stand to be inside the house just long enough to make and eat a meal, and maybe check my e-mail. Today I was also feeling the dust reaching my throat. It is great that we have extraordinary  neighbors who give their extra bedroom for us to use! Why would I want to love anywhere else?

Local library is a safe haven at this time. I sat there for hours yesterday finishing my online item writing course assignments for this week. Today I am using a local coffee shop as my escape. I love living in a community where there are people to help, assist and make difficult days just a little bit better!

What is your community like?

Are there jobs in heaven?

Have you ever wondered if we will still be discussing reading, writing, teaching and blogging in heaven? What would that conversation sound like? Would anyone even need teaching in heaven? Would people actually be separated into students and teachers? Would anyone need a second or foreign language teacher?
Hey, maybe I am onto something!
What language will we be speaking in heaven? Everyone speaks their own language and others will understand it no matter where they are from? Or is there going to be a different language in heaven that everyone will need to learn? Will this language include reading and writing or just speaking?
How about tests and assessments? Will there be item writers and test raters in heaven? If so, what will be assessed on those tests and exams?

I was having breakfast with a friend on Monday morning. We chatted about age, getting older (not me of course), changes in our lives, obstacles that we have overcome, hopes for the future, and then suddenly, she asked me, "do you think we will have jobs in heaven?" I did not know what to say! I had honestly never even thought about jobs and heaven in the same breath. Have you?

We started thinking about the whole concept of jobs and heaven. If we will eat in heaven, who will cook the food? Will we still be cleaning toilets in heaven? Will we even feel hunger in heaven? What about families? How big will be the extended families in heaven? Will we all live together? What will that look like? One house per family or a humongous palace for all to live together?

We did not really come up with any answers, but we had fun thinking about different scenarios. If we had a restaurant in heaven, would Jesus come for dinner? Would He leave a tip? What about teaching?  I hope (and believe) that by the time we get to heaven, we will have other, more important experiences to live for.
So, I am determined to be the best teacher I can be here on Earth. I will study the common core, I will attend professional development, I will practice reading and writing, I will learn new technology and collaborate with other educational professionals. At the same time, I want to prepare myself to do those "other things" when I get to heaven. Who knows, maybe I will get a chance to have dinner with Jesus

English Vinglish

Worth Watching!

Last week I wrote about book recommendations for new writing teachers with an emphasis on books for teachers who have ELL students in their classrooms. I have been planning how I can be a better teacher next year; what do I need to or what should I do differently with my students to ensure their progress.
Well, it is vacation time and movies are part of that vacation fun! Like a good teacher on vacation I had visited my local library to peruse new books while eyeing the new movie selection as well. This movie title really caught my eye: ENGLISH VINGLISH!  I could not not take it home with me!

My daughter and I have for years been fans of Indian movies. There is just something special about them. Sometimes they are funny or even boisterous; other times they are touching and they make you tear up (at least me).
ENGLISH VINGLISH had all of those components! But most of all, it talked about how learning a language--being able to communicate--brings new respect and self-worth to a person's life. Learning a language empowers a person to be whatever they might want to be!

As I watched the movie, it made me think about me; how learning English has totally changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not persevered in learning English. I would not be part of this blogging community if I had not learned English. 

The movie also made me think about my students; am I a teacher that empowers them or one that points out their mistakes and shortcomings? How CAN I better empower my students? How can I make them fall in love with a language that can then in turn shape their lives and give them unlimited opportunities?  Could I find new ways to irrigate the souls of my students--not just correct and grade their papers? 

I have much to think and ponder this summer. Reading, re-reading, watching movies, reading blogs and learning from others. After all, when I irrigate my soul I prepare the soil that will help grow all those seedlings come September again. This coming year, there will be no drought in my classroom--or my soul!

Writing Books for Writing Teachers

Few days ago Stacey posted a question about the best books for new writing teachers. I have been thinking about the books that I have and use when teaching writing. Which ones would I recommend for new teachers (and for others as well)?
Here are my takes:

• Learner English: A Teacher's Guide to Interference and other Problems  by Swan and Smith (2001) - This is my go to reference when teaching ELL students writing. I can look a language group see what are their typical challenges when it comes to learning English. Are there particular language functions or mechanics that I should focus on? Are some grammatical aspects so similar that I don't really need much time to spend on those but can focus on others?
• Understanding ESL Writers by Leki (1992) - This book combines the cultural practical aspects of writing. As an ELL teacher, it is essential that I know where my students come from, what are their previous educational experiences, and their level of English proficiency when in my class. In addition, I must also understand how students from other countries might view personal writing. How about error correcting? Do I need to correct everything (or should I)? Leki answers these and many other questions in her book. If you are a mainstream teacher who occasionally has a few ELL students in your class, I would highly recommend this book.
• Reading and Writing in More Than One Language by Franklin (1999) - Great resource for mainstream teachers who have ELL students in their classes. This book addresses both reading and writing challenges that teachers face when ELL students enter their classrooms. Full of practical tips.
• iWrite by Wilber (2010); The Digital Writing Workshop by Hicks (2009); When Writing with Technology Matters by Bedard & Fuhrken (2013) - All these books address technology issues in the classroom. I believe that it is an essential component of today's writing teacher. As a blogger, I definitely want to incorporate blogging into my classroom practices as well.
• Real Revision by Messner (2011) -  I have learned so much about revision from Kate Messner! She show with concrete examples both in the book and also on her blog. Here is one example from her blog, and here is another. Kate's examples can be applied to both fiction and non-fiction writing. And at least for me, revision is my biggest challenge with my students!
• Write Beside Them by Kittle (2008) - From Penny Kittle I learned to write when my students are writing. How can I teach writing if my students never see me write? I think this book is essential for secondary teachers who want to make a difference in their students writing lives. We must teach writing by example just like we do reading.
• Write Like This and Teaching Adolescent Writers by Gallagher (2011 & 2006) - both book are a MUST for secondary teachers! Full of examples, suggestions, student work samples and ways to push students to become more fluent writers (just like the common core challenges us to do). These books are on my table/shelf all the time. I am referencing them when writing my lesson plans, designing my handouts and assignments. My students see me use these. And again, modeling, using mentor texts, working with real life situations; this is what my students need.
• Mechanically Inclined  by Anderson (2005) - As a writing teacher, I don't think that I could compose a list and not include at least one book that addresses the mechanics of writing in more detail. I have found Jeff Anderson's book to have a low stress level for the teacher and an easy to approach grammar attitude for the students. Definite keeper for ELL teachers!
• PreK-12 English Language Proficiency Standards by TESOL (2006) - As an ELL teacher, I cannot be without this book! It is part of what I do. I believe that this book is an essential resource for anyone who has even one ELL student in his/her class. In order to make sure that ELL students are progressing on their journey to attain proficiency in English, teachers must educate themselves on ways to implement a program that assures improvement and eventually proficiency in all four domain of English language. 

Which books would you add? Have you read a new book that you believe would be an essential addition?