From the LCNV Library: Easy English News
August 6, 2013 at 2:42 PM | Posted in Basic Literacy, Tutoring | Comments Off on From the LCNV Library: Easy English NewsTags: Library, teaching strategies
Easy English News is a monthly newspaper written in simple English and controlled vocabulary for high-beginner and intermediate readers, with special features designed for English language learners who are newcomers to the U.S.
Each issue features…
• News stories of special interest to newcomers
• Articles about American events and holidays
• Civics and citizenship information
• True stories written by readers
• Consumer information
• Health and safety tips
• “Life in the U.S.A.”
• A crossword puzzle with answers in the same issue
…and more!
A recent Easy English News issue included national news, articles on summer safety around
water, popular events and national holidays in the summer months, healthy tea drinks, the birth of the United States, a national park feature, and features to help build language skills.
LCNV Volunteer Tutors only: Check out the latest issues from the LCNV Library for two weeks at a time; earlier issues can be checked out for the standard two-month loan period.
The LCNV Library is open during the Council’s regular office hours Mon. – Fr., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Returns can be made during office hours or after hours to the After-Hours Book Return located just outside the Council’s entrance door inside the James Lee Community Center (open Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., except holidays). Renewals can be made in person, by email (library@lcnv.or) or by phone (703-237-0866). Questions? Contact library volunteers at the email address above.
Reminder: Do you have LCNV library books that are due? Please return or renew!
Setara Habib: My AmeriCorps Year
August 10, 2012 at 2:51 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Setara Habib: My AmeriCorps YearTags: alumni, american dream, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, Basic Adult Literacy, best practices, Class, community, Development, ESOL, family, Family Learning, friends, g, giving, immigration, James Lee Community Center, jessica raines, LCNV, lcnv learners, lesson plans, Library, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, literacy services, Loudon Literacy, students, teaching, thank you!, training, transformative year, tutoring, Volunteer, volunteers, Writing
I can’t believe today is my last day of my service year here at the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Overall, I have had much success and feel I have gained much from this experience. I have gained confidence in myself as a teacher and pride in the work I have done. I would really once again like to thank EVERYONE at the Literacy Council for being wonderful people and doing good work. I feel lucky to have been able to work with this organization for a year. As I move forward in my life, or rather South to Richmond, I can take with me all my new skills and experiences and the knowledge that I have spent one year of my life devoted to helping others. Teaching adult ESOL was such a rewarding experience. I can only hope that I find something equally as rewarding in the future. or maybe I’ll just come back some day.
Setara Habib
Americorps Instructor
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866 ext 112
www.LCNV.org
Raymond Chow: Thoughts and Thanks.
August 7, 2012 at 12:29 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Raymond Chow: Thoughts and Thanks.Tags: alumni, american dream, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, Basic Adult Literacy, best practices, Class, community, Development, ESOL, family, Family Learning, friends, give, giving, immigration, James Lee Community Center, jessica raines, LCNV, lcnv learners, lesson plans, Library, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, literacy services, Loudon Literacy, students, teaching, thank you!, training, transformative year, tutoring, Volunteer, volunteers, Writing
I am grateful to AmeriCorps and the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia for my exciting and rewarding year as an ESL teacher. I have nothing but admiration and respect for the dedication and hard work of both the Literacy Council’s staff, volunteers, and students. I have grown as an educator and as a member of my community through the work I’ve done here.
At the class graduations this summer I told my students that they were my family. Specifically they were all my parents, only 40 years removed. They came to America for the same reasons, the same aspirations – something better for themselves and for their children. My parents were able to own their own house, their own small business, and put two children through college. And I told them this not to brag about my parents’ successes but to confirm theirs. All those great Frank Capra American dreams are possible. I am proud of every one of my students. I only hope they continue to gain knowledge and confidence as they continue to better themselves.
But if they are my parents then I am their son. And in that I have to reflect on the question of whether I have been a good one. I can only say that AmeriCorps has been a reaffirmation that I’m trying. I want to help others. I want to do good and take advantage of all the gifts I’ve been given so that I can give back to others. To that end, when I take my leave of LCNV I will be going back to law school to become a better advocate (in some fashion) of this community.
Everyone at the Literacy Council has been both dedicated and kind. Although I will not be able to teach in the coming year I have every intention of helping LCNV in its mission. I sincerely thank the Literacy Council for helping me be a better person.
Raymond K. Chow
Americorps Member
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Chuch, Virginia 22042
(703)237-0866 ext. 118
www.lcnv.org
Jessica Raines: My AmeriCorps Year
July 27, 2012 at 12:10 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Jessica Raines: My AmeriCorps YearTags: alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, best practices, Class, community, Development, family, James Lee Community Center, jessica raines, LCNV, lcnv learners, lesson plans, Library, literacy, literacy council of northern virginia, literacy services, Loudon Literacy, students, teaching, teaching strategies, thank you!, training, Volunteer, volunteers, Writing
I came to the Literacy Council with practically no teaching experience. My background is in psychology and political science, but I wanted to try something new. I did not really know what to expect from this upcoming year of teaching, but I knew it would be hard and rewarding.
The first semester, my fellow AmeriCorps members and I hit the ground running. I had to learn to teach through trial and error. Quickly, I discovered that teaching is not an easy task. Often, there are so many available resources that you can feel like you are drowning in textbooks, websites, and advice. Plus, actually being responsible for someone else’s learning felt incredibly overwhelming. Part of me expected teaching to come naturally, but I found myself spending substantial amounts of time lesson planning and feeling incredibly nervous before each class.
Teaching is an art AND science; skill and practice are required if you want to hone your craft. As time went on, I became more comfortable with it. I took advantage of trainings, sifted through resources and articles, and practiced five times a week in front of my own class. Eventually, lesson planning and teaching became easier. I also stopped stressing about being responsible for someone’s education and focused on enjoying my time with my students; as the saying goes “showing up is half the battle.” Students are ecstatic that someone is willing to take time out of her day to show up to class with a smile on her face and talk to them. I really enjoyed conversing with my students, even though it was extremely difficult at times given their limited language skills. While working with my students to accomplish their goals, I learned about their lives and cultures, and this was incredibly rewarding – more rewarding than words can express.
Jessica Raines
AmeriCorps Member
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866 x 104
www.lcnv.org
The Berenstain Legacy
March 7, 2012 at 1:03 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | 1 CommentTags: 2012, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Basic Adult Literacy, bear books, berenstain, berenstain bears, berenstain series, brother bear, child education, Children, Children's Books, community, doing chores, Family Learning, family of bear books, family reading, February 24, first day of school, good manners, jan berenstain, lcnv learners, Leo Berenstain, Library, literacy, literacy council, Loudon Literacy, mama bear, memorial to Jan, Mike Berenstain, papa bear, RAFA, reading a family affair, reading as a family, ready to learn, sibling rivalry, sister bear, Stan Berenstain, teaching, teaching strategies, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food\, The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense, The Big Honey Hunt, Theodor Geisel, WETA’s Ready to Learn
The world of children’s literature lost a familiar friend with the passing of Jan Berenstain at age 88 this past February 24, 2012. Jan Berenstain created the series The Berenstain Bears with her husband, Stan Berenstain, who passed away in 2005. The duo authored and illustrated hundreds of books for the series which features a humanlike bear family who experiences the day-to-day joys and challenges of everyday life. After her husband’s passing, Jan’s son collaborated with her to continue writing for the series. The family also wrote a number of parenting books.
Children and parents have avidly supported the Berenstain series for fifty years. The Berenstains credited their first editor, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) with guiding them to success. As with any series, especially such a prolific one, some titles are more popular than others. Most of the stories have teachable moments for both children and parents which strike chords with families. Many of the books have included topics relevant to families with young children such as sibling rivalry, manners, good habits, and much more. In my opinion, the more successful of the storylines show scenarios that families recognize and are peppered with humor, particularly at the expense of Papa Bear. Some titles, as is often the case with stories with a moral to them, can sound a bit didactic. But overall, the familiar illustrations and characters warm the hearts of the child in all of us, young or old.
The Berenstain Bears have been no stranger to LCNV’s Family Learning Program. Some class sites have used the book The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense during the Finance and Employment session. We also have a partnership WETA’s Ready to Learn which presents a workshop for parents on responsible TV viewing and literacy. During one of these presentations a clip from an TV adaptation of The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food was shown. Two students who were from the same state in Mexico were delighted because they remembered watching the show as children in Mexico. They were also surprised to discover that The Berenstain Bears were not Mexican. I believe this says a great deal about their universal appeal.
The Berenstain Bears have a website which also includes a memorial to Jan https://www.berenstainbears.com/parents/index.htm
Carisa Coburn Pineda
Family Learning Specialist
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866
www.lcnv.org
Zurii Conroy Weaves a Tale at Reading: A Family Affair
March 5, 2012 at 11:04 AM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Zurii Conroy Weaves a Tale at Reading: A Family AffairTags: a tale, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Basic Adult Literacy, Children, Children's Books, community, family, Family Learning, friends, LCNV, lcnv learners, Library, literacy, literacy council, Loudon Literacy, networking, RAFA, reading a family affair, reading as a family, story weaving, storytelling, teaching, teaching strategies, the benefits of reading with your child, tutoring, Volunteer, volunteers, weave a story, weave a tale, weaving a story, Writing, zurii conroy
Zurii Conroy will weave an intricate tale on March 24, 2012, at Reading: A Family Affair (RAFA); the event will be held at the James Lee Community Center. Zurii began her journey into storytelling when she was in the third grade. Exposure to this oral tradition, coupled with encouragement from teachers, peers, and family, enabled Zurii to realize that she possessed a talent, one that needed to be shared. In the sixth grade, she began storytelling professionally under the name “Princess Zurii.”
Zurii shares: “Being one of the few young professional storytellers, I am able to develop a connection with youth in a way that helps them to view storytelling in a modern light. I think that since younger audiences can identify with me, they can envision storytelling as something that they can do, and make it their own. This is especially evident when I share my tale of how I became a storyteller. My family and teachers ensured my exposure to and success with literacy. I enjoy opportunities to do the same with others.”
A proponent of literacy, Zurii has brought the gift of storytelling to people of all ages, performing at various venues such as birthday parties, schools, colleges, hospitals, churches, libraries, community events, plays, and festivals. Also an actress, Zurii has performed on both the stage and television.
At Reading: A Family Affair, Zurii Conroy will perform in the Hear a Book Room at 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM. Come out this March 24, 2012, and celebrate literacy with Zurii Conroy who’ll convince you – You are a storyteller too!
Download the Reading: A Family Affair poster. Spread the word about RAFA.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866
www.lcnv.org
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Catherine Ludwig: My AmeriCorps Experience
August 3, 2012 at 2:37 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Catherine Ludwig: My AmeriCorps ExperienceTags: alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, Basic Adult Literacy, best practices, Class, community, Development, ESOL, family, Family Learning, friends, give, giving, James Lee Community Center, jessica raines, LCNV, lcnv learners, lesson plans, Library, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, literacy services, Loudon Literacy, students, teaching, teaching strategies, thank you!, training, transformative year, tutoring, Volunteer, volunteers, Volunteers | Leave a comment Edit this post Tags: alumni, Writing
The upcoming year holds many changes for me as well as my students. I will be moving to Turkey to complete a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. I will be teaching English at Usak University and I am grateful that my AmeriCorps year has prepared me well to take on this task. I will be taking with me a great appreciation for patience in teachers as I myself will begin learning a new language in Turkish. This year has also helped me determine my focus for graduate school, which I plan to pursue upon my return from my Fulbright. I plan on attending a graduate program in International Studies with a concentration in International Development. After hearing my students’ stories about their home countries, and learning about the various economic and social problems that exist, I now want to study ways to alleviate those problems.
Catherine K. Ludwig
AmeriCorps ESL Instructor
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866 x 117
www.lcnv.org