SPRING 2011
Jan. 27 - Google Maps Activity- Our sense of place
Science Fair Judging at Mesa View Middle School - we were desperately asked by the student teacher and Cooperating Teacher to be judges for the science fair. So understanding that science fairs are cultural experiences, we obliged and contributed our time and attention as we talked to students about their projects.
Feb. 3 -visit to ENLACE (Engaging Latino Community for Education)
(1930 San Juan Boulevard, Suite H)
See photo album of our visit.
April 7 - Riverview Golf Course with Tom Yost, First Tee Coordinator. Thank you, April S. for arranging our community visit to Riverview Golf Course. Playing golf, one could, say, is a cultural experience. I must admit, I was a little optimistic when Thursday morning came and it was raining outside. I was a little apprehensive about playing golf. Meeting Tom Yost and through the First Tee guidance, scaffolding of skills and some great teaching, I gained a genuine appreciation of playing golf. It is all in one’s muscle memory. The First Tee Golf Program is a curriculum that builds character and healthy choices through the game of golf and nine core values.
Now, I want to capture the Y stance and how to hook the ball underneath with the club. My body wants to replicate these moves again. I just may find myself on the golf course again for the fun of it! Thank you, Tom, for instilling a love of golf in me. On behalf of our UNM class we will donate to the program as a way of saying thank you to Tom!
Check out these First Tee videos.
April 4 Lorien arranged for Bonnie Stewart from Childhaven to visit us at Apache Elementary School. Childhaven houses many resources for children, including:
CASA Volunteers who are advocates for children
Treatment foster care
outreach services and
Shelter-providing children a safe place to stay. Facility provides a safe place with love and support, with the goal of trying to reunite children with their families, transitioning to foster care or another setting.
Rules are very strict for their own safety and also to try to normalize their life.
Counseling and therapists are available onsite on a needs basis. Youth Advocates stand in as interim parents while at Childhaven. Bonnie encouraged UNM students to consider tutoring or working with children at Childhaven as practicum opportunities. She also invited UNM students to come and share special projects, such as arts and crafts, reading, science experiments, with children. We can contact Bonnie at bonnie@childhavennm.org. I will send Bonnie FMS Computer liaison Charles Thacker'scontact information so they can coordinate better with the laptop initiative.
FALL 2010
August 23, first day of class, we rode the Red Apple Transit and rode and wrote in place.
Sept. 13 visit to the FMS Bilingual Education Programs
We will meet with Arlene Kirstine at 9:30am after our practicum at Apache Elementary School.
In the beginning of our visit, I asked Arlene Kirstine what Culturally Relevant Teachers look like? At the end of our discussion she said, "to answer your initial question of what CRT look like, CTR look like you, yoursleves."
Arlene shared her stories of teaching a first grader learn to blow his nose, eat and wash up. Her father was the one who mentored her through her first year if teaching. His advise became her philosphy of teaching: to take care of one another, help each other, and then get to the business of academic learning where teaching, learning and assessment are synonymous.
Her mother was fluent in Navajo and was an interpreter for the First Baptist Church. Her father was a WW II Code Talker Arlene learned the love and importance of language from her parents. Throughout her sharing, Arlene told stories to highlight the role of FMS Native American Programs. She generously gave each of us a copy of the Navajo Cultural Conflicts and assorted handouts used throughout the school district. We appreciated Arlene's time, expertise and stories and thank her for the contributions she makes to the Farmington School District.
Thank you, Arlene. Frances & our UNM Students
October 4 visit to The Farmington Boys & Girls Club was arranged by Suzie.
October 11 visit to Salmon Ruins arranged by Jessica.
October 18 visit to Valencia Trading Post arranged by Kimberly. Kim is a cousing to Anna, co-owner of the Trading Post. I met Tina Antonio and Renita Padilla from Lake Valley there today. A very friendly atmosphere. Valencia stocks goods and food items especially used by Navajo customers.
October 25 visited the Riverside Nature Center arranged by Sarah. Thank you, Sarah, for arranging our trip to the RNC, even though Donna Thatcher waas not there. The covered area by the xeriscaped garden was a perfect place to have a picnic and listen to Sarah's presentation. Enjoy our photos and thank you, Dana, for taking pictures.
Nov. 1 we had the luxury of dining at Taverna's Greek Restaurant. Over coffee, tea and breakast at a relaxed, social pace, Dana presented her chapter on teaching Math to ESOL. Thank you for making arrangements, Dana.
Nov. 8 visit to the Gateway Museum was arranged by Gladys who presented her chapters on Organizing and Planning instruction for second language learners. Chapters 12 & 13 focused on effective learning strategies for all students. I refer to our style as the Guerilla style of teaching-give and take from students. Loosen up when working with your mentees, ESL children learn best from informal, conversational teaching grounded in authentic, contextual learning where references to things they know in their life are connected to new concepts and abstract ideas. That is why storytelling is such an effective methodology in the learning and teaching process and experience. Please read your Storytelling for Teachers and Storytelling quote handouts below as a reminder.
Charles Batley was our museum guide and with the help of his personal and museum exhibit stories, we toured the oil and gas field industry (which is mostly a gas-based industry in Farmington), the Navajo rug-making, trading post and agricultural life. Mr. Batley served in WWII in the South Pacific working in the Marshall Islands on nuclear energy and detonating bombs on smaller islands such as Atoll and Bikini. When he married his wife in 1948, he moved to Farmington where his wife's family have a long history, some of which is documented in pictures and artifacts in the museum collection. Mr. Batley owned an office supply and service business on the East side of town for over 30 years. The exhibit Through Eyes of an Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children was also on display and the room in which Gladys presented her chapters. These chapters represented important basic strategies for ESL as well as effective strategies for teaching all students. These chapters may be great resources to reference during your student teaching and career!