Sunday, February 27, 2011
She's Got Sunshine
Wow! I just have to write to say... what a great weekend it has been... a great third quarter, really. I have been able to travel for some R&R, get some family time in, see some of my favorite friends from the city, and soak up some Vitamin D. This weekend I was able to catch a ride to Hooper Bay and watch some middle school ball games, go "sliding" (sledding) with some of my former students, and I am half-way through my grad courses for this semester! I must say, this beautiful Vitamin D is making it all that much more beautiful! Here is to a wonderful Spring, just around the corner! Be blessed ;)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Teaching in Rural Alaska: Part 4
This can actually be used by anybody, but I know that our resources in rural Alaska can be limited at times. Enjoy!
60 Useful Websites: http://60sitesin60minutes.wikispaces.com
60 Useful Websites: http://60sitesin60minutes.wikispaces.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
Lesli singing in Yup'ik
Thanks Ossie for making this happen. Beautiful thing to be a part of! "Yupified!"
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Raven's Gift Debut
Another intriguing novel that I have yet to read, but it is on my list!
***Celebrate the release of Don Rearden's novel, The Raven's Gift. Food, music, poetry, book signing, and fun. Where: Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery. When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 7p-10p.
The Raven's Gift by Don J. Rearden
Synopsis: John Morgan and his wife can barely contain their excitement upon arriving as the new teachers in a Yupik Eskimo village on the windswept Alaskan tundra. Lured north in search of adventure, the idealistic couple hopes to immerse themselves in the ancient Arctic culture. Their move proves disastrous when a deadly epidemic strikes and the isolated tundra community descends into total chaos. When outside help fails to arrive, John's only hope lies in escaping the snow covered tundra and the hunger of the other survivors. His thousand-mile trek across the Alaskan wilderness grows more improbable when he encounters a blind Eskimo girl and an elderly woman. The two need his protection from those who would harm them, and he needs their knowledge of the terrain and their companionship to survive. The harsh journey and constant danger push him beyond his limits as he discovers a new sense of hope and the possibility of loving again.
***Celebrate the release of Don Rearden's novel, The Raven's Gift. Food, music, poetry, book signing, and fun. Where: Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery. When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 7p-10p.
The Raven's Gift by Don J. Rearden
Synopsis: John Morgan and his wife can barely contain their excitement upon arriving as the new teachers in a Yupik Eskimo village on the windswept Alaskan tundra. Lured north in search of adventure, the idealistic couple hopes to immerse themselves in the ancient Arctic culture. Their move proves disastrous when a deadly epidemic strikes and the isolated tundra community descends into total chaos. When outside help fails to arrive, John's only hope lies in escaping the snow covered tundra and the hunger of the other survivors. His thousand-mile trek across the Alaskan wilderness grows more improbable when he encounters a blind Eskimo girl and an elderly woman. The two need his protection from those who would harm them, and he needs their knowledge of the terrain and their companionship to survive. The harsh journey and constant danger push him beyond his limits as he discovers a new sense of hope and the possibility of loving again.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Teaching in Rural Alaska: Part 3
Some of my favorite readings to inspire you. Hope you enjoy!
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill
Summary: Teaching the children in an Athabascan village in a one-room schoolhouse on the Alaskan frontier in 1948 is not every educator's dream. Then one day, tall, skinny Agnes Sutterfield arrives and life is never the same for the community. Frederika (Fred), the 10-year-old narrator, discovers that unlike previous teachers, Miss Agnes doesn't mind the smell of fish that the children bring for lunch each day. She also stokes the fire to warm the schoolhouse before the students' arrival each morning, wears pants, and speaks with a strange accent. Miss Agnes immediately packs away the old textbooks, hangs up the children's brightly colored artwork, plays opera music, and reads them Robin Hood and Greek myths. She teaches them about their land and their culture, tutors both students and parents in her cabin in the evening, and even learns sign language along with her students so that Fred's deaf sister can attend school. Hill has created more than just an appealing cast of characters; she introduces readers to a whole community and makes a long-ago and faraway place seem real and very much alive.
(http://www.homeschoolshare.com/year_of_miss_agnes.php)
Tisha: The Story of a Young Teacher in the Wilderness of Alaska by Robert Specht and Anne Purdy
Summary: Tisha is the story of Anne Hobbs, who went to Alaska to teach in 1927 at the age of nineteen. Throughout the book she changes and matures greatly as a result of the conflicts with the people of Chicken. The story begins when she is leaving Eagle, which is in Alaska, and going to Chicken, a smaller settlement, where she was going to teach for one year, then go back to Eagle to teach. She goes with a pack train, led by a man named Mr. Strong, that also is taking the mail to Chicken. Set out for a four day trip, Anne was excited to set off on this adventure, and she was eager to see all the landscape that awaited her. She was a bit anxious though, for she was to ride atop a horse, Blossom, which towered over her and was very intimidating. Little did she know how tiring a four day trip would be through the wilderness though.
(http://annehobbspurdy.blogspot.com/2009/02/summary.html)
The Kids From Nowhere by George Guthridge
Summary: http://www.thekidsfromnowhere.com/aboutthekidsfromnowhere.html
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill
Summary: Teaching the children in an Athabascan village in a one-room schoolhouse on the Alaskan frontier in 1948 is not every educator's dream. Then one day, tall, skinny Agnes Sutterfield arrives and life is never the same for the community. Frederika (Fred), the 10-year-old narrator, discovers that unlike previous teachers, Miss Agnes doesn't mind the smell of fish that the children bring for lunch each day. She also stokes the fire to warm the schoolhouse before the students' arrival each morning, wears pants, and speaks with a strange accent. Miss Agnes immediately packs away the old textbooks, hangs up the children's brightly colored artwork, plays opera music, and reads them Robin Hood and Greek myths. She teaches them about their land and their culture, tutors both students and parents in her cabin in the evening, and even learns sign language along with her students so that Fred's deaf sister can attend school. Hill has created more than just an appealing cast of characters; she introduces readers to a whole community and makes a long-ago and faraway place seem real and very much alive.
(http://www.homeschoolshare.com/year_of_miss_agnes.php)
Tisha: The Story of a Young Teacher in the Wilderness of Alaska by Robert Specht and Anne Purdy
Summary: Tisha is the story of Anne Hobbs, who went to Alaska to teach in 1927 at the age of nineteen. Throughout the book she changes and matures greatly as a result of the conflicts with the people of Chicken. The story begins when she is leaving Eagle, which is in Alaska, and going to Chicken, a smaller settlement, where she was going to teach for one year, then go back to Eagle to teach. She goes with a pack train, led by a man named Mr. Strong, that also is taking the mail to Chicken. Set out for a four day trip, Anne was excited to set off on this adventure, and she was eager to see all the landscape that awaited her. She was a bit anxious though, for she was to ride atop a horse, Blossom, which towered over her and was very intimidating. Little did she know how tiring a four day trip would be through the wilderness though.
(http://annehobbspurdy.blogspot.com/2009/02/summary.html)
The Kids From Nowhere by George Guthridge
Summary: http://www.thekidsfromnowhere.com/aboutthekidsfromnowhere.html
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Misty Dawn's Alaskan Winter
"Misty Dawn's Alaskan Winter"
It is in the midst of winter that
All strains of time stand still
Only as the Spring thaw comes
So does the path of heaviness
As we journey through the seasons
We find treasures that keep
Us moving forward
As you blaze through your year
Your beautiful blue eyes
Touch upon the lives of little eyes
Trusting your direction
As they give a gift only for you
Path of built up snowdrifts
In Misty Dawn's Alaskan Winter
Flickering snowflakes build on His beauty
Giving us shimmering hope as
We learn to draw from His strength
And see His might unfold in the paths
Of His well laden breath upon the
Landscape showing His might
As we learn to see that mountain
Of snowdrifts filled with burdens
Slip away with His mighty breath
As we release our hearts to Him
Written for Misty Dawn Nelson!
By Darlene S. Heckler
My friends... you are blessings!!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
January Pics of Chevak
Driving towards the dump...
Beck and I outside of the new village housing
Twila's new home!
We have some of the most gorgeous sunsets.
John and I attempting to get our mail from the Post Office to our homes... thank goodness people are generous and offer lifts :)
Yuraqing (Eskimo dancing)
Drummers in the sodhouse.
Fellow teachers and student
Kiddos outside taking a "fresh air"
Gospel night
Teacher pic 2010-11
AAEYC 2011
I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the Anchorage Association of Education for Young Children 2011 Conference, which was themed "Treasures of the Heart." I cannot begin to express how much I LOVE being surrounded by other professionals in the Early Childhood field. This year's conference, in particular, had wonderful vibes all around. The sessions were great, and it was so fun to reconnect with old friends and make new ones from all over the state. The photo here is of a workshop on music in the classroom... we laughed a whole lot... tons of fun with these sweet girls and a great presenter!
Aloha
Wow. What a blessing... this year I won't be able to travel abroad over the summer, but I was fortunate in that I was able to go to Hawaii for a bit. Hawaii in January... not a bad plan for an Alaskan girl ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)