Summer Course: Power Readers

Journaling While in Juneau:

As a student in a Master's of Reading program, I am spending the majority of June in Southeast Alaska. For three weeks I am experiencing "dorm life." This is new for me, and though I have enjoyed aspects of it... I am pretty thankful that I never had to live an entire semester like this! lol

Southeast is home many of Alaska's beautiful animals. I have seen a bear, deer, bald eagles, a porcupine... all in their natural habitat... we just happen to be in their space.

Anyhow, I have spent the past couple of semesters with a cohort. Most of the ladies are actually pursuing their Master's in Reading, while I began with the intention of just going for the K-12 Reading Endorsement. That plan might switch since I would only need two more courses for the master's, BUT... I still haven't found anyone to pay for my classes... any takers?? :P

I am currently in a Reading Assessment course. So, I spend the first half of my "school day" tutoring children at a local elementary school, and then the latter half we are in lecture.

It has been fantastic to spend such quality time assessing and tutoring these students. Most teachers will tell you, it is really rare to get to devote this much one-on-one time during the regular school year.

Post Juneau:

Well, I survived the dorm life. :) I also had the pleasure of meeting quite a few teachers who were finishing their master's in Ed Leadership (principal program). Though I don't wish to spend an entire month on a campus ever again (lol), it was a rockin' experience overall. Super excited to hang with the guys and gals from the Anchorage area that I connected with-- yoga, bike rides, and book clubs here we come!

Walk Down Memory Lane

The best aide a girl could ask for... five years... a bond that will never be broken <3.

Amazingly beautiful sunsets here.

Math in a Cultural Context... Egg Hunting

My current group graduating from Kindergarten my first year here.

Sledding off teacher housing rooftops

:D

On the count of three... one... two...

Yuraqing when it used to be in the community hall

Will always treasure my collection of dolls from Ms. Dorothy Nayamin <3

A fave

I was nicknamed "Kassaq Carrie" very early on...

One cool kiddo

Walking DOWN into the steam house for a maqii... gotta have our tunes though :)

Ice fishing (manaqing)

So fun to see how all of the babies have grown in my time here!

Taking a break from berry-picking... yummy dried fish for snack!

My aana, Julia Cholok, on a class visit <3

Silly face time!

Many great maqiis and laughs were had here... :D

Thankful to have visits from home at least once a year.

<3

Tundra walks

Acculturation vs Assimilation

Throughout my studies, the works of Lisa Delpit have been near and dear to my heart. When I hear her name, I think of the many writings and research she has completed based around the idea of acculturation and of preparing educators to teach in a world of ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity. As I am reading a book called Comprehension Going Forward (Heinemann, 2011), I have come across one of Delpit's quotes:

"Being able to function in academic circles doesn't mean one has to give up one's home identity, language, or values" (1996). 

Read in context, this quote is speaking to acculturation versus assimilation. Delpit is an advocate for integrating our students' cultures into the classroom as a means of creating a richer, more applicable, more appropriate educational experience (culturally responsive teaching, if you will). I could analyze this piece more deeply in relation to the classroom, but this particular quote doesn't stand out to me in that regard at the moment. Instead, I am struck on a different level.

As people, if we do not know who we are... our convictions, our passions, our roots... our identity... we are so liable to act like chameleons--  changing to match the environment surrounding us. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Wow. How true is this. It speaks right to Delpit's quote. Perhaps, this is why she is so passionate about preserving one's culture. Without being strong in who you are, you are distanced from your identity... making you vulnerable and susceptible to anything and everything. A weed constantly changing in the direction of the passing wind...

If you know who you are and what you stand for, you are likely to offer your attributes as a contribution to the greater whole, rather than sacrificing who you are for the sake of fitting into one part. We all have something to offer... what are you offering? Embrace and discover who you are... there is beauty in identity.

Love it. Thank you, Lisa Delpit!

Recommended Literacy Sites

readwritethink.org
Read Write Think

readingrockets.org
Reading Rockets

literacyleader.com
Literacy Leader

scholastic.com
Scholastic

Favorite Home Purchases of the Year

Mini drum made by Ossie

Delicious gummy vitamins!

Soda Stream

Laundry shelf

Bleach tablets

Detergent pods

Invisible shelf and Paris clock

Quyana, ConocoPhillips!

In October of this school year, our school had a visit from a longtime friend of mine, Deborah. She spent a week volunteering in the classroom assisting with reading groups, supporting writing assignments, and preparing materials for our after school activities program.

Deborah also sent a tube of toothpaste out for each of our kiddos, as brushing their teeth is part of the daily routine out here in the 4th grade classroom.

This week, on behalf of her employer, ConocoPhillips, our classroom was awarded a $500 grant and a classroom set of Arctic Animals coloring books and crayons!

Thank you, Deborah, for your volunteer hours here in Chevak! And, thank you, ConocoPhillips, for this generous award! The class of 2021 is excited to bring some new materials into the classroom to include science activities and great books to add to our classroom treasure chest!

Each year we have been blessed with someone partnering with our students in order to enhance and enrich their educational experience-- these things do not go unnoticed, and provide more for our children than you will probably get to see. As their teacher, I thank you all!

If you are interested in partnering with our class, please contact me. Quyana!

Recommended Novels

The following are novels that I have recently read for a course called "Supporting Readers at All Levels." They are books that I had never read until this semester, and I highly recommend each of them. If you have specific questions about any of these novels, feel free to ask! Otherwise, you can find quite a bit of info on the net ;). Happy reading!

Night by Elie Weisel (Holocaust literature)
Night Link

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli (Holocaust literature)
Milkweed Link

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson (Alaskan literature)
Blessing's Bead Link

Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (Holocaust literature)
Devil's Arithmetic Link

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson (Alaskan literature)
Touching Spirit Bear Link