April 2017 - Adult Basic Literacy

Arizona Gives Day

 
"I found out long ago that when you look at the overall task, the cathedral you have to build, it looks so daunting that you just give up and sit down and play a video game."  
-- George R. R. Martin

Every so often, a newsletter from  Choice Literacy hits my inbox with a message that I really needed. This week was one of those times. This week's contributor, Ruth, writes about learning to cook via small victories-learning one simple dish well and then building off of that new strength. Oddly, her first small victory was soup, something that I continue to attempt with great wariness, always doubting my ability to add things in the right order or with the right combination of ingredients. Soup is daunting. 

This year, my family and I have decided that we need a new home. Our kids aren't getting smaller, and the house isn't stretching to accommodate us. My family loves to cook,but our current kitchen only allows for one cook and maybe a small sous chef at any given time. As we look at houses, I've come back to our cramped kitchen and realized the amounts of amazing foods that we've created on our tiny sections of counters-measured best in inches, not feet. 

But moving is daunting. It's easy to stall out and lose momentum. We're waiting on the handyman, or we ran out of good boxes, or there's no space to store extra furniture so we can stage our place. All these excuses run us aground. And yet...every box that goes to Savers or Bookmans is a small victory. Every shelf that is cleared off is another. The stack of boxes growing in the shed and a friend offering space in her garage...more victories.

We have an adult student who recently recognized his own small victories. Learning to read as an adult is daunting. It's slow. It is easy to run aground. There's so much to do and the expectations and needs of adulthood don't slow down to accommodate you. About 6 months ago, during his annual reassessment, he realized that his reading wasn't going to improve unless he started to practice more on his own. Our staff person started finding books for him to take home and read, one a week. He'd bring them back the next week and discuss with his tutor what he'd read and where he got stuck and what he had learned. And then he'd get the next one. Small victory...one book done. 

Last week his savvy tutor gave him one of the first books that he had started with. He was amazed at how simple it was and recognized how much more complex the texts are that he takes home now. His independent reading has increased 4 levels in 6 months. An accumulation of small victories.

Spring break is over. We're on to the 4th quarter of the school year. The victories have been accumulating, but sometimes it's hard to recognize. If your reader can now sit still through a whole book, it's a victory. If your readers can ask questions while reading or pick out a book on their own or write their own ideas without asking for the spelling of each word...it's time to celebrate!

~ Edie

Basic Literacy Program Director
newsProgram News
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Professional development!
New workshop this month!  Appropriate for anyone who selects books for their learners! Facilitated by Jessica Dennes.
  • Using Diverse Books.  - Tues, April 18 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Please register here!
Consider signing up for refresher training. You can take one or all days. Email Nancy to register!
  • Adult Learning Theory - Friday, April 28 from 9-12:30
  • Miscues/Listening to Students Differently - Friday, May 5 from 8:30-12:30
  • Reading: Practices to Try - Wednesday, May 10 from 8:30-12:30
  • Math: How to Guide Students to Success - Friday, May 12 from 9-12:30
What else can we offer?
Have an idea of professional development you'd like to see? Want some specific help with your student? Email Nancy with your suggestions or questions.

New Resource!
The newest edition of The Change Agent is now available! This addition is entitled When We Fight, We Win. A number of students from Pima College Adult Education are featured in this edition! Our username is eleppert and password love2read. 

If you enjoy using this with your learners, consider having them submit a piece! The call for articles for the next edition is May 4th. We'd love to see them in print! 

Safety at the Literacy Connects office
Thank you to everyone who has been following the new protocol of signing in and wearing badges at the Yavapai Office. 

NEW! Evacuation routes have been posted in each classroom and we will be having unannounced fire drills periodically.  Please note your route and designated meeting areas from the room you normally use.

These changes are to ensure our increasingly growing campus is a safe place for everyone.  Thanks for your help!


azgives
Arizona Gives Day 2017          
AZ gives day

Mark your calendars for Arizona Gives Day -
April 4 th , 2017 - and stand up for literacy and creative expression! 

Because of our incredible volunteer base, your dollars do double the work in our community. That means people of all ages have access to the reading, writing, math, English, and creative expression services they need. There's even still time to claim your AZ Gives Day on your 2016 taxes! Ask you tax professional about the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit today. 

Donate today! 
And thank you for supporting literacy in our community!


actionsCommunity Actions      

Revive Civility Tucson
April 20, 2017
5:00 - 7:00 pm
the Loft Cinema
FREE admission
 
Mayor Rothschild has signed a Proclamation declaring May 2017 Tucson's Revive Civility Month.  The Mayor, in partnership with the League of Women's Voters of Greater Tucson, Ben's Bells, and the University of Arizona's National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) is inviting the community to engage in activities to promote civility throughout Tucson.  When we find ways to work for our greater good, we demonstrate that we are a community grounded in hope and possibility and we make great things happen together.

Click  here  to learn more about this and future events in the series.

Strong Start Tucson

Literacy Connects is dedicated to advocating for education at every age and that's why we're supporting Strong Start Tucson. With your help, over 15,000 children could have access to affordable, high quality preschool. Click  here  to learn more about how you can help support Strong Start Tucson and give every child the educational foundation they deserve.

Support Adult Basic Education

ProLiteracy has provided member organizations with a white paper entitled The Case for Investment in Adult Basic Education. This research provides a strong case for increased investment in adults and adult education and the many impacts on individuals, families, and our American society and economy. Read! Share! Invest!

Stay informed through the Arizona Association for Lifelong Learning's (AALL) Literacy Action Network. Learn more about adult education services and advocacy in Arizona at the AALL website.


bestof
Save the Date!
Sunday, May 21
1st Show: 4:00-5:00
Mid-Show Celebration: 5:00-6:30
2nd Show: 6:30-7:30

Berger Performing Arts  Center
1200 W Speedway Blvd

Best of Stories that Soar celebrates the best stories of the year by our young local authors. Two entirely different shows PLUS mid-show antics and entertainment! Find out more about which schools are showcased in each show and ticket prices and ordering at the Best of Stories that Soar! website.

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Literacy Connects | 200 E. Yavapai Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705 | (520) 882-8006 

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