February 2017 - Adult Basic Literacy
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In This Issue:

Super Saturday
 
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
--Mahatma Gandhi

My New Year's resolution has failed yet again within the first month. A busy fall and overbooked December led to my resolution to abide by an 8-hour work day. Nope. January has passed and I haven't done it even once. My teenager has even started calling me in the afternoons to remind me to go home. 

Obviously work and life are not yet balanced. Have I achieved balance elsewhere? In my diet -- usually. In my exercise routine -- nope. In my reading life -- another resolution still undetermined at this date.

I found a moment of balance this past week as I spent a few hours with some wonderful volunteers in our book group. Spending time to be present and learn with our volunteers helps me to balance the stress of getting things done with the thing that matters most in this work ... relationships.

Our students need this, too. Balance in what we do and ask of them; balance of being read to and being asked to read aloud; balance of time spent talking and time spent reading; balance of strategy work and time to use them independently; balance of too much help that becomes intrusive and not enough help that feels frustrating.

My friend posts photographs labeled #lovingwhatis that help to remind me of balance. These are simple things in his crazy, busy life, moments of peace or stillness that he has paused long enough to notice. A shot of the sunset from his hammock on the patio. A moment with his dog by the fireplace.

How do we find balance? Clearly I'm not an expert, but from what I observe of those who I consider living lives of beautiful balance, it's a practice. It's a daily endeavor. These reminders help.

~ Edie

Basic Literacy Program Director
SuperSat

Super Saturday 2017
A morning of...
...learning and new ideas.
...practicing new techniques.
...socializing with other Literacy Connects volunteers.

The response was wonderful -- registration is now closed.
See you there!

newsProgram News

Professional Development
Edie will host another short book club on reading comprehension. We will use the book 7 Keys to Comprehension and meet for 4 consecutive weeks. Books are available in the Literacy Connects library. Our sessions will be Friday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am at Literacy Connects and will run from January 27 - February 17, 2017.  It's not too late to join us on February 3rd!  Click here to register!

Book discussion group!
Other People's Words by Victoria Purcell-Gates
Join Edie for a book discussion of  Other People's Words: The Cycle of Low Literacy  by Victoria Purcell-Gates. This book is a case study of Purcell-Gates's work with a mother and son in urban Appalachia, their struggles to learn in a traditional educational system, and the relationship between culture and literacy. Some books will be available in the Literacy Connects library. Feb 21 (through chap. 4) and Feb 28 (through end) from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at Literacy Connects. 

Refresher Trainings
If it has been over two years since you took our Foundations training, you might consider taking it again! Now that you have some experience and knowledge, come and join us for a refresher training -- What did you miss the first time? What makes sense now that you have been tutoring? What did you forget that might help you out?

Our next training cohort meets on Tuesday nights and Saturdays in February. Come for as many sessions as you'd like! See the PD page for days and times and registration.

Refresher trainings are great opportunities for some new ideas! E mail Nancy with any questions.

helpHelp Wanted! 

Stories Needed!
February is Love of Reading Month. We're looking for stories we can share about  falling i n love with reading. Talk to your adult learners. What books or authors or experiences caused them to fall in love with reading and learning? Send stories to Edie ! And then watch our communications and social media to see them shared.

Volunteers Needed!
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson Festival of Books
March 11-12, 2017
 
Almost 2,000 volunteer positions are available! No experience required, just a willingness to help make the Festival of Books the amazing event it is every year. Tucson Festival of Books is a major supporter of Literacy Connects.

Get on the list now.   Volunteer registration  opens mid-January. You will be able to register on behalf of Literacy Connects. 

passitonArizona Adult Literacy Week          

Celebrate Arizona Adult Literacy Week with your student, March 5-11, 2017! Contest submissions are due February 10. Visit the website to find out more about how to participate.

taxTax Credits

Literacy Connects is a qualifying charitable organization that can benefit from your tax dollars! The maximum credit for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit was recently  doubled! The amount for school donations has  also been doubled, meaning that more of your money can go to the causes and schools you hold dear. You can donate through April 15 for 2016 tax credits!
 
Talk to your tax professional today!

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

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