Blast from the Past

Ms. Collins had special visitors yesterday. How wonderful to see her students who had been at Culbreth nine years ago: Noveline Aung Min, Lutha Naw, Ko Kler Htoo, Cannon Aung Min.

Field Trip to Paradise

Ser Law Law, Frae Day Moo, Eh Hser Thaw, Dan and I made a trip to Greensboro to check out Foreign Cars Italia. What a day. We saw Ferraris, Porsches, Maseratis, and Aston Martins (my favorite). I think the boys were writing down a Christmas list as we were leaving. Lot's of great looking machines. Thanks to Scott for a very informative tour.

 

Sahmat Collective at The Ackland Art Museum

Dah Pet,  Mu Eh, and I visited Ackland Art Museum to explore the Sahmat Art Collective.
We viewed paintings and sculptures, read poetry, and experienced Indian activism through the works on display.

Walk for Education

Saturday, October 6th was the date for Chapel Hill/Carrboro's Walk for Education. There was a big turn out from the elementary schools with few students attending from middle and high school. Culbreth had a good showing. Our ELLs came to support their school. It was a hot and humid day, but we walked the two miles to Lincoln Center and had fun on the slides and eating the various food offerings.

 Dah Pet Wah and Paw Say

 ESL past and present waiting to walk

 Principal Rudolph and VP Frescoln

 Frae Day Moo

 Josh and his mom, Ruby

Chris

Today in ESL

Everyday is a new day--or so they say. But when I go to my ESL classroom at Culbreth Middle School, I am always greeted by two sweet girls, Mu Eh Kee and Dah Pet Wah. They always make me laugh and that makes everyday new and special. And during this time of year, that is a good thing.

Thanks girls!

A New School Year

Well, a lot has happened over the summer. Ms. Collins went to Alaska and I went to India. (More about both later)

Now we are back for another year of teaching, learning, and exploring new avenues. I am between two schools this year, Culbreth and McDougle Middle School.  I love both of my schools, but often feel a bit unanchored.

Ms. Collin's has a student intern this year. She is Ms. Gabby Rife. Gabby will be with us until the end of November and we are very lucky to have her expertise in refugee resettlement. Gabby has worked many years with refugees and offers advice on the best ways to help newcomers who are building a new life in our country. She also speaks a little Karen, which is awesome.

Ms. Gabby Rife

We have lots going on this year. Our classes are mostly push in. We are co-teaching in math, language arts, and social studies, with core teachers. Our ESL II classes are a mixture of homework help along with lessons in math, writing, and reading.

I've introduced EduExplore, an online site where my students blog, write about music, food, and memories of their homeland. This site requires that my students write every day. This can be very difficult for ELLs and is often the most challenging part of learning a new language. When a student posts to the site, I am able to read what they have written, and the site keeps track of all of their revisions. This allows me to assess their writing and gauge their growth.

We have several new students this year. Chris Lertjanyarak is from Thailand, Jury Htoo is also from Thailand, and Josh Ma is from China. We also have Omer Hepner from Israel.We are so happy to have them with us.

          

The Spring Semester has ended

The Spring Semester is over and everyone is off in there own direction. I've had a great year, but now it is time to rest, relax, travel (India) and begin again.

Graduation

. . . and then there was graduation. I know this sounds crazy, but my 8th graders were the best in the world and I don't think I will ever have a year like this one. This was my first semester teaching and it was special. My boys were sweet, engaged, hardworking--I enjoyed every minute, and saw so much growth and maturity. These fellas will make America a better place just by doing what they do best-being themselves.