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| (Project Read Learners and Tutors in conversation with author Peter Zheutelin via speakerphone) |
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| (James, Suzanne, Tim, Joanna, and George chat with author Peter Zheutelin via speakerphone) |
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| Peter Zheutlin |
Here's a reminder to all Project Read tutors about our upcoming Tutor Roundtable meetings. These monthly roundtables are designed as open discussions about any and all tutoring concerns. Please make plans to join us to pick up some fresh perspectives and new instructional tips from your fellow tutors and staff.Here is a schedule of upcoming roundtable meetings for the remainder of 2010. All meetings are held in the Project Read conference room at the Main Library.
And of course, pizza will be served.
This is the schedule of books being read and discussed by Project Read's Wednesday Night Readers book club over the next few months. Tutor-learner teams are encouraged to pick up these FREE books and audio books and then make plans to attend one of these exciting and rewarding discussions. We make unabridged audio books available so that learners at any reading level can participate in the discussion.
Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londerry’s Extraordinary Ride by Peter Zheutlin (Discussed at August 25 meeting—books & audio available July 28) The lives of women in the 1890s were constrained by social mores, family obligations, and restrictive clothing. Annie Kopchovsky, immigrant, wife, and mother of three, seems to have had no qualms about doing the opposite of what the times dictated. So liberated was Annie that she cooked up a scheme to circle the globe on a bicycle—even though she had barely been on a bike—to earn fame and money. She abandoned her husband and children and made up a traveling identity, calling herself Annie Londonderry. Well researched and written by a great-nephew of Annie's, this true story illuminates family life, journalism, advertising, and recreation of that era. The author, Peter Zheutlin, will be joining the discussion via conference call to answer questions and comment on the process of writing this fascinating true account. (171 pages)
Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas (Discussed at the September 29 meeting—books & audio available August 25) Rennie Stroud looks back to 1942, when she was 13, to tell a powerful coming-of-age story. That year, the U.S. government opened a Japanese internment camp outside Ellis, CO, less than a mile from her family’s farm. Rennie observes the prejudice of some of the townspeople as well as her parents' strong moral code and their emotions of the time. When a young girl is murdered, suspicion naturally turns to the camp, and the town is divided by fear. This strong, provocative novel is a moving examination of prejudice and fear that addresses issues of community discord. The author’s phrasing and language bring the 1940s to life, and she has created characters that will linger with the reader. (299 pages)
47 by Walter Mosley (Discussed at the October 27 meeting--books & audio available September 29) 47 is the first young adult novel to be written by bestselling author Walter Mosley. A master storyteller, Mosley deftly mixes speculative and historical fiction in this daring novel. Set in a plantation, 47 (a young slave boy) is growing up under the watchful eye of a slave master. His life seems doomed, until he meets the mysterious Tall John who not only introduces him to an unimaginable magical science but teaches 47 the meaning of freedom. (232 pages)
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (Discussed at the December 1 meeting—books & audio available October 27) When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave—"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"—wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living. In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come. (206 pages)
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Discussed at the January 26 meeting—books & audio available December 1) Stephenie Meyer's thrilling debut novel is a love story with a bite. In this suspenseful and sensual tale, 17-year-old Isabella moves to a small town in Washington State and gets more excitement than she bargained for when she falls for an enigmatic classmate -- who happens to be a vampire. Filled with fantastic mystery and romance, it's a heart-stopping novel that captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. (498 pages, but you have 2 months to read--the book club does not meet in December)
Presented by Amy Prevedel,
Director of the
Tutors, bring your questions and concerns about writing instruction and Amy will provide precisely the tips you need to help your learner…
* Move past the fear of misspelling when writing.
* Dispel any initial nervousness and actually get started with writing.
You will also learn how to respond to a learner’s writing in ways that encourage even more writing (while still addressing errors).
Main Library—Latino-Hispanic Meeting Room—Lower Level
Please call (415) 557-4388 if you plan to attend.
Learner & Tutor Recognition Event
June 10, 6:00—8:00 PM
Here are two ways that you can help make
this year’s Learner & Tutor Recognition a success.
Tell us how the tutoring experience has changed your life. We invite you to prepare one or two paragraphs that describe your experience as a learner or tutor. Then at the Recognition Event on June 10, you will be able to share your thoughts with fellow Project Read members, library staff, and community supporters.
Help out at the event. We’re looking for a few tutors and learners who can help present and host the event.
If you can lend your support for this event, please call Sarita Charitar
(415-557-4388) at the Project Read office.
Formal invitations will come your way later in the spring.
Here is the schedule of books being read and discussed by Project Read's Wednesday Night Readers book club over the next few months. Tutor-learner teams are encouraged to pick up these FREE books and audio books and then make plans to attend one of these exciting and rewarding discussions. We make unabridged audio books available so that learners at any reading level can participate in the discussion.
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith (discussed at the April 28 meeting, books/audio books available March 31 Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana, and now married to Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, is filled with worry over personal problems. At the same time, her assistant is preoccupied with finding a husband, and it appears that Charlie, the apprentice at the auto shop, has run off with an older woman. Large cups of bush tea remain the main source of relief for thirst and for solving mysteries. This is the sixth novel of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series--the Wednesday Night Readers have read and discussed the previous five. (233 pages)
Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin (discussed at the May 26 meeting, books/audio books available April 28) At age 10, Steve Martin got a job selling guidebooks at the newly opened Disneyland. In the decade that followed, he worked in Disney's magic shop, print shop, and theater, and developed his own magic/comedy act. By age 20, studying poetry and philosophy on the side, he was performing a dozen times a week. He writes about mentors, girlfriends, his complex relationship with his parents and sister, and about some of his great peers in comedy. He also writes about how he figured out what worked on stage.
Child of Dandelions by Shenaaz Nanji (discussed at the June 30 meeting, books/audio books available May 26) Fifteen-year-old Sabine lives a life of luxury with her wealthy Indian family in Kampala, Uganda. Then Idi Amin comes to power and things change quickly. All British Indians are expelled from the country. Sabine's father thinks they will be safe because they are Ugandan citizens, but they soon discover that they are in serious danger. Sabine struggles to deal with a world falling apart. Prejudices are clearly delineated, and the thin veneer of civilization crumbles as the chilling background beat of the radio relentlessly counts down the days left before all British Indians must leave the country. This book was selected by the American Library Association as the Best Book of the Year for Young Adults. (214 pages)
High Lonesome by Louis L'Amour (discussed at the July 28 meeting, books/audio books available June 30) Considine and Pete Runyan had once been friends, back in the days when both were cowhands. But when Runyan married the woman Considine loved, the two men parted ways. Runyan took on the sheriff’s job and Considine took up robbing banks. Now Considine is planning a raid on a bank that will pit him against Sheriff Considine and lead to either riches or ruin. (152 pages)
It was suggested that she may want to utilize a variety of instructional methods, connecting with various learning styles, when teaching basic skills. In this way the instructional approach is varied and the same techniques are not always used over and over.
Another suggestion was to ask the learner to write some short pieces about him or herself --often a favorite writing topic. The tutor can then use these writing samples as a starting point for basic skills instruction. The tutor-learner team could even submit the learner's writing for publication in an upcoming issue of Update, the Project Read newsletter.
Finally, it was recommended that the tutor design learning activities that are directly connected to the real-life needs of the adult learner. Even if the tutor is already doing this, it's always a good idea to remind your learner how each instructional activity is directly related to the goal, because it may not always be obvious to the learner him/herself.
It was mentioned that sometimes a volunteer tutor needs to let go of his or her own definition of progress and instead focus on what the learner sees as progress which is significant for them. Even seemingly small achievements, like finishing an 80-page book for example, can be huge for the learner. And regularly looking back at all the accomplishments important to your learner can help him or her maintain their motivation and commitment to learning.
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Please join us for the next Tutor Roundtable meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, at 6:00 PM in the Project Read Conference Room.
Presented by SFPL librarian and former Project Read staff member Richard Le.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Main Library
Project Read Conference Room
Please call 557-4388 if you plan to attend.
Tutor Training Tune-Up with Holly & RandyOne long-time tutor and current Tutor Contact said that from her experience many pairs have difficulty getting together during the holidays. The Tutor Contact also suggested that the Project Read staff may need to call the learner and make sure she is serious about making a commitment to the program.
One suggestion was to ask the learner to point to the portion of the reading that supports his answer to the question. Also, there might be some value to discussing the types of questions which we ask when checking for understanding--literal, interpretive, and active. Other suggestions for teaching comprehension included using the free Wednesday Night Readers book selection which includes comprehension questions, and using the New Readers Press publication News for You which provides comprehension checks for the easy-to-read weekly news articles.
She said that from her experience, the relationship that develops between the tutor and learner is crucial to the success of a match. She believes that the learner must develop trust in his or her tutor and also needs to feel that the tutor is a friend.
Join your fellow volunteer tutors at an upcoming Tutor Roundtable and pick up some new perspectives and fresh techniques to enhance your tutoring skills. And of course, we always provide the pizza.Here are the dates for upcoming Roundtables in 2010:
All Roundtables take place in the Project Read conference room at the Main Library (100 Larkin St.). Please remember to call 415-557-4388 to RSVP for any of these meetings.
At part 2 of this workshop (yet to be scheduled) those attending will learn how to search for a job using the Internet.
Adult learners should call the Project Read office at 415-557-4388 if they plan to attend.
(You may click on these jpg images to enlarge, then print your own copies -- use landscape format when printing.)
Here is a useful instructional tool presented at the August continuing education class for tutors entitled Divide to Conquer. This kinesthetic instructional game can help your learner understand common syllable types and how they are usually spelled and pronounced. Thanks to Project Read tutor, and former literacy program director, Lucille Cuttler for helping to present the workshop and for creating this learning tool.
Presented by: Lucille Cuttler, Learning Specialist
& Randy Weaver, Project Read Manager
Thursday, August 20, 2009
6:00—7:30 p.m.
Main Library — Latino-Hispanic Meeting Room — Lower Level
Please call (415) 557-4388 if you plan to attend.
The Wednesday Night Readers in Action (Photo by Brian)
This is the schedule of books being read and discussed over the next few months by Project Read's Wednesday Night Readers book club. Pick up your FREE books and audio books and make plans to attend one of these exciting and rewarding discussions. We make unabridged audio books available so that learners at any reading level can participate in the discussion. Adult learners do not have to finish the entire book to attend the meetings.
The Member of the Wedding, a play by Carson McCullers (books & audio books available February 26, discussed at March 25 meeting -- 118 pages)
Carson McCullers’ The Member of the Wedding is only one of two plays written by the author and by far the most successful. Adapted from her 1946 novel of the same name, this play depicts the interwoven lives of whites and blacks in the American South, and the poignant turmoil of adolescence. The March 25 meeting will feature a special performance by professional actors from the local Screen Actors Guild.
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho (books & audio books available March 26, discussed at April 29 meeting -- 208 pages)
The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures. He journeys from Spain to Morocco in search of worldly success, and eventually to Egypt, where a fateful encounter with an alchemist brings him at last to self-understanding and spiritual enlightenment. The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in dreams. The cumulative effect is like hearing a wonderful bedtime story from an inspirational psychiatrist.
Sounder by William H. Armstrong (books & audio books available April 30, discussed at May 27 meeting -- 126 pages)
Winner of the 1970 Newbery Medal and the basis of an acclaimed film, Sounder traces the keen sorrow and the abiding faith of a poor African-American boy in the 19th-century South. The boy's father is a sharecropper, struggling to feed his family in hard times. Night after night, he and his great coon dog, Sounder, return to the cabin empty-handed. Then, one morning, almost like a miracle, a sweet-smelling ham is cooking in the family's kitchen. At last the family will have a good meal. But that night, an angry sheriff and his deputies come, and the boy's life will never be the same.
Angels of Morgan Hill by Donna VanLiere (books & audio books available May 28, discussed at June 24 meeting - 290 pages)
In 1947, there aren't any black families in the town of Morgan Hill, TN, until the Turners arrive to help on a tobacco farm. Nine-year-old Jane Gable first sees young Milo Turner when she is on the way home from her abusive father's funeral. Although the impression is vivid, she has no idea how closely their lives will become entangled. Jane's memories capture a child's-eye view of the confusing adult world.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (books & audio books available June 24, discussed at July 29 meeting -- 107 pages)
Using Poetry to Enrich Basic Literacy Instruction
Presented by Randy Weaver — Project Read Manager
Join us for this fun and interactive workshop where you will discover how poetry and song lyrics can be used to teach basic skills while adding variety and excitement to your sessions.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
6:00 — 7:30 p.m.
Main Library—Latino-Hispanic Meeting Room—Lower Level
Please call (415) 557-4388 if you plan to attend.
Tutor Roundtables are offered monthly and provide our volunteers with an opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and successes with other tutors and Project Read staff. These informal meetings are a great way to learn new instructional strategies and obtain all kinds of valuable tutoring tips from fellow tutors. Here is a schedule of upcoming Roundtable meetings:
A view of the main floor atrium splendidly decorated for the party.
