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Posts
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Senator David Valesky Visits The Learning Place on 10/30
Senator Valesky and Tim W.
We were honored to have Senator David Valesky and his assistant Meaghan Titus visit with us in October.
Congratulations on your re-election, Senator!
What do YOU think the Senator can do for literacy programs in CNY?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
New Paint Job!
Doesn't the building look wonderful?! Our thanks to Senator John Defrancisco for funding.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Congratulations Operation Upgrade!!!
Operation Upgrade in South Africa will be awarded the UNESCO Literacy Prize in Paris on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8 for their innovative and cutting edge programs.
The Learning Place based our garden project on the work of Operation Upgrade!
Keep up the good work, (Director) Pat Dean, Pinky Lebajoa, Vasu Moodley and the Staff of OpUp!
The Learning Place based our garden project on the work of Operation Upgrade!
Keep up the good work, (Director) Pat Dean, Pinky Lebajoa, Vasu Moodley and the Staff of OpUp!
Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales Reading Program
Geico supports TLP!!!!
Breannah & Bubbles!!A few neighborhood children gathered for our annual reading program the week of July 28th. They had a great time learning about different animals, playing Word Bingo, reading and meeting new friends. Our thanks to Rachel Baird for coordinating the program this year.
Monday, July 14, 2008
How is Your Garden Growing???
We are excited about our garden! I tasted the chives that popped up and they are great! We've got over 75 tomatoes and peppers have just come up. Soon the eggplant and squash will be out. Over sixteen volunteers and sixteen students helped with the planting. I am in the midst of preparing a recipe booklet to give to our students.
TLP Starts Book Club for Literacy Students
With the help from volunteer, Abigail Klein,(left) TLP started a new book club for our students on July 10th. The group meets on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 pm at The Learning Place. Community residents are welcome. Our first reading is Night John, by Gary Paulsen.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Toni Cordell
I recently heard Toni Cordell speak at a health & literacy workshop in Syracuse, NY. She is a wonderful speaker with a sincere heart for literacy. Her testimony reflects the issues that our students face and you will definitely appreciate her honesty. I encourage you to visit her web site and schedule her for your next event. You won't be disappointed!
http://www.tonicordell.com/
http://www.tonicordell.com/
Friday, May 30, 2008
Moving On
We have had a few students move on to other programs in the last few months. One student will be attending a local college. Another is going to a five day per week program. At first it bothered me knowing that we would be losing several students to jobs and other programs this year. Then I realized, that means we are doing our job! A year ago these students wouldn't have taken the risk to try to get into college. Their skills were too low for them to pass the entrance exams. Some weren't able to work well in large group situations and they couldn't find jobs.
The beauty of our program is that we are able to build self-esteem and encourage our students to take risks and reach for the stars. With courage and determination they can move on.
Part of their success is because of the wonderful tutors who work with them each week. Volunteering for a program like ours means so much in the lives of the individuals who attend our sessions.
Best wishes to our students and thank you volunteers of The Learning Place for all that you do!
The beauty of our program is that we are able to build self-esteem and encourage our students to take risks and reach for the stars. With courage and determination they can move on.
Part of their success is because of the wonderful tutors who work with them each week. Volunteering for a program like ours means so much in the lives of the individuals who attend our sessions.
Best wishes to our students and thank you volunteers of The Learning Place for all that you do!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Literacy Cycle of the Year
Our "Literacy Cycle of The Year" trophy was given to Jim & Judy Schuyler for riding more than 350,000 miles! The couple are dedicated members of the Christian Motorcycle Association!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Help The Learning Place Raise Funds
Add Goodsearch.com to your internet explorer, follow the directions to add a charity and every site that you go to helps raise money for The Learning Place!
Music and Literacy
Tutor Tip:
Play Dvorak's New World Symphony for your student, and give the history surrounding the music in the US from 1892-1895. Then, after listening to it have the student write about what their impression is, of the work, as they listen.
Did you know?
Dvořák was interested in the Native American Music and African-American spirituals he heard in America. He spoke of this when he arrived in America:
"I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called Negro melodies. These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition, to be developed in the United States. These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil. They are the folk songs of America and your composers must turn to them.
I found that the music of the negroes and of the Indians was practically identical, and that the music of the two races bore a remarkable similarity to the music of Scotland."
Wikipedia
TLP STAT: Over 40% of our students are African American. Approximately 2% are Native American.
Play Dvorak's New World Symphony for your student, and give the history surrounding the music in the US from 1892-1895. Then, after listening to it have the student write about what their impression is, of the work, as they listen.
Did you know?
Dvořák was interested in the Native American Music and African-American spirituals he heard in America. He spoke of this when he arrived in America:
"I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called Negro melodies. These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition, to be developed in the United States. These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil. They are the folk songs of America and your composers must turn to them.
I found that the music of the negroes and of the Indians was practically identical, and that the music of the two races bore a remarkable similarity to the music of Scotland."
Wikipedia
TLP STAT: Over 40% of our students are African American. Approximately 2% are Native American.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Rotary Sponsors Literacy Students
Local Rotary clubs are sponsoring literacy programs in a new initiative to put a "face" on literacy for Rotarians. Recently, Dan Morrow, Jeanne Tarolli and Dr. Bob Laubach met at The Learning Place to discuss sponsoring of Jeanne's student for the year. Our thanks to Rotarians in CNY for their generous contributions to our center.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Gardening & Literacy
Funds from The New York Newspapers Foundation will enable the Learning Place to establish a new program designed to help women become more self-sufficient.
We will create an atmosphere within our center to enrich their learning experience with technology, and books. The program will also teach them practical business skills, and how to design their own “garden,” and to implement ideas by producing a product to sell.
TLP students will correspond with Operation Upgrade, a South African project that reaches impoverished people with the gift of literacy. Operation Upgrade constructs greenhouses called “tunnels” and gives women the opportunity to grow and sell their own produce to help support and sustain their families and villages.
I'm interested in hearing about other literacy organizations that might be using the gardening experience in their tutoring programs. How has it encouraged YOUR students?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Learning Place
Phyllis Newland, a retired employee of Laubach Literacy, see (http://www.proliteracy.org/), opened The Learning Place in 1990 to provide basic reading, writing and math instruction to adults and older youth in a neighborhood-based center. The center works with over 200 students each year and Literacy is our Business!
Voices of Literacy
Voices
Students from The Learning Place and The Determination Center write articles for our two publications. We hope to empower them to reach their goals. We appreciate their enthusiasm for life and learning!
"Every parent needs to take time to sit down with their child or children and play a game or read a book." T.
"...I want to get my GED so I can better myself for my children so I can say I finally achieved something for myself." A.
"...Life is a precious gift for all to enjoy." J.
"...I love my life!... I tried to be a good father." C.
"I know the reason for my light in the world is to always learn to listen and have compassion for people who have it worse than I do." P.
"My goal is to get my GED; so I can go to college, to prove to myself, if I do my best, then I would be happy because I would work for it." L.
"Always hold on to life because life is very precious." L.
"Life is a ball: it spins until someone drops it." J.
" I have been learning a lot...lots of people need this place..." T.
Students from The Learning Place and The Determination Center write articles for our two publications. We hope to empower them to reach their goals. We appreciate their enthusiasm for life and learning!
"Every parent needs to take time to sit down with their child or children and play a game or read a book." T.
"...I want to get my GED so I can better myself for my children so I can say I finally achieved something for myself." A.
"...Life is a precious gift for all to enjoy." J.
"...I love my life!... I tried to be a good father." C.
"I know the reason for my light in the world is to always learn to listen and have compassion for people who have it worse than I do." P.
"My goal is to get my GED; so I can go to college, to prove to myself, if I do my best, then I would be happy because I would work for it." L.
"Always hold on to life because life is very precious." L.
"Life is a ball: it spins until someone drops it." J.
" I have been learning a lot...lots of people need this place..." T.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Jackson Pollock and Literacy
“A painting has a life of its own; I try to let it live.” Jackson Pollock
Pollock Matters is an art exhibit at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY. There has been controversy over whether or not the works on display were actually painted by Jackson Pollock.
To some people, Pollock’s art represents mere splatters of paint on canvas. Others have a fascination with his “energy made visible.”
Untitled No. 3 is in the exhibit at the museum, but I was drawn to a postcard from the gift shop that now sits on my desk. The postcard of Jackson’s painting, Dilemma, captured my attention because the splatters of color create an imagery of darkness running through a web of conflict. I sensed "entanglement" throughout the painting and the work was more powerful to me than Untitled No. 3 with its thicker strokes and brighter colors.
I thought of our literacy students and the conflicts they face each day. They may not be able to understand written directions or read a medicine bottle. They may become entangled in the daily struggles that they encounter. As literacy providers we can help reduce their conflict, lift them out of their darkness, and add more color to their lives.
What dilemmas do YOUR students face as barriers to learning? How have you helped them to relish their learning experiences? Share your story with those of us who are 100% committed to literacy and to our students' educational needs.
* Tutor Tip: Use an artwork to encourage your student to write.
Pollock Matters is an art exhibit at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY. There has been controversy over whether or not the works on display were actually painted by Jackson Pollock.
To some people, Pollock’s art represents mere splatters of paint on canvas. Others have a fascination with his “energy made visible.”
Untitled No. 3 is in the exhibit at the museum, but I was drawn to a postcard from the gift shop that now sits on my desk. The postcard of Jackson’s painting, Dilemma, captured my attention because the splatters of color create an imagery of darkness running through a web of conflict. I sensed "entanglement" throughout the painting and the work was more powerful to me than Untitled No. 3 with its thicker strokes and brighter colors.
I thought of our literacy students and the conflicts they face each day. They may not be able to understand written directions or read a medicine bottle. They may become entangled in the daily struggles that they encounter. As literacy providers we can help reduce their conflict, lift them out of their darkness, and add more color to their lives.
What dilemmas do YOUR students face as barriers to learning? How have you helped them to relish their learning experiences? Share your story with those of us who are 100% committed to literacy and to our students' educational needs.
* Tutor Tip: Use an artwork to encourage your student to write.
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