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| The Rhode Island Adult Education Professional
Development
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two
to three weeks in order
to inform area practitioners of news, events, and calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below. To read previous bulletins, please go to Bulletin Archives. To receive the bulletin via email, contact LR/RI. To learn more about professional development opportunities, please contact the RI AEPDC at (401) 456 -2838 or (401) 863-2839 September 25, 2009
Bulletin
#318 Dear
Colleagues, To post information, and/or to receive the bulletin via email, please contact the AEPDC or leave a message at (401-863-2839). 
Janet Isserlis NOTICES -
– in
addition to events listed here, a recently updated list of events
(including workforce development workshops, new practitioner online – As noted above, the PD Center calendar has been updated to include upcoming events for the fall and program year; similarly, the LR/RI site (the resource compendium at http://www.brown.edu/lrri) has been updated as well. Generally, the PDC site contains information about ongoing events; the LR/RI site is something of a library/catalogue of reference resources. Program directors' share: Thursday, October 1, from 9-11 a.m., in the Program Room at the Hall Libraryon Broad Street in Cranston (just past the Providence line). Draft Agenda: (your input before the 1st is welcome!) includes - setting this year¹s agendas and meeting spaces (it would be nice to continue visiting each other's sites), - program improvement planning (i.e. how data, evals and assessments of program and staff, lead to a plan, including professional development, for program improvement), and RIDE ¹09 program evaluation formula. Please RSVP to Jessica Ortiz at jortiz@ric.edu, 456-2838, so we can plan for food. Hope you have been having a successful September, and hope to see you on the 1st.  New Practitioner Orientation – Friday, October 23rd, from 9 to 4 at the Genesis Center. Please contact janet_isserlis@brown.edu for information. overview : http://www.brown.edu/lrri/npo.html  Want to make better referrals for adult education students in Rhode Island? An interactive referral website for adult education services in the state has been created at http://groups.google.com/group/rhodeislandreferrals. Find profiles of adult education agencies, post class openings or request help with a student referral. Please update your agency's profile information, and if your agency is not listed, contact Karisa Tashjian at ktashjian@yahoo.com to have your agency added to the list. This site is open to all agencies who provide services (educational, social service, etc.) for adult education students in the state. You only need a Google account to access and post information. If you need help setting up an account, please contact Karisa Tashjian at the email above or Bernice Morris at BerniceM@pha-providence.com.  New GED class in Bristol, Monday, Thursday and Friday 9-12 at the Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope St, and in Newport Monday through Friday, 9-1. Both are free to 16-20 yr old youth who are disenrolled from school. Contact is Missy Cupp. 849-2102. mcupp@vnsri.com learning opportunites: RIRAL/TRANSITION TO COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSIONS: Saturdays at 10:00 am: October 17, November 21. 175 Main Street Pawtucket (2nd flr. Visitor’s Center.) Call 722-9800 for appointment. Allow two hours for assessment. Please do not bring children to the info session. RIRAL TTC is a partner in the RI Statewide Transition to College (RI TTC) initiative and a natural segue for GED, EDP, and Advanced ESL students prior to post-secondary education. Semester long programs offer intensive college preparation classes: student success workshops, academic instruction in reading, writing, math, computer, and study skills to prepare students for college readiness and Accuplacer testing; career exploration workshops, using DISCOVER online, and monthly Mentoring workshops are also part of the curriculum. Students receive assistance with the financial aid and college application process and attend academic advising and counseling sessions prior to registration for college courses. While attending RIRAL TTC, students enroll as a cohort in College Reading (ENGL0850) at CCRI in Providence. There are three sessions a year, two evening and one weekend. The RIRAL TTC initiative is a free program with funding provided by the RI Department of Education and the Nellie Mae Educational Foundation in collaboration with the Community College of Rhode Island. For more information, contact: Marie Crecca-Romero, Program Director at 722.9800 or by email at MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org Call for Proposals Our Stories, OurSelves: The EmBODYment of Women's Learning Mev Miller, Ed.D. & Kathleen P. King, Ed.D. Editors How do women's bodies matter in adult literacy and basic education? Our Volume 1 -- Empowering Women through Literacy: Views from Experience (http://www.litwomen.org/publications/empower/) -- focused on empowering women in the classroom and primarily addressed intellectual and personal barriers to and growth for women's literacy learning. However, we are aware of the many ways in which women's bodies and whole selves are integral to the womanhood we celebrate, yet are ignored, or even silenced, in traditional adult ABE, ESOL, and literacy classes. Even when we do recognize or talk about women's bodies, these discussions generally focus on sexual violence, childcare/parenting, or health. Educators and students seek expression as embodied women, but find these realities difficult to include in current programs and classes. The editors seek to gather writings about the many dimensions of womanhood, specifically related to em-body-ment, as they are experienced in literacy and basic/developmental educational settings. We encourage a variety of genres including stories, creative writing, poetry, articles, drawings, and research. details: http://www.litwomen.org/publications/embody/ - Proposal Deadline: September 30 learning opportunities ProfessionalStudiesAE.org is pleased to announce a new, online, professional development course, Foundations of Teaching Adult Numeracy. The course dates are October 19-December 7, 2009. The instructor is Barbara Goodridge, Lowell Adult Education Center, Lowell, MA. Course Description What is numeracy? Is numeracy just another word for math? How should you approach numeracy with adult students? In this foundational course you'll learn how to keep students at the center of numeracy instruction. You'll explore the context, content, and cognitive and affective components of numeracy, how to address the needs of students with learning gaps, how students' styles of learning math and levels of math knowledge affect their math skills, and ways to build student's success in learning math. You'll plan classroom activities, test them with your students, and share your experiences with fellow teachers. Course Topics : Components of Numeracy, Reasons for Students' Learning Gaps, Math Anxiety, Learning Disabilities and Language Issues, Cultural and Language Barriers, Mathematical Problems in Context, Math Learning Styles, Constructivism, Levels of Knowing Math, Open and Closed Problems, Analyzing and Assessing Students' Mathematical Thinking, and Using Facilitation Questions in the Classroom. This course is the first in a six-part series of online courses focused on effective adult numeracy instruction. For more information and to register: http://www.newreaderspress.com/Items.aspx?hierId=6528 Questions? Please call 888.528.2224 ext. 283 or e-mail prodev@proliteracy.org. Research-based Strategies and Models for Adult Transitions to Postsecondary Education and Research-based Adult Reading Instruction Study Circle open for registration. Course dates are October 8 to December 9, 2009. In Research-based Strategies and Models for Adult Transitions to Postsecondary Education, you will read and discuss the research on the changing workforce and examine the reasons why adult learners need to go beyond the GED to advance their earning potential. You will examine program models that support adult transitions to postsecondary education. For information, or to register: http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/index.html#trans. The Research-based Adult Reading Instruction Study Circle is designed to engage practitioners of adult basic education (ABE), adult secondary education (ASE), and English-for-speakers-of-other-languages (ESOL) in discussing theories and concepts related to reading instruction. Questions about what research says about teaching adults how to read are particularly relevant as programs and teachers struggle with choosing the most effective ways to develop adults’ reading skills. For more information about the course, or to register, go to http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/index.html#read. Registrations will be accepted on a first come basis. If you have any questions about registering for these courses please contact Leah Peterson at lpeterson@worlded.org. National Priorities Project analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Numeracy, critical thinking and technology: have a look http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home funding opportunities - large and less large The Juanita Sanchez Fund - established in 1992 through the contributions of friends and family of Juanita Sanchez to memorialize her life as a leader, organizer, and long-time believer in fighting for the unmet needs and rights of Latinos. The fund provides support for Rhode Island’s Latino community by offering grant assistance to a broad range of nonprofit organizations working for the betterment of the Latino people in the state. Grants from the Juanita Sanchez Community Fund may support any nonprofit that works toward enriching or improving the lives of Latinos in Rhode Island. Grants generally range between $500 and $1,500, depending upon the number of quality of proposals. The Fund will accept no more than one application per organization in any given year. Application Deadline Grants are awarded annually. Applications are due October 1, 2009. http://www.rifoundation.org/Nonprofits/GrantOpportunities/JuanitaSanchezFund/tabid/372/Default.aspx - grants posted on the National Institute for Literacy website: http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/lincs/search/gsearch/dbsearch.cgi?action=Show%20Results - grants from the Public Education Network: http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_grants.asp - The federal government's new one stop
grant
site: http://www.grants.gov/ The Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) announces another round of education reform grants in areas of social science research. PRACC is particularly interested in issues such as high classroom turnover/mobility and its disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and farm worker students. However, other issues will be considered as well. To apply, send PRRAC a proposal outlining the planned research and methodology, the advocacy work it is designed to support, a budget, timeline, and qualifications of the researchers. Maximum grant: $10,000. No application deadline. http://www.prrac.org/grants.php Funding Solutions for Small Nonprofit Organizations A collection of resources to help small nonprofit organizations fundraise including ways to motivate your board, sample fundraising letters, phonathon advice, and tips to improve your direct mail solicitation. http://www.nonprofit-innovations.com/ employment opportunities employment opportunities are generally sent as they arrive via email; if you would like to receive this bulletin, and those updates by email please contact janet_isserlis@brown.edu. Job Services Coordinator Dorcas Place seeks full time individual to coordinate services as they relate to recruitment, enrollment, implementation, and maintenance of career, training, and employment for students at Dorcas Place. The job services coordinator will develop contacts, maintain business relationships, and explore labor trends to match the interests and abilities of students with a work goal; to counsel/coach sutdents to ensure that appropriate behaviors, skills sets, and employment requirements are in line with those to be expected in the work place and to research, secur, and maintain internship and training opportunities for all Dorcas Place students, ESOL and ABE, who are required to participate in pre-employment work experience. The coordinator will also provide information about the workforce education programs and perform program tasks as required, such as recruitment, enrollment, testing and creating class lists. Must be bilingual Spanish/English with a minimum of a Bachelors degree. Proficient in the use of computer and various applications and proven ability to work with low income and diverse populations. Please send cover letter and resume to Sr. VP of Operations, 220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907. Jobs for Change "seeks to spark a nationwide movement toward careers in the nonprofit, government, and social enterprise sectors" – online at http://jobs.change.org/ Substitute teaching: The Genesis Center is interested in adding to its substitute list. If you are an ESOL instructor who is interested in occasional work as a substitute, either day, evening or Saturday hours, please call Nancy Fritz or Pat Clarkin at 781-6110. Jobs in Literacy – nation wide postings on the National Institute for Literacy's LINCS site: http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/lincs/jobs/jobs.cgi Substitute list: if you would like your name added to the general list, please see contact LR/RI. The list needs to be updated so that it can function more usefully for teachers and programs hoping to work with them. (http://www.brown.edu/lrri/sub.html) Rhode Island Community Jobs (RICOMJOB) is a public e-mail announcement list that seeks to raise the profile of meaningful work in Rhode Island by helping non-profit and public interest employers publicize openings effectively. Anyone seeking a job that makes a difference in Rhode Island can join the list. Any non-profit, government or private sector employer advertising a paid position related to the public interest or community concerns can post a free job listing. Positions must be paid but may be part-time, full-time or temporary. To join the list as a job seeker or to post a job as an employer go to: http://www.ricommunityjobs.org Rhode Island Community Jobs is supported by
the Swearer
Center
for Public
Service at Brown University and the Rhode Island Campus Compact. Unemployment
lifeline – from the AFL-CIO,
with locally-searchable links to resources http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/
online / resources available Learning Literacies for the Digital Age was a research study aiming to find out what literacies learners require and what UK Higher Ed and Further Education institutions are doing to support them. The study informs JISC and the wider UK FE and HE communities by providing a better understanding of learning literacies, how they are evolving, how requirements are changing, and how they may be supported in different contexts. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/projects/elearningllida.aspx Many professionals in our field have expressed a concern about the difficulty of keeping up-to-date with the latest advances in technology for people with low vision. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has received a gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation to address this issue. Four 1-day workshops on Low Vision Technology presented by Ike Presley, National Project Manager, AFB, including this one in Boston next spring: April 22, 2010, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, 8:30-4:30; Applications due 3/12/10 Who should attend? Ophthalmologists, optometrists, low vision therapists/specialists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation teachers, teachers of the visually impaired, assistive technology specialists, allied health professionals working with people who have low vision Free! In fact, we will be able to offer a travel reimbursement stipend of up to $400 for each participant. These workshops have two broad objectives. Participants will acquire a general knowledge of the current types of technology available for people with low vision, and participants will provide input to AFB about the most effective strategies to keep professionals up-to-date on this topic. Please contact Shirley Landrum at slandrum@afb.net for an application. Selected participants will be notified within 5-days after the application due date. For additional information please visit http://www.afb.org and select Calendar of Events under AFB Community, or contact Ike Presley at presley@afb.net, 404-525-2303. interesting: an article in the UK Guardian weekly about ESOL provision in the US. http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1254&catID=18 Adult Learner Persistence - resources from the New England Literacy Resource Center's research into and learning about persistence A new Adult Learner Persistence website is now up at http://www.nelrc.org/persist. The site shares the resources collected for and generated by the New England Learner Persistence (NELP) Project. For each of six program areas (Program Design and Management, Intake and Orientation, Instruction, Counseling and Support, Student Involvement, and Seeing Progress), the site offers an inventory of promising practices that link to related research, program models, and tools. You can find, for example, research on the impact of shifting from open to managed enrolment, examples of how programs have built support networks to foster new students’ sense of belonging, or tools for helping adults recognize and document their learning progress. The site also highlights six Drivers of Persistence identified in the NELP Project, links to program self-assessment tools, and invites the field to contribute new examples of strategies that have impacted adult learner persistence. Please take a look and share your discoveries! - Andy Nash and Silja Kallenbach, New England Literacy Resource Center/World Education  The National Center for Family Literacy is a partner in the National Gallery of Writing, an online exhibition of writing hosted by the National Council of Teachers of English . To showcase the importance of writing in all our lives, NCTE has created a National Day on Writing (October 20), which will be highlighted by the opening of a virtual National Gallery of Writing. NCFL is hosting a gallery, titled Family Portraits, within the National Gallery of Writing. We hope to fill our gallery with writings of families and practitioners who work with families. These portraits will be created through notes, essays, drawings, poems, and stories of parents, other caregivers, children, grandparents and other family members as they write to, for and about each other. Each person can submit one piece of writing that is important to her or him, i.e., a letter, digital composition, video, blog or e-mail. It just takes a few minutes to upload your submission. Gallery pieces will not be unveiled until October 20, 2009, as part of The National Day on Writing, but submissions are being accepted now and will continue to be accepted through June 2010. If you would like to participate, submit your writing to NCFL's gallery . To learn more about the project, visit http://www.ncte.org/dayonwriting/about  talk about it: Noncognitive Assessment in Adult Basic Education - discussion will take place Monday, Sept. 28 - Friday, Oct. 2 on the Assessment List. The guest facilitators will be Dr. Patrick C. Kyllonen of ETS and Dr. William Sedlacek of the University of Maryland, College Park. For full information on this discussion, including biographical information on the guests and recommended readings, go to: http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/assessment/09noncognitive.html To subscribe to this discussion, go to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Assessment/ from David Rosen, Special Topics Discussion Moderator: Adult literacy education leadership is critical at all levels: program, state and national. What is leadership? What kinds of leaders do we need now? What kinds will we need ten years from now? How are we preparing today’s potential leaders (or are we) for future responsibilities? How are they preparing themselves? How should today’s more experienced leaders encourage and support younger leaders? The Special Topics Discussion List will hold an open discussion from September 25-September 29th on this important topic. There will be no guest panelists. All participants are encouraged to contribute. Below are some of the questions that will be considered: 1. What are the qualities of leadership our field needs, leadership at the program, state and national level? 2. Where do you see potential leaders who have these qualities? Among teachers, adult learners, program graduates, administrators, volunteer tutors, professional developers, researchers, graduate students, others? 3. Have you been formally or informally mentored by an experienced adult education leader? If so, was that a positive experience? If so, what made it especially beneficial? 4. Have you mentored a potential adult literacy education leader? If so, was that a positive experience? If so, what do you think was especially effective? 5. Does your state professional development system explicitly provide opportunities for leadership development, or “grooming”, such as program leadership mentoring, public policy leadership development, and state-level program management training? 6. What are other ways that those who want to be leaders acquire these skills? Does our field have formal or informal apprenticeships? Internships? Leadership seminars? To subscribe to this discussion, go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/specialtopics/ , scroll down, and follow the directions. This should take under a minute. You will get an email requesting that you confirm that you want to subscribe. Reply immediately to the email to finish subscribing. - djrosen@theworld.com CAELA Network has posted their quarterly electronic newsletter for September 2009, Network News http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/index.html . It includes the introduction of our newest brief Teaching Pronunciation to Adult English Language Learners http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/resources/pronunciation.html and a preview of an upcoming brief, Managing Programs for Adult English Language Learners. Several CAELA Network States are spotlighted including Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Virginia. For easy reference on English language learning and learners, see the ESL Resource Database http://www.cal.org/CALWebDB/ESLResourceDB and Resources about and for refugee populations at the COR Center Web site. http://www.cal.org/co/ Economic Crisis – The September 09 issue of The Change Agent What exactly happened when Wall Street crashed in 2008? What led to the crisis? What is a housing bubble? A bank bailout? A stimulus package? Using clear language accompanied by illustrations and graphics, the September 2009 issue of The Change Agent explains the roots of the crisis, tells how people are responding, gives voice to the unemployed, and tells inspiring stories of what we could do to create an economy that works for everyone. True stories by learners shed light on how people are coping, what they are doing to address financial stresses and injustices, and how they are staying hopeful. Use this issue of The Change Agent to teach math, grammar, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students will appreciate having these lessons rooted in relevant social issues and communicated in articles, essays, and cartoons that help demystify difficult economic concepts. Order a classroom set. A bulk subscription (25 copies of each issue, 2 issues a year) costs only $60. Or you can order an individual subscription (one- or two-year subscriptions are available for $10 and $18). SUBSCRIBE NOW by visiting our web site (http://www.nelrc.org/changeagent) or calling 617-482-9485. RI programs receive copies, but may wish to order more – order in bulk so all your students can have their own copy of this inspiring issue. Support the ongoing work of The Change Agent to make social justice part of the adult education classroom. Questions? Contact Cynthia Peters, Change Agent editor, cpeters@worlded.org; 617-482-9485 The Change Agent: Call for Articles Coming Home from War Hundreds of thousands of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In the world of adult education, many students are themselves veterans or are family members of veterans – of the current war(s) and/or previous wars (in the U.S. or in their country of origin). The March 2010 issue of The Change Agent will explore “coming home from war” from the point of view of veterans, veterans’ families, and friends who are concerned about the effects of war on soldiers, their families, and the community. Suggested length is 200-1200 words. All articles must be received by November 6, 2009. A stipend of $50 will be paid to each adult education student whose work is accepted for publication in this issue. For information on submitting articles or artwork as well as a list of writing prompts http://nelrc.org/changeagent/write.htm Rhode Island Employment Disability E-News, newsletter from the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, available at: http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/onlinepublications.html EE Resources for multi-cultural education Teaching English as a Second Language Education on environmental issues is important for all Minnesotans. For increasing numbers of people in the state, English is not the native language. Development of these free resources using environmental issues as their integrating concept was funded, in part, by state grant programs. These workbooks are intended for students in English as a second language and limited English proficiency (LEP) classes.; (although developed for Minnesota programs, much of the material is useful in other settings). the Math Bulletin, developed by SABES http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/math-bulletin-june2009.pdf Good geography refresher...and good mouse skill practice as well. http://jimspages.com/States.htm from Kate Northcott, Director, Student Literacy Corps Webster University resources at FREE, the website that makes it easier to find teaching and learning resources from the federal government: http://www.free.ed.gov/ Math - What's the Problem? examines the state of math education in the U.S. and the roles of culture, technology, and research on improving math learning and proficiency. Learn about the "miles per gallon illusion" and the train problem. Discover resources on fractals, matrices, human face recognition, biomimetic research, computational conformal mapping, and the "kissing number" of a sphere. (National Science Foundation) http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=2131 Thursday notes, September 24: The House approved the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (SAFRA), which contains options of interest to adult educators, on Sept. 17, 2009. Secretary Duncan joined Congressional leaders and college students at a press conference on Capitol Hill Sept. 15 to urge support for the legislation. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&dbname=cp111&sid=cp111okwwF&refer=&r_n=hr232.111&item=&sel=TOC_218669& Carnegie Report Offers Ideas to Advance Literacy for Learners A new report from Carnegie Corporation of New York Time to Act: An Agenda for Advancing Adolescent Literacy for College and Career Readiness offers recommendations on how to advance adolescent literacy and learning. It is the capstone report of Carnegie Council for Advancing Adolescent Literacy, chaired by Catherine Snow, professor in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The report is based on ideas from experts nationwide. http://carnegie.org/literacy/tta/ DOL Encourages States To Broaden UI-Approved Training Options The Department of Labor is encouraging states to determine whether state rules governing unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for adults in training contribute to low rates of training participation, and to revise policies as needed. DOL’s new notice identifies several policies states should review while keeping in mind that unemployment is an opportunity for workers to learn new skills they can use when the economy recovers. Suggested policy changes in the notice would help unemployed adults enter training while receiving UI benefits that may provide their only income. Section 4(c), which deals with remedial courses, specifically includes adult basic education, English language learning and GED study. DAEL Scores High In FY 2009 Customer Satisfaction The Department’s FY 2009 Grantee Satisfaction Survey showed that state directors of adult education and literacy rate satisfaction with services and products of the Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL), with a rating that is among the highest of ED’s programs. Scores in key areas of ED staff/coordination and ED-funded technical assistance (TA) registered in the 80s and documents at 78. State directors rated the quality of TA lower when it came to technology. They continued to rate the National Reporting System as easy to use and the training to support it as useful. National meetings sponsored by OVAE continued to receive high marks for the relevance, timeliness and usefulness of the information provided. from NIFL's workplace literacy list (for more see http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/workplace/2009/002275.html ) Community Literacy Planning Guide - This planning guide will support communities as they: gather together to talk about literacy; decide to participate in the Literacy Now Communities program; submit an application for planning funds; mobilize local community energy and knowledge; assess the community’s literacy needs; build on existing literacy work and address important gaps; and prepare a community plan. http://www.2010legaciesnow.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Embrace_Learning/PDF/LiteracyNow_Guide.pdf Minnesota Literacy Council's online training site – for out of state users: The courses for adult learners and educators on the Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) online training site are developed and maintained by MLC staff through supplemental service grants from the Minnesota Department of Education. They are provided free of charge to Minnesota’s adult learners, teachers, volunteers, and other Adult Basic Education practitioners. Out-of-state visitors are welcome to explore the site to access learning resources as well, but we cannot offer CEUs or course completion certificates to out-of-state users. If you are a not a Minnesota resident, you are welcome to browse the self-access online learning materials, but please do not submit course assignments as we will not be able to respond to your submissions. http://online.themlc.org/ Refugees From Iraq - in-depth information about refugee groups from Iraq, describing the various ethnic and religious communities of Iraqi Arabs (both Sunni and Shi’a), Iraqi Christians, and others. Topics include history, conditions in countries of asylum, characteristics of the refugee population, cultural features of each of the different communities, religion, language, education, and resettlement considerations. http://www.cal.org/topics/ri/backgrounders.html online: LessonWriter.com is a free website where teachers can copy, paste and submit any text (an article, essay, story, etc.) and create comprehensive, standards -based lesson plans and student materials in minutes. LessonWriter is a simple, fast and free way to use authentic, high-interest content to motivate students while delivering the explicit language instruction that ELL's need in both English and content-area classes. There are advanced features that can differentiate instruction for multilevel classes and class tracking features that will automatically scaffold lessons. http://www.lessonwriter.com RI DLT's Rhode Island Red job search feature draws job postings from ALL local jobs boards (except Monster.com). To access this resource visit RI RED http://www.dlt.ri.gov/rired/ -- under quick menu click job search; choose location search criteria, provide job title or other criteria. Source codes are listed at the bottom of the page Lots to do at the library Providence Public Library's calendar of events: http://www.provlib.org/calendar.asp National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy, dedicated to conducting research and development projects to improve literacy, numeracy, language and related skills and knowledge. On this site you will find information on all our activities, including: Research and development projects http://www.nrdc.org.uk/projects.asp Creative routes to specialist teacher qualifications http://www.nrdc.org.uk/creativeroutes The Voices on the Page storybank is now live! Read all of the 640 stories here http://www.nrdc.org.uk/voicesonthepage.asp Research reports and reviews http://www.nrdc.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=329 Latest e- newsletter http://www.nrdc.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=671 News and events http://www.nrdc.org.uk/news.asp google literacy site: http://www.google.com/literacy/ The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), Assisting Refugees with Disabilities Program : Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities available at http://www.refugees.org/DisabilityGuide The guide, written for refugee case managers and those serving refugees with disabilities, includes 139 pages of information about resources for serving adults and children with disabilities, housing for refugees with disabilities, assistive technology, medical resources, citizenship and disability, benefits for refugees with disabilities and more. If you have any questions or technical assistance needs, please contact Xuan Nguyen, Director of USCRI Health and Human Services at xnguyen@uscridc.org or at 202-347-3507 ext 3056. RI Foundation online scholarship directory - searchable by city/town, intended field of study, current high school, and more. http://scholarship.rifoundation.org/ YouthBuild USA Learning Network has links to Web sites and full-text documents, and includes a section on "Authentic Materials/Engaged Learning/Constructivism/Contextual Learning/Project-based Learning." http://www.youthbuild.org/learningnetwork/professionaldev.html conferences and workshops - conferences and workshops are listed chronologically and are updated with each bulletin Rhode Island - Training/events around employment issues for people with disabilities http://www.ric.edu/uap/trainin Undocumented Hispanic Migration: On the Margins of a Dream. Connecticut College / October 16-18, 2009. A multidisciplinary conference featuring presentations by Peter Andreas, Linda Bosniak, Leo R. Chávez, Jorge Duany, Nancy Foner, Judith Adler Hellman, Alejandro Portes, Saskia Sassen, Carola Suárez-Orozco, Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, and Silvio Torres-Saillant. Also includes panel presentations by more than a hundred scholars, health and social-service providers, educators, attorneys, immigrants, and government personnel from across the United States and from Mexico. Please see the complete program here: http://www.conncoll.edu/departments/hispanicstudies/migration. For further information, please contact Prof. Frank Graziano, fgraz@conncoll.edu. Citizens for Public Schools Special Conference EDUCATING the WHOLE STUDENT COMING TOGETHER, ADVANCING THE VISION A conference for parents, students, community leaders, educators, activists, advocates, poliy makers and anyone interested in the education and welfare of our children. Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.. 9 a.m. registration Bunker Hill Community College, 250 Rutherford Avenue, Boston Keynote Speaker: Deborah Meier Working groups will develop action plans for education activists $25 registration fee until October 12 $35 after October 12 $12 students and seniors $50 combined price for CPS membership and conference registration Registration opens after September 15 at http://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/ or by phone at 617-227-3000 RITELL Fall Conference Strategies for Promoting Academic Language and Literacies Saturday, October 17, Rhode Island College, Student Union Ballroom 8:45 AM-12:45 PM Download a flyer http://data.memberclicks.com/site/matsol/RI-Tell%20Fall%2009%20flyer.pdf Featured Speaker: Dr. Meg Gebhard, Associate Professor and Co-director or the ACCELA Alliance, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Supporting the Academic Literacy of ELLs Using Genre-Based Pedagogy Breakout Sessions: Adult: Academic Interactions: Strategies for Developing Successful Language and Communication Skill Barbara Gourlay and Margaret (Jill) Scott, Brown University Secondary: Secondary SIOP Strategies to Support Content Area Language Learning Julie Motta and Pat Morris, ESL Directors; Karen Hammarstrom, ESL Coach; Glenn Hopkins, ValerieMarchetti & Jenn Martin, Middle School SIOP Math, Science, Social Studies Teachers, Central Falls and Pawtucket Elementary: Using Family Message Journals to Promote Academic Language in a Dual Language School Mary-Ann Rinaldi and Rosa Devarona, K-1 English & Spanish Teachers, International Charter School, Pawtucket Admission & membership renewal: $45.00 professional, $30 full-time student Admission only (current members): $5.00 Non-member admission: $55.00 Please note: All current MATSOL/RITELL memberships expire Sept. 30, 2009. Proof of full-time student status is required for student discount. Advanced registration will open on October 1.  A Special Writing Workshop for teachers & students Undoing the Silence: Bringing New Writers to Powerful Voice Brought to you by WE LEARN (Women Expanding Literacy Education Action Resource Network) with support from the RI Adult Education Professional Development Center. This writing workshop will prepare students to write for Women’s Perspectives #5 -- THEME: What Would You Do?: Creative Ideas for Difficult Times Facilitated by Louise Dunlap, Author of Undoing the Silence: Six Tools for Social Change Writing Tuesday, October 20, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm (Registration opens at 9:30. Please arrive by 9:45 so we can start promptly at 10:00) RI Food Bank Community Room, 200 Niantic Avenue Providence, Lunch Provided Pre-registration required * -- Space Limited to 40 We recommend programs send 1 or 2 teachers with a few students. To Register Contact: Jessica Ortiz, RI AEPDC (401) 456-2838 jortiz@ric.edu Louise will share practical writing tools to help reluctant writers to get past their internal censors. This “You Can Do It” approach makes social-action writing achievable for everyone. ABE and literacy student groups are encouraged to attend with their teachers or tutors… In this workshop, students and teachers will: 1. Learn about pre-writing activities to establish safe space and discover authentic voice; 2. Hear from a “Panel of Experts” — local Rhode Island women leaders who have successfully addressed difficult issues; 3. Develop support through writing and discussion in small groups; and 4. Leave with a draft and a plan to continue the process after the workshop. Tools like talking, rewriting, and working with others will bring your draft to completion. In 2010, WE LEARN will publish the 5th Issue of Women;s Perspectives on the theme of "What Would You Do?". Women's Perspectives showcases writings by adult literacy/basic education students across all levels. Students attending or using adult basic/literacy education services are invited to send their writing for consideration. To see the complete Call for Writings and related Pre-Writing Activities, go to: http://www.litwomen.org/perspectives For more general information about this workshop, Women's Perspectives, or WE LEARN, contact: Mev Miller, Ed.D., Director welearn@litwomen.org What Would You Do? Creative Ideas for Difficult Times Call for Writings & Artwork Women's Perspectives #5: A Journal of Writing & Artwork by Adult Learners - Student writers and artists are encouraged to reflect and to share your ideas on this theme. - What would a "better world" look like to you? What would you do to make this happen? How do women leaders change the world? - What are the most pressing issues affecting women today? And what would you do to address one or many of these issues? - In a position of authority or as a decision-maker, what would you do to solve the big issues of the day where you live or work? For more details & ideas about this theme, see Pre-Writing Activities (http://www.litwomen.org/perspectives/) NEW! Writer's Checklist (http://www.litwomen.org/perspectives/2010/09writersChecklist.pdf) Coming Soon: Teacher's ToolKit: Using Women's Perspectives in Many Settings DEADLINE to send material is DECEMBER 11, 2009. For more information contact welearn@litwomen.org Back issues are available. (http://www.litwomen.org/perspectives/) please save the date: half day conference on learner persistence, October 21st, 9 to 1. location and program to be announced soon. 2009 Learning Differences Awareness Conference - Saturday, October 24, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Slavin Center at Providence College - more about the Dunne Institute: http://www.dunninstitute.org/ conference: http://www.dunninstitute.org/uploaded_docs/Final%202009%20Conference%20Brochure.pdf COABE/ProLiteracy Southeast Regional Institute October 27-28, Hyatt Regency Atlanta A host of acclaimed presenters with key note luncheon speaker: Dr. Stephen Brookfield, Internationally recognized for his work in Adult Education and Experiential Learning Cost: $145 Click here to register http://tinyurl.com/SE-Regional-Institute More details are available at http://www.coabe.org. This regional institute is generously supported by the Dollar General Foundation. You can also register for the TCSG Conference which will be held directly following the Southeast regional institute. October 28-30, 2009 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Room rates: $141.00 Conference Cost: $ 375 The cost to attend both is $520. Fifth International Low Educated Second Language and Literacy Acquisition (LESLLA) Symposium Banff, Alberta, Canada, September 28-30, 2009 http://www.leslla.org/workshops/2009.htm The National College Transition Network at World Education - third annual national conference on Effective Transitions in Adult Education to be held on November 16 - 17, in Providence. This two-day conference will focus on strategies and promising practices that help adult learners succeed in postsecondary education and training. Information: http://www.collegetransition.org/conference09.html. Registration: http://www.collegetransition.org/conference09/registration.html Program: http://collegetransition.org/conference09/schedule.html 7th Annual WE LEARN (Net)Working Gathering on Women & Literacy http://www.litwomen.org/conference.html March 4-6, 2010 University of Rhode Island / Providence Campus / Providence, RI Special Forum: Thursday, March 4 / Annual Conference: Friday - Saturday, March 5-6 call for presentations/performances: http://www.litwomen.org/conferences/2010/FINAL-all.pdf Download Proposal FORMs only at: (http://www.litwomen.org/conference.html) DEADLINE: November 30, 2009 You CAN Do It! A Beginner's Guide to Making a Presentation or Facilitating a Workshop - available soon March 4, 2010 / PRE-Conference (Journeys to the Center: Spiritual Supports for Our Teaching and Learning) - watch for more details Registration & travel information will be released by November. other events and conferences http://www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi TESOL worldwide
calendar of events http://www.tesol.org/isaffil/calendar/index.html
breathe - everyday yoga at your desk. http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/everyday_yoga.html street yoga - Through the teaching of free yoga, meditation and wellness classes we seek to help homeless youth increase their physical, emotional and spiritual strength, stamina and flexibility so they can better meet their own core needs. We work closely with those service providers striving to help homeless youth secure safe housing, nutritious food, accessible health care, employment, clean clothing, educational choices and human dignity.
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