Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center


 


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The RI AE PDC is an affiliate
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  The Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center produces a bulletin roughly every 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

  
January 29, 2010

   Bulletin #333

    Dear Colleagues,

    Happy New Year.  Welcome back.
    C
alls for participation, employment, funding, and conference and workshop opportunities, online and other resources. 
   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 signature

   Janet Isserlis



  Haiti. 
 http://swearercenter.brown.edu/new/news/haiti-earthquake-relief
 http://twitter.com/#/list/nytimes/haiti-earthquake
 http://doctorswithoutborders.tumblr.com/  - photo blog; please be aware there are some difficult images at this site.
 http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/project-haiti-holding-a-teach-in/?src=twt&twt=nytimes (NY Times learning materials about Haiti)
 

 service opportunity Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM)
Position: Volunteer Coordinator                                                      Posted on January 28, 2010
The Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM) is a Southeast Asian youth-led non-profit organization committed to youth development and community organizing as a means to making social change – on the individual, community, and city-wide level.  Our purpose is to “mobilize Southeast Asian youth into community organizing campaigns which foster the process of healing and dialogue, build support and love for those who are isolated and marginalized, and build power in the Southeast Asian community.”  More information about PrYSM is on our http://www.prysm.us/
 
The position of Volunteer Coordinator was recently established to address the increase in the number of youth who are coming to the organization.  Some are looking for volunteer work, and others are just looking for a safe space to be after school.  The Volunteer Coordinator will oversee and supervise 10 – 15 youth from 3 – 6 PM, from Monday through Friday.  Those who can only commit to a few days out of the week, are still encouraged to apply.
Required
Demonstrated passion to work with youth
Willingness to understand Southeast Asian culture
conflict mediation skills (certificate or formal training is not necessary)
strong leadership and public speaking skills
Ability to draw boundaries and enforce rules with youth
18 – years or older
Recommended
Education that relates to the position
Reliable source of transportation
Experience working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender youth
Experience working with urban youth
Experience and/or knowledge of Southeast Asian culture and politics
A commitment to social justice and belief in our purpose
Benefits This is a non-paid volunteer position
Build your resume with new skills and experiences in youth development, community organizing, and volunteer management; request references from us for future job opportunities.
Feel part of a community of youth, adults, Southeast Asians, and allies working together for social change
to Apply - Send your resume, contact information, and a brief explanation of why you want this job, to Kohei@prysm.us before February 7; Schedule an interview with us on February 8 between 12 – 2 PM, or February 9 between 6- 8 PM.
 

Volunteer Math Tutors Needed! We are looking for tutors to help adult learners with math (numeracy, pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry).  Flexible hours.  Two hour a week commitment expected. If you are interested, please contact Rae at rxpage@gmail.com


   NOTICES - – in addition to events listed here, a recently updated list of events  (including workforce development workshops, new practitioner
  orientation, standards overview - and rescheduled events) can be found at http://www.ric.edu/aepdc/calendar.php


  Please save May 26, 2010 for the  state's Adult Education Conference, to be held at Rhode Island College. Details coming early next year.

 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.


 follow up to the Learner Persistence conference – February 11, at 1 pm - International Institute of RI 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
 Even if you were unable to join us for the conference, please come learn about what people have been working on and share your own views and
 work with learner persistence.


  ESOL Share February 11th at 3:00 pm at IIRI – Materials.  What's working? Do you make things up? What commercially prepared materials work well?
  What about childhood lead safety materials? We also plan to address the issue of transitions – continuing conversations that started about a year ago, and also
 to continue investigations into what materials are useful for adult English language learners.


  We are very happy to announce that our name change to OpenDoors (from the Rhode Island Family Life Center) is now official.
 Please join us on our new website: http://www.opendoorsri.org   - Sol Rodriguez, Executive Director

 OpenDoors is offering free tax preparation assistance to our clients and other low-income community members.
 Free Tax Preparation is Available  Wednesdays 4-8pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm In addition, OpenDoors offers financial literacy classes to hellp VITA
 clients make the best use of their refunds.  For more information: http://www.opendoorsri.org/financialliteracy

 Classes available at CHISPA: classes started on January 19th but we are continuing to enrol.
 Students can register by stopping by CHisPA:
 421 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 or by calling 401.467.0111
 - Spanish Literacy Class:  Monday & Wednesday 6-8pm for 18 weeks
 - Pre-GED in Spanish: Tuesday & Thursday 6-8pm for 18 weeks
 - GED in Spanish: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6-8 pm for 18 weeks
 - ESL classes: Tuesday & Thursday 6-8pm for 18 weeks

 
 Join us in launching the 2010 Reading Across Rhode Island
project at a conference designed for educators, librarian and book discussion leaders and
 readers from across the state.  Kick-off Conference on January 30 at Bryant University 9 am – 2:30 pm $25 registration fee (includes a copy of the book, breakfast and
 lunch!)
 Designed to give book group leaders an introduction to the novel and the resources and materials to develop an interesting discussion, conference attendees will meet
 workshop presenters ready to link the themes of the book to Rhode Island-based activities. Presenters include Dr. Judy Litoff, author of Since You Went Away, letters from
 the homefront during WWII;  Dr. Jim Brosnan, reflecting on the literary aspects of the novel and Mary Flynn, of Miriam Hospital, on Economical Eating. The cast of Living  Literature, under the direction of Barry Press, will close the day with a Reader’s Theater adaptation of the novel.
- more information and  downloadable version of the conference brochure: http://www.readingacrossri.org 
 
 Save the Date:  The 8th Annual May Breakfast - May 1,  Rhodes on the Pawtuxet        9 – 12 noon            $25
 Featuring Annie Barrows, co author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
 
 Mary Ann Shaffer, a librarian and editor, nurtured the tale about Guernsey for twenty years before committing pen to paper. Unfortunately, Ms. Shaffer passed away in
 February, 2008 before the final edits to the manuscript were complete. She asked her niece, Annie Barrows, to complete the revisions - and the story is now ours to share
 with all Rhode Islanders. Ms. Barrows is also the author of the children’s series Ivy and Bean and The Magic Half. Look for more details and the registration form in February
 

  learning opportunities

  ProfessionalStudiesAE.org, a partnership of ProLiteracy and World Education, is pleased to announce the launch of two new online professional
 development courses that are part of a six-part series of online courses focused on effective adult numeracy instruction. 
 
For more information and to register, look for the Numeracy topic at: http://www.professionalstudiesae.org/ .
 If you have questions, e-mail prodev@proliteracy.org.
 
 Teaching Reasoning and Problem Solving Strategies March 1 - April 9, 2010
 Course Description Numerate adults do more than calculate figures. They think about the relationships between mathematical concepts and real-life situations. They look for patterns, make predictions, and evaluate their conclusions. They can form problems, represent them, and solve them. They apply critical thinking skills. As an instructor, you stimulate their numeracy development by choosing appropriate problems and guiding students as they try out new reasoning and problem solving strategies. This course examines mathematical reasoning and problem solving strategies and provides numerous teaching strategies and activities that you can apply to your teaching right away. By the end of the course, you will be able to:  understand the five processes of the cognitive and affective component of numeracy that adults use to solve mathematical problems
build students' comfort and skills in numeracy
use numerous reasoning and problem-solving strategies and activities in your own teaching
Course Format and Schedule: facilitated, online. Throughout this course you will engage in self-paced activities and readings, as well as asynchronous discussions with the facilitator and course participants. Course Facilitator: Barbara Goodridge Estimated Completion Time: approx. 2-3 hours per week; 12 hours total Prerequisite: Foundations of Teaching Adult Numeracy or equivalent experience  
 
 Number Sense: Teaching About Parts and Wholes April 12 - May 21, 2010
 Course Description Teaching students how to use estimation, mental math, benchmarking, and calculators will enhance their conceptual understanding of numbers and what numbers represent. This course focuses on helping adult students develop number sense by addressing two key questions: When is it necessary to have an exact answer, and when is an estimate sufficient? When calculation is necessary, which tool is appropriate to use? This course examines how students develop and apply number sense and provides numerous teaching strategies and activities that you can apply to your teaching right away. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 
analyze appropriate uses of various computation approaches (estimation, mental math, calculator, paper and pencil)
compare and contrast two models for developing a conceptual understanding of benchmark fractions and their equivalents
design math activities that are permeated with estimation, mental math, and reasonableness strategies.
 Course Format and Schedule: facilitated, online. Throughout this course you will engage in self-paced activities and readings, as well as asynchronous discussions with the facilitator and course participants. Course Facilitator: Jean Stephens Estimated Completion Time: approx. 2-3 hours per week; 12 hours total Prerequisite: Foundations of Teaching Adult Numeracy or comparable experience
 
 
 Introduction to College Transition Math  March 1 - April 16, 2010
 Course Description and Objectives You will reflect on your own and your students’ math backgrounds, examine and experience the college placement test your students take and try out math activities and exercises you can use in your classroom in preparation for determining what math knowledge and skills you  want to present to your own college transition students.
By the end of the course, you will be able to
identify your own attitudes toward math and develop strategies for helping your students understand their attitudes and build on their strengths,
describe the math skills assessed by the college placement test your students take and use that information to enhance their understanding of math concepts and skills,
explain ways to build your students’ skills in math for a successful college transition, and
develop (or revise) a curriculum outline for your own math class.
Course Overview and Schedule: http://professionalstudiesae.worlded.org/index.html#ctmath
Course Format and Schedule: facilitated, online. Throughout this course you will engage in self-paced activities and readings, as well as asynchronous discussions with the facilitator and course participants.
Course Facilitator: Pat Fina
 
Estimated Completion Time: approx. 4-5 hours per week; 24 hours total



 
 
The Childhood Lead Action Project is a statewide organization working to eliminate childhood lead poisoning through education, parent support, and
 advocacy.  With the support of a recent EPA grant, the Childhood Lead Action Project has developed a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention ESL
 curriculum to help ESL providers to supply their clients with important information to keep themselves and their families safe.
 The Childhood Lead Action Project is making this curriculum available to ESL providers throughout the state. 
 Contact Emily Godfrey, at 401-785-1310(x207) or emily@leadsafekids.org to inquire about the curriculum.

 In addition to the ESL curriculum, the Childhood Lead Action Project also provides free trainings, seminars and workshops on lead poisoning prevention,
 and tenants' rights.  These presentations can be tailored for ABE audiences, or for service providers. 
 Please contact Emily Godfrey for more information. -Emily Godfrey, Community Educator, Immigrant and Refugee Lead Prevention Project,
 Childhood Lead Action Project, 1192 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02909 (401) 785-1310  ext. 207 emily@leadsafekids.org



 
 talk about it :
 
 In July 2009, a World Education team that included John Strucker, Steve Quann, Sally Waldron, and consultant Ros Davidson completed extensive updates
 and revisions of Davidson's popular Website, Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles (ASRP) http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/index.htm for the National Institute for Literacy. In addition to providing useful information and free resources on reading assessment and reading profiles, the site has a unique interactive feature that allows teachers to match their adult learners' test scores to research-based adult reading profiles and then to receive instructional suggestions based on the matches.
To publicize the newly-updated Website, World Education will sponsor four special discussions (described below) on the Institute's LINCS Discussion Lists. Each discussion will be led by one or more prominent researchers in that topic area joined by in most cases by practitioners with expertise in that area.
Below is the schedule for the four special ASRP discussions.  To join any or all of the four special discussions, as well as the regular LINCS Discussion Lists, go to:   http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html   
 
January 26   New Developments in both Individual and Large-Scale Adult Literacy Assessments
Guest-discussant: John Sabatini (ETS).  Moderator: Marie Cora
 
March 22 Reading and Writing Skills of ABE Transition Learners
Guest discussants: Cynthia Zafft (World Education), Lauren Capatosto (Harvard Graduate School of Education), and Sally Gabb (Bristol Community College) Moderator: Ellen Hewett
 
April 12 The Literacy Development of ESL Beginners: Observations and Analyses from the NCSALL ESL Laboratory Classrooms Guest discussant: Kathy Harris, Portland (OR) State University
Moderator: Miriam Burt
 
June 21 Reading Patterns and Profiles of Adult Literacy Participants Guest discussants: Daryl Mellard (Kansas University) and Daphne Greenberg (Georgia State University) Moderator: Daphne Greenberg 
 

  New Math & Numeracy Discussion List moderated by Brooke Denney from the Adult Education Program at Cowley College.
 The purpose of this list is to provide an on-going professional development forum where adult educators, advocates, researchers, policy makers, adult
 education providers, and others can discuss mathematics and numeracy issues in adult basic education and GED programs. This list promotes the sharing
 of information, research, expertise, and resources on topics such as motivation and math, math skills for GED completion and transitions to post-secondary
 and workplace settings; common math and numeracy instructional issues; technology in math education; and current on-line numeracy or math classes
 being piloted in ABE/GED settings. The list will share information and resources on these and other related topics so that participants can increase their
 breadth and depth of understanding of adult numeracy and mathematics issues.
 http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html


funding opportunities - large and less large



  - 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.

 
  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. 
 If you have questions about this service, please  contact us at ricomjob@brown.edu


  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


 Unemployment lifeline – from the AFL-CIO, with locally-searchable links to resources http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/ 


online / resources available
  online: CAAL E-News Issue #6 (January 26, 2010) <http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs067/1102572750256/archive/1102965950211.html>
 – A Message From CAAL's President; Point of View: Let's Get Real with the GED; CAAL News in Brief - Cheryl King Moderates at CIC President's Institute; ED Awards $8 million to JFF for Green Pathway Initiatives, Getting Serious About the GED in NY State, OVAE Selects Eight States for Customized Transition Training, MDRC Releases Report on Ways to Reduce Ex-Prisoner Recidivism, Edward Gordon Gives Chicago Federal Reserve Bank Keynote, New Report from Working Poor Families Project, Workforce Alliance Becomes National Skills Coalition, New CLASP Publications on WIA, CAEL Comments on WIA Reauthorization. http://www.caalusa.org/enews.html  (scroll down)


  a math resource: http://mathsnacks.org/baddate_flashSub.html  
 
- the right question project – have you been to this site recently?
 http://www.rightquestion.org/
 
– what sites do you visit?  contribute to?  want to share?  let us know – janet_isserlis@brown.edu
 


 Free online resources that are very appropriate for adult learners are available at http://www.AskRI.org.
 They include online homework help for grades 3 to adult from 2-10 everyday at tutor.com.  Includes career help (resume review, job search, interview help),
 GED prep, citizenship, review of a document by a live tutor.  Also  check out the Skills Center for thousands of worksheets, tutorials, study guides and more. 
 Check out the online encyclopedia - World Book Discover - for adult learners and those with reading challenges includes translation
 capabilities into 14 languages along with employment, financial, health, and housing resources and more.
 
 AskRI is available not only in your public library, but also in schools, community centers and at home.
 With just an Internet connection, you have a whole world of authoritative information at your fingertips.
 And if you have a card from a public library, you have access to even more information tools. The service includes Spanish resources as well as English.


new brief from CAELA: Managing Programs for Adults Learning English http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/resources/managing.html


  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


  Rhode Island Employment Disability E-News, newsletter from the Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities,
 available at: http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/onlinepublications.html

  The Migration Policy Institute's National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy last year launched the E Pluribus Unum Prizes.
 The Prizes national awards program provides four $50,000 awards annually to exceptional initiatives that promote immigrant integration. The awards are
 intended to recognize exceptional immigrant integration initiatives that help immigrants and their children adapt, thrive, and contribute to the US or that
 bring immigrants and the native born together to build stronger, more cohesive communities. The application is open to everyone: individuals, nonprofit
 and community organizations, businesses, religious groups, and government entities, agencies, or officials operating in the United States.
 Additional information about the program, including profiles of the 2009 winners and finalists can be found at  http://www.integrationawards.org/.
 The E Pluribus Unum Prizes are a national awards program that will provide four $50,000 prizes annually to
 exceptional initiatives that promote immigrant integration.

  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
 


  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
 

  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
 

 Strategies for supporting Learners and Educators  an interactive workshop exploring ways in which stress and anger in the lives of adult learners and
 practitioners impact adult education. Join us as we review approaches to support adult educators whose work encompasses ongoing  contact with men
 and women experiencing various stresses and strains – some of  which have a direct impact on learning and classroom interaction.
 Thursday, January 28, 10 to noon, Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick.
 Please contact  Jessica Ortiz at jortiz@ric.edu or (401) 456-2838 to register by January 14th




  Call for presenters: The 45th Annual PAACE Conference on Adult Education, the largest gathering of adult educators in Pennsylvania, will be held at the
 Penn Stater Conference Hotel, State College, June 1 - 3, 2010. Adult educators and those from related are invited to attend the premier professional
 development and networking opportunity for all aspects of adult education in Pennsylvania. Check back often for more updates.
 http://www.paacesite.org/web-data/Diagrams/PAACE%20Site/conference.html  deadline: February 1, 2010


 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

 March 4, 2010 / PRE-Conference (Journeys to the Center: Spiritual Supports for Our Teaching and Learning)
 WE LEARN is looking for volunteer interpreters/translators (Spanish/English) for its
 Please, consider sharing your time and/or your Spanish-English or Sign Language interpreting skills with us.
  We have work exchange opportunities available but the deadline is FEB 5th!

  Email to obtain the volunteer application at: Alicia.Pantoja@gmail.com

  Deadline to submit volunteer/interpreter forms is Feb 10th. THANK YOU!



 The call for proposals for the 2010 Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers conference has been posted here:
 http://aleronline.org/conference.html deadline, February 8, 2010

 
 Sharing Skills – Building Connections, March 10 – Commonwealth Workforce Coalition.
 Registration materials will be available on line early in January.  http://cwc.cedac.org/index.html

 
 The call for proposals for the 2010 Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers conference has been posted here:
 http://aleronline.org/conference.html deadline, February 8



 National Community Literacy Conference in partnership with ProLiteracy and COABE 2010 Conference Registration Now Available
 Register before January 18th to lock in the lowest rate (Martin Luther King option) Registration is online through our conference partnership at
 http://coabeproliteracy2010.org
 



 Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 2009 Annual Convention – Re-Imagining TESOL
 http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/convention2010/  March 24 – 27, 2010, Boston

 
 The Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference March 25-26, Water's Edge Resort
Westbrook, CT
 
(800) 222-5901  http://www.caace.net/Content/Conference.asp   
 

 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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