Literacy and College Readiness

Literacy and College Readiness

Educational strategies these days are focusing on getting students ready for college and the rigors of coursework.  Programs in elementary, middle school, and high school are focusing on the idea of helping students understand pathways to college by providing information and skills on study skills.  Some school districts are sending teachers to "extreme" training sessions and conferences to help gain new knowledge and ideas on how to reach students and help them be successful in school and thus, ready for a post-secondary education.  All of these efforts are noteworthy because in the United States, we are trying to play "catch up" with many other countries that are at the "head of the class" in academic achievement.   I agree that we cannot let up and must continue to do what we can to help secondary students achieve.  However, if we are going to make any in-roads in educational attainment we must start at the beginning--at the beginning of the school journey.

One way that we will make a significant impact on graduation rates, college attendance, and college graduation - be it a technical, 2-year, or 4-year program, is to start now with our Pre-K through fourth grade students.  We must help them develop the literacy skills which will launch them into a well-executed plan to learn to read, write, communicate, and problem-solve!  These four basic literacy skills are connected to college readiness by big, bold dots.  We will not see the fruits of our efforts in this year's graduation rate; but we will see a difference in eight to twelve years when the Pre-K to fourth grade students are ready to graduate!   You might say - but wait - that's too long - we need results NOW!    You are correct.  We cannot drop the ball with our current students but somewhere along the way we have forgotten to help children love to learn, love to read for pleasure, express themselves through writing and speaking.  Most of all, we have forgotten to help them use what they know to solve problems. 

I remember asking someone, as I sat in a college Algebra class that I did not like, "when am I ever going to use Algebra in my life?"   As it turned out, when I was well into my family and consumer sciences program and majoring in nutrition, I used algebra in my quantity cooking classes to take a simple recipe and quantify it to serve 100 persons!  I finally "got it!"

College Readiness is defined as...the level of preparation that students need in order to be ready and to enroll and succeed without remediation in credit-bearing entry level coursework at a community college, trade school, or university.   College is rigorous!  College is designed to help students become professionals who will serve their communities in their respective careers and capacities.  These same rigorous skills are needed in the workplace.   So you are having surgery.   Do you want the student who earned "C's" in college or "A's" to perform the surgery?  

Reading is a given in college.   You must read chapter after chapter in a variety of courses.  Writing is a must in college.  You must develop scholarly writing skills and write in a manner that you can communicate your message in a professional, articulate manner.  Communications skills are so important because they manner in which you speak or communicate through your writing says a great deal about you.  And then there is problem-solving as a key literacy skill for college readiness.  Being able to read, comprehend, strategize and develop a plan to solve a problem by using what you already know plus what you read and learn is the key to life success. 

College readiness?  It starts by teaching very young children the magic information that they can find in books.  It continues by helping them learn to understand the message and re-tell the story in their own words.  Finally, it continues by asking them - "how would you end the story?  What would you do differently?"   The minds of young children are phenomenal!  They can learn so much; but they need their parents and other significant adults to help them read, write, and problem-solve to guide then on the pathway to college readiness.  We need to start NOW!

 

 

Reading Readiness

Do you remember the first book you ever read?

Do you remember the first book that was your very own to keep?

For many adults, memories of childhood often include things like favorite books, bedtime stories, visits to the library, and choosing books to read for fun. For others, story times at school, visiting the school library, and English class may be the only memories that exist.

It is a fact that children that do better in school are readers. The more they read the more they improve; and as they grow into adults they will have a more expanded view of the world. Reading helps children expand their vocabulary and their reading skills. They tend to read more and for longer periods of time. Best of all, readers do better in other subjects as well. The best way to raise a reader is to read out loud to him/her every day. Have them point to the words. Practice saying and spelling the words. If there are words that your child does not understand then you should both look the word up in the dictionary and find the meaning.

From the time they are toddlers children can learn how to hold a book. They can learn where the front of the book is and how to turn the pages carefully without tearing them. They can also learn when to turn the pages as the story is being read. Children should begin to expand their collection of books at home and learn how to select a favorite book from their collection.

A valuable part of reading is the expansion of our creativity and our imagine. When you read: "The wind was blowing hard and made the flowers move back and forth," the mind creates the image of flowers and bushes blowing in the wind. On the other hand, when you read: "As the wind blew hard, the roses swayed from right to left making their fragrance more prominent in the cool morning air." Both sentences create a picture in our minds of the action of the wind on the flowers. In the second sentence, our mind goes a step further and "sees" the roses swaying in the morning when it is cool and perhaps damp and we can almost smell the fragrance of the roses as our imagination takes over. Not only can we see the action taking place, any one of the main elements - wind, roses, the fragrance - can take us to places in our memories where we can recall past experiences!

I say all of that to impress a point: that reading helps us learn by taking our imagination to new levels of awareness. This is a powerful tool for children to develop as they strive to be successful in school.
Read to and with your children every day for at least fifteen minutes. It will be an enjoyable time of learning and quality interaction for all of you.

Financial Literacy - Teaching Children This Life Skill

Lately, I have been asked to present several programs related to financial literacy - learning how to manage your money.   It has been interesting because the most popular part of the program is the discussion related to each person's "spending personality."    What is a "spending personality?"   A spending personality helps answer the question - "Can you control your spending?"   Wellllll, can you?

The discussion in the lesson I present has to do with recognizing "needs" and "wants".   A need is something that is necessary in your life - food, shelter, clothing, electricity, etc.    A want is something that would be nice to have - but not necessary!   I want so many things!   I need so many things!   Your spending personality comes down to the question:  "Do I NEED to buy this (item)?"   "Is this item something that would be nice to have - but I don't really need it?"   

It is hard enough for parents and adults, in general, to try to ask ourselves the question as we contemplate whether to spend our money or not; but talking to teens about needs and wants?   Wow - talk to the hand!     Let's discuss what is normal about adolescence.  

It is normal for teens to have a need to belong.  They, however, do not want to stand out - just want to fit in.   That goes for clothing, shoes, knick-knacks and other things used as accessories for the body, as well as, the basics.   The other complicating factor is immediate gratification.  They find it difficult and do not want to "save" for whatever it is they want to purchase.  They want it NOW--not tomorrow or next month or "we'll see."   At this point communication begins to shut down between a parent and a teen and relationships are strained.  You also get the rolling of the eyes, the sighs, and don't forget - the dirty looks!

How can you, as a parent, help a child learn the essential life skills related to money management?
One way is to share the reality of your family budget.  Write down on paper (if you don not already have it)  your income (take-home pay) and all of the expenses that are NEEDS in the lives of you and your family.   Write down the other expenses - the loan payments, the credit card payments, and any other payments you may have.   Write down the amount you are saving.  Have them help you "pay the bills" next month by reading the expense and your write the check or pay on-line.   Watching the money "GO" where it needs to go first can be a real learning experience!  

Another way to help them understand the budgeting process is by using "money jars."   These are canning jars, mayonnaise jars, whatever clear jars you have.   Your child should label the jars - NEEDS, COLLEGE SAVINGS, SAVINGS FOR WANTS, and GIVING/DONATIONS.   These are only four jars but you could have more.   It is so simple but watching a money jar grow or get emptied is a hands-on, experiential tool to help children and teens develop a positive spending personality. 

The ground rule is that the College Savings, and Savings for Wants Jars - keep growing.  The College Savings jar never gets emptied until it's full and ready to be deposited in a savings account; and then it starts getting filled all over again!  The Savings for Wants jar gets emptied as the money accumulates to buy the wants - a new video game, a new trinket, or some other not necessary for life item.   The Needs jar also gets emptied as the opportunity arises to purchase whatever is needed.   And then there's the Giving jar.  It should grow, but it should also be emptied - perhaps 10% of the total at a time to help show children and teens that sharing what we have with others is a compassionate and important gesture.

The new money rules are: 
Live off - 50% of your income
Save - 20%
Grow - 10%
Have Fun - 20%

When you think about it these rules allow YOU to control your spending, cut down on expenses, and move to being more financially secure; while still having some fun!

Teaching your children to manage money is a life skill which they will carry with them the rest of their lives.   Start today and communicate your monthly budget process with your children.   All of you will learn from the experience!     Literacy for Life!

New Habits for the New Year!

Vivir bien, querer mucho, reirse a menudo.   This plaque rests atop a door way where I cannot miss it every day!   It means - Live well, love much, and laugh often.   Wise tips for the New Year!   As we get closer to a new year, we hear much and read much about New Year's Resolutions - those promises, thoughts, dreams, or commitments we make to ourselves at the end of every year that will supposedly motivate us to change our lifestyle or philosophy of life.  Indeed, some of them can be life-changing - life eating healthier, for example.  Reminds of a few tips I found once in The Old Farmer's Almanac like:

*Beware of ingredients ending in ose - because they contain sugar
*Eat slowly - to let your brain realize that you are full!
*Eating 3,500 calories equals a pound of extra weight.  Working out on a treadmill for an hour burns about 700 calories or less!   Think about that one awhile!   How long do you have to exercise to burn off that extra pound?  Ouch!

Going back to The Old Farmer's Almanac, I also read that it is a wise thing to set yourself up for new learning every year by making a contract with yourself to read at least one book per month.  You might need to join a book club at your local library to stick to that resolution or force yourself to read every day for at least a few minutes.  Either way it is a good thing to do!

Another good thing to do is to keep a journal--just writing for yourself!   It makes good reading when you find yourself confused, exhausted, or stressed-out.   Whether you use a spiral notebook or a fancy leather-bound, or simply keep a journal on your computer--it is a good thing to keep you centered and focused.   You might want to keep a journal on your personal purchases, on the weather, or your gardening activities.  You might want to keep a journal of ideas, drawings, poetry, or music.  Keep a notebook or note pad and pen by your bedside and write. 

If you pick up your journal and do not know what to write, use a writing prompt and write for 3-5 minutes without stopping.  What's a writing prompt?   It's a phrase, word, question or statement which helps jog your memory.  Here are some examples:
*My favorite Christmas memory...
*My Christmas wish...
*A friend I remember but not longer see...
*I wish I could...
*If I had all the money I needed I would...
*Tell about someone who has influenced your life and explain the influence.
*How I would change my childhood...
*A book I would write...
*A place I would like to visit and why.
*Something new I want to learn.
*My dream is to...
*Someone I miss...
*My greatest fear...
*What I would change about myself...

That's enough to get you started.   Here's a challenge:   Why not get everyone in the family a journal and have them begin their daily writing habit.  You could even have a family journal and record the happenings, achievements, and challenges of each family member.  How?  Have a weekly family meeting and give the job of writing in the journal to a different family member each week.   This journal could be the place where you add pictures, too.

Writing every day is something of a lost art for some people.  Make sure that you get your children to write thank you notes for all those Christmas gifts they received!   It is not old fashioned - it's the new thing to do!
Writing speaks for you and offers you the opportunity to be creative and to connect with yourself and others!

Live well, love much, laugh often -- all activities that will result from your journaling!
*

Just Make Your Mark...

During the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to talk with elementary and middle school students and impress upon them the connection between literacy skills and life success.  First I had a great experience viewing the talented art work of sixth grade students at Barrientes Middle School in Edinburg.  Twenty-five students participated in a youth art contest sponsored by the South Texas Literacy Coalition.  The contest was inspired by a reading of the children's book The Dot by Peter Reynolds.   Peter is a creative, sensitive, and awesome writer with the knack for getting at the heart of the matter with simple but powerful words and illustrations.  Students at Barrientes Middle School were read The Dot and then went to work creating their  art which they would donate to the STLC as a community service project.  The art work was sold at the 3rd Annual Historias de la Vida/Stories of Our Life Gala held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the beautiful Shary-Shivers Estate.  The first four place winners were placed in a silent auction and the entire collection brought the STLC over $1100 which the STLC will use to buy books for their book distribution events.  At a school awards ceremony, I had the opportunity to read The Dot to the students in the contest and their parents.  The message in the book is simple:  help someone find the creative talent within, raise their self-esteem, encourage, motivate, and praise.   For the person on the receiving end of the motivation, the message is:  have the courage to risk it all and show your talent.   One of the greatest lines in the book is:  "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."  The reaction from parents was amazing.  You know when you see in someone's eyes that "they got it".  That's the looks that I saw...a friendly reminder that parents are a child's first teacher and that they must be involved in their child's education, motivate, encourage, challenge, and praise.   Kudos to Mrs. Eva Torres and staff at Barrientes who promote excellence and work hard every day to start the day with a smile and applause for each and every student!  They are living the message of The Dot - in living color!   Oh yes,  every student received a copy of The Dot!. 

The second opportunity I had to read The Dot was at Freddy Gonzalez Elementary in Edinburg to the 4th grade classes.  Spearheaded by teacher Marissa Huerta, the fourth grade students studied college readiness, going to college, and became familiar with various flagship universities.   Mrs. Huerta took the career exploration experience a step further and submitted a proposal to the STLC for a book distribution promoting reading and literacy.   The STLC board approved and over 200 books were delivered and Dr. Dahlia Guerra, STLC president and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and myself talked with the students about career planning and "connected the dots" between literacy and college readiness.  I read The Dot to the students and the look in their eyes was - "I get it!"    We promoted HESTEC Community Day and FESTIBA in the spring and, of course, UTPA!    Congratulations to all the fourth grade teachers at Freddy Gonzalez and kudos to them for promoting literacy skills.  

Just make your mark...and see where it takes you!

Literacy for Life.

South Texas Literacy Coalition Gala

Our 3rd Annual Historias de la Vida/Stories of Our Life Gala is set for:
Date:  Saturday, September 24, 2011
Time:  7-10 p.m.
Place:  The beautiful and historical Shary-Shivers Estate located on North Shary Road in Mission/Sharyland.

This year our featured author is Peter Reynolds, renowned children's author and illustrator from New York who will review his award-winning book The Dot.   Gala guests will receive a copy of his book ready for signing. 

Other interactive literacy activities will include a book distribution from Scholastic, a fun booth for photo ops, a silent auction featuring youth art, a delicious array of food and desserts, beverages, and awards presentations for the Community Literacy Champion and the My Librarian Rocks award winners. 

The gala is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and partners.  A limited number of gala tickets are available for $50.00 per person,   For ticket reservations, call me at 956-279-1689. 
Tickets will also be available at the next quarterly meeting of the STLC which will be held on Monday, September 19, 2011 at the meeting room of the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library from 11:30 a.m.  to 1 p.m.    All interested individuals and representatives from community-based agencies and organizations are invited to the meeting.

The STLC gala is our primary fundraiser supporting our programming and outreach.  As many of your know our featured outreach program is the South Texas Reading Initiative through which we distribute books to help children start or expand their home libraries.    Mark you calendar and join us!