Newsletter Articles
Dear Friends and Family, Our literacy initiative is ramping up with Family Ninja Nights attracting more and more children who take part in our evenings of fun, food and learning. The night starts by reading a book together. We pick a cultural theme and introduce the children to different countries. We have also found a collection of Ninja themed social/emotional learning books that teach perseverance, kindness, etc. All participants receive a ninja mask and other goodies which makes them happy, and a free book to add to their home libraries. Following the reading, and in pure ninja form, we stealthily sneak literacy activities into a fun and interactive game. Last month we played musical chairs. Instead of removing a chair with each round, we marked the chairs so that whichever child grabbed the “hot seat” was it. The chosen child pulled a card from an envelope marked for their reading level. The child read the word written on the card, spelled the word, and wrote the word on the white board under the appropriate heading, i.e. adjective, adverb, noun, verb. Once all the words were on the board, the group used them to create a story. The kids have loved showing off their language skills and learning new ones. Playing a game helps us discern which children need extra help with reading so we can discretely target them for private tutoring. We top off the evening with a meal, often based on the cultural theme of the day. So far, only one family has requested tutoring for their son. We meet once a week and his mom says he looks forward to our time together. As I always say, “Start small, show growth.” We will continue to encourage others to accept tutoring but even the group activities encourage critical thinking and improved reading skills. If we can make a difference for even one child, the effort is worth it.
Friends, I’ve traded in my winter blues for bluets, lilacs and apple blossoms. The robins have returned to compete with my winter birds for worms in the softened wet earth. Warmer days find me in a hammock on my newly built back porch. On my grandson’s 9th birthday in April, I saw my first hummingbird of the season, prompting me to resurrect their feeders. We all have much to be thankful for if we take the time to pay attention to our surroundings. From my kitchen window, I discovered that a dainty new tuft of wildflowers had emerged in a spare sandy spot of my backyard. If you’ve read my past musings, you probably know my disdain for technology and love of nature, but I’ll admit, sometimes the two can work together. Downloaded on my iPhone is a plant identifier app which I use to learn the names of species I do not recognize. I learned that the pinkish white blooms on their cluster of spindly stems are called Spring Beauties. Usually reserved for a meadow or woodland path, they have moved close to me. That is enough to bring joy to my day! And so are you, our friends and family who remember us in so many lovely ways! Our prayers are with you,
Donna