California summer camp brings traditional music to children

Topic:

This article is about a summer camp where kids learn to play a style of traditional Mexican music.

       

    

Before reading:

       

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the US state of California on a map?
• What is mariachi music? What kinds of instruments are played? Do an internet search if you aren't sure.

            

Speculate:

• This article tells the story about a man who created a free program to teach children how to play mariachi music. What do you think are his goals for the program?

         

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, watch a video, and listen to or download the audio file on the PRI website. Word count: 901

         

Mariachi camp in California teaches kids tradition for free

After reading:

         

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Jose Soto tells the children to "see if you can fit [an instrument] into your life". What do you think he means by this?
• What are some possible reasons that Rebecca Humphreys might have decided to join the mariachi music program?
• Debate with your partner(s): Is it a good idea to recruit more students like Rebecca Humphreys (students with no ties to Mexico) for the mariachi music program? Consider arguments for and against this option.
• What might be some of the benefits of having a program like this for children? Make a list.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

            

Reflect and evaluate:

• Describe traditional musical styles and instruments from your culture. Do children learn how to play them? In what kinds of situations do people hear this music? Is there special clothing to wear while playing this music?
• What role has music had in your life? Do you enjoy traditional music? Can you play an instrument? Tell your partner how music makes you feel.
• Reflect on the relationship between music and culture. Write down your thoughts.
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

            

Beyond the page:

• Choose one type of traditional music from your culture and research its history.
• The British Library has a collection of traditional music from around the world. Choose a region to explore: British Library World and Traditional Music

              

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. Like Lively Exchanges on Facebook, and don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Students at an Iowa university learn about sustainable agriculture

Topic:

        

This article is about a student-run farm in Iowa.

       

      

Before reading:

         

General Knowledge:

• Look at a map of the US. Can you find the state of Iowa?
• What kinds of tools are used for gardening? What tasks are each of the tools used for?
• What is "sustainable agriculture"?

         

Speculate:

• What might be the effects of giving students the opportunity to learn by working in a garden?    

       

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 655

A Student-Run Farm Cultivates Passion For Sustainable Agriculture

       

After reading:

      

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might these students be learning through hands-on work in the garden that they wouldn't learn in a classroom only?
• Not all of the students who work in this garden will become farmers. Do you think that this class can benefit them even if they choose another type of career? Explain.
• Riley Madole says he'd like to continue this type of work in the future, but only a small number of other people in agronomy are also choosing sustainable farming. Why might more people prefer industrial (non-organic) farming instead?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

        

Reflect and evaluate:

• Would you have been interested in an agronomy class like the one in this article, if it had been available to you? Explain.
• Student Heidi Englehardt says that working in the garden has given her a "passion" for physical work. What experience have you had with physical work? Do you enjoy it? Why or why not?
• Do you have a garden? What do you grow? If you don't have a garden now, what would you like to grow if you had one?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page:

• Want to know more about sustainable agriculture? This page has a lot of information: What is sustainable agriculture?
• Take a look at this infographic on agriculture: The Global State of Agriculture

    
**Make sure to check the Lively Exchanges page again tomorrow for a special announcement!**
       

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Learning at the Library

At last...I'm back!  My apologies to regular readers for taking a break from posting for a few days longer than usual- I had a cold that knocked me out over the weekend. But I've (mostly) recovered and hope to pick up my regular posting schedule again. And stay tuned for an extra post or two over the next week!

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about the role of libraries in lifelong learning. Word count: 484

Before reading:

   

General Knowledge:

• What is the purpose of a library? What can you do at a library besides borrow books?
• What is "lifelong learning"? What are some of the ways that adults can participate in it?

Speculate:

• This article refers to a recent study that suggests adults would rather learn in a physical classroom than online. What might be the reasons for this?

      

After reading:

     

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Instructor Matt McEntee will "teach you how to fix anything from a clock to a broken heart". If you attended his class, what would you want to learn how to fix? If you taught this class for a day, what could you teach someone else how to fix?
• In the article, Pew researcher John Horrigan says, "Learning is still very much a place-based thing". What does he mean by this? Do you agree with him?
• Whenna Andrews says that she feels "like the library seems more credible". Why do you think she used the word "credible"? What is she implying by this?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

• Have you ever used the internet to help you learn something? What resources or websites did you use? What was the result?
• Compare and contrast learning online with learning in a physical classroom. What are the biggest differences? Are there any important similarities?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page

• How do you learn best? Try one (or both!) of the following quizzes to find out more about your learning style: What's Your Learning Style? or Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment
• Find out more about the classes and services offered at your local library. Are there any that interest you?

       

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

Can you speak Java?

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about one state's plan to treat computer coding like a foreign language in schools. Word count: 492

Before reading:

General knowledge:

·Can you find Florida on a map?

·Agree or disagree: "Computer skills are as important as speaking another language." Give reasons to support your opinion.

After reading:

Review and discuss:

·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".

·In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing computer coding to fulfill a foreign language requirement?

·In the article, Senator Jeremy Ring argues that "a technology understanding" is important for the professional environment but Linda Markley argues that employers prefer world language ability over certain other skills. What do you think about these claims?

·What about the ways that Texas and Alabama are building coding into the curriculum? How do you think they compare with Florida's proposal?

·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

·If you are employed, which skill—computer coding or world languages—would an employer prefer in your work environment, and why?

·Can you think of additional skills besides coding or world language ability that are important to employers?

·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?

·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

New York City firefighters learn Chinese

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about NYC firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs who are learning Mandarin. Word count: 440

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

·Can you find New York City on a map?

·What comes to mind when you think about New York?

Speculate:

·New York City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States. How might this affect the public services that are offered?

After reading:

Review and discuss:

·Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".

·What does Doraun Ellis mean when he says, "I'm a, you know, 6-foot-2 black guy. They were not expecting me to speak Mandarin"?

·Lt. Charles Flores says, "If you can put them a little at ease, that's half the treatment sometimes." How does learning Chinese help to accomplish this?

·What might happen in a situation where a firefighter or paramedic cannot speak the language of a person who needs help?

·In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

·Have you ever been able to put someone at ease in a difficult or stressful situation? Or has someone helped you? What happened?

·Are there any skills you would like to learn in order to do your job better?

·Research: Chinese immigrants haven't always been New York City's largest immigrant group. Find out about immigration trends in the city's history. Then, find out more about immigration trends in the area where you live.

·Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?

·What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!