Venn Diagram:

This graphic organizer involves two items that are linked together by characteristics or attributes. As part of the activity, you would describe and compare attributes and characteristics of items (things, people, places, events, ideas, etc.)

When using the venn diagram, reflect on the following critical questions*:

• What items do you want to compare? What characteristics do the items have in common (intersecting portion)?
• How are the items similar (the same) and different (non intersecting portion) based on the characteristics?

Example:

Notes from previous posting: Graphic organizers convert complex information into manageable chunks. They make content area information more accessible to English Language Learners. They include webs, Venn diagrams, charts, and other visual tools that enable your ELLs to better comprehend and organize information that is taught. This will further allow your ELLs to develop their higher level thinking skills and promote their creativity.

Source: http://www.graphic.org

Dr. Stoicovy and I provided staff development for faculty from regional post-secondary institutions that are part of the Pacific Postsecondary Education Council (PPEC) during the week of the Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) held July 14-17. In particular, we provided ESL second language acquisition skills training titled, Scaffolding Academic Literacy Skills for Asian-Pacific Islanders at the Post-Secondary Level.





















Pictured above L-R: Judy Torres, Northern Marianas College instructor; Midori Mersai, Palau Community College instructor; Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, PPEC instructor; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera (back), PPEC instructor; Rosemary Kohama, Palau Community College instructor; and Rennetta Meyar, Palau Community College instructor. Not pictured is Cynthia Deleon Guerrero, Director for School of Education at Northern Marianas College. Please note that other members attending the PEC were not available at the time this picture was taken.

What comes to mind when you hear the word "graffiti"? Is it positive or negative? It’s actually a positive graphic organizer for critical thinking/reflection, if used properly. See the example below of how a group of students used the Graffiti Board as part of their reading activity.

Graffiti Board Example:

Note: Click on the image above to get a clearer picture of the graphic organizer.

Materials/Procedures for Graffiti Board*

*A large sheet of brainstorming chart paper

*A marker for each person

Directions:

1. Students engage in some type of shared experience, such as reading from a particular Text Set or shared book set, exploring a particular concept, or participating in a science observation.

2. During the shared experience, students sit in small groups at tables with a large piece of brainstorming paper in the middle of the table. At various points throughout the experience, students are invited to stop and write their observations and reflections on the paper in the form of graffiti. Each person takes his or her own corner of the paper and works alone, sketching and writing images, words, and phrases that come to mind. There is no particular order or organization to these images and words. They are simply added randomly to the graffiti board.

3. Students within each small group share their graffiti entries with each other and use these to identify issues and connections to begin a dialogue or to create a more organized web, chart, or diagram of their connections, either in the small group or as a whole class.

*Source: Creating Classrooms for Authors and Inquirers by K. Short, J. Harste, C. Burke

Happy 65th Liberation Day, Guam! Biba Guam! Biba UOG! Thank goodness the weather cooperated with us! It was wonderful being able to wave to our family, friends, and UOG alumni while on the UOG Liberation Day trolley! The UOG Liberation Day float was also very impressive and symbolic with its eagle wings, canoe, paddles, plumerias, ocean, significant UOG logo, paddlers, Tritons, palm leaves, latte stones, academic book, and so much more! A lot of cultural work and ingenious creativity went into the development of it! Way to go Tritons!

Here are a few snapshots I took during the parade. Enjoy!

UOG 2009 Liberation Day Float




























Tritons pictured above L-R: Peter Duenas, UOG Alumni; and Vincent Salas.

















Pictured L-R: Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President; and Dr. Helen Whippy, UOG Vice President. Back row, UOG Alumni Triton, Peter Duenas, Class of 1976.

















Triton pictured above: Peter Duenas, UOG Alumni, Class of 1976, performing the traditional call of the Kulu.

Graphic organizers convert complex information into manageable chunks. They make content area information more accessible to English Language Learners (ELLs). They include webs, Venn diagrams, charts, and other visual tools that enable your ELLs to better comprehend and organize information that is taught. This will further allow your ELLs to develop their higher level thinking skills and promote their creativity.

Each week I will share the different graphic organizers that teachers can effectively utilize in their classroom instruction. The first graphic organizer I will introduce is a modification of the KWL Chart that many teachers have heard of. The visual is self-explanatory. This is certainly a useful tool! Enjoy!

Note: Click on the image to get a clearer picture of the graphic organizer.

We will soon be treated to yet another cultural Pacific conference, namely the Pacific Educational Conference (PEC), to be held next week. Last month, we had a meaningful cultural experience during the 28th Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference with its engaging theme, “Invigorating Languages and Cultures of the Pacific.” It is a cultural learning experience I will always cherish.

This year’s theme for the 26th Annual PEC is “Preparing the Pacific Child for Life.” It will be hosted July 14-17 at the University of Guam. It is co-hosted by the Guam Public School System, University of Guam, Guam Community College, and the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. Like the PIBBA Conference, it is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and cultural enrichment in a variety of academic areas. In particular, the PEC conference will focus on preparing the Pacific child for life. Educators will be given an opportunity to gather ideas, strategies, and best practices for lifelong learning.

Educators seeking recertification can earn one graduate credit by attending the conference and completing ED894 PEC course requirements. However, before you can sign up for the course, you must be a registered PEC participant. If you missed the PIBBA Conference, then here’s another opportunity to attend an engaging cultural conference you won’t want to miss! We hope to see you there!

Family literacy programs provide a way to teach families to read and write so that they can help their children at home. Family literacy embraces the intergenerational links which can interrupt the cycle of illiteracy. Teaching the parents and grandparents to increase their academic skills allows them to be a child’s first teacher.

The years from birth to 10 are a crucial age span, when a firm foundation is laid for healthy development and lifelong learning. At three, most children are self-confident and trusting, intellectually inquisitive, able to use language to communicate, able to use their increasing physical activity to play and explore, able to relate well to others, and able to empathize with others.

Enjoy the following family literacy websites to gather various ideas/activities to strengthen family literacy!

Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org/parents


Family Literacy Special Collection
http://literacy.kent.edu/Midwest/FamilyLit/parent_links.html


Partnership for Reading’s “A Child Becomes A Reader”
http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/pfr.html


Family Literacy Resource Notebook: http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/famlitnotebook/


Family Literacy Foundation: www.read2kids.org


National Center for Family Literacy: www.famlit.org


International Reading Association: www.reading.org


American Library Association: www.ala.org


Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy:
www.barbarabushfoundation.com


Early Childhood Education
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI/publications.html#ECD


United States Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml?src=pn

Dear UOG/SOE Alumni & Friends,

Please join us for a Wine Tasting & Annual Campaign Fundraising Launch on Thursday, July 9, 2009, 6 p.m. at the Meskla Chamorro Fusion Bistro. Please RSVP by July 2 by contacting Monica at 735-2956/7 or e-mail mwnterle@uguam.uog.edu, peterroy@uguam.uog.edu. We hope to see you there!