Friday, December 27, 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!





Felis Anu Nuebu (Chamorro)

Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpei)

Ungil Becheserrak (Palau)

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)

Sut dal kum mum (Korean)

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)

ChĂșc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)

May the year 2014 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Saturday, December 14, 2013

IRA Community Book Fair Reaches Children of All Ages

The IRA Community Book Fair held December 14, 2013 at the Agana Shopping Center was a huge success!  Children of all ages were treated to books of a variety of genre, Christmas performances, local author autograph sessions, novelties, prizes, and more!  A special donation presentation was also made to the Philippine Red Cross.  We look forward to the next literacy-filled event! 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Research in the Teaching of English

Featured Journal: Research in the Teaching of English
Volume 39
Number 3
February 2005

Research in the Teaching of English is the flagship research journal of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).  It is a refereed scholarly journal that explores topics relating to teaching and learning of language and literacies in diverse settings.

Guam Council IRA December 2013 Newsletter


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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Authentic Questions

Food for thought: Accomplished readers spontaneously ask questions before, during, and after reading. Self-questioning deepens one's engagement and understanding of text. Proficient readers speculate about the meaning and questions will not be answered by the author, but will be left to their own interpretations.
 
Source: Using Journals to Connect with Reading and Writing

26th Language Arts Conference Engaging!

The 26th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held November 15 and 16, 2013 at UOG's Tan Lam Pek Kim English and Communication Building was engaging! The conference theme was Interweaving Tradition, Innovation, and Core Curriculum Standards in Literacy.The literacy-filled presentations and keynote speech by former Guam Department of Education Superintendent, Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, was insightful. Drs. George Kallingal and Margaruite Smith also served as plenary speakers with inspirational messages.  Enjoy the following snapshots!

















IRA & SOE Alumni Association Officers present their workshop titled Using Journals to Connect Reading and Writing. Pictured L-R:  Grace Griffin, SOE Alumni President & IRA Webmaster; Margaret Beem, SOE Alumni Vice President & IRA Member; Martha Sudo, SOE Alumni & IRA Secretary; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, SOE Alumni & IRA Webmaster/LAC Chair; and Lois Gumataotao, SOE Alumni PIO & IRA Member.
IRA members enjoying the 26th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference.
Pictured L-R:  Charleena Yanger, IRA Historian; Lois T. Gumataotao, IRA member; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, IRA/SOE Alumni/LAC Webmaster; and Amanda Quan. 


LAC Presentation:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois T. Gumataotao get ready for their presentation Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Rivera; Gumataotao; and Martha Sudo, IRA/SOE Alumni Secretary. 

The presentation, Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts, was well attended. 

More participants from the Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts presentation.


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Guam Council IRA November 2013 Newsletter




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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Guam Council IRA October 2013 Newsletter



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Saturday, October 5, 2013

Sherry Dixon‘s Natural Destiny on Guam

      Sherry Dixon started keeping a diary when she was in the fourth grade.  She wrote in a journal in high school.  Now Sherry writes a blog and participates in at least two writing groups.  She advises, “If you are a writer and you are not a part of a writing group, I strongly recommend you find one.”   
            Natural Destiny is Ms. Dixon’s first book.  It is the story of a young girl caught in the traumatic events of WWII on Guam as the Japanese invaded the island.  The story is narrated by an older woman thinking back on her youth and the events that shaped her.  The culture of Guam is seen through the eyes of an eight year old girl who keeps a positive outlook on life, despite the loss of her parents at an early age and also the extended family who cared for her. 
            Ms. Dixon’s education prepared her for her “day job” as an Environment, Safety, and Health Professional.  She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a BS in Occupational Education and earned an MA in Human Resources Development from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is now a Certified Safety Professional with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.  She also belongs to several professional organizations including Toastmasters International where she has earned the title, “Distinguished Toastmaster”. 
            She is the featured Speaker at the General Membership Meeting of the GIRA this Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the OUTRIGGER RESORT GUAM from 8:00 to 11:00 am.
She will also visit middle and high schools during the week of October 14-18.
            Other events are:
·         Teacher Writing Workshop at Agueda Johnston Middle School Library, Tuesday, October 15, 4:15-5:15pm
·         Story Hour at the Hagatna Branch of the Guam Public Library, Saturday, October 19, 10:00-11:00 am
·         Teen Writing Workshop at Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary Cafeteria on Saturday, October 19, 2:00-4:00 pm
                       
To read her blog and find out more about Sherry Dixon, visit her website at www.sherrydixon.com.

Sherry Dixon’s School Visits
October 14-18, 2013
Agueda Johnston Middle                  
VSA Benavente Middle
FB Leon Guerrero Middle
Oceanview Middle
George Washington High
John F Kennedy High
Okkodo High
Simon Sanchez High
Southern High
Notre Dame High
St. Francis Catholic
San Vicente Catholic
St. Paul Christian

SOE Alumni Association to sponsor special author’s visit with Filipina Author Dr. Gilles


The SOE Alumni Association will sponsor a special author’s visit with Dr. Almira Astudillo-Gilles on October 26, 2013 during the Saturday Story Hour, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  at the Hagatna Public Library.  Dr. Gilles’ will conduct a Read Aloud with activities.  She is based in Chicago and is one of the Pamana Awardees for 2012 (Literature) - awards for overseas Pinoys in different categories.  See link below.
Her children's book, Willie Wins, has won several awards, and has been one of the most popular books for Filipino-American kids in recent years.

She is also scheduled to deliver a lecture on October 25, Friday, 2:00 p.m. at the IT&E Lecture Hall in the University of Guam’s SBPA building.   Copies of her novel will be available for sale. 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Guam Council IRA September 2013 Newsletter


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

IRA's First General Membership Meeting for CY 2013-2014 is September 14, 2013, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
"CELEBRATING TEACHERS - MAKING A DIFFERENCE"
Location: Outrigger Guam Resort, Tumon Bay

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

GPLS 2013 Summer Reading Program


What?  GPLS 2013 Summer Reading Program; Theme:  Dig Into Reading

When?  Kick-Off:  Saturday, June 8, 2013, 10:00 a.m.;  Reading Club Duration:  June 10, 2013-July 18, 2013; Wrap-Up Party:  July 27, 2013, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Where?  GPLS Branches

For details on the Guam Public Library System summer reading program, visit the following link: http://gpls.guam.gov/Portals/50/GPLS_ANN/2013%20SRP%20Information%20Brochure.pdf

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Family Literacy Celebration a Success!


After a year-long experience of assessing and tutoring children in the University of Guam's SOE Literacy Center, the ED644 Reading Cohort candidates culminated with a well-deserved Family Literacy Celebration on May 15, 2013, inclusive of a conference with the children's parents to discuss the reading improvements detailed in the addendum, an awards ceremony, picture taking, and more! Congratulations Reading Cohort 2013!

Guam Council IRA May 2013 Newsletter

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Monday, January 14, 2013