Over tonkotsu ramen, Dwight and I compared notes about our day–he in the greenhouse, me in the classroom. I showed him photos of a sad-looking plant in the classroom. He suspected overwatering and advised deionized water would be better than tap. He also suggested the plant needed to climb and might benefit from fertilizer after its dormant period. I’d previously used Google Lens on the plant, and it had led to similar advice.
Category: Volunteer
Maintaining a safe space for students if the ICE man cometh*
Today I returned to school, volunteering in a classroom–a safe space where I learn to be kind and patient. I inquired about the school’s policy if ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents show up on campus. Currently, there is no formal policy in place, which will be a significant concern in the coming months. In the interim, we have this handout. *(With apologies to Eugene O’Neill.)
Neither Snow Nor Rain…*
The first real snowstorm of the winter, as I waited for the bus. It was a busy morning, with a little help from technology. Some students had chosen to take a job qualification test in Spanish, so I found myself pointing Google Translate at their screens so I could offer hints. In another class, I used Gemini to generate random numbers to select writing topics submitted by the students.
Sparks of Inspiration
We asked each learner to write down a subject on a piece of paper that included one of the vocabulary words shown in blue on the board. We then randomly drew two subjects for a writing exercise. I was impressed by the subjects the learners came up with for the exercise, including these examples on the whiteboard. One, in particular, was quite metaphysical.
Classroom Distraction
Working for a few hours in this classroom made jet lag disappear, at least temporarily. Bright light, mental focus, and social interaction all helped.
Germ Transmission 101
In today’s Certified Nursing Assistant class for English language learners, the subject was germs. To illustrate the concept of germ transmission, each learner received four slices of potato, untouched by human hands. They then performed three actions: rub one slice on the floor, breathe on another, and rub the third on their hand. Next week,… Continue reading Germ Transmission 101
Back to School
It was a morning of acronyms preparing non-native English speakers for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification, and assisting with ELL (English Language Learning).
School’s Out
After last night’s imagined English Language Learning classroom, I stepped into a real one today for the final day of summer school. School starts again early September when I’ll continue working with the same teacher. I enjoy working with her: she prepares thoroughly, she uses my time well, and the students love her.
Classroom and Greenhouse Care
Wet-wiped eraser dust and pencil marks from classroom tables, as I do every week before class. Meanwhile, Dwight cleaned the drains at the greenhouse.
Growing the Future
While Dwight was volunteering at the university greenhouse involving a microscope, an entomologist and a literature search dealing with this sad specimen, I assisted with English language learners. In one class we brainstormed food truck ideas—ice cream, coffee/tea, and Somali sambusa—and started budgeting. In another class we focused on job-searching skills.