Weather Preparedness and More

 Hello Friends.

We are having some wild weather here in Indiana of late. It is a good time to review weather safety, especially since we are spending more time out of doors.

• A watch means that conditions are favorable for a weather event. A tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch means to watch out for that weather.
• A warning means that the weather event has been observed. For example a tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted either on radar or in person. 

Having a plan for severe weather is important. Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan from FEMA has a comprehensive list of things to consider for any emergency.

In addition, everyone should know where to go to shelter in your home. An interior room like a bathroom or basement is the best place for high winds and tornados. Be sure to have blankets, a flash light, a radio, and shoes (most people do not wear shoes in their homes and broken glass and other debris can harm your feet). Stash critical medications and necessities.

If you are at a fair, concert or other event either indoors or outdoors, follow the instructions by authorities. Always be on the lookout for places to take shelter (like rest rooms)

Planning Ahead

Westfield Indiana Cuisine Connect Culture  September 10, 11:00-300.

What’s the Story

"What's the story" is a slangy saying that means someone wants to know more. Tell me. Someone might say “spill it” or “spill the beans”. People may say this when they want to hear gossip or when they want to share your (or someone else’s) news.

Two Dragonfly Species Recently Spotted In the Park: This story is about dragonflies never before spotted in the Great Smoky Mountain Park. It is also about people with a common interest getting together to do something. It is about people sharing their experience and interest by reporting what they found.

The Ninth Amendment to The United States Constitution

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

The Ninth Amendment is a catch all and has an interesting history and current application. There are rights that are not specifically written into the Constitution but are basic and a part of our society and of which we are protected from government intervention.

Our Summer Meetings

We have two meetings continuing this summer over Zoom. It is never too late to join. Email your name, address, emergency contact and the class or classes you want to attend. We will send you the Zoom link.

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

We are continuing to hone our skills. We are watching YouTube and reels to watch how other people sign. 

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

Many of our Friends are on break, but we are continuing to meet. It is fun to see where our Friends are over the break and who they are visiting with. Camping is a popular activity with our Friends. Some of our Friends are going to camps and others are going camping with their families and friends. 

be on the lookout: keep an eye open, be prepared

comprehensive: complete

construed: interpreted in a particular way

disparage: regard as being of little worth

enumeration: an action regarding a number of things as one 

of late: recently

saying: statement

spotted: seen

stash: store safely

Mid July Musings

 Hello Friends,

We had a nice meet up at Founders Park. The day was beautiful. Nice and hot, but not too hot. We learned a lot about each other. It was nice to see faces and to meet families. Welcome to Indiana Friends and their children!

Summer Meetings

We have two meetings that are continuing on Zoom over the summer months. To join us, send an email to Carolyn Willard. You are welcome to join any time and do not have to live in Indiana or the United States. Tell us your name, email address, age, emergency contact information (parent or other) and mailing address.

• American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom
• Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

Names

What do you like to be called? We have many different kinds of names in the United States. There has been a trend to give unique names and unique spellings to children. We have nick names and pet names that become what we are called. Some people shorten or change their names to be "easier" for others to say or remember. At International Friends and in America by large, we have no common or usual names. People's families are from many different countries (if not in the most recent generation). People like the sound or meaning of a name regardless of the origin. People create names or create new spellings. Someone may ask you, "What do you go by?" That means: What do you like to be called? 

There is so much to do in the Carmel, Hamilton County, and Indiana:

Colts Training Camp tickets are free

Porchfest in Carmel: Quarterly concerts for families and friends. Mark your calendar

Hamilton County Fair: July 14-19, 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville. A county fair is not to be missed! See projects and animals. Kids third grade through high school can participate: see what 4-H is about, there are projects for everyone. Join the fun and join 4-H.

Indiana County Fair Schedule Want to see more county fairs. Start here for dates.

Indiana State Fair: July 29-August 21. County Fairs and adult competitions culminate at the State Fair. There is something for everyone at the fair: food, fun, animals, music, competitions. See the schedule and get 

We are reading, listening, reading along:

Story Like You Mean It by Dr. Dennis Rebelo

Read-along progress The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling:

• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5-8
• Chapter 9-12

The Eight Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Read more about the history of the crafting of this right as well as legal cases that take precedent to inform decisions. Interestingly, what is excessive, cruel and unusual can be contentious. 

Words to Know

Using the word love: 

• "I love you!" Shows affection.
• "I love the dress you are wearing." Shows opinion.

Using the word care:

• "I don't care for spinach." Shows opinion.
• "Greta Thunburg cares about climate issues." Shows a strong interest or concern in or about something.
• "I care for my boyfriend." Shows affection.
• "Her parents are taking care of her pets while she is on vacation." Shows who is watching, feeding, etc. someone or something

bail: temporary release of someone awaiting trial often involving a payment of money to guarantee a return for the trial

by large: in a majority

contentious: leading to disagreement and arguments

culminate: end our result

excessive: too much 

inform: information that is applied 

nick names: shortened versions of a name or an earned name

pet names: loving names called people we like

trends: popular fashion

July Is Moving Along!

Hello, Friends.

This has been a very busy, short week. I will cut to the chase with the good stuff!

American Sign Language (Monday beginning at 5:30 PM) and Kid's Conversation (Friday beginning at 5:30 PM) are both meeting this week on Zoom.

July 14 Meet Up at Founder's Park

Let's Meet Up at Founder's Park 2:30-4:30 PM on Thursday July14.

11675 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel (on the corner of 116th Street and Hazel Dell)

Enjoyable English Study

Kids' Conversation on Friday reminded us that a great way to study a language is to read a story. Our technology allows us to not only read but to read along. Research tells us that when there is no pressure to "study" and there is a context for the words and grammar, we are naturally focused and remember, learn, and apply what we have learned.

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling is a book one of our Friend's brother is reading (in Japanese). This Friend read the book in English when he was living in Indiana.  Here is a read along version of chapter 1. This is a fun way to "study" a language for pronunciation and cadence.

Here is chapter 2. Can you hear a difference in the pronunciation and cadence from the two readers?

The Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Read more to discover the history as well as cases that inform decisions. The law places the decision in conflict between individuals into the hands of a jury. 

cut to the chase: come to the point, skip social chatting

common law: legal cases that are decided based on past decisions and opinions Read more in Common Law Definition

Suits: lawsuit

Welcome July

click to go to the webpage for the full update

Hello, Friends.

This weekend we kick off the month of July in style with four glorious days of Independence Day celebrations! 

Sink your teeth into this Independence Day article from History.com. 

And here are some spectacular fireworks to enjoy  

Sing and Sign the Star Spangled Banner

Local Celebrations

The Hamilton County Reporter has great overview of local events on the North side.

Little Words Matter

• Choice words: words that are sharp or reprimanding
• Choice of words: picking the just the right words to express your thoughts or feelings

Can you think of other phrases?

American English Vowels Using the Color Vowel Chart

Do you struggle hearing and pronouncing American English vowels? Reading and seeing the words does not help you hear all the different ways to pronounce our vowels. This video Keenyn gives a nice explanation how to use this tool. She talks about paying attention to stress or rhythm of pronouncing words which is key to hearing and being understood. Notice that she tells you to practice using your personal word list or words you use the most. 

Here is the link to the Color Vowel Chart. Click on the chart to hear the sound. This method may help visual thinkers and learners make a new connection to improve their listening and their speech patterns so they can better understand others and be understood.

The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

This Amendment outlines rights in a criminal prosecution. Accusations and trials are to be speedy and public with all sides of the argument presented. Delve into the details in this link to learn more about this right and what is legal.

American Sign Language: Monday, July 4, No Meeting 

We have a break to celebrate July 4, Independence Day. We will reconvene on July 11.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, July 8, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

Be ready to ask each other questions and to play tic tac toe and other one on one games.

defence: British spelling of defense (remember, American English did not exist, yet)

delve: study 

enjoy: possess and benefit from

in style: in a classy and fun way

sink your teeth into: become completely involved in something