Hello Friends,
Time has flown by since we first started meeting.
April Showers bring on those May Flowers.
Working together for hours and hours.
Friendships growing through Zooming and face-to-face greetings.
Where are you since we started? Where are you now? We are pushing the envelope these last weeks by pulling out the stops to use the raw materials we acquired through the year to create songs in our English and Culture Class.
We are circling back to the beginning of the Bible and seeing where everything started. We are also studying Psalms which are songs of praise or laments or both.
Comparing and contrasting our home countries and the U.S. is a great topic of information for our Kid's Conversation Classes.
Translating is imperative for expanding understanding and adding vocabulary for our ASL and our service to our deaf community. Signing songs and rhymes keeps us in tune.
Join us in these last weeks of challenge!
Look Out For...
Indy Lego Fest: A LEGO Fest Is Coming to Indianapolis, IN And It Promises Tons Of Fun For All Ages
Raw Materials For Inspiration
Accents In America
7 Southern U.S. Accents You WON'T Understand
Take it to the next level:
Center For the Performing Arts in Carmel
Storytelling Arts
- Indy Story Slam April's theme is karma
- Indy Story Slam June's theme is gardening
Say It Out Loud!
Meetings and Classes
International Bible Study: Monday, 8:00-9:00 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We read about Jesus' resurrection as retold in Mark16. Our discussions pointed out that it is often hard to accept amazing and good news from our friends and colleagues. We talked about how hard it could be when we are confronted with predicted events mainly because life does not always meet what we envisioned. We discussed how we cannot make someone believe the truth. It is a blessing to see, it is a blessing to have ears to hear...and to believe.
April 18: We are going to enjoy the poetry and keep in line with our apex projects by reading a Psalm a week. We begin with Psalm 1. Enjoy this version set to modern music;
We are going beginning with Genesis 1-2. These chapters describe creation and how everything began.
American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM EST (UTC -5), Zoom
We interpreted some nursery rhymes. Spoken American English trains pronunciation through quirky and fun stories that carry the beat of the language as well as matches uncomfortable sounds in a swinging, singing, fun way. Then we try to sign them using ASL. We discovered that physically connecting words can be just as awkward as reciting them!
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. But, Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.
Rain, rain go away. Come again some other day. Little [insert your favorite name here] wants to play. Rain, rain go away.
April 16: "Singing" along always helps us to grow our skills and our community
American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
As promised (or maybe warned!) it is time for our April apex project: writing a song. Have fun bringing everything we did together in one project. Bring your history, vocabulary, and ideas. Bring on your problematic words. You can jump write in or you can ruminate on the process.
How to Write Song Lyrics In 7 Steps from Master Class can give you more information to boost your confidence.
Basic Song Structure Explained from Fender provides components in a song.
How Long Should My Song Lyrics Be? from Indy Song Makers cuts to the chase to tell the raw numbers. Most songs contain two (and up to six) verses or stanzas that have four (up to eight lines) and a chorus that is repeated as needed.
And to help you get beyond survival mode: What's the Hardest Part of a Song to Write? from Indy Song Makers can talk you out of the tree.
And then you can make a successful and popular song with lots and lots of repetition. We love that part! Think of the Beatles (Let It Be)! Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis: Why we love repetition in music | TED Talk
Tips:
- Start with a tune you know well; any tune is fair game. You don't have to write your own music (but if you have a tune, please use it!).
- List rhyming words. They can help your write the next line or phrase.
- Pick a topic or story to tell.
- Repetition is your friend. Everyone loves the chorus because they can sing along!
- Can't find a good rhyme? Go with a sound or a repetitive word. Those rockers love baby, man, no.
- Most songs contain two verses and one chorus. Each verse often has four lines (but can have up to eight).
April 18 and 25: Songwriting Workshop. Bring all your American English and Culture skills and your personality and personal story to the table and write a song. Bring your work to class for collegial encouragement, help, and support
May 2: Open Mic to showcase your work at our End of the year party.
May 9: Reflect on the year. This year posed some wonderful learning expectations and opportunities to explore new ways to learn and grow. As a school, we tried many new techniques to provide everyone with experiences to move above and beyond. This was a Master Class! As staff, we saw amazing advancements. Join us to debrief and help set the course for future learning.
May 16: Last meeting. Where? On Zoom? Somewhere else? Stay tuned!
Kids' Conversation and More: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
Coming back from break was exciting because our Japanese friend started Middle School. In Japan, kids start the new school year in April unlike the States and Brazil which start in August or September. We compared classes and the break down of schools. Japan and Brazil have similar groupings: grades 1-6 (primary and elementary), 7-9 (middle), and 10-12 (high). Here is how they compare to U.S. levels:
April19: Our Japanese friend will tell us about spring agriculture in Japan. Here is a great overlay map that demonstrates the position of Japan in comparison with the U.S. Do you thing
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Words and Phrases
apex: reaching a goal or culmination of work
jump write in: ha ha ha ha, get it?
overlay: a graphic or idea in comparison with another
problematic: giving you trouble
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