Hello, Friends.
April showers bring May flowers. We are also hurtling to the official end of our 2023-24 school year. Our classes officially end on May 17 with our Kid's Conversation.
There is gold in each of the class notes for the week. Be sure to look at them.
Festivals
Festivals are an important part of the summer in the United States. While Indiana has its share of fun events, there are plenty others to enjoy.
Festival Guides and Reviews is a great place to start looking for funnel cakes and fun near and far. This will take you to the Indiana page, but search around to see what other states have to offer.
In Indiana
The month of May is a wonderful time to be in Indiana. There is something for everyone! And, (hint, hint) I plan to be at most of these.
The Indy 500 Concerts, parades, running races, and so much more. Get out to the track. Get down to Speedway. Get down to downtown Indy. Get down to Indycar racing!
500 Festival begins May 1! Get hyped up!
Indianapolis 500 track schedule and tickets. This is not just a one day event!
The Vera Bradley Outlet Sale May 1-5 is a great excuse to go to Fort Wayne. Tickets are $6.00 +fees during the week and Saturday and Sunday are free.
Indy Film Fest is a great way to see new films. In person screenings are about up but on line/virtual are available through May 5. Regardless, films are screened throughout the year at different venues, so check the schedule and enjoy something other that Netflix. The Facebook Events Page is the best, up-to-date resource.
Primary elections are May 7. Hoosiers weigh in on who they want to see on the ticket in November. This IndyStar article gives you the lowdown on the presidential candidates and Indiana key issues and voting rules. While the presidential candidates are set, the governor seat is still up for grabs. This IndyStar article
Blue River Highland Games Head to the Shelby County Fairground, 500 Frank Street, Shelbyville, Indiana May 18, 2024, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and enjoy some extreme sports Highland style. Spectator tickets are $5 for adults and kids over 12 years old. and $40 to compete.
Carmel Art of Wine: Buy a pass and get a glass. Enjoy sips of wine from the local and not so local vintners while enjoying live bands.
Take a Break
Americans do not like to stop and smell the roses. We keep on trucking (and tramping and trudging) through the day. Multitasking is another point of personal pride. Watch a game while creating a crochet masterpiece or studying for a class. Walk the dog (drive, work out) and listen to books on tape. Our multimedia lifestyle keep us going. Exposure to information is not learning (or retaining). Interaction is key to connecting. Then, give the material time to sink in. Creative work is done while resting and allowing your mind to wander. Daydreaming is an important part of filing away what you know and creating avenues for access and use. Here are 15 Reasons Why Daydreamers Are Better Learners. Summer is a great time for dreaming. There's homework for you!
Meetings and Classes
Our school pizza party is Thursday, May 2. Everyone is invited. Come and celebrate the end of the year.
Our last English and American Culture class is Thursday, May 9. Zoom with us on the day to evaluate our exciting year and set the course for next fall.
American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM EST (UTC -5), Zoom
We met signed Amazing Grace. Our toddler friend brough us plastic food and we were tested to remember our food words in a new context.
April 30: The song of the day: What a Wonderful World. Here are two translations.
International Bible Study: Monday, 8:00-9:00 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We talked about Genesis 2.
Verses and notes:
Genesis 2:9 Two trees: life and knowledge. We wondered why these trees were placed in the garden.
Genesis 2:15 We are free to choose and we know the difference between right and wrong; remember choices have consequences.
Genesis 2: 18 Adam had God and the animals for company, but he needed fellowship with other people. Names are so important:
Why the Choice of Your Child’s Name Matters So Much
Genesis 2:19 God hands creation over to mankind to manage and care for. While humans are creative, we are tasked with maintenance and order.
We only read and commented on the first half of Psalm 44. God fights for us. We can rely on Him!
April 29: Genesis 4 and 5 and the second half of Psalm 44.
American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We talked about our progress on our songs. Christopher Monroe shared a little bit about his company XVII, inc. The premise is to create and promote encouraging thoughts in 17 letters. He rattled off 100 of sentences and phrases. It is amazing what can be conveyed in a small space. He shared one of his free verse "poems." We each had a different takeaway from this piece both in hearing and in absorbing. Limits, edges, and guidelines are an important part of setting expectations when we communicate. There are some that come with a language and culture, and there are others that we set as a part of our situation and relationship.
May 2: End of Year Pizza Party and Open Mic
10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST (UTC-5)
In-person and on Zoom
Cornerstone Lutheran Church
4850 East Main Street, Carmel. Enter Door 6
Bring your original song to share.
Come even if you don't have a song to share and cheer on the songwriters.
Kids' Conversation and More: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We talked about how we use technology in our different schools. We found out that kids in other countries do not get a cell/smart phone until much later than kids in the United States. We found that kids in other countries do not rely on technology for research and for submitting papers and reports. American kids, even in the earliest grades, are given iPads for exercises, test taking, and text books. There is a trend toward not allowing smart phones and devices in the schools in the United States. The premise is that there are too many distractions via social media and texting communications. Getting back to face-to-face interactions. This Ed Week article tries to convey both sides of this argument.
May 3: Popular culture is the set of beliefs and artistic output (songs, literature, movies, paintings or other artifacts, games and past times, food, clothing styles) in a culture or society. American culture, Western culture, Japanese culture all have unique aspects of culture that people love to share. Then there are international sensations like Taylor Swift. Swifties (as fans are known) inhabit countries all over the Earth. Pop culture is a big business. PopCon is a convention that helps people
What is the pop culture in your country? What is American pop culture? What is the impact of these things on the economics of your country?
Words and Phrases
around town: out and about
there's(or that's)...for you: an emphasis or exclamation point that points out something as particularly good, bad, or a common
keep on trucking: persist, persevere
live (bands, musical performances): in person not prerecorded
lowdown: jucy details
that being said: a conversational transition
past times: how people spend leisure time and money
set the course (a pun here): plan a plan
stop and smell the roses: relax and enjoy a moment
there is gold: good information
up-to-date: most current
No comments:
Post a Comment