How to Digest a Book

Have you ever heard of "close reading?" It is a reading technique that allows for "a thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text's form, craft, meanings, etc."

It is a rather advanced strategy for learning from books and other written materials. It is designed so you can get a lot out of writing that leaves you considering thought-provoking messages that go beyond the text. It's excellent for "talking with" the written word.

Earlier in the year, we watched some videos by Nick Vujicic. We even tried to invite him to come to our school (Sigh...he's not available.) Sister Patrice was telling her friend Lee Ann about this, and Lee Ann explained that she, herself, really liked Nick Vujicic's insights and ideas. Lee Ann and her husband sent our class a surprise. She sent each of us our very own copy of Nick Vujicic's book, Life without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life. 

We were really excited to receive them. We are using them for close reading. But, instead of calling it "close reading," we're learning "how to digest a book." Here's a bookmark with the steps.

Close Reading Challenge: We were also invited to consider being in a "Close Reading Challenge." Between the day we got our books and January 2, when we come back from Winter Break, we can read the book and "digest" it with a pencil or pen in hand. If we complete Sections 1-6 of the Personal Action Plan in the back of the book by January 2, we can get extra credit that will raise our grade in Communications for Life Success by one letter grade! It will be hard work, but we will also learn a lot.

Our (very first!) Video Production is Complete!

Take a look and email us at collettitz@gmail.com to let us know if you liked it! 

Student Exhibits at Family Literacy Night

Our class's display table December 7, 2016

At this evening's "Family Literacy Night" event, the students of the Technology for Life Success class had the honor of offering the only student-created display.

As a culminating activity for our First Semester unit on Money Management, students selected a project that involved pulling together what they'd been learning and presenting it for those attending the Literacy Night event. 

Exhibit by Ian Wynde

Ian Wynde did a survey of adults over age 21 and young adults age 16-20. He asked them about the types of bank accounts (savings or checking) they had. He compiled the raw data in data tables. Then he learned how to use the "chart" feature of Google Sheets to automatically create colorful circle graphs to illustrate his findings.

Game by Raycee Brown

Raycee Brown created an extremely popular "Memory" card game to  help younger attendees at the event practice reading numerals (1-20) and number words (one-twenty). The kids loved earning (plastic) gold coins for each match!

"College and Money" Exhibit by Treyton Neilan (College budget) and Shelby Neilan (Income Potential when you go to college)

Shelby Neilan researched how the amount of education you complete impacts the types of jobs you get and the annual salary you can earn. She identified typical jobs you can get if you don't finish high school, if you have a high school diploma, and if you have a bachelor's degree. She also identified specific jobs you could do at each level if you have a specific skill set. It was clear there are significant financial advantages to getting a four-year degree!

Treyton Neilan's exhibit featured a fictitious college student, "Jeff," and identified his income and expenses for a typical college year. Although "Jeff" worked part time while attending undergraduate studies full time, he also relied on grants, a scholarship and loans to make ends meet. Because he worked hard at his job and in his studies, and because he was very thrifty, "Jeff" was able to put some money away each semester, too. His savings would allow him to pay back loans or perhaps even buy a used car after riding his bike to and from class and work for four years.

Exhibit by Tyrone Lawrence (credit cards) and Lorelei Barse (debit cards)

When you buy something and offer "plastic" to pay, the cashier often asks you, "Debit or credit?" This exhibit analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards (Tyrone Lawrence's research) and the advantages and disadvantages of debit cards (Lorelei Tervino-Barse's research). Both types of "plastic" can help adults to manage their money, but smart adults understand the risks and the benefits.

Exhibit by Maggie Yankton

When you get your checking account, you can often select the design you want to have on your checks. Artist Maggie Yankton used color pencil and ink to create an original design featuring images reflecting Dakota culture. She carefully measured sample checks to ensure that all details (such as the lines to put signature, etc.) were exactly placed. She even invented a bank, "Indigenous National Bank."

We got a letter from Mr. Archambault, Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe!

He wrote to tell us the good news about the DAPL. Here is the letter:

Dear Patrice,

Yesterday we were notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not grant the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the Dakota Access pipeline. Instead, they will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement regarding alternative routes for the pipeline. This action strongly vindicates what the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been saying all along – that we all have a responsibility to protect our waters for future generations.

This is an historic moment. For centuries, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and tribes across the country, have faced fundamental injustice at the hands of the federal government - which time and again took our lands and tried to destroy our way of life. Our Treaties and our human rights were ignored, our interests in protecting lands and waters were considered unimportant, and our voices were not heard.

It was this shared history that led Tribes to come together as never before to seek the protection of our waters against the threat of the Dakota Access pipeline. With peace and prayer, indigenous people from hundreds of Tribes said: our future is too important. We can no longer be ignored. The goal was to protect these sacred waters, and to do so in the name of our children.

And, with yesterday’s decision, it is clear that our voices have at long last been heard.

Yesterday’s decision demonstrates that, despite all the challenges that Tribes face and all of the terrible wrongs the federal government has committed in dealing with us over the years, justice for Indian people still remains possible. My thanks to the Obama Administration, and particularly to Assistant Secretary Darcy, for upholding the law and doing the right thing.

Yesterday’s decision belongs in large measure to the thousands of courageous people who put their lives on hold to stand with Standing Rock in support of a basic principle -- that water is life. At Standing Rock, our youth played an important role in spreading our message and I am so proud of what they have been able to accomplish.

But Standing Rock could not have come this far alone. Hundreds of tribes came together in a display of tribal unity not seen in hundreds of years. And many thousands of indigenous people from around the world have prayed with us and made us stronger. I am grateful to each of you. And, as we turn a page with yesterday’s decision, I look forward to working with many of you as you return to your home communities to protect your lands and waters, and the sovereignty of your tribes.

My thanks to all of our allies, here and around the world, each of whom contributed to this effort. I want to give a special mention to the veterans who have come to Standing Rock in recent days. I am sure that the strength of your message in support of Standing Rock, and the rights of the Water Protectors, had a powerful impact as the Army made its decision. I appreciate all you have done.

While today is a great day, there is still much that needs to be done to protect Tribal rights and ensure justice for indigenous people everywhere. Using peace and prayer as our guideposts, and with the teachings of our elders and with inspiration from our youth, I believe there is much we can accomplish for the future.

Sincerely,
Dave Archambault, II, Chairman
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Do you know who made these signs?

Our solidarity with those at Standing Rock continues to have a big impact.

We made some great signs during first quarter and shared them with our school during our petition drive. We also shared them with our community during our Homecoming Parade.

In October, Mari took our signs with her to the camps. When Maggie went, she saw our signs, too.

And, the professional photographer who took the pictures for this organization's website saw them also. Now they are seen around the world.Look closely at the "masthead" or very top image on the website for Auburn.

Do you recognize those signs?
https://auburnseminary.org/thanksgiving-tell-family-friends-standing-rock/