Descriptive and Narrative Writing Classes Available

“Telling the Tales of The People: Chinese and Indian Folklore”

Instructor: Pia Villanueva-Pulido

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Through a study of of various oral tradition stories from folktales around the world (in particular Chinese and Indian folktales such as “One Grain of Rice” by Demi, etc.), participants will investigate everyday human qualities and characteristics that influence society. As students discover that each culture from around the globe has a unique response made richer by details and stories from its society, participants will understand that there are still many common elements that connect human beings with each other, in spite of their multicultural differences.

Whatever the messages or moral of the stories convey, folktales have been told and cherished for countless generations that fire our own imaginations. As students hear different folktales, they as young writers, are encouraged to ask themselves: What do I think is true, or fair, or good, or beautiful? How would I tell my story? Participants will write an original folktale using the writing process, and then illustrate their tale and create a storybook.

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:

At the end of the 6-week session, students will be able to:
Listen to folktales read aloud by the instructor
Discover the elements of a folktale genre
Learn how to analyze literary narrative (plot, character, moral of the story)
Practice descriptive writing skills and dialogue
Create and write an original folktale using the writing process
Enhance and foster creativity through literary arts

Literary Arts Classes Available from Pia Villanueva-Pulido

Writing Reflections: Inspirations from the Harlem Renaissance”
Instructor: Pia Villanueva-Pulido

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Exploring the vibrant literary techniques of Harlem Renaissance writers (Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Anne Spencer, Zora Neale Hurston, Paul Laurence Dunbar, etc) participants will discover the purpose of poetry and prose to convey the prevalent social themes of this particular time period. Understanding that poetry comes in many forms (narrative, lyrical, sonnets, ballads), students will write poems and short narratives to help them deliver in-class lyrical reading performances, articulate poetry interpretation, and participate in group discussions. Harlem Renaissance artists, musicians, and writers will give participants the visual/auditory imagery and inspiration to compare and contrast the present social issues within their own experiences in their communities.

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:
At the end of the 6-week session, students will be able to:
Develop an appreciation for poetry
Understand different poetic forms and poetry writing skills
Interpret, compare, describe, and analyze poetry
Become acquainted with the works of various Harlem Renaissance writers
Become familiar with lyrical poetry and recognize the personal nature of the lyric
Enhance and foster creativity through literary arts

What is Academic Language Therapy?

Academic Language Therapy follows an intensive reading intervention program designed to meet the needs of those with learning differences and other reading-related issues. There are times when children are in need of additional written language instruction, and academic language therapy can benefit children and adults who have been diagnosed with dyslexia (and/or related disorders such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, or ADD). Dyslexia stems from a problem with neurological wiring in the brain that makes it more difficult to learn to read, write, spell, and speak. With treatment, dyslexics will achieve success in all areas of their lives.
Language therapists use multi-sensory teaching techniques appropriate for all language learners, even individuals who do not have dyslexia. Children who have difficulty acquiring basic literacy skills, but are not dyslexic, also benefit from academic language therapy.
Mrs. Pia Villanueva-Pulido is currently under training and learning how to become an academic language therapist with the guidance of McKinney Christian Academy's new Directed Studies Program for Multisensory Teacher Training and Language Therapy. Following the direction of her qualified instructors at McKinney Christian Academy, Mrs. Pulido uses the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital's Take Flight Program, a comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia, which offers one on one private or small group sessions for elementary and junior high students with written language weaknesses.
In addition to reading and writing intervention, Mrs. Pulido is also available in providing middle school students with writing and/or organizational skills. She takes pride in report writing and regular communication with parents and teachers, and inviting others to take the opportunity to learn more about the Multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham based Language Skills Program. Mrs. Pulido offers language therapy either individually or with very small groups. Benchmark measures and mastery checks are used to continually assess student progress. Results of the benchmark measures are used to make instructional decisions based on each student's individual needs. For more information, please email piav_pulido@yahoo.com.

Reading Facts: The Impact of Literacy

Don't have time to read? Be grateful you can! Take the time to understand these facts and read to your kids. Take the time and teach them how to read.

-- 2.3 million Americans lack the reading and writing ability to handle the demands of daily life.
-- 237 billion dollars a year, in unrealized earnings, is lost by a person lacking basic academic skills.
--60 to 80% of illiterate people move outside the law because they cannot find legitimate work.
-- We spend 6.6 billion dollars yearly to keep 750,000 illiterate people in jail.
-- Aspirin bottle instructions are written at a 10th grade level.
-- Understanding an insurance policy requires a 12th grade reading ability.
-- An 8th grade reading level is needed to follow directions on a frozen TV dinner.

Source: North Carolina ACLD August 1983
Southwest Multisensory Training Center