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Inspiring English Language Learners

Unpacking Culture

7/18/2020

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This post is featured on the Re-Imagening Migration website. Find article here: 
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You can’t be an effective teacher without being a learner at heart.
Did you know that students are NEVER too old to enjoy a picture book? This article here tells you more. Even adults can learn from picture books - I do!

The book Dreamers, written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales, is a stunning picture book with an amazing story about an immigrant mother and her baby immigrating to the US. While discussing it with our newcomer students, I began placing sticky-notes everywhere with all the ideas and thoughts that were rushing through my mind. Here is what I was thinking:

Packing Our Culture

PictureDreamers book by Yuyi Morales
I was 15 years old when I was asked to pack-up a backpack with a couple of outfits and whatever else I could fit in and carry with me on a journey from Guatemala to the USA.
I remember looking around the room and packing a few photographs and recuerditos (keepsakes) I didn't want to leave behind.

I do not doubt that many immigrants experience this moment when they have to decide what to pack and bring along their migration journey. Besides packing the essentials, many of us pack something that will remind us of the world we are leaving behind, representing our country, homeland, and believes.
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Just like we pack-up objects, we also pack-up our identity within us and hold on to it as tight as possible because we know it is what makes us who we are. The things we pack-up within us are experiences, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, family, foods, music, culture, heritage, and more. All this builds our individuality. 

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Yuyi Morales narrates this personal experience perfectly in this image. We see how her backpack includes a jatana, a pencil, nature items, and Señor Calavera. If you follow Yuyi's Instagram account, you'd see how these objects represent her identity.  Objects that she carried with her as she crossed over the Mexican border to come to the USA. And just like we see in her book, the objects that represented her identity were kept safe and packed up because they were being protected or perhaps they stayed packed up because she didn't feel like her individuality would fit in the new culture.
In Dreamers, we see the characters trying to blend in and function in a new country and culture but with a
substantial struggle to be who they are. 

I experienced this as well, and so do many immigrant students and individuals who come to the United States. While many of us love our home culture, our language, and everything about our heritage, society tells us that to function successfully, we must keep our background packed up and blend in the American culture and master the English language to be successful.
For many of us, it'll be years and years till we realize that our culture, language, and heritage are valuable and core to who we are. 
For others, this realization will never happen - and heritage, language, and culture will be lost. To me, this is a sad reality that will hinder many generations. 

Opportunities to Unpack 

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As an immigrant myself, I can tell you how intimidating it is to be yourself and unpack our background for all to see.
You look around, and everything is new and different. You listen around, you and all you hear is the new language -- a language you don't yet understand. 
However, there are ways to embrace the differences while still appreciating what is packed within us and show them to the world.
Here are a few of them:
  • ​Reading: Just like Yuyi demonstrates in her book, reading and finding books that reflect our own identity and individuality is a way to strengthen our background. Find books whose main characters are representing your experiences. Seeing your journey and heritage honored in text can empower you to unpack your own experiences. Here's a great resource that provides identity books and other tools.
  • Writing: When you feel validated and accepted, you begin to embrace your identity and will be empowered to become the author of your own story and be the main character in your stories. In this image by Yuyi Morales, we see how trust begins to grow when you realize that you matter. We see how her objects are pouring out, and through her body language and expression, we recognize that she is happy to be herself. She is then inspired to publish a picture book to tell her own experiences. Here's an article with lesson ideas on how to encourage students to write their stories. 
  • Listen: Take time to listen to others' stories. Don't listen with the intention to respond....just listen to learn and appreciate. Not long ago, I had a student who asked me a question, but her questions led to her telling HER story. Students want to share their stories. Students want to be known. It is our job to provide opportunities for those around us to share their story. Here's a podcast I just started that focuses on stories of passion and persistence. 

Unpacked Culture 

Having our culture and heritage unpacked is just the most wonderful feeling. How do you know your culture, language, and heritage is unpacked? - When you celebrate it, appreciate it, and embrace it. When you do not fear what others will say about who you are, how you speak, or what you're wearing. When you begin to find a place in your new home, you understand that we have more similarities than differences and contribute to society to create a beautifully diverse culture.  
"The teacher's task is to initiate the learning process and then get out of the way." John Warren
As we were reading this book with my student, we both had different takeaways from the text. Yousef here was able to draw what he understood what was happening in the story, then retell the story using his own words. He was able to personally connect with several parts in the story and was very confident understanding it because the images speak so much.
​I am encouraged to write my takeaways because he did the same!
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If you have read this book and would like to share your takeaways with me, please share them with me. I'd love to hear about your experience with this amazing book. Or if there is another book that would share these same ideas, I'd love to know of it.
Remember YOU matter! Your culture matters, your language matters, your heritage matters. So, showcase it...display for all to see and appreciate it.

Thank you for reading! 
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Efrén Divided BookTalk

7/13/2020

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Book Selfie for #ELLchat_bkClub
I am so excited to share with you all about this fantastic book I just finished reading (twice).
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros - This is a beautiful family story - not only the main character Efrén Nava is highlighted, but also his parents and the entire family.

Efrén is a fascinating young boy who at a very early age finds himself having obligations at home that go beyond his responsibility. The story begins setting a stage of a very humble Hispanic family living with very little resources but strongly united.
Efrén's Am
á goes looking for a job, while her children are in school, she gets caught up in an ICE raid and is deported back to Mexico. Efrén is heart-broken but at the same time, his heart was ready for this news since he understood that his parents were in danger of being undocumented in the US. He quickly begins taking responsibility for his twin brother and sister Mía and Max.
I Love Efrén's attitude towards his family. Without complaining and without asking why he jumped in and contributed however he could to support his family and continue providing a sense of consistency and normalcy for his siblings.
Throughout the story we see the family's strength to keep the family together - Apá works countless hours and goes above and beyond to provide for his family and find ways to bring Am
á back home.
I have to say how much I LOVE the way Ernesto honors Hispanic families and culture throughout the story.
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Amá's deportation hurt the entire family - and we see how every one of them kept on pushing and functioning and planning regardless of how they were feeling. 
  • We see Efrén struggling in school and trying to perform to the best of his ability regardless of what he was going through. 
  • We see Apá working non-stop to be able to get extra money to be able to bring Amá back home.
  • We see Max and Mía, two little kids, missing Amá's love and care (and cooking).
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It is a story that many students will identify with - whether is because they are separated from their parents or maybe because they are carrying on the same responsibilities and obligations Efrén is having to do. 
This is a story all teachers, principals, social workers and guidance counselors need to read. I was able to connect with the story because I experienced a lot of the things the family goes through - but if you have NEVER experienced anything like this, it would give you a needed perspective to better understand your students. 

I do not doubt in my mind that a lot of students in our classrooms are experiencing things at home that do not feel comfortable sharing with anyone at school; hence knowing about these topics would give teachers that understanding and the knowledge they need to advocate for students.
During July, I participated in the #ELLchat_bkClub Twitter book chat where we engaged in conversation with this book. It was so exciting to hear from other teachers reading this book and see how they react to certain parts of the book.
​I also LOVED engaging with the author who participated during our entire book study. 
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Link to resources for our book-study

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Because I believe this book needs to be used in schools - whether is for bookclubs or guided/strategy reading groups or school group discussions, I made these chapter notes and questions as I read the book.

Feel free to use them! If you create any more resources for this book, I'd love to hear from you. So far all I have are questions and topics for discussion but I would love to see educators creating an entire book study with activities for the book. 

Here's a great identity heart graphic organizer a book study participant created.
Amy Sherman took the challenge in creating an identity map on Efrén Nava and it is just fabulous. 
This would be something amazing to have our students create too. 
​You can find a printable version of the graphic organizer
here. 

Chapter_1-4.pdf
File Size: 2558 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Chapter_5-8.pdf
File Size: 8840 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Chapter_9-13.pdf
File Size: 5229 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Chapter_14-18.pdf
File Size: 3809 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

These are the questions we used for discussion during our book study on #ELLchat_bkClub. If you need an editable version of the questions pdf documents above, you can access them here. 

This book is without a doubt a 5 starts book that middle schoolers and HS students would love.

I'd love to hear from you if you have read it or if you decide to read it. There are many topics to discuss and I'd love to engage in conversation with you about this book. Author Ernesto Cisneros is very active on Twitter so connect with him and ask any questions you may have.


Thank you for reading! 
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La Noticia

7/2/2020

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Maestra usa sus experiencias como estudiante inmigrante para capacitar a otros profesores
“Teacher uses her experiences as an immigrant student to help others”

I am so honored and humbled that Julian Berger would take his time to write this fantastic article about my immigrant journey and teaching experience.

What makes it even better is that Julian graduated from my HS not long ago and knows teachers and students mentioned during our conversation. What a small world.
Here's a link to the article posted July 2nd, 2020 ​
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Thank you so much for reading!
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Supporting Immigrants Webinar

6/30/2020

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How to support immigrant students in challenging times?

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Just wanted to make sure you knew about this fantastic (and FREE) webinar opportunity to learn how to support our immigrant and refugee students. 

This free webinar is hosted by
 Re-imagining Migration and The Immigrant Learning Center's (ILC) Public Education Institute.

It is a two-day online workshop featuring researchers, teacher trainers and pedagogical experts.
Participants will learn:
  1. the impact of current events on immigrant and refugee students
  2. strategies to improve distance learning
  3. how to support students during times of crisis
  4. how to bring the immigrant voice into focus across the curriculum

You can register HERE for the 2020 Immigrant Student Success: Strategies and Tools for K-12 and Adult Educators on July 8 and 9, 12:00 to 3:00 PM EDT, three hours each day
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I am honored and humbled to present on July 9th - My topic is: Personal Stories to Build Strong relationships. I also will also be part of a discussion panelist sharing our thoughts on Immigrant StoryTelling. 
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I hope you can join us but if you can't, I will be providing links to the recordings if you cannot join us live. 

Thank you for reading!

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June's BookTalk

6/29/2020

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Book #1

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I was so excited to read this book that I pre-ordered it and received it 2 days after it was released. As soon as I found out that this story was about 3 Guatemalan teenagers - I knew I had to read it. 

Of  course the story does not disappoint! We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez is a hard book to read just because the journey Pulga, Chico, and Pulga (3 main characters) go through are  VERY difficult. 
This book tells the raw journey of 3 teens who ride La Bestia (a monster train) to immigrate to the USA and their journey will stay with you long after you finish the book.

As a Guatemalan and immigrant myself -  I was able to identify with the characters which is something I long for my students to do when reading our class books. I am going to be so excited to share this book with my students...especially when the Spanish version is released!!!

You can find my full booktalk/review of this 5-Star book here on my YouTube channel! 

BookTalk time ?

We Are Not From Here by @jetchez#StoriesMatter & these stories must be told!

⚓️ Pulga
⚫️ Chico
? Pequeña

3 historias fantásticas & their journey will stay with you FOREVER ?????????☀️? #DignidadLiteraria

Hear full review: https://t.co/yWPZ5OZUTW pic.twitter.com/HVpPfN6gEn

— Emily Fɾαɳƈιʂ ? (@emilyfranESL) June 17, 2020

Book #2

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I read this book over a weekend! I usually take much longer to read books because I read in between errands, parenting, cleaning, cooking, etc. THIS book, however, was a book I couldn't put down. 
Laurie Halse Anderson's book  SHOUT - is a book that that will make you want to shout and stand up for those who have experienced or are experiencing sexual abuse, rape, and/or harassment of any type.  
I would not even think twice about having this book on my class bookshelf for HS students to read.  Not only will this book encourage and empower readers to stand up and speak up agains sexual assaults, but also will ignite the desire to want to know more about this topic and advocate for those who are hurt.

Check out my review on my YouTube channel here! 
I was super excited when the author Laurie Halse Anderson shared my BookTalk - see it below!! 

We can. We should. We are. #DestroyRapeCulture#SpeakUp#ShoutTogether@PenguinTeen @PenguinClass https://t.co/b6PkJzYlob

— Laurie Halse Anderson (@halseanderson) July 1, 2020
If you read any of these books, please share with me on the comments below. I'd love to hear from you and your thoughts on any of these books or other books written by these authors. 

Thank you for reading and keep on reading!! 

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Power Of Unity Virtual Symposium

6/24/2020

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The Bilingual/ESL Department at Region 10  ESC in North TX holds an annual symposium for their 500+ educators. This year, due to the COVID pandemic, the event was help virtually.

I was honored and humbled to be invited as their 2020 Symposium 'Power Of Unity' keynote speaker. I was so excited to connect and meet so many passionate educators who are working hard to provide their very best for all students. 

Day 1

Keynote Presentation

The keynote presentation was on June 23rd and it was a way to kick-off the symposium - teachers had a long day of sessions to attend right after the keynote. 
My presentation title was 'Shifting from Statistics to Stories'

The presentation was streamed LIVE so you can find the recorded version on my YouTube channel below. 

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DBC Feature

5/1/2020

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8. DBC, Inc. Live- Teacher Appreciation Series Featuring Emily Francis

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I wanted to share this interview with you. On March 30th author and friend Tara Martin invited me to be on the Dave Burger Consulting, Inc Facebook live Teacher Appreciation Series.
During this interview I shared a story about a teacher and friend who has had a power impact in my life - professional and personal life, Angie Power.

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I hope you tune in and hear how Angie Power took me under her wing and helped me become the teacher I am today. 
Of course I made sure Angie hear this interview so I shared it with her and she responding with the message below.

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Watch the recording on the DBC, Inc Facebook page or on Youtube - video below.
Tweet ##DBCincBooks
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Sometimes...

4/29/2020

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**This post appeared originally in Seidlitz Education on April 21st, 2020.** 
It doesn’t happen as often as it should, but when it does, it is the most amazing feeling one can experience. That moment when you’re reading a book and you see your life and family experiences reflected on every single page. That moment when you see text and images intertwine on a page to bring forth cultural validation and acceptance. That moment when you close the book and cry tears of happiness because you realize that stories are so much deeper than you ever thought. 
I experienced all this and so much more the day I read Sometimes… by Hugo Ibarra and John Seidlitz. 
(video of me reading the book aloud for International Children’s Book Day.)
Sometimes… is just the book we need right now. Ibarra and Seidlitz share with us a story in which immigrants’ experiences are legitimized, one that opens doors for connections and much-needed conversations. It is a story that made me think about how experiences and family stories don’t have to be forgotten. And about how significant it is when stories are shared, because they validate what is core in our existence and our hopes for what is to come.
Sometimes… is a story of hope. A story of courage and strength. A story of a family who worked together through difficult circumstances to make their dreams come true. And even though sometimes things don’t go as planned and changes need to happen along the way, we see the characters rising through it all. We see Andrés and Clara holding tight to the hope offered by their mother and teachers. A hope that helps them get through every situation that comes their way.
The International Children’s Book Day theme for 2020 was “
A Hunger for Words”, and as much as I identify with this phrase, I also believe there’s a hunger for cultural understanding — a hunger for identity and individual acceptance. 
Children all over our nation deserve to open a book and see their families’ experiences and languages heard and represented.
Through the lens of an unaccompanied and undocumented immigrant, an English language learner, and an educator, I closely analyzed each page of Sometimes… and wrote down a few essential points at which the book authentically reflects many of our students’ experiences. ​

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