Camarena Library ▬ Tutor Spotlight: Kimberly Valenzuela

Camarena Library ▬ Tutor Spotlight: Kimberly Valenzuela

Camarena Library
Adult Literacy 

THE LITERACY CIRCLE: May 2021

Q: How has your experience been so far as a tutor?

A:  My experience so far has been really good. I enjoy helping people learn new skills that they can use to achieve their personal goals. Itis also a very rewarding experience being part of a learner's progress through the ALS program. It is such a good feeling hearing back from my learners on how they implement the skills they learned in their daily lives.

Q: Give three reasons why being a tutor might influence an adult member in your community struggling with literacy skills.

A:  Whether it is reading the morning newspaper, applying for a job, or communicating with doctors, a tutor can help a learner achieve these goals. Another reason is by prioritizing their needs in a one-to-one setting. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up in a class with 20 other students with different goals, while working with a tutor focuses on the learner’s individual goals, level, and pace.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Adult Literacy Services

These services are offered to adults, 16 years or older who are not enrolled in school, who would like to improve their English reading skills. One-on-one tutoring is available upon enrollment in the program. Volunteers from the community help other improve their English reading and writing skills in this program.

Call the library at (760) 768-2170 or email us at to set up an appointment.

Camarena Library ▬ Adult Literacy Services at the Library

CAMARENA CORNER: Adult Literacy Services at the Library

Adult Literacy Services

Calexico Chronicle: 4.14.2021 by Lizeth Legaspion

Camarena Memorial Library has been offering various literacy services to help Calexico residents improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills in a virtual environment since the pandemic started.

English as a second language (ESL) classes are offered three times per week via Zoom. In order to be part of this class, an intake interview is performed, and if the person qualifies, the person gets added to a waiting list. The current participants are taking the Level 2 class. Each level is completed in about four months. Once a participant has completed the two levels, it is very likely that they qualify for adult tutoring services.

Adult tutoring services are also offered virtually. A library volunteer tutor helps another adult improve their reading and writing skills in one-on-one sessions. The learner’s learning goals are what drives the curriculum the tutor puts together. Tutor and learner meet for at least two hours per week. The library provides all the materials the tutor and the learner need for their sessions. This program is possible thanks to the California Library Literacy Services Grant.

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In addition to these services, the library also offers a weekly conversation session where participants can practice their English-speaking skills. The “Let’s Talk” conversation group meets via zoom on Thursdays at 5 p.m.

Since February, the library started a new book club named “Library Learners” especially designed for those that are working on improving their English skills.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Adult Literacy Services

Call the library at (760) 768-2170

Camarena Library ▬ Reflections on COVID-19

Reflections on COVID-19

California
COVID Diaries

Adult Literacy on the Border: 8.04.2020 Clara Auyon

Today's post comes from Clara Auyon who has been in the ALS program for a couple of years now. With the guidance of literacy staff, she decided to participate in the California COVID Diaries project from the California State Library and California Library Literacy Services, and these are her reflections on the impact that COVID-19 has had on her life.

How has your life changed?

My life changed because I had to reorganize my day to day trying to fulfill my personal and professional activities without leaving home. Being in contact with my family, friends, neighbors, virtually, no longer hugging, kissing, meeting or sharing important dates with them in person. We had to implement all the hygiene protocols inside and outside the house, with food and not food as indicated by health authorities. Being at home all day we had to create new activities to fill our free time.

How have you changed?

It made me even more sensitive to the reality experienced by the most vulnerable people, valuing and enjoying what I have, my husband, my kids, my friends, my work, recognizing and investing every minute in what is really worthy, thanking God for being alive, for giving me faith and hope in these difficult times, for having a roof, food. Continuing working to be a better person, more committed to help others.

Important highlights: any silver linings?

We spend more time with my children, family thru WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. I am very happy to share more time with my husband. Before I only saw him Monday to Friday from 10 pm to 8 am. We have time to sharing activities that we like, cooking, watching movies, talking about politics, technology, etc.  READ MORE ➤➤

Camarena Library Adult Literacy Services

These services are offered to adults, 16 years or older who are not enrolled in school, who would like to improve their English reading skills. One-on-one tutoring is available upon enrollment in the program. Volunteers from the community help other improve their English reading and writing skills in this program.

Call the library at (760) 768-2170 to set up an appointment

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders) 

Camarena Library ▬ Meet Our Tutors: Mark Hurych

Meet Our Tutors: Mark Hurych

Adult Literacy on the Border: 7.27.2020

Mark Hurych on the Challenges of Tutoring - Camarena Memorial Library

Oh boy. OK, maybe it is a challenge to get me to shut up once I get rolling. I don't think tutoring or teaching is challenging. 

Let me explain. Raising a child to be kind and considerate, that's challenging, especially if you are trying to put food on the table and keep everybody healthy.

Dealing with a child with health issues in early life? (I've been there.) That qualifies as challenging.

I challenge myself when it comes to education. I've defined it as something completely different from schooling. Most of what typically goes on in K thru PhD is schooling, in my opinion. Getting schooled is common and it expresses the usual way of operating schools.

Taking, yes that's right I say "taking," an education is entirely different. When I ask myself a question and treat that question the same way you might treat "Where are my damn keys?" when you're on your way to work, when I ask myself a question in that way I begin to educate myself. No one can educate me. They can write a book, or write to me, they can send me a message, they can help me find my damn keys, sometimes, but the motivation to ask and answer is mine and mine alone.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 6

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 10-11 yrs. olds

(Fifth and Sixth graders)

Camarena Library ▬ First Virtual Tutor Meeting on August 17

First Virtual Tutor Meeting on August 17

The Literacy Place: August 2020

Our first virtual tutor meeting will be on August 17 via Zoom. It has been some months since we've held our regular tutor meetings, as they were previously held in the library. Now, we will hold our meetings online in order to check in and collaborate with each other. Since tutors are the backbone of our Adult Literacy Services, these meetings will focus on tutors' needs and concerns. During this month's meeting, we will discuss adapting to virtual tutor sessions, goal-setting for learners, and the many workbooks and resources the ALS program offers.

Workforce Literacy Workshops in Development

The COVID-19 public health crisis has worsened an already high unemployment rate in Imperial County--27.3% as of June 2020, according to the Employment Development Department of California. Because of this urgent need, the Adult Literacy Services program is responding by developing several workshops for adult learners. These workshops, which begin in September, will aim to help learners build confidence, explore career options, prepare for interviews, build their communication skills, market their skills, and conduct effective job searches.

Our literacy program is also working with existing community organizations to help learners receive the support they need during these times. The main purpose of these workshops is to assist learners with employment goals and direct them to the social services they need.  READ MORE ➤➤

Call the library at (760) 768-2170 to set up an appointment.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Camarena Library ◯ Adult Literacy on the Border Blog

Adult Literacy on the Border

Our First Blog Post: 6.04.2020

Welcome to the Adult Literacy Services blog for Camarena Memorial Library. We are located here in Calexico, California. Calexico is the southernmost city in Imperial County, and we share the border with Mexicali, Mexico. We know that 1 in every 2 adults in Imperial County is reading at or below Level 1 Literacy (PIAAC survey of adult skills). That's a much higher rate than the rest of California unfortunately.

So, if you are trying to improve your literacy skills, if you're an adult 16 years and older and are not concurrently enrolled in high school, and if you are able to do the intake interview in English, this is the program for you. You are at the right place.

Or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer to help an adult build their literacy skills, then this is also the program for you. As long as you are willing to commit to at least six months of tutoring and feel comfortable tutoring virtually (for now), we provide you with all the training you need and work with your schedule. Also, the staff here at our library are super kind and friendly, so don't feel intimidated about trying something new. 

Here you will find regular updates on our services, stories from our tutors and learners, and links to resources you might find helpful.

Currently our library is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are still doing our best to offer you opportunities to learn or tutor from home. In addition to tutoring services, we offer a weekly conversation class (this is currently offered online via Zoom), and beginning ESL classes. We have a great collection of literacy workbooks and resources to help you learn or tutor. ( 12 comments )  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Camarena Library :: Why Is Literacy Important?

Why Is Literacy Important?

The Literacy Place: Sep 2019

Literacy is important because it is the foundation upon which people are able to interact with the world, educate themselves, and thus contribute to society as well as their own well being.

This is a brief interview from one of our tutors, Mark Hurych. He is a retired teacher who is very passionate about helping others improve their literacy skills.

1. Why do you volunteer your time to help adults with their literacy skills?

“Personally I find that when I have the opportunity to support someone in meeting their needs for being able to speak their mind I feel grateful. I feel I am a better person for it.”

2. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a literacy tutor?

“I guess if your head is in it and your heart is in it, your head and your heart sort of get paid like this: I tell my students they have to SPEND time and PAY attention to improve their skill sets. In the end I feel like I'm paid in full.”

“In conclusion, adult learners, and the need for improved adult literacy, deserve our attention and efforts because these people deserve the opportunity not just to survive, but to flourish!

Camarena Library :: Would You Like To Improve Your English Skills?

Would you like to improve your English skills?

The Literacy Place: June 2019

Camarena Memorial Library is here to help. The library provides a variety of different services to help you meet your goals. Including:

ESL Classes

are for beginning English learners. These classes cover skills such as conversational English, grammar, reading, listening comprehension, writing, and vocabulary. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us to register.

One-on-one Tutoring

The Adult Literacy Program provides one-on-one tutoring for adults looking to improve their English reading and writing skills. This service is learner-centered, and focuses on the individual’s needs and goals. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us to register.

Mango Languages

is a free online language learning program available to anyone with a Camarena Memorial library card. You can use Mango on a computer or on a handheld device by downloading the app.

Camarena Library :: The 5 W’s….and 1 H

The 5 W’s….and 1 H

The Literacy Place: October 2018 (Camarena Library)

The Five Ws (sometimes referred to as Five Ws and 1 How) are questions whose answers are considered basic in information gathering or problem solving.

• Who was involved?

• What happened?

• Where did it take place?

• When did it take place?

• Why did that happen?

Some authors add a sixth question, “how”, to the list:

• How did it happen?

These questions can help you become a better writer. By following these guidelines, you can become more descriptive and your writing will be more developed.

Camarena Library :: 5 Tips to Become a Better Speller

5 Tips to Become a Better Speller

Literacy Place: March 2018

Camarena Library Adult Literacy Services

1. Read:

It is almost impossible to become a good speller if you do not read. The two go hand in hand. The more you read, the more vocabulary you build and the more you will know how to spell different words.

2. Exposure:

Make sure to expose yourself to different types of texts. These include but are not limited to: newspapers, novels, blogs, magazines, books, etc. This way, your brain recognizes spelling patterns and is able to pick up on them more quickly.

3. Root Words:

Becoming familiar with root words is helpful since we tend to get confused with prefixes and suffixes, which makes spelling harder. Recognizing the roots of words will make spelling much easier.

4. Writing:

Writing frequently helps you spell more accurately. Usually, the more you write, the more you will be able to recognize which words “look right” and it will come naturally to you next time you spell that word. Having a dictionary at hand also helps to make sure it is correct.

5. Spelling Rules: Familiarize yourself with common rules:

• “i before e except after c”

• “The letter y preceded by a consonant changes to i before a suffix”

• “Most words drop the final silent e before a suffix beginning with a vowel”

• “When adding a suffix to a word that ends with a single consonant after a single vowel and stressing the last syllable in the pronunciation of the word, the final consonant is doubled.”

Adult Learner LINKS

Spelling

GameAquarium: spelling games

Interactive Spelling Bee: Grade 1-8 Grades 9-10 Grades 11-12

Spelling City: vocabulary and spelling

Spelling Worksheets: beginning & intermediate by subjects

Spelling Worksheets and Printables: by grade, topic; strategies, patterns

Camarena Library :: Tips to Improve Reading by Using the Internet

Tips to Improve Reading by Using the Internet

The Literacy Place: Feb 2018

Camarena Library

1. Find websites that offer visual and auditory support: Not everyone learns the same way. Many may learn through seeing visuals or listening to audio. Find websites that offer these kinds of activities. This way, you get to see and hear vocabulary in a way that will help you understand better.

2. Get into the habit of reading out loud: When you read online, make sure you are not doing so silently, so that you can hear yourself saying the words aloud. This helps with pronunciation and your memorization of the word.

3. Try different links: NaturalReader, TextAloudMp3, and StoryPlace are a few of the websites that can help your reading improve. These links can help you download books on tape, download news and weather, activities and reading lists. All these links help you listen to how vocabulary is properly said and helps you gain a better understanding of what you read.

4. Quizzes: Through the use of grammar and vocabulary skills and understanding, a variety of websites may offer quizzes and games that enhance the skills.

5. Exposure: Remember new vocabulary words must be practiced often and the more you come across new words, the better your reading will become. Website resources also include help with misspelled words, grammar, and provide puzzles and games for ESL students and native English speakers wishing to improve their comprehension, reading skills, and written language skills.

Camarena Library :: 7 Steps to Improve Vocabulary

7 Steps to Improve Vocabulary

Literacy Place: June 2017

Camarena Library Literacy

The Adult Literacy Program provides educational opportunities for adults who want to improve their literacy skills. Students develop their reading, writing and critical thinking skills through one-on-one tutoring sessions that will focus on individual needs. (760) 768-7480

Camarena Library :: Selected to Pilot Spanish Literacy Course Across California

Camarena Memorial Library To Increase Among Non-Literate Latino Adults Selected to Pilot Spanish Literacy Course Across California

Desert Review: 7.20.2016

The Camarena Memorial Library has been selected as one of nine libraries across California to join a pilot program – LeamosTM (Let’s Read) @ the Library. Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, launched the project to bring its online literacy course to the state’s non-literate Spanish speakers, which number 573,866 (2009-2011 ACS, PERE pooled file). The two-year pilot project is supported by a grant awarded by the James Irvine Foundation to Centro Latino to explore partnerships with public libraries. Greg Lucas, California State Librarian said, “In a state which gained a Latino plurality [in 2014], it seems at a minimum good common sense to encourage programs like Leamos. Without literacy skills in their native language, proficiency in English becomes significantly harder, if not impossible, to attain.”

Public libraries will incorporate the use of Leamos™ as an effective strategy to both promote reading at its most basic level and to effectively outreach to Spanish-speakers in their communities. “Leamos @ the Library is the portal for non-literate Spanish speakers to close both the basic and digital literacy gaps and to increase civic engagement,” stated AnaMaria Ruiz, Centro Latino Board Liaison, pointing out that a key initiative of the James Irvine Foundation is to increase civic engagement. “Learning to read and write is ground zero. Many students have described learning to read and write as being able to see after a lifetime of being blind – ‘Ya tengo ojos (Now I have eyes)’”.

Library literacy staff involved with the Southern California Library Literacy Network (SCLLN) have encountered this need in their communities, but have lacked the resources to address it. 

Meanwhile, Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino) has been teaching basic literacy skills to Spanish speakers since 1991 and in 2004 transferred its course to an online platform to make it available beyond its Los Angeles classrooms. Now operating as a social enterprise, Centro Latino licenses its proprietary LeamosTM (Let's Read) Basic online course to workforce development organizations, parent engagement groups, community colleges, public libraries and more.  In March 2015 the James Irvine Foundation awarded a two-year grant to Centro Latino to deepen its impact statewide; Centro Latino chose to focus this effort on partnerships with public libraries.  They have recruited five libraries for year one of the project (Roseville, Salinas, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and Covina), and  the library systems which already partner with Centro Latino will also participate in this project to bring the broadest possible perspectives and learning experiences together.  The five libraries currently involved are:  Azusa, Los Angeles County-Huntington Park branch, Los Angeles City Library, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim. Together these ten libraries will pilot using Leamos Basic as a tool for public libraries to teach literacy skills to Spanish speakers and their experience will be documented and guide an additional ten California libraries to provide Spanish literacy in their communities in year two of the Irvine grant. 

SCLLN has designed this LSTA proposal as a companion piece to leverage the James Irvine Foundation award to Centro Latino to strengthen its focus on public libraries as a community anchor – a “zocalo” (public square) familiar to Latin America immigrants.

Teen Read Week :: SCLLN Member Libraries

Teen Read Week :: Get Away @ your library

SCLLN Member Libraries

Burbank Library

WRITING CONTEST through November 12!

This Contest is for Teens in grades 6-12.

Write a RETOLD FAIRY TALE four to six pages long (typed, double-spaced, 12 point!). Winners announced on NOVEMBER 19 at BOOK CAFÉ FEATURING CORNELIA FUNKE !

Camarena Library

Carlsbad Library

Escape the ordinary and Get Away @ your library with the help of some amazing books, and while you are at it, win some treats!

Read for Chocolate (Dove) Write a book review and receive a big chocolate bar at the reference desk.  For Grades 6-12.

LAPL

Oct 24: Central Library

Author Discussion with special guests, free books, activities, and snacks in Teen’Scape

Oct 23: Durant Branch Library

Young Adult Fiction Bingo (with prizes)! Put your pins in the States of YA map and discover how many states of YA Fiction you’ve read. Open to teens and pre-teens ages

Oct 29: Vermont Square

Get Away with Isabel Quintero speaking about her book GABI A GIRL IN PIECES which was a Morris Award Finalist.

Riverside County Library

Teen ReaderThon @ 3:30pm (ages 13-18) 

Join other Teens for a special ReaderThon

San Diego County Library

Kickoff

Battle of the Bands Oct 17 5pm

Lemon Grove Library

Cheer on some talented teen musical groups and soloists as they compete for prizes, and vote for your favorite. Refreshments will be served.

Oct 19: Share Your Book (All Day) Spring Valley

Oct 20: Spa Night 5p El Cajon

Oct 22: Drawing Class 3p Solana Beach

Oct 23: After-Hours Lock-In 6:30p Vista

Camarena Library :: California Summer Reading Challenge

California Summer Reading Challenge : : Camarena Library

Public library summer reading programs build communities of readers and library users and help prevent summer learning loss. In 2014, over 700,000 Californians signed up for summer reading and over 1.3 million took part in summer reading activities.

The California Summer Reading Challenge provides libraries with resources to create innovative summer reading programs that keep California children, teens, and adults reading all summer long.

Help us meet our goal of #onemillionreaders in 2015!

Summer Family Reading Program : : Camarena Library

This program is designed to encourage reading during the summer months. This program is for all ages, 0-99. Very young kids can join the Read-to-me club and parents can join the Book Discussion Group for adults. There is a different activity everyday. This program is offered once a year.

The 2015 Summer Family Reading Program will run from June 22 - August 13, 2015.  Take a look at the schedule of activities, CLICK HERE