Spring Branch
Literacy Team
June 23, 2014
Volume 1, Issue 3
Branching Out
Coming to America: A Challenging Fit
This is our third Branching Out for the summer. Some of you have written to let me know
what you think. I would love to hear from more of you—check on the last page for contact information. Your voice will help develop this newsletter. Did you notice that many of the articles are
written by students? That is my favorite part. I love reading what our students have written. Your
thinking is very interesting.
This issue is full of student writing that is focused on coming to America. I also had an adventure coming to America. My father was in the United States Air Force; I was born in Bitburg,
Germany. I lived in France and Germany and then moved to Farrington, England, when I was 3.
My brother, who was 8, and I began school when we moved to England. He went to the American
school on the Air Force Base. I was too young for that school, so I was the only American in the
local British school. That was very difficult.
Physically, I didn’t look any different from the other children. But there was a lot of difference. They were startled by my accent. That was a source of many jokes. Many children would
gather around me while I ate lunch. They thought it was funny how I held my eating utensils—
fork but no knife. Although I was the brunt of many jokes, I loved living in England and going to
school there. I learned so many things and enjoyed most of it.
Suddenly we were ordered to move again just before my 5th birthday. My trip to the United
States was to Altus, Oklahoma. It was very different from England. Again my accent was the
reason for many jokes. Now I sounded more British than American. I would go to the store and
ask for a gobstopper—you would know it as a jawbreaker—or for an ice lolly—you would say
Popsicle. Dub, the owner of the store, would have me repeat the British words over and over to
everyone who came in the store—all chuckled. I didn’t really get the joke.
At school, I wrote in cursive because that’s what I learned in England. In America, the children were taught to print—I struggled with that. I knew my multiplication tables but was told that I
could not do the math in my head; the other students had not learned multiplication yet. I had to
use counters and draw things that seemed like a huge waste of time. The worst moment was when
I was in fifth grade. The teacher was asking each of us where we were born. I said Bitburg, Germany, and all of the students picked up their rulers as if it were a gun and shot at me while screaming, “Kraut, Kraut!” which is a horrible name for Germans. No one should use it. The screams
and shooting noises startled me to the point that tears came to me eyes, but I refused to cry. The
teacher said nothing. And I never told my parents.
At first I missed England and my friends. I learned to love Oklahoma, but I had always loved
America. The move was a change that required my adjustment. But my new friends had to adjust
to me as well.
I have lived in America for a very long time, but still some of my friends laugh at my accent
as it shows its head in some of my words. Most people just comment on how they would have
loved to live in foreign countries. As someone who has been a traveling American, it is interesting
to think about what it means to be a foreigner. Does it simply mean “different”? Maybe it means
opportunity—to share experiences and to learn from others.
Enjoy this week’s Branching Out. I hope to be able to read some of your stories of difference.
[email protected]
Reading
Is the
Best Way
to Spend
Your
Summer!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
I Am From............................. 2
Teotihuacan ........................... 2
Coming to America ............... 4
A Big Journey ....................... 4
Parrotfish ............................... 5
Change is Interesting ............. 6
Crossword Answers .............. 6
Learning on the Soccer Field…...7
The Maker Challenge…...………8
Add your writing to a future issue of
Branching Out or to our blog:
letstryreading.wordpress.com
[email protected]
Or
mail or deliver to the following address:
Diane Fanning
Spring Branch ISD
West Transition Center
2100 Shadowdale
Houston, Texas 77055
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is an ancient city that is
located 30 miles from Mexico City. It is
significant because of the pyramids that exist
there. It is also important because of the
structure of the entire community.
The city was created around 100 B.C.
While the city lasted for thousands of years,
its major monuments were destroyed around
550 A.D. At the point where the city was
thriving, it had as many as 125,000 citizens.
That made it the 6th largest city in the world
at that time.
The name of the city was given by the
Aztecs hundreds of years after the destruction of the city. Teotihuacan means
“birthplace of the gods.” No one knows the
original name of the city.
There were different attacks on the city.
No one really knows how it was destroyed.
Some believe that there were invaders. Some
think that there were attacks by the oppressed
within the city. It is an architecturally and
historically significant place to visit.
You can travel by taxi or bus from Mexico City to reach it. There are many things to
see while you visit. Along with visiting the
many temples, visitors should take a drive
around the perimeter of the city. There are
many surprises there for you.
There are also hot air balloon rides for
those of you who are very adventurous.
“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and
the journey. They are home.” Anna Quindlen from How Reading Changed My Life
“I Am From”
Where do You Fit
in History?
Create a timeline to identify
where you fit in history.
1. Talk to your family members
to find any important dates
associated with your family:
birth, death, marriage, special
events, etc.
2. Research interesting things
that have happened in the
lifetimes of your family members along with your own
lifetime.
3. Create a personal timeline,
map, or family tree that
includes the significant
events.
Be creative and share with me!
[email protected]
2
By: Joseph M. from Spring Forest Middle School
I am from
the sombrero on top of a mariachi’s head,
from the Legos to
the haraches on my feet.
I am from the
peanut butter sandwiches on the ceiling,
from crazy and funny.
That tasted and smelled like tamales.
I am from the dogs in my backyard,
the big yet timid dogs.
the dark yet shiny dogs
I am from singing mariachis
and the bell ringing on Sept 16 in Mexico.
From Jose Gerardo Maya Blancas
(My Dad)
and
Becky Rebecca Maya Martinez
(My Mom)
I am from the people singing in the shower
and
the loudness of a parade.
From “one more time and I’ll get the belt.”
I am from Christianity and preaching on
Saturday mornings.
I am from the heart of Mexico,
barbacoa in the morning
and fajitas in the afternoon.
From the mustache on my dad`s face, and
thick hair on my uncle.
I am from Mexico!
Mazar-e-Quaid
Spring Forest Middle School Library
Coming To America
by Noor F. from Spring Forest Middle School
I am from Pakistan. I loved living there. I went to Pakland Ideal Public School from pre-Kindergarten through the
fifth grade. I learned English there along with many other things. Every summer vacation we would have a lot of homework to do. It had to be submitted before we began the next year.
Each summer my family would also take a wonderful vacation. We would go to Karachi and Lahore. We would rent
a house on the beach. It was so much fun.
One time we went to the capital of Karachi to see the Mazar-e-Quaid. This is the tomb for the founder of Pakistan and
many other important people. It is beautiful and peaceful. People walk through it praying to God. It feels good to be
there. Summer in Pakistan made all of my family happy.
But one day my mother told us that we were moving to the United States. I was very excited. I told all of my cousins
and my friends. While I was happy about this exciting adventure, the news made them very sad. Then, I realized that I
would lose my friends and my extended family. I felt sad too. The saddest part was at the airport. Everyone came to say
good bye. The loss was heavy. I was happy that all of my family was there, sad that I would miss seeing them, but excited that I was having an adventure.
When we entered the airport, it was exciting to see all of the people walking around, but after a few minutes that was
boring. We went into the airport bookstore and café where I bought a drink and a book. After a while we heard that our
flight was boarding. The excitement grabbed me. I was going to the United States of America.
Taking off the first time was a little scary. Then, it was fun as we flew to each new airport making our way to America. We had to switch planes a couple of times, but we finally arrived. It was so exciting to see so many different people
and hear so many different languages.
When I first saw America, it was beautiful. It was exciting. Then, I heard Americans speak English. I had started
learning English when I was older. The English they spoke did not sound like the English I had learned at Pakland Ideal
Public School. To me it was a different language.
I began school in America in sixth grade and learned this new English quickly. It wasn’t hard at all. I quickly began
to learn in all of my classes. In Pakistan I thought it was hard to learn new things. Now, I can easily learn and understand new things. I love to learn at Spring Forest Middle School. I hope to live here and only go back to Pakistan to visit.
I love the United States. I love my friends. I am glad that I have been able to learn new ways in a new place. This is
a good place to live.
3
Man Bites
Dog
By Richard Fanning the Librarian
at Spring Forest Middle School
This doesn’t happen
often, but more often than you
might expect— last night a
man bit a dog! The event appears to be unprovoked; the
dog wasn’t doing anything but
laying there. The man, Richard
Fanning, came home after
A Big Journey
Volaria R. from Spring Branch ISD
When I moved to Houston, I was three years old. I came from Bogota, Colombia, and there
were some pretty distinct differences between the two cultures and places.
Comparisons
 Columbia has a greater variety of fruit: guanabana, lulo, grandadilla, maracuya, and curuba.
 The climate in Bogota is much colder than Houston. The average temperature is 55 degrees—
really cold. It rains almost every morning.
 The grass in Columbia is a deep green, which is different from the light, almost yellow shade
here.
 We speak Spanish in Colombia, and many people speak English here. But there are many
people who also speak Spanish in America.
 The streets in Columbia are not named by words. They only have numbers. (Ex: Green
Forest Dr. might be 54th Street)
I like both countries. Each has unique qualities and both are very interesting cultures.
working as a librarian at
I Am From
Spring Forest Middle School,
and without much fanfare bit
the dog. He reports that it was
the best hot dog he’d had in a
long time.
http://www.funbrain.com/
funbrain/galactichotdogs/?
feature=ep01
Use the link above to read
Galactic Hot Dog for free
online. It is a graphic novel.
You will spend a lot of time
laughing.
Enjoy!
4
Arman Y. from Spring Forest Middle School
I am from racing hot wheel cars by my lonesome,
from play station, my only getaway
and chewy sour patch, sweet but sour
I am from the home with too much room for the world,
wide, empty
(Sounds echoed, and the sitting room shone with a controlling sheen)
I am from our ancient Bamboo plant,
who persists through the world
or the beautiful Chinese Tallow,
whose leaves killed its own home.
I’m from the annual visits to the windy city,
where I never fit in.
I’m from the jet-black hair that follows my family like a curse.
I am from Nausheen and Yousuf, a couple whose instability pulled them apart.
I’m from all the genius philosophy,
and the complete insanity
from “STOP NEGOTIATING!”
and “Stop being so stupid.”
I’m from “Pray five times a day”
and “Come with me to the mosque.”
I’m from Houston and India, not as distant as they seem
I am from the goat and rice,
and the sweet nutty treats that I couldn’t eat
From the logic of my father, distant, dark
From the incurable sickness of my grandfather, it was his end
Below in the boxes, lay the captured happiness of my family, never to be experienced
again
I am the raging inferno, unstable and dangerously entrancing
Taj Mahal in India
Uncle Buck Talks about Life
I remember the dumbest thing that I ever did. My brother still hasn’t forgiven me. We were
little and playing in the car. Yes, our dad had said many times: “Stay out of that car boys.” But it
was fun to pretend drive.
One day we were playing army in the car—driving through the battlefield. Suddenly we heard
the back door open. “DAD!” we screamed in unison. We took off. I shoved open the door to the
car and jumped out. My big brother was right behind me. He jumped out and slammed the car
door. The screams began immediately. I stopped, turned and stared. His thumb was caught in
the door; he was screaming so loudly that I couldn’t think. Blood was running down his hand and
dripping on the drive way. BUT my dad was coming.
I ran inside, to my room and hid in the back of the closet. That was when I started crying. I
kept hearing noises. I just knew it was my father with the belt—broken rules and injured brother.
I came out to discover that my brother had gone to the doctor, gotten stitches, and was recuperating with a bowl of ice cream. My father glared at me and pointed toward my room. I returned
to the room. This time I waited on my bed for the beating. It never came.
Every time I see him, my brother shows me the scar on the thumb that he almost lost to the car
door. I cringe a bit sheepishly. Not a proud moment for me.
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you
can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Maya Angelou
Parrotfish!!!
Daniel L. Spring Branch ISD
Who knew that the parrotfish is known
to change its color, shape and gender during its lifetime? This is an unusual fish.
One feature that is very distinct about
this fish is its beak-like jaws and teeth.
The teeth are packed together on the external part of the jaw bones. That makes the
fish look like it has a beak. They use the
teeth to scrape algae off of rocks and coral.
They also have grinding plates in the back
of their throat called pharyngeal. These
help the fish to grind up the coral and other
coarse things they eat. Some of the coral
they digest actually adds to the sand on the
ocean floor. Parrotfish produce up to 200
pounds of sand a year.
This fish also secretes mucus around
itself before it goes to sleep. The mucus
protects the fish from predators. The mucus hides the fish smell.
No one is certain how the fish changes
color. They change colors to mimic or
copy the other sea creature around them.
They also change colors when they change
genders (male to female or female to
male).
They change gender because there are
too many females. This is nature’s effort
to balance the population. This helps to
keep the species alive.
When they
change from
male to female
they change
shape.
It is amazing to know
that such unusual but interesting creatures
exist in our
oceans.
Parrotfish Beak
5
Crossword Puzzle Answers
from the last Issue
Across
1. swimming
4. travel
5. river
9. ocean
12. popsicle
13. tadpole
15. Legos
17. baseball
18. camp
Down
2. watermelon
3. bluebonnet
6. bicycle
7. daisy
8. rope
10. hike
11. zoo
14. barbecue
16. canoe
Where I am From
By George Ella Lyon
I am from clothespins,
from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.
I am from the dirt under the back porch.
(Black, glistening,
it tasted like beets.)
I am from the forsythia bush
the Dutch elm
whose long-gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.
I’m from fudge and eyeglasses,
from Imogene and Alafair
I’m from the know-it-alls
and the pass-it-ons,
from Perk up! And Pipe down!
I’m from He restoreth my soul
with a cottonball lamb
and ten verses I can say myself.
I’m from Artemus and Billie’s Branch,
fried corn and strong coffee
From the finger my grandfather lost
to the auger,
the eye my father shut to keep his sight.
Under my bed was a dress box
Spilling old pictures,
a sift of lost faces
to drift beneath my dreams.
I am from those moments—
snapped before I budded—
leaf-fall from the family tree.
These 2 pictures are very similar, but they have differences.
Can you find them?
Laugh About It!
Q:
A:
What part of a fish weighs
the most?
Its scales
Nani: A man walks into a library
and says “fghgfhvyjj tytutyhhrty.”
Cristira: What?
Nani: I don’t know. I am not the
librarian.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
When is a blue school book
not a blue school book?
When it is read!
What school subject is a
witch good at?
Spelling
Why did the teacher wear
sunglasses?
Because her students were
bright.
Q: What did the 0 say to the 8?
A: Nice belt
Stop laughing and share your jokes
with us.
[email protected]
6
Thanks to squiglysplayhouse.com
Learning on the Soccer Field
Gustavo’s favorite sport is soccer. When he was only four years old, his older brother taught him how to kick the
ball. At first Gustavo was never able to make the ball go where he wanted it to go. Now Gustavo is eight years old,
and he has had a lot of practice. Gustavo’s brother likes to kick the ball with his right foot. But Gustavo doesn’t.
Instead, he likes to kick it with his left foot so that it makes a loud sound - thwack! Gustavo calls it his lucky
left foot. When Gustavo kicks the soccer ball hard with his left foot, he can make it fly into the goal.
Gustavo lives in Rio de Janeiro, one of the biggest cities in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is on the beach and has very
warm weather. All of Gustavo’s friends love to play soccer when they get out of school. Today, there is a new boy at
school. His name is Felipe, and he comes from Sao Paolo. Sao Paolo is another city in Brazil and has lots of tall
buildings called skyscrapers. After school, the boys invite Felipe to play soccer with them. Felipe says okay but looks
very nervous.
As they walk to the soccer field, Gustavo asks Felipe, “What’s wrong?”
Felipe sighs and says, “I don’t know how to play soccer. I tried once and everybody laughed at me.”
Gustavo pats Felipe on the shoulder. “That’s alright,” says Gustavo. “I used to be really bad too. You have to keep
trying.”
The game starts and Gustavo moves to the front of the field. He plays the forward position and is always trying to
score a goal on the other team. Gustavo feels happy every time he plays soccer and tonight he is playing even better
than usual. He steals the ball from the other team and runs with it as fast as he can. Thwack! Gustavo kicks the ball
with his lucky left foot and it flies through the sky into the goal. Everybody cheers and Gustavo feels like he is the
king of the soccer field.
After the game, Gustavo and Felipe stay on the field to practice. Gustavo shows Felipe how he kicks with his lucky
left foot. When Felipe tries to kick the ball, it goes in the wrong direction. Gustavo doesn’t laugh at Felipe. Instead,
he looks and sees that Felipe is kicking the wrong part of the ball with his foot. Gustavo shows Felipe where to kick
the ball and already Felipe is a little bit better. The rest of the week Gustavo and Felipe practice on the soccer field after
the other boys leave. Felipe also practices kicking the ball before school. The next week Felipe scores his first
goal and Gustavo gives him a big high-five. Now Felipe looks forward to playing soccer every day, and Gustavo has a
new friend.
© 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved
What do sports really teach us? Share your ideas.
[email protected]
7
Branching Out
Feedback
We want to hear from you. What
did you think of this edition of
Branching Out? Do you have a
piece that you want to share with
our reading audience? Maybe you
have taken on the Maker’s Challenge and have something to share.
Please share your thinking and
writing with us at the following
address or through email.
Diane Fanning
West Transition Center
2100 Shadowdale
Houston, Texas 77043
[email protected]
You can also find more to
read and do at the following
site:
letstryreading.wordpress.com
Branching Out
Diane Fanning
Spring Branch ISD
West Transition Center
2100 Shadowdale
Houston, Texas 77043
diane.fanning @springbranchisd.com
Spring Branch
Literacy Team
The Maker’s Challenge
This time of year it is great to be crafty. I challenge you to take things that
you find and make a wind chime to hang outside of your home. You may
need to buy the string to hang it with. Fishing line works really well through.
Please take a photo and share it with
me.
This is an example made with old
cans. If you use them, have your
parents check that there aren’t any
sharp spots that may hurt you.
Send you images and an explanation
of how to make it to me on email:
[email protected]
If you need to send it through the
mail or deliver it, you will find my
address in the box to the left.