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As a visiting Chinese educator from the Gansu Province for one year, Ms. Dong Jingchun (aka Lucy) reads to students in Madison Elementary in Norman. Dr. Lonnie Melvin, Madison principal, went the extra mile to fill out the necessary paperwork and find a home for Dong so that her students would have expanded learning opportunities.
OASIS ambassador Kimberly Pennington is among 24 other U.S. school teachers who traveled to Washington D.C. for all-expense-paid, think-tank training to resolve international conflicts. For OASIS materials or informational downloads, visit www.usip.org.
Having a cultural exchange club at your school will allow students to engage in international learning the entire school year, according to Woodward High School Cultural Exchange Club sponsor Debby Yarbrough. “Woodward’s exchange students brought Germany and Vietnam to the classroom. During February’s Mardi Gras season, our students made masks, ate king cake and listened to New Orleans jazz,” Yarbrough said. To exchange ideas or get additional information about cultural exchanges, contact barnett@woodwardps.net.
Comanche first-grade teacher Marilyn Pineda and OASIS ambassador Lynn Tilley completed the Oklahoma Institute for Teaching East Asia Seminar with OU-Tulsa instructor Jessica Stowell. Based on this opportunity, global skills have been integrated and are being taught in collaboration with the PASS objective lessons. This merged curriculum is also being used in the 21st Century Community Learning Center KEDZOWN after-school program. This program is tailored to integrate activities based on a new continent each week, highlighting Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. Before her three-week visit, Pineda, Comanche’s first Fulbright Scholar, introduced and familiarized her first graders with Japan and its culture. During her visit, Pineda maintained two-way communication via e-mail sharing her experiences and photos that further told the story about her educational adventure. Upon Pineda’s return, she continued to broaden the students’ knowledge by integrating Japan into the curriculum classroom assignments. Pineda and Tilley presented after-school workshops about the Fulbright Program and trip, offering resources and information to colleagues, local school board members, women’s community groups and students.
What do the past and present cultures of China and Native Americans have in common? Lynn Tilley found out through her National Board research project. By reading many literary sources, searching online resources and gaining insight from a guest speaker, her students compared the similarities and differences between the two cultures. In doing so, the students were able to draw conclusions that were very amazing.
The Irish Kaleidoscope group gave a complementary presentation of Ireland and its cultural programs to the students of Comanche Elementary School, much like the Austrian and Russian Kaleidoscope.
Two Comanche first- and second-grade classes worked together to take part in an interactive session involving Chinese dancers. Other classes visited throughout the day to view various sessions, and the goal is to have Comanche students make a special presentation for next year’s Megaconference, Jr.
Comanche co-workers Jessica Standridge, teacher of the year; carla Thomas, counselor; and Lynn Tilley, OASIS ambassador, work together to coordinate the ongoing school-wide service-learning project that collects and sends books to a small Indonesian village school that has very few books. The bridge of communication to the small island of Java developed when Standridge met a newly acquired friend, Dinda, who was visiting the United States. Despite the Indonesian language barrier, communication was made and much-needed supplies provided. The appreciative smiles are universal and transcend through any international roadblocks.
For additional information about Comanche Elementary international activity programs, e-mail OASIS ambassador Lynn Tilley at ltilley@comanche.k12.ok.us.
Leftwich to Serve as North America's Supercorridor Coalition, Inc., (NASCO) Secretary
State Sen. Debbe Leftwich has been named secretary of the international transportation trade corridor organization. NASCO has increased its efforts to bring together governments, cities and organizations along the routes running through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The corporation encompasses land, water, and air travel industries. The coalition has merged with the former North American International Trace Corridor Partnership, a non-profit organization in Mexico dedicated to similar economic goals. See the full article in The Journal Record, Oct. 13, 2005, issue.
Students seek challenges, opportunity in learning Chinese The Oklahoman, October 17, 2005
The late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist appointed Judge Robert H. Henry (10th Circuit) chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on International Judicial Relations (IJRC). Judge Henry succeeds Judge Fern M. Smith (N.D. Calif.), as IJRC chair. As a separate branch of the U.S. government, the judiciary's national policies are established by the Judicial Conference. This body, presided over by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, has 24 working committees. One of these committees is the IJRC. In fulfilling its mission, the IJRC uses expertise from the entire federal judiciary. For more information, download the IJRC brochure (PDF, 180k).
Australian Kaleidoscope Comes to Comanche (PDF, 44k)
Teacher Bringing World to Students (PDF, 187k)
Russian Kaleidoscope Program at Comanche Elementary (PDF, 43k)
Teacher Uses Experience From Travel in Classroom (PDF, 15k)
Oklahoma Company Signs Export Contract With China (PDF,
28k)