ABroad in Senegal May 22, 2012

Check out my new blog dedicated to all things about the move to Dakar:  ABroadinSenegal.wordpress.com

Association of International Schools of Africa

Who we are Representing international schools on the continent of Africa, AISA has a membership of schools which range in size from 20 to 3600 students. AISA schools are strongly influenced by their location in Africa and their cosmopolitan student enrollment and teaching staffs who emanate from countries across the globe. Some AISA schools have an American based curriculum, others are British, and still others have an ecclectic mix. All have an international focus. AISA’s Goal AISA’s goal is, in collaboration with our Associate Members, to serve the varying needs of nearly 42,000 students and over 2,500 teachers and administrators. Mission Statement The mission of the Association is to facilitate school effectiveness and to inspire student learning in the international schools of Africa by promoting communication, collaboration, and professional development. AISA Members Believe All individuals have intrinsic worth and deserve an opportunity to learn in a challenging, safe, and nurturing environment Optimal student learning is advanced through educational research and its application through effective practice International education provides a foundation for global citizenship Collaboration and interdependence among individuals and organizations are powerful agents of positive change Appropriate use of technology maximizes student learning and school effectiveness AISA’s Objectives AISA will Enhance the quality of student learning by promoting effective educational practice Foster intercultural and international understanding Promote an appreciation and understanding of Africa Support professional development within member schools Collect, analyze, and distribute information to help guide member schools Enable close collaboration and networking among its members Develop and maintain partnerships with organizations and institutions which complement AISA’s values and mission

travel quotes

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

Insurgent, Divergent, Dark Days Tour with Veronica Roth May 8, 2012

I had pre-ordered Insurgent many months ago, but ended up also buying it on my Kindle so I could make sure I had it on release day. I had read Divergent that way originally so I thought it would be interesting to continue in that tradition. No sooner had I read the first several pages and then re-read the pages, it was apparent that I was going to need to re-read Divergent to refresh my memory of characters and plot lines. I know some people always read the preceding books over before reading a sequel, but that is not my MO. I’m always anticipating book releases and don’t want to take the time away from other reads to re-read. I decided I could probably keep plowing through Insurgent and get the gist of what I hadn’t remembered, but I REALLY wanted to enjoy reading Insurgent. I set it aside and fast read Divergent. I am very glad I did as it also served to remind me why I had liked Divergent so much on the first read.

I like the descriptions of the factions, the main and supporting characters, and the many intricacies that are woven throughout the book. It’s interesting to think about the choices the characters made that led them to leave or join a faction and then consider what you would have done in that situation.

The Dark Days tour-Cover to Cover June 7th

I have actually seen Veronica Roth at ALAN/NCTE this past year and while she is super cute and young, she was not that impressive as a speaker. I actually feel really bad writing that but I was surprised by how underwhelmed I was after being such a huge fan of the book from the release of Divergent. Now just because you are a great author, does not mean you have to be a great speaker. Being a great public speaker is just as hard as being a great author in a different way.

Despite that I am ready to give her another chance and will be joining book blogging friends to see Veronica Roth, Aprilynne Pike, Ellen Schreiber, and Josephine Angelini. Now I haven’t read anything  by the other YA authors, but stacking up a great TBR pile to kick off the summer seems like a great idea!

Books for an international view May 1, 2012

Some of the books that I had or have added to my home for my children and family members to look at include:

Material World: A Global Family Portait by Peter Menzel and

Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa by Jeannette Winter

Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier

One Hen-How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Vera Williams

Africa is Not a Country by Margy Knight

One Well-The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss

Seeds of Change by Jeannette Winter

If the World Were a Village by David Smith

Where Children Sleep by James Mollison (link with photos)

Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel

A Life Like Mine: How Children Live Around the World by DK Publishing