July Lies Waiting for August Action

My blogging seems to have been non existent for June. I enjoyed café, face-face conversations, instead - How Old fashioned!

Whether blogging, talking in words or signs, reading or waxing eloquent on stage, we all love this symbol trading. We, humans, spend most of our time sharing symbols. We can't be human without other humans. Prisoners in solitary confinement, abused children or adults cowering under covers and deaf children not exposed to their natural, visual language - all haunt me. They are reminders of our first step to healing this hurting world, to connecting to our humanity. We must free ourselves, all of us, from our respective prisons.

Language connects us and helps us hold on to others who can guide us to doors or windows to freedom. Instead of blogging, I've been planning a language and literacy campaign to be launched in September. I, by myself, cannot achieve such a thing. However, a team of symbol mongers can. I'm out on the streets and byways (virtually and physically) shaking hands and collecting ideas.

Send questions, comments, suggestions - any helpful symbols - to help us get language and reading and writing skills to all our children.

Bilingual May Flowers

Spring into action and more action. Hopefully, ASL Tales can capture the attention of teachers, schools, libraries, literacy programs, ESL programs, and parents in order to teach language, literacy and multiculturalism to all kinds of kids. It is such fun and brings families together, in many languages, the word must get out there to help launch our children with the magic of storytelling, in visual and aural languages.

If you know anyone in education or parenting or childcare or pediatricians, send them my way. Also, send any ideas or suggestions on how to inform people about ASL Tales. Instead of working directly in public health (the area of my professional degree), I realized how much ASL Tales could prevent substance abuse, depression, teenage pregnancy and other public health problems associated with kids dropping out of their lives, because of frustration and lack of confidence in reading and connecting. Literacy and storytelling, especially in many languages, are great connectors to our human family.

Help me in my "public health" work, bringing language, literacy and laughter to children and families. Write any suggestions, or questions on how you can get involved, and if you want to donate to our literacy campaign, send a tax-deductible donation (check) to the above address.

Yours for language, literacy and more languages with laughter,

susan schaller

Berkeley version of Hansel & Gretel

While rewriting Grims' very grim, violent Hansel and Gretel, I thought why not change the world for everyone. Soon, ASL Tales will publish Hansel and Gretel where the witch is offered a choice to change her cannabalistic ways. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us not to fight the white man, but racism. Perhaps applying that principle to this violent fairy tale will raise a more mindful generation.

ASL Tales wants to change the world for all kids and their families. Watch for our new web site in June (hope, hope), and great stuff coming out - more books and iPads and learning tools.

Please send me any ideas or questions relating to bilingual storytelling to teach reading, language and more language.

And, enjoy April rains or flowers,

susan schaller

ASL Tales in Los Angeles

Greetings from Los Angeles where new programs, new books, DVDS and surprises have been and are being planned and fussed over.

Today, I head back to Berkeley via the train.

As I speed north on Amtrak, ASL Tales will speed along with me and my faithful laptop.

Stay tuned for the next exciting adventure in bilingual storytelling.

If you haven't checked us out - go to ASL Tales.net

....... not after your coffee NOW!

For language and literacy,
susan

Life is either a Daring Adventure or Nothing at All

Life is short and each day does matter. Today, I am researching how bilingualism can help children learn to read, think better, see better (English and ASL). Why is signing so attractive to almost all kids? Perhaps it is because it is one step closer to universal communication via body language, facial expressions, mime and movement. Anyone out there in cyberland who knows anything about early education or literacy or teaching ESL, write me and tell me what you think are the main problems facing teachers, schools, students and parents in early education.
Or, write me directlym at susan.schaller a t g m a i l . co...

Youra for language for EVERYONE,
susan

Happy New Year

Dear cyber world, friends, neighbors and comrades,

Enjoy the last days of December by slowing down to appreciate any and all things you can.

Take some time to give something to others instead of spending your time and energy on what you can manipulate in your favor.

Be the best you can be, today. Be good to your family and friends by taking care of yourself.

Peace can be. Begin today.

Prepare for joy in 2011.

Yours for community building,
susan

December descends

I'm back and have been immersed again in activity. Currently, I am in Southern California meeting with a film maker who is inspired to tell the film version of Ildefonso's story of entering our world of language.

I have been able to see Ildefonso more than usual. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and a big heart. With years of language, he has attached labels - names and dates - to some memories. I made a mistake in the book, thinking he was an adult when he came to the U.S. and did apple-picking and other work. He was about 8 years old and alone.

This guy never ceases to surprise me.

Yours for preventing any baby from being raised with little or no language,

susan