Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education

Generation Connection: Literacy in the Classroom

Even though she came to the U.S. only a short time ago from Germany, Literacy in the Classroom volunteer Elvira Eberhardt provides important encouragement and support in English for her creative writing student at Castro Elementary School.

Remember your favorite toy or animal? By sharing simple stories of your childhood "favorites" with a second-grader, you can help that child improve his or her writing and English language skills -- and long-term chances for success. Literacy in the Classroom is a 7-week program that spans the generations in a way satisfying to both volunteer and student. You will receive explicit week-to-week instructions on what to write with your second-grader. After five writing sessions, the stories are collected into a "Sharing Journal," and students are celebrated at a classroom Author's Party.

You'll meet other volunteers - all interesting people far beyond the classroom. No writing or teaching experience is necessary; all you need is a love of children and the desire to help a youngster succeed! Volunteer training provided. For information and enrollment, contact Linda McCrary at lmccrary@mvlaae.net or (650) 940-6024 by 4/4.

Generation Connection: Literacy in the Garden

Retired college professor Debbie Dexter delights in bringing her books, bird nest and wriggly worm collection to the garden each week. It's all about learning new English vocabulary words!

Life flourishes with your help in the garden. Our program brings elementary school students into the Mountain View Senior Center Garden on Tuesday afternoons for a one-time visit. With a ratio of four students per volunteer, students benefit by interacting with adults, learning new vocabulary words and having an opportunity to ask questions while exploring authentic insights into nature's life cycle. No gardening experience needed. We do not ask you to plant, hoe, water or weed! Volunteer training provided on 3/25 and no class 4/15. For information and enrollment, contact Linda McCrary at lmccrary@mvlaae.net or (650)940-6024 by 3/21.

Literacy Volunteers - Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE)

If you can read this, you can help someone who can't. Volunteer to tutor adult basic literacy skills.

Free tutor training and materials are provided for you to help adult students who want to improve their:

• Basic reading skills
• Basic writing skills
• Basic math skills
• Pre-GED skills

Work with an individual student once or twice a week; morning, early afternoon or evening times are available. For more information, contact Carla Keen and William Gardner at projectable@mvla.net or (650) 940-6029.

Rosa (left) meets with her tutor Susan each week
to improve her reading and writing in English.