What's New?

2012-01-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

The whole class from Phokeng, South Africa after

completing ECE 103, Creative Experiences for Young Children

2012-01-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

It was Africa, after all. I could not neglect the amazing animals that we saw. Here are just a few.

2012-01-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Homemade puppets

Made from socks, toilet paper rolls and art materials

Ready for puppet-child interactions when the new school year begins this week.

2012-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Some amazing South African skies

2012-01-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Exploring the benefits of well-designed classroom displays.

2012-01-12T03:20:00.000-08:00

Dramatic play with fabric.

Dramatic play with fabric and natural materials.

Playing "house."

A traditional healer...just fabric and a stick.

2012-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

drawing, rubbing, and marking paper on brick, cement, and glass.

2012-01-11T00:30:00.000-08:00

Class is working on creating aesthetically pleasing displays that encourage children's creativity. Technical difficulties have been making it impossible to post every day. I will continue to do my best.

2012-01-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Short hike to a wonderful waterfall in another National Park overlooking Rustenburg. Saw antelope, eland, zebra, and had a wonderful braii in the bush.

Make way for goslings.

2012-01-06T23:23:00.000-08:00

The first class of Creative Experiences for Young Children ECE 103. U.S. student Wai Fun Chow joins 17 South African students as they begin their exploration of aesthetics, creativity, and standards-based programming for young children.

Parent/teacher workshop

2012-01-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Early Childhood educators study the images in a wordless book to discover the story that is unwritten.
A turnout of about 15 parents and teachers met to consider ways to improve the literacy skills of their preschoolers.

2012-01-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

2011-12-16T20:03:00.001-08:00

COUNTDOWN FOR WEBSITE

2011-11-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

Crowd at Rotary International Day at the UN where I made a presentation about the South Africa project on Saturday November 5.

2011-09-03T09:56:00.001-07:00

2011-08-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have found a new favorite site...Pinterest. See some of my boards at http://pinterest.com/laurienoe/children-s-book-characters/

2011-07-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

Rustenburg

2011-04-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some images from the last 3 weeks.

Obakeng reading to children in Setswana and Maria translating.
Here, Bertha and Elaine speak with children at the Housatonic Community College Laboratory School about a book they presented in Setswana.
The first order of business was for the South African Vocational Training Team to be greeted at the Rotary Luncheon the day after their arrival in the States.

2011-04-03T06:47:00.000-07:00

The last 2 weeks began with a very positive visit of accreditation reviewers to the HCC ECE program. It will take months to know for sure but we are very hopeful we will get full accreditation.

Then it was time to join in the work and play of the South African team. They had several observations in early childhood classrooms throughout Bridgeport, they attended the UN's International Teacher Day, they visited public schools, children's museums, parent programs, early childhood resource centers, and pizza parlors. The attended workshops on culture, classroom environments, preschool assessments, and literacy. They presented with the Bridgeport team at a public symposium, and have been filmed by TV crews, and (tomorrow) will be interviewed by a radio host. And this is just the first two weeks.

In their final week in this country the South African team will visit more schools, talk to more people, gather more materials, learn how to access the online classes they will be taking at HCC, and begin to reflect on their experiences.

We all are looking forward to a long relationship that will benefit the children and families in both communities.

2011-03-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

The South African team shows up on Saturday. We can't wait. All kinds of activities have been planned from children's theater to preschool observations to a tour of the Park City and a weekend that will include a visit to the Amistad. Their three-week stay will allow them to attend some workshops and discuss early childhood practice; compare some American pizza styles; experience life in a New England family; see the Big Apple; and consider the similarities and differences in early care and education in Bridgeport and in The Royal Bafokeng Nation. I can only hope that we are affording them the richness of experience that they provided for us.

2011-02-05T13:48:00.001-08:00

Made rusks....did not turn out at all. Made melktert...I think I have a winner. Tonight we open the Roodeberg and maybe the Amarula too. Need to find mint liqueur to make springboks.

2011-02-01T04:40:00.000-08:00

We are home. It's winter...serious winter. Snow today (5-8 inches) and ice tomorrow (.25-1 inch). But everything about our 3-week South African summer lingers. Biltong made it through customs (we are such scofflaws). Shot glasses adorned with images of the big 5 are awaiting the perfect Amarulla moment. My shopping list contains the ingredients for milk tart and rusks. And I am reworking the hundreds of pictures to make meaningful (yet brief) presentations for a variety of interested groups. Once we catch our breaths, the next step is to plan for the 3-week visit of the South African team (our newest friends) who will be here in March.

Colors of South Africa

2011-01-28T20:52:00.000-08:00

Knowing we are coming home to a world covered in white, I think I will above all remember the colors of South Africa. The colors of the uniforms, the rich red earth, the green foliage, the painted walls of even the most meager shacks, the colorful language, the tile mosaics, and the many colorful people we have met in the past 3 weeks. The blog will continue as we prepare for and finally get to host the South African team in March and April.

Constitution Hill

2011-01-28T04:23:00.000-08:00

Violet Weinberg's cell in the white section of the women's prison.

Original stairwell from the Old Fort jail where prisoners were first brought after arrest.

Nelson Mandela's cell.

Solitary confinement.

Number 4-5 cell blocks.

2011-01-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our wonderful host families in Rustenburg for putting us up and for putting up with us for the past 2 weeks. We really appreciate your hospitality. On to Johannesburg for our last day before leaving for home tomorrow evening.

Impala Platinum Mines

2011-01-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

The smelter at the platinum mines.

Prepped to go down 1.3 kilometers into the platinum mine. Hot, dark, loud. They produce approximately 4 grams of platinum for every ton of "core" rock they remove from the mine.

2011-01-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

Met with our South African team that will be coming to Bridgeport in March/April. Had an amazing dinner within the Pilanesburg National Park. A warthog family came by during dinner.

Preschools in need

2011-01-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

Children play at preschools that are in desperate need of equipment and basic repairs. In some facilities the windows are broken, in others bathroom facilities do not work at all. In one school we went to, the ceiling in an unused classroom had fallen in and remained hanging to the floor. It is not unheard of for the electricity to be cut off for days at a time while children continue to attend school.

2011-01-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

Barbara, Tim and I went to the North-West Univeristy at Potchefstroom campus where we met with the early childhood education faculty. I can't wait to hear what Lindsay, Heather and Donna did today.

Pilanesburg National Park

2011-01-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

Today, in addition to these animals we saw zebra, impala, springbok, wildebeast, an elephant, ostrich, tons of fabulous birds, a black mamba snake, and then...Sun City.

Saturday escape to Groot Marico

2011-01-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Relaxing lunch at a rural guest farm on a river in the middle of nowhere South Africa. Good food, good company, great afternoon.

Dancers at the Groot Marico creche, a Rustenburg Rotary project.

Baking the most delicious rolls.

More preschools

2011-01-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

Storytelling

Pap Porridge for breakfast which was served al fresco.

Heather's favorite pose.

Semane PreK and Teacher Training Center

2011-01-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

Staff, children and visitors at the Semane Preschool.

Lindsay, playdough and a new friend.

Before a nutritious lunch of hard boiled eggs, cucumbers, and bread.

Semane Preschool

2011-01-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

The Library at Lebone II College (K-gr. 12). Beaded light shades and mosaic wall art.

In South African schools, shoes are optional.

The cafeteria at the Lebone II College operated by the Royal Bafekong Nation. Lunches are nutritious including fresh fruits and vegetables at every meal.

It is the first week of school and grade R (kindergarten) students are painting self-portraits.

2011-01-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

Bishop Kevin Dowling discussing a memorial to a young patient at Tapologo Health Clinic for HIV/AIDS patients.

Health clinic at "Freedom Park."

Freedom Park.

2011-01-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

At The Royal Bafokeng Civic Center.

2011-01-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

At a high school supported by the Royal Bafokeng. These girls (except for Donna) were doing math homework. Only about half the students have calculators which are essential for passing grade 12 math exams (no sharing allowed during exams). The final exam is "high stakes." You don't pass, you don't graduate. And yet they come to school - to learn.

2011-01-15T06:34:00.000-08:00

This photo with Sarah (3rd from right) is from last Monday when we stopped at Sarah's shop for a little shopping and refreshment of small peanuts, corn and tea. I am hiding in the back above Barbara's left shoulder.

2011-01-14T23:42:00.000-08:00

We have arrived in Rustenburg, our home for the next few weeks. We are staying with wonderful Rotary families who have opened their homes to us. Our first night here we all got togeter for a "braai," what at home would be called a barbeque or a cook out. These are real red meat lovers. They initiated the Americans with shots of peach moonshine and talked about the many places we should see while here. Maybe a crocodile farm, a hike into the hills, a moonshine production facility, a platinum mine - and then, Sun City.

On Monday the work starts in earnest as we head to the Royal Bafokeng Nation and the Lebone College.

2011-01-13T22:11:00.000-08:00

Spa Park School visit. The children greeted us at a special assembly where they sang for us on their second day of the new school year before we each addressed them.

Bela Bela

2011-01-13T08:09:00.001-08:00

Talje Home for physically and mentally disabled children. Video to follow, if I can figure out how to do that.

2011-01-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing day with wonderful people at Loskopdam. A boat ride around the lake, animals in their natural habitat, dinner on the banks of the lake, and we saw the Southern Cross for the first time ever.

We left Lopskam and headed for Bela Bela through orange groves, fields of corn and sunflowers.

Day 3

2011-01-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

A "new" school and "new" housing development. Homes made of scrap or mud and rocks await new tenants while children await the beginning of the school year in an old building with a new mission.

2011-01-10T06:01:00.000-08:00

At a preschool center funded by the Middleburg Rotary Club. School starts in 2 days.

At Care Village, an orphanage established and supported by the Middleburg Rotary Club. Funds are raised through an annual Train Race where teams of athletes attempt to outrun a train.

At the Care Village "Creche," the preschool. In 2003 the orphanage opened with 7 children. Today there are 94 children living there ranging in ages from infant through 18 years old. 50 children are on the waitlist.

2011-01-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

Just had a wonderful dinner with our wonderful hosts. Tasted bultong, dried boerewors, milk tart, and South African wines.

We arrived!!

2011-01-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

bit of rain. After a small mishap on the escolator at the airport, we were off to Middleburg. We have all had a relaxing afternoon and are meeting for a BBQ tonight.

2011-01-06T04:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the Rotary Vocational Travel Team with Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. Left to right: Lindsay Davis (Bridgeport Public Schools), Heather Ferguson (Bridgeport Public Schools), Laurie Noe (Housatonic Community College), Tim Bartlett (YMCA), Donna Thompson-Bennett (Parent Leadership Training Institute), Barbara Welles-Nystrom (Fairfield University). We are scheduled to leave Saturday morning. Weather forecast: snow.

2011-01-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Everyone

It is less than a week until the Rotary Vocational Travel Team from Bridgeport, CT leaves on a 15 hour direct plane flight from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa (where we will meet up with our team leader from Stockholm, Sweden. We will be heading to Rustenburg which is about 1.5 hours west of there. That puts us not too far from the border with Botswana. Rustenburg is home to the two largest platinum mines in the world and game reserves in the area are home to "the big five;" elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and water buffalo. It is summer there and the temperatures have been in the upper 80s and low 90s.

2010-12-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

Check out the article about the South Africa trip.

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/thebridgeportnews/news/localnews/79556-bridgeport-south-africa-forming-educational-partnership-.html

South Africa, here I come

2010-12-12T14:09:00.001-08:00

It's Official! I will be traveling to South Africa for 3 weeks in January with a team of early childhood folks from Bridgeport to visit a rural community in the Royal Bafokeng Nation, west of Johannesburg. The Rotary Club is sponsoring our Vocational Travel Team and the team of South Africans who will be visiting Bridgeport in March. I will post images as I am able to.

2010-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

Come watch and discuss the Babies movie at Housatonic Community College on Nov 29 or at Norwalk Community College on Dec 6 sponsored by the Fairfield County Association for the Education of Young Children. Write me for more details at Laurie@LaurieNoe.com

Babies, the movie

2010-05-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Babies yet? What did you think? How will you use it to support students and teachers appreciate diversity?

at the beach

2010-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

If you want, you can take classes toward your CDA, a degree or your CT Director's Credential while getting a tan, watching the flowers grow, or watching the kids play. All you have to do is sign up for one of HCC's online courses this summer. There is still time. Contact the admissions office if you have never attended HCC before or the registrar's office if you have.

2010-04-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

Nearly 30 people were amazed at the lengths that some people will go to to get their children into "the right" preschool when they viewed Nursery University.

We had a great Week of the Young Child. More than 60 people attended the Literacy through Lyrics learning new fun songs and the reasoning behind using them (and others) to support language development.

Nearly 90 people became more Culturally Competent when we learned the dangers of relying on a single story to define or attempt to understand an individual person or an entire culture.

We also flew kites, viewed children's art, and explored children's books for use with adult audiences.

Thank you to everyone who participated by creating, hosting, or attending one of these events.

Week of the Young Child 2010

2010-03-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

Celebrate the Week of the Young Child at Housatonic Community College

Monday April 12th at 5 p.m. Beacon Hall Events Center

We will be showing Nursery University

Tuesday April 13th 6:30 p.m Beacon Hall Events Center

With Amy Diamond learn to support early Literacy through Lyrics

Wednesday April 14th 10:30 a.m. in the courtyard

Come Fly Kites with the Early Childhood Laboratory School children

Wednesday April 14th 6:30 p.m. Beacon Hall Events Center

Attend a workshop and become Culturally Competent

Thursday April 15th 2-4 Beacon Hall room 223

Learn some great picture books that can be used across the curriculum