March 2025 – Kalamazoo Language and Intercultural Partners

Issue 24 – March 2025

Paper! Pencils! Let’s Write!

Do you like to write? Writing can be fun! Practice writing every day. You will see your writing get better and better.

Write about what you know. You know many things. Write about your day or your school or your home. You know this well. It is easier to write about something familiar.

Write about what you like. Do you like sports? Art? Food? Write about it! It is more interesting to write about something you enjoy.

Write about what you see. Look around. Do you see a busy classroom? What are people doing? What sounds do you hear? What colors do you see? Add details.

Headlines

What English Means to Me

By Seonha Lee

I learned English by talking with friends. It wasn’t always easy for me. It was helpful for me to keep practicing my skills. I talked with friends online, and I used English all the time. I practiced writing and spelling by texting.

English is more than just talking and texting. Words can change how people understand the world and each other. Words can make people feel included. Practice writing and speaking and learn new vocabulary! English can help bring people together.

Do you speak English with your friends? You can speak English with us! KLIPs enjoy speaking English with students. You can practice with us, learn new words, and become more comfortable using English with friends.

Ideas

Write Your Own English Story!

What does learning English mean to you? There are many answers. You might have lots of ideas. Your feelings might change.

Writing a cinquain poem is one way to brainstorm ideas and words.

A cinquain poem looks like this:	An example of cinquain poem about learning English:
One noun	English
Two adjectives	New, different
Three gerunds (words + ing)	Reading, talking, learning
A short phrase	Helps me make new friends
A one-word summary	Future

Now write your own!
One noun
Two adjectives
Three gerunds (words + ing)
A short phrase
A one-word summary

Arts and Crafts

Slope Practice with Whiteboards

In Ms. Loftis’ class, students are learning algebra. Phoenix students enjoy math. Ms. Loftis makes it fun. They are learning difficult math ideas like slope. They work equations using whiteboards and markers. Students find the slope by calculating rise over run. Ask a Phoenix student how they do it! They help each other, show their work, and problem solve together with whiteboards. Ms. Loftis can see answers quickly and provide help. Using white boards is something students enjoy, and it helps them practice their math.

Arts and Crafts

Reading with Ms. Samit

In Mrs. Samit’s class at Phoenix High School, students have been reading. They read and read and read! With practice, students are improving their reading skills. They are learning new words every day. Read 180 Language books and computer programs are helpful. The Read 180 computer program is different for every student, because the program changes based on how students respond.

When students are not on the computer, they work individually, in groups, and as a class to practice new English words, sentences, and grammar. Reading practice helps students improve language skills. They also develop confidence and pride when they can read new texts and see their progress.

Arts and Crafts

Kindergarten Creates!

Ms. Horn’s Lincoln kindergarteners love art class! They are excited to create beautiful art. Art class is also important for students’ learning. They look like they are just having fun, but they are also growing. They made a heart charm from clay, and then the next week, they used beads to make a colorful necklace. This artwork helps with fine motor skills, so students can use their hands and fingers better to write, draw, and color. Choosing colors and shapes helps students solve problems. Talking about their work helps grow their English skills. Art is fun AND important!

Ads and Resources

Word Challenge

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Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Date	Activities
March 5	PEEP/Kindergarten Orientation
March 7	PK-12 no school
March 12	K-12 half day
March 27	K-5 half day
March 28	PK-12 no school; no county programs
March 31–April 4	Spring Break