On recognition in Brasil...

Tyrone: I spent the afternoon yesterday making a "merchandising" or propaganda of our project during a small conference on education we had in Lauro de Freitas town, a place where I also work. I showed our project to the Secretário de Educação, or the Director of the Education Department of Lauro de Freitas and to Lauro de Freitas Teachers' union: all of them loved the project and I am to see them afterward in order to see how we can use this project or my experience in the fields of technology/education in Lauro de Freitas. I was also invited to present a workshop at a conference that will occur next September or October.

Cathy: That's so awesome!!! I am happy to see you getting to present in Brasil. I know you will do a terrific job. Have you noticed that there is very little media interest in our project here? Brooklyn is very small (700 people); and because of the adult entertainment and high crime rate, everyone thinks it is a terrible place. Well, it can be pretty bad at times, but the people who live here love their town, and they are proud of their heritage. The media is always eager to report killings and drug busts -- but not something good in education. It is disappointing. But we are not here for the publicity (although we enjoy it); we are here for the kids and I think making a difference.

Tyrone: The magazine that will be published belongs to the Department of Education, but the article they will publish about our project will be a result of my direct calling to the magazine staff people. As a colleague of mine that works for the teachers' union told me yesterday, funding projects here in Brasil has to do with political matters. If I belonged to this or that party things would be easier for me. Unfortunately, things here are this way. You do seem to have a more serious country in the field of education. See how many grants and conferences you have the chance to go to in your country... I can't compare it to Brasil. Anyway, nothing is perfect and we will survive and succeed!!!

Voicethread has real possibilities...

Tyrone: Let's see whether is going to be possible or not having two ceremonies at the same time. If not, we could also have a presentation of this Voice Thread during the ceremony. You could ask your students to record their poems via Voice Thread and e-mail me. then, I would use this during the event. In last case, you yourself could record the whole poems. I loved hearing your voice!!! I am so excited about what we have done!!! I think Voice Thread has still lots of things for us to use!!!!

Books mailed...

Cathy: I signed my picture in the back of each book. I delivered them to the Post Office. The guy said they will arrive at customs in Brasil in 7-10 days. Then the delivery is in their hands. So if things go well, you may have them in two weeks.

Tyrone: It'll be marvelous when I have the books in my hands! Students will love seeing your signature!!! Of course, I will also sign my name!!! ( I am so proud of the book!) Parque School will prepare an event to give them to the students. We will invite Education Department people to attend the ceremony. It'll be an important moment for me!!! Can you imagine if you were here beside me to give them their books? I think I will suggest them to read their poems as soon as they receive their copies.

Cathy: How awesome!! Take lots of pictures!!! I think it is an excellent idea. I wish we had finished before my kids got out of school. Then we could have both had a presentation ceremony at the same time. I still may do it with the juniors -- at the same time as yours -- if we are back in school.

Why don't you have your students read the poems that they wrote -- or a select few that are not afraid to be on stage -- or do this -- have them record them in the safety of your room using voicethread. Then they don't have to be afraid to stand up in front of a crowd. You could pick poems of some of their favorite students that they conversed with -- or just some of their favorite poems -- and record them (in Portuguese, of course, unless your audience also speaks English.

I did a sample of what I mean. If school has started back, I could get one or two students with short poems to read them in English and then you or one of the students could read the Portuguese translation. Just ideas -- if none of them work, that is okay. But take a look if you don't mind.