April. The month of growing. The beginning of the end of the school year. The stage that is opened by fools and closed by jubilant light-bearers. Ah, spring. . . .
Our membership drive is off to a somewhat tentative start. We tried to reach all language arts teaching personnel in South Dakota with a bulk mailing--over 750 pieces went to every corner, nook and cranny of the state. At this writing, fewer than 50 responses have come our way. So where are you all? And how can we reach you, help you, and learn from you? If SDCTE is to thrive, we need to know what you need to know. Let us hear from you! Communicate!
As we prepare to reconnect SDCTE to national conferences and personnel, we need your input. The upcoming Standards Workshop, slated for the end of April in Sioux Falls, will ask us to speak for you when we examine what English teachers value and teach in the fields of language arts.
What do YOU think students should know and be able to do in English language arts? What resources (local, state, national, world-wide) are available for the asking? What technology is important for our students to learn about and from? Are there teachers out there whose successes can be shared or used as models for those of us who need to know more? What are the essentials in the wide field of language arts? Those are big questions!
There are some mighty important small questions out there, too: How do we cope with overloaded classes, overextended activities assignments, and papers, papers, papers? How do we connect with good reading for our students? What works well in the writing fields? Any neat listening or meaningful speaking assignments to share? And how do we survive the teacher's lounge?
As I said before, we need you to tell us. Please communicate. Please!
We're looking forward to meeting you and learning from you.
Sue Morrell
Bon Homme High School
Tyndall, SD
P.S. Join your SDCTE leadership team and fellow members in April as we connect with the South Dakota Reading Council State Conference in Mitchell. We're planning an SDCTE meeting/gathering on Friday at the noon break (11:30-1:00). Please come, find out what is happening and who we are--together. We'll connect, share suggestions and ideas for future meetings, and apprise you of upcoming summer and fall events. Mark your calendars: April 21-23, 1994, Holiday Inn, Mitchell, SD. Events begin Thursday evening at 7:00 PM.