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A publication of
Whatcom Literacy Council |
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WLC Moves to BTC!
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In August the Whatcom Literacy Council (WLC) moved from offices on Elm Street in Bellingham to a suite of offices in Building A at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). Building A had been recently renovated to consolidate the services of the Department of Academic Basic Skills, and the suite of offices rented to WLC are across the hall from the Department. Part of the rental agreement allows WLC to use the classroom and computer lab space when it is not in use by BTC.
The welcome to the BTC has been wonderful. Everyone seems to be happy that the Literacy Council is on campus. WLC has partnered with BTC for many years, providing tutors in classrooms by the request of the instructor. Now there are many more opportunities for collaboration. As one BTC staffer put it "sharing facilities is just the beginning."
One of the advantages of the new space is that it is easy to find. When people walk into the building, they walk into an environment of learning. When BTC has a student that they cannot help, they will send them across the hall to WLC, and vice versa. WLC has seen numerous walk-ins because of this.
Although WLC will continue to have a presence at Goodwill Education Center and Whatcom Community College, and be active throughout the county, having the main office at BTC has turned out to be a good move.
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| Links on Literacy | |
USA Learns is a great way to learn English online by watching interesting videos and completing educational activities.
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| Tutors - We Need Your Reports! |
Just a reminder to all of you wonderful tutors that we need to receive a report from you each month to keep us up to date on how things are going with your learner. Please take a few minutes to click here and send us a report on all of the good work you do!
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11th Annual Literacy Breakfast featuring Author Nancy Pearl
|  The Whatcom Literacy Council hosted its 11th annual Literacy Breakfast on November 8th at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club. Selling out 2 weeks in advance, the Breakfast proved to be lively and fruitful for everyone!
Tim Ballew II, Chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council, was both inspiring and engaging as the MC for the morning. One of our tutor / learner pairs talked about the positive impact WLC has had on their lives. In addition, we were honored to be gifted a wonderful, original painting by local artist, Ben Mann, which was auctioned off at the Breakfast. We were excited to welcome back author and NPR commentator, Nancy Pearl, the guest speaker for the Breakfast. Everyone took great pleasure from her witty anecdotes and thoughts on some of her favorite books, all of which Village Books provided for guests to browse and purchase. We would like to thank all WLC staff, board members, and volunteers for their diligence and hard work make the Breakfast a successful event. Each year Whatcom Literacy Council helps hundreds of adults in Whatcom County build their literacy skills and move forward in their lives. All of the funds raised at the Annual Literacy Breakfast will help to make that possible! |
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Class Updates
|  WLC is currently sponsoring the following class:
Open Computer Lab
BTC Computer Lab, Building A
Every Wednesday from November 6th to December 11th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
More information
Previously sponsored classes include the following:
English Communication Skills Class
Sterling Hills Community Center
October 2013 - November 2013
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| Tutor Toolbox | 
There are several ways that your learner can participate in this year's event. The Washington Anytime Library, a free collection of downloadable audiobooks and eBooks through the WCLS and BPL, has different formats of this year's selected title - Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. You can help your learner download a copy onto his or her laptop, Smartphone or tablet. Not tech savvy? No problem, a reference librarian can help. You and your learner can book a 30 minute individualized session with a librarian to show you how to use the Washington Anytime Library.
Of course, the library also has printed copies along with recordings on CD. If the book is not at your learner's independent reading level I would suggest you check out an audio version of the title. It's best to offer a printed copy of the book with an audio recording so your learner can match the text with what she or he hears. This develops fluency, builds vocabulary and increases comprehension. WLC has portable CD players and headphones for learners to borrow. In addition, we have a few iPod Shuffles to lend.
With so many different formats of Wild it is easy for your learner to access the book and become part of a greater community of readers!
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Field trip ideas for pairs: 
- Attend a lecture or book discussion on themes presented in Wild. Check out Whatcom Reads! calendar for dates.
- Walk in the author's "boots", take a day hike together on part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
- Watch the movie version starring Reese Witherspoon (expected release sometime in 2014) and then write about the similarities and differences between the book and the movie.
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Tutor Reminder
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ALP tutors, if you have not already done so, please resubmit your hours directly to Jessica
for the month of September and October. We are experiencing technical difficulties with the online form. We apologize for the inconvenience. (You will be able to submit your November reports using the online form.)
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| Send Us Your Stories and Photos! | 
Please send us your stories and/or photos of any accomplishments or experiences that you would like us to highlight in future newsletters. |
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Books and Articles Recommended by Staff
|  NPR Podcast on Adult Education (4-Part Series)
Turning The Page On Illiteracy, Adults Go Back To Class (Part 1)
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If you have any questions or need help, please contact us at (360) 752-8678 or by email:
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