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Author and activist, Belle Yang, was honored at the 2008 AILF Annual Benefit Dinner in Vancouver on June 27, 2008, for her talent as an artist, her dedication to freedom of expression and for promoting the value of the immigrant experience both in and outside of her work.

Author of Always Come Home to Me (Candlewick Press, 2007) and Hannah is My Name (Candlewick Press, 2004), The Odyssey of a Manchurian (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996) and Baba (Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994), Yang has developed a remarkable style that draws on her rich cultural background, influenced not only by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan and her experience of immigrating to the United States at age seven, but also by her studies in Scotland and China. It was Belle Yang's homecoming from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Massacre that precipitated a new dedication to her art. "I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America," Yang said. "I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp this gift with both hands."

Be sure to check out Belle's webpage on Redroom.com, where you can watch several interviews with Belle and find more details and information on all of her fine artwork and available books

2007 Teacher Grant Project Now Available

Pamela Nicandro, a third grade teacher at the Peabody School in Chicago, finished her "Immigrant Place Settings" grant project this year. Nicandro had her students write special invitations to local immigrants and set a decorated place for said immigrant at a special banquet table. Students interviewed immigrants and then decorated cups, plates, bowls and placemats in addition to writing an expository essay honoring the immigrant's life. Through art and writing, students represented their chosen immigrant's life through his/her cultural/ethnic background, where he/she lived in the U.S., accomplishments and other personal information.

Student Kimberly Gutrerrez created an "Immigrant Place Setting" to honor immigrant Sara E. Marquez.

Student Briana Winters poses with her immigrant interviewee, Mrs. Maria Reyes of Honduras.

As a follow up activity, Nicandro invited all the immigrants that were interviewed to a banquet to enjoy the students' work, eat and honor them for all their achievements. The project enabled students to identify the reasons immigrants come to the US, hear about their journeys, research and write a narrative essays and most importantly, to appreciate and understand the immigrant experience. For this lesson plan and project details, check out our lesson plans.

Congratulations to the 2008 Creative Contest Winner

Congratulations to Cameron P. Busby of Whitmore Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, first place winner of the 2008 Creative Writing Contest. Cameron was honored at our 2008 Annual Benefit Dinner in Vancouver on June 27, 2008.

Congratulations are also in order for 2nd place winner, Ananda Boyd-Ewing of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School in Washington D.C., 3rd place winner Kasey Bruce of Sheridan Elementary School in San Francisco, CA, and honorable mention winners Noah Dearth of Our Lady of the Ridge School in St. Worth, IL, and Valentina Montenegro of Washington Elementary School in Whitewater, WI. A special thank you also goes to all the participating AILA Chapter Contest Coordinators, students and the dedicated teachers who made this contest possible.

Need fresh and creative teaching ideas for your classroom? Check out our newest lesson plans and most recent Teachers' Resource Guide.

The first 2008-2009 Teachers' Grant deadline has passed. Submitted applications are being reviewed and awards will be announced in mid-July.