Education

1st Annual Book Drive Show

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on December 3, 2018 Respond Permalink

Community Publishing is excited to team up with Mariposa Music and Reviva to bring you the 1st Annual Holiday Book Drive Show! The event is schedule for Friday, December 14th 7pm and will feature several of New Mexico’s top acts including Reviva!

New Mexico’s Literacy Problem

In New Mexico we face many challenges to combat one of the lowest literacy rates in the U.S. We believe that giving Children’s Books away for the Holidays will give early readers the opportunity to develop of love of reading.”Based on a statewide population of 1,954,599 and a 46% functionally illiterate population, it is estimated that 899,115 adults are in need of literacy services” NM Coalition for Literacy.

The Holiday Book Drive Show

We have an amazing lineup of music including Reviva and Wagogo! The show costs $10 but only $7 if you purchase at least one of our print Children’s Books. Books will be donated to several Albuquerque Public Schools Libraries and Students. Please check out your options below:

Princess Marisol & The Moon Thieves (PMMT) – magical realism from author Alex Paramo that takes readers around the world. This bilingual book features narration, a sound-track and child voice actors! It was adapted for the stage by FUSION Theatre Company of New Mexico and performed around New Mexico in 2015. More info click here
Princess Marisol & The Portal (PMTP) – magical realism from author Alex Paramo that takes readers around the world. This bilingual book features narration, a sound-track and child voice actors! It was adapted for the stage by FUSION Theatre Company of New Mexico and performed around New Mexico in 2015. More info click here
Samuel’s Story (SS) – written by Albuquerque’s Inaugural Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy, this book features an African American Author, Illustrator, Music Producer and protagonist. More info click here
Bella The Caterpillar (BTC) – winner of the Children’s Book of the Year (bilingual) this story about a beautiful Caterpillar comes from 10 year old author Marisol Paramo. She is the youngest winner ever in the history of the New Mexico / Arizona Book Awards! This book features narration, a sound-track and child voice actors! More info click here

Filed under: Community Partners, Education, Music and Tagged: Books, Children's Books, Education, Holiday, Holiday Gifts, Literacy, Shopping

Music for Your Mind and Body

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on May 22, 2017 1 Permalink

Music for Your Mind by Alex Paramo

Music, Literature, Art: we all know how wonderful the arts make our lives, the lives of our families, friends and community members.

Check out these amazing benefits music has on our health (found in an article by Jill Suttle at the Huffington Post,):

Music reduces stress/anxiety
Music decreases pain
Music improves immune functioning
Music Aids Memory
Music helps us exercise

Music also helps in brain as documented in this PBS article:

Increased IQ
Brain Works Harder
Spatial-Temporal Skills
Higher Test Scores

Cutting the Future

Music programs in our schools are being cut at a steady and scary pace. Unfortunately this trend does not show any sign of waning. I am confounded by the lack of foresight from our public administrators, leaders and decision-makers. If education of our children is the stated goal, why aren’t studies showing the incredible benefits of music education taken into greater consideration when decision about program cuts are being made? Could it be that our paradigms of education are outdated and obsolete?

Music Instruction is for Everyone

During these challenging times, parents often turn to outside arts education programs to augment their child’s education. Many of these programs are very expensive and out of the reach of working class folks The New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues (NMARB) was founded on the principle that music (instruction) is for everyone. Under the direction of visionaries Keith and Ana Sanchez, they have assembled an all-star cast including singer-songwriter Keith Sanchez, percussionist Ragon Espinoza, Guitarist/Bassist Glenn Buddha Benavidez, Elizabeth Marie Berry, Vocals/Guitar/Ukulele, Brian Shonerd, Piano and a plethora of guest instructors. Fin;d more information about the NMARB here.

Investing in the Future

The NMARB provides lessons in not only instrument performance but also in songwriting, and poetry. Of course in our current economic reality programs of this nature are expensive to operate.

To ameliorate costs, the NMARB will be holding its annual fundraiser Saturday May 27 at Rio Bravo Brewery in Albuquerque New Mexico. On the bill include the Big Spank, Red Light Cameras, Keith Sanchez & the Moon Thieves and Le Chat Lunatique.

The event will also include live art and vendors! Please check out the event page and consider donating/investing in the future.

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Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities. We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market and the Monte Vista Fire Station. Need help with your web presence and social media marketing? Click here to find out how we can help you!

Community Publishing: From the Community For the Community

Filed under: Education, News & Info and Tagged: Art, Art Education, Education, Literature, Music, Music Education, Poetry Instruction

The Ink is Black, the Page is White: The Omission of People of Color in Children’s Books

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on December 4, 2015 Respond Permalink

By Alex Paramo

If the song “Black and White” (made famous by the 1970’s band, Three Dog Night) was written today, I would hope they would add to it’s title, “and the Pencil is Brown,” to symbolize the many brown faces that have changed the demographics of the country. The song was actually written by David Arkin and Earl Robinson in 1954 in response to the Supreme Court’s landmark anti-segregation decision, Brown v. Board of Education.

Lack of Representation of People of Color in Children’s Literature

Illustration by Christopher Meyers

According to according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin, only 253 of 3,200 children’s books surveyed were about people of color (described as African-American, American Indian, Latino, Asian & Pacific Island Americans). Additionally only 213 authors of color were found in the random sample. Additionally, with over 52 million Latinos in the U.S., (a number which is continually growing) the New York Times did not include a single book which included either a Latino protagonist or written by a Latino author, on it’s New York Times notable children’s book of 2013.

Importance of representation of people of color in Children’s Books

The lack of people of color in children’s books is terribly unfortunate and alarming. Books provide a way for children to envision themselves within the world around them. The demographics of the U.S. is rapidly changing to include more people of color. The importance of modeling in education is well documented. It is imperative that children of color see the images and read the words of the people around them that look like them. Therefore, if our books do not represent the many faces of the people that constitute our country, then we are under-serving and disenfranchising a significant portion of our population.

As a parent of a 7 year old, (3/4 Latina and 1/4 Native American) I have noticed the dearth of characters in children’s books that look like us. After reading the New York Times pieces, “Where are the People of Color in Children’s Books,” by Walter Dean Myers and the “Apartheid of Children’s Literature” by Christopher Meyers, I became fully aware of this unacceptable reality.

Book Choices for Parents

Viviana Hurtado and Monica Olivera of Latinas for Latino Lit, have created their own notables list of recommended children’s books that includes Latino authors, illustrators and protagonists. They both speak on the importance of this issue on National Public Radio: listen here.

Photo by Becky Archuleta

This past Friday I played the Multimedia Book version of my book, Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves, with it’s multicultural theme, and music, at Chaparral Elementary in Albuquerque, NM. Albuquerque Public Schools has a population of students which is 55% Hispanic/Latino. The characters in the book are real people, Marisol Paramo, Matias Pizarro, Juan Ramirez, Jackie Zamora: I insisted they be illustrated to their true likeness. As I scanned the classroom viewing all the interested little brown, black and white faces, I was proud of the fact that they were experiencing a multicultural story characters that resembled them, on the screen!
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Alex’s bilingual multimedia book, Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves print version is available! Click on link for more info and to purchase!

Read more of Alex’s articles by clicking here.
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This article was originally published on April 14, 2014

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Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

Community Publishing: From the Community For the Community

Filed under: Blog Entry, Education and Tagged: Albuquerque Public Schools, Brown v Board of Education, Children of Color, Children's Books, Children's Literature, Demographics, discrimination, Diversity, Education, Equality, iPad, Kindle Fire, Literacy, Multimedia Book, New York City Public Schools, New York Times, Nook HD, Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves, Public Eduation, Racism, Role Models, Supreme Court, Three Dog Night, University of Wisconsin

Seth in New Zealand: Where I Came From

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on March 17, 2015 Respond Permalink

I’m a full month and a half into my New Zealand Fulbright Experience. As the title of this entry says, I will reflect a bit on where I came from before I arrived.

Mountain Mahogany Community School

For the past 5 years I have been teaching at a beautiful public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA called Mountain Mahogany Community School. If not for my experience at MMCS, I likely would not be in New Zealand now on this Fulbright Scholarship. Mountain Mahogany Community School is where my integration of music/teaching/learning was truly nurtured. About a week before I began teaching there, Kendra Toth (school director) asked me how I was going to begin my first day of school with the kids. After years in public education, my trained response was, “I will sit everyone down, and I will go over the class rules.” I was surprised to see Kendra’s expression so skeptical.

“Hmmmm. No,” she replied, “I think you should greet them at the door with your guitar and begin by singing them a song.”

Music Gear

You can imagine how surprised I was to have this most pleasing suggestion from my boss. In the past, I felt I had to “hide” musical activities and only squeeze them in here and there if extra time allowed. This may have been in my own head, but that was the impression I had. Mountain Mahogany was my first experience where I really felt that using music was embraced and encouraged. So, I just want to give a public thank you to Kendra Toth (director), Baylor Del Rosario (administrator), and all the MMCS staff, students, families, and friends for welcoming the music I have been incorporating in my role as a classroom teacher and member of this inspirational community.

That’s a bit about where I came from. Now, stay tuned, and I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to here in New Zealand for the past several weeks.
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Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday.

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

Filed under: Education, Travel and Tagged: backpacking, Education, Family, Fulbright Scholarship, iBooks, Kindle Fire, Learning, Mountain Mahogany School, Multimedia, Music Education, New Zealand, Nook HD, Travel, Wellington

Seth in New Zealand: People, Places, Playtime, & Projects

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on February 28, 2015 Respond Permalink

By Seth Hoffman

Welcome back friends to another episode of Seth in New Zealand. So begins my Fulbright experience. Here we go with orientation on February 3rd. It’s been really nice getting to know my new Fulbright family. We will hear many wonderful and informative speakers.

New Zealand History

Prominent New Zealand historian, Jock Phillips, gives us a 45 minute summary of New Zealand’s history. This could easily be an entire semester course, but he did a nice job fitting in the highlights to this brief overview.

Later that day, the Fulbright group went for an overnight visit to Waiwhetu Marae. A marae is a communal or sacred place that serves religious or social purposes in Polynesian societies. It was a real honor and privilege to be there and learn more about Maori culture and heritage.

We all slept in the wharenui (main sacred meeting/gathering house of the mare). It felt a little bit like being at summer camp. The wharenui also holds the memories and spirits of ancestors, and we were reminded that we also bring with us the spirit of our ancestors when we come here. As it happened, I had a very vivid dream about my mother that evening.

http://youtu.be/w2fsYz2VWHk

The next day we saw a waka (canoe), built in the authentic Maori style. This waka is actually used from time to time.

We even got a chance to sit inside and learn how Maori work together as a team to get these waka really moving. The simulation was much easier without the water resistance. If you see the movie “Whale Rider,” then you can see a wharenui and a waca.

Chants and Songs

Waiata, or songs and chants are an important part of Maori culture. They sang us a waiata to greet us, and we responded with a waiata as well. Then they sang a waiata before we left, and we also sang one as a farewell. So far I have learned 2 Maori waiata. I will post some videos of the waiata I have learned. The ones I have heard are about peace, hope, love, togetherness, faith, ancestors, and joy. I really like the purpose and meaning of these waiata. Here is a clip of one of the farewell waiata that was sung to us.

http://youtu.be/EzJv9eb7mb0

The hongi is a traditional Maori greeting or parting gesture. It is done by pressing one’s nose and forehead to another’s. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life) is exchanged. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party’s souls.

Here are the Fulbright Teachers as we are about to depart from our beautiful marae experience.

At the end of our orientation we met our Fulbright host families. I had dinner with my wonderful hosts Bill and Sally Barrett.

We had an absolutely beautiful evening together. Friday February 6th I finally moved into my new apartment. Would you like to take a little tour?

http://youtu.be/cfamsyG9WjE

Though my apartment is small, it’s cozy and located near many wonderful places. One of the highlights is Central Park (not THE Central Park in NY, but it’s a wonderful Central Park). This park features a zip line, and it’s quite fun and exhilarating as you can tell: http://youtu.be/r-mm_GAuZ9g

Lectured

It was exciting to attend my first lecture at Victoria University, taught by my fellow Fulbrighter Shahnaz’s advisor Bruce Carey.

Bruce is a fantastic professor, and he also is a great songwriter. He invited me to this wonderful open mic. I had a wonderful time, and I will likely be back every Tuesday. They may even give me a gig to play my own night there sometime. It had a great feel there. Those of you from Albuquerque, it felt a bit like the old Blue Dragon days.

I’ve been fortunate to experience much of Wellington’s beautiful nature. I climbed Mount Victoria with Den and her super cool husband Tim. We have all become great buddies. Tim and I have a few things in common. Some of you may know that I am quite fond of ping pong. I’m so lucky because so is Tim! Here we are after a wonderful afternoon session at the Karori Campus at Victoria University studying – the art of table tennis.

Thursday February 12th I joined Shahnaz and her boys on their school outing to Mount Kaukau. I climbed 2 mountains in 2 days. The kids were really great, and I got a chance to play music with many of them as we climbed the mountain with my strumstick. We had a lot of fun making up songs as we hiked. Some of the kids were getting so tired, but they said the music kept them going.

Integrating the Arts into the Classroom

I attended a thoroughly engaging and informative workshop about integrating music, dance, and the arts into the classroom. My terrific advisor Liz has some great connections. She herself led the dance workshop. It was a very inspirational day.

http://youtu.be/aYWh9jvEApw

http://youtu.be/IGnz77xbChk

Stay tuned for more songs, adventures, and New Zealand images. So far, Kiwi life is treating me well. See you next time 🙂
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Seth Hoffman

Filed under: Education, Travel and Tagged: Art Integration, Busking, Classroom, Education, Fulbright Scholarship, history, Jock Phillips, Maori, New Zealand, New Zealand History, Radio Workshop, Seminar

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Education

Education

1st Annual Book Drive Show

New Mexico’s Literacy Problem

The Holiday Book Drive Show

Music for Your Mind and Body