Classes at Turnbull Learning Academy

Family Literacy Day

The Family Computer Project

Internet Democracy: Connecting to the Community

The San Mateo Bridge


Other EL Civics Classes:

Daphne's evening class
Internet Democracy: Connecting to the Community

Integrating community in adult English language learning through technology. This project and the family computer project are funded by a grant from the US Department of Education.
Class Schedule:
This class has been changed.
Please click here to read a current description of the class.

Unit 1: Introduction
May 7: Computers and the Internet

In Class Activities:
Label the parts of a computer
Map our school website
Take home your laptops

At Home: Access our school website and answer these questions:
  1. What is Tim Doyle's telephone number?
  2. Who passed their citizenship exams on March 29, 2001?
May 9 & 14: E-Communications

In Class Activities:
Sign up for a free email account.
Send and receive your first email.
Complete the email worksheet.
Think about it: Name 3 people you could send email to. They could be anyone and anywhere, but they must be real people. Email the answer to your teacher. Your email should start like this:

"If I could send email to someone, I would send it to ... because..."


At Home: Access your email account at home. Send an email to your teacher:

  1. What time are you sending the email?
  2. Where are you sending it from?
  3. How do you feel?
Unit 2: The Library

May 16: The Peninsula Library System Online

In Class Activities: Browse the website of the Peninsula Library System at http://plsinfo.org/index.htm

  1. Fill out the organizational chart of the Peninsula Library System's website. Answer the questions on your worksheet.
  2. Send a greeting card to one of your classmates.
  3. If you do not have a library card, sign up for a new library card online.

At Home: Answer these questions and send the answers to your teacher via email:

  1. I am new in this neighborhood. Where can I find information about local schools?
  2. Which library is closest to where you live? Where did you find that information?

Fill in the blanks:
The Friends of the Library have an ongoing book sale at three libraries - _________________ Library, __________ Library, and ___________ Library. Hardbound _________, ________, _______ books, and ___________ are offered for sale.


May 21: The Online Library

In Class Activities:

  1. Use an online calendar.
  2. Search for books in the online catalog that you can borrow from the library.

At home: Answer these questions and send the answers to your teacher via email:

  • In December 2001 San Bruno Public Library had a book sale. What day was it on?


    • Unit 3: Employment
    May 28 to June 11: Employment

    In Class Activities:
    Search for a job that might interest you.
    Write a cover letter and begin an online resume at www.10minuteresume.com
    Practice having a job interview.

    At home: Complete your online resume. The cover letter and final resume are due on June18.
    June 18: Field Trip to the Library

    Bring your kids! Pick up your library card. Check out a book.

    At home: No homework. Enjoy your book!
    Unit 4: Health Services

    June 20: Field Trip to San Mateo County Health Center

    Take a tour of the county health center. Answer the questions on your handout.

    At home: Write an email thanking our tour guide for her time. Send a CC: to me.

    June 25: County Health Services

    In Class Activities:

    Use a keyword search to find the hospital website. What key words did you use to find the website?

    What are the 8 County Health Center divisions?

    At home: Search the hospital website by division and fill in the blanks:

    Again, use a keyword search to reach the county health website. Answer the following questions:

    1. I am 63 years old. It is difficult for me to live alone. I want to live in my home, but I want to feel safe. Where can I go for information and help?
    2. Which division did you look at to find the answer?
    3. A little bit of mold is growing around my windows. I have a lot of windows in my apartment. Every week the mold grows back. It's driving me crazy!
    1. Should I continue to clean it every week?
    2. What might happen if I don't clean it every week?
    3. Where did you get the answer? Write the URL here: ______________________

    Unit 5: The City of San Mateo
    June 27 to July 9: The City of San Mateo

    Welcome Norma Gomez, San Mateo City Clerk, who will visit us and tell us about the many services our city offers.

    With a partner, choose one department:

    Planning
    Building
    Public Works
    Finance
    Police
    Fire
    Parks & Recreation

    Use a keyword search to find the website of the City of San Mateo. Map your department's webpages and describe each page in 1 or 2 sentences each. Prepare a presentation to tell your classmate about the department. Your are the expert for your department! Be ready to answer many questions. Continue your work at home. You can work with your partner(s) and practice giving your presentaions on July 9.

    At home: Finish preparing your presentation.

    June 11: Presentations
    Wrap UP - July 16
    Congratulations! Today you will:
    1. Review and evaluate what you have learned.
    2. Return your laptops.
    3. Receive certificates.