NH Serving Three Cups of Tea

Letter from Greg Mortenson

2011-04-18T15:13:00.001-04:00

Sunday, April 17, 2011
Asalaam-o-Alaikum (Peace Be With You). Greetings from Montana and on behalf of the dear children and communities we serve in rural Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Thank you (Tashakur and Shukuria) for the overwhelming response to the news in recent days, for the outpouring of support, prayers and the confidence that you, our supporters, have showered upon Central Asia Institute, Pennies For Peace and my family. In the midst of these difficult and challenging days, I keep thinking about the Persian proverb, "When it is darkest you can see the stars." You are all shining lights and we are grateful for your compassion.

Although we would like the world to be linear, orderly and peaceful, the reality is that our world is a dynamic, fluid place, often filled with chaos and confusion. In that space, I thrive and get the courage to help bring change and empower people. I also feel great pride that you have chosen to support those who live in the 'Last Best Places', where other organizations or governments offer few or no services.

I welcome and am used to facing criticism, which sometimes even turns into hostility and threats, over the important work we do in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As an introvert and shy person, it is also not easy to have to enter an arena of a media circus at the drop of a heartbeat. But, as those of you who know me and have supported my work over the years will recognize, the story being framed by "60 Minutes" to air in a few hours today - as far as we can tell -- paints a distorted picture using inaccurate information, innuendo and a microscopic focus on one year's (2009) IRS 990 financial, and a few points in the book "Three Cups of Tea" that occurred almost 18 years ago. Apparently, the CBS program is to be followed in the near future by a similar negative piece by Jon Krakauer in an unknown magazine, which I only recently heard about last week.

The Board of Directors and I made the very difficult decision to not engage with "60 Minutes" on camera, after they attempted an eleventh hour aggressive approach to reach me, including an ambush in front of children at a book signing at a community service leadership convention in Atlanta. It was clear that the program's disrespectful approach would not result in a fair, balanced or objective representation of our work, my books or our vital mission. We also turned down a last minute request for an interview with Jon Krakauer.

The "60 Minutes" program may appear to ask simple questions, but the answers are often complex, not easily encapsulated in 10-second sound bites. Working in isolated areas, in communities that are not on any map, and often in areas of turmoil, religious extremism or natural disasters where education is still relatively rare and ancient codes of conduct and social hierarchies still dominate - all these things demand constant adjustment, accommodation and patience.

We have always maintained that our work is about investing in relationships, respecting elders, and listening over a time span that stretches generations, not in one that lasts just a few minutes on prime time television.

So although I did not do an on-camera interview, CAI's Board of Directors and I have duly responded to questions provided us late last week by "60 Minutes" with both statements and answers. And as always we pride ourselves to be transparent with our financials and IRS 990 forms.

All of this can be found on our website, www.ikat.org, and more information will be added in coming days.

Because of a medical condition mentioned below, I have spoken with our hometown newspaper, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, about this attack, and the newsroom is closely following developments on this story:

Mortenson under fire from '60 Minutes' - Bozeman philanthropist denies allegations (Friday, April 15, 2011)

CAI responds to Mortenson allegations (Sunday, April 17, 2011)

I also recently returned from Afghanistan, and was amazed to see how incredibly well everything is going there, including having five female managers (out of 15 total) and a plan to establish and build over 60 new schools this year. Our Board Chairman, Dr. Abdul Jabbar, also recently returned from an extensive trip to Pakistan. We will combine the news and send you an email and / or printed information within the next month to share the good news.

I would like to take this opportunity to disclose that for the last 18 months, I have been struggling with hypoxia (low oxygen saturation), which made it very difficult to get through a grueling schedule. My physician told me I had to stop and rest, however the urgency of what we do spurred me on. Last Friday (4/15/11), I came home and was diagnosed with a hole in my heart that was shunting blood, causing my low saturations.

Tomorrow, I will have further tests and then a heart surgical procedure this week to fix the hole. After a few weeks my doctor says I will be as good as new. For the first time in eighteen months, I will have tremendous energy, strength and lots of oxygen. At that time, I will come out fighting for what is right and just, and be able to talk to the media. Regardless of what happens, our work must go on. It's most important to know that education is the only thing one can never take away from an individual; it remains forever.

It is a true blessing to be at home now, with family and friends. In the meantime, I send you my heartfelt thanks for your continued support, and if you have any questions or concerns at all, I urge you to contact our office. Our small committed staff will be responding as quickly as they can to answer your calls, e-mails and requests for more information.

Please feel free to pass on this email to your families, friends and colleagues, and if you feel compelled, please write letters to the editor, or your on-line communities, about your thoughts.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Greg Mortenson
Bozeman, MT

Statement from Central Asia Institute Board of Directors

2011-04-18T15:09:00.003-04:00

Please read the response from the CAI to the questions asked by 60 Minutes:

http://www.ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/boardstatement4-16-11.pdf

Global Partnership for Afghanistan

2011-04-07T20:44:00.004-04:00

Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA) works with rural Afghans to create farm businesses that alleviate poverty, build sustainable livelihoods and promote economic development.

GPFA partners with individuals, governments and institutions to provide the technical inputs, capital, supplies, and infrastructural and community support required to rebuild Afghanistan’s agrarian economy and create a better future for Afghan farm families.

GPFA is a people-to people, capacity-building nonprofit organization that is helping self-reliant Afghan farmers restore their livelihoods and their country’s economic and environmental sustainability. Since2004, GPFA’s community-based programs have provided thousands of Afghan men and women with the planting supplies, tools and training they need to revitalize and rebuild the vast network of farmer-owned nurseries, orchard, vineyard and woodlot enterprises that have long formed the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy. With an established presence in central and northern Afghanistan, GPFA is expanding its operations province by province to help ensure a secure, prosperous and healthy future for the country.

Please take a look at their website and see what amazing things this group is doing to better the lives of the farmers of Afghanistan:

http://gpfa.org

One School One Book

2011-03-15T21:30:00.012-04:00

Sandwich Central School's

“One School – One Book” Project

featuring the book: Three Cups of Tea

Submitted by Kathleen Hill

During the months of January and February, all students in grades K – 8 participated in a “One School – One Book” activity that focused on the award-winning book, Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen. This is a story that takes place in Pakistan and that depicts the power of one… one person who made a difference in the lives of others. Every student in grades K – 8 received their very own copy of the book. Students in grades K – 4 received the children’s version entitled, Listen to the Wind. Students in grades 5 – 8 received the young readers’ edition of Three Cups of Tea.

Throughout this project, students had the opportunity to learn about Pakistan (and the surrounding area), and learned about the people and culture. The theme of ASPIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE was woven into our activities. Below is an outline of activities:

A kick-off assembly was led by the principals in their respective buildings: (At the assembly, students received their books and some buttons.)

Project Gets Underway:

· All students in grades K-4 received a personal copy of Listen to the Wind, the picture book version of Three Cups of Tea

· All students in grades 5-8 received a personal copy of the young readers’ Version of Three Cups of Tea

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS:

· TRAVELING TRUNK: A trunk which contained a variety of authentic Afghan artifacts, was available throughout the month. A core group of staff members was “trained” to talk about the contents of this trunk and were available to come to classrooms/grade levels to share these artifacts and discuss their relevance to Afghanistan. Teachers invited someone who had been “trained” to present the trunk to their students.

· GUEST SPEAKER: David Lincoln, a retired businessman from Maine was in-district throughout the day to meet with classrooms/grade levels. Mr. Lincoln has travelled extensively in Central Asia and will share pictures and stories. He compared and contrasted the people, food, schools, clothing, games, sports, homes, customs and traditions in Central Asia to our own local culture.

· SPECIALISTS:: All of the specialists (art, music, PE, Spanish) researched and planned activities that dovetailed with Three Cups of Tea and/or the Power of One: Aspire to Make a Difference theme. These activities were woven into specials classes throughout the month.

Teachers were encouraged to include cultural activities that supported cultural understanding and comprehension.

· WEAVING PROJECT: Teacher coordinated a one-school/one-weaving project.

· GIANT MAP: a GIANT FLOOR MAP of Asia will be used in the gym during PE classes.

King Arthur Flour Bread-Making Assembly:

The main culminating activity involves each student in grades K – 8 baking a loaf of bread. The bread was donated to local food pantries and helped feed many people. Our students learned that through this simple act, they have made a difference for someone…and collectively, our schools have made a tremendous food donation and made a difference to people in need.

King Arthur Flour Company donated all of the ingredients to bake the bread. The bread was baked in the schools over the course of a few days. King Arthur representatives ran an assembly teaching students in grades 5 – 8 how to make bread. Each student will received the ingredients to bake 2 loaves of bread. Over the course of the next few days, students in grades 1 – 4 paired up with students in grades 5 – 8 to make the bread.

Bread-Making:

· Classes were paired up (older grades with younger grades) and scheduled for a bread making session.

· Bread made early in the week was frozen until the “loaf collection”

Special Event - Tea with the Principals:

· At I-LES classes will be scheduled to go to the kiosk to listen to a story and have tea with Dr. Kelley and Ms. Mulcahy. Sandwich will conduct a similar activity.

Closing Ceremony:

· An assembly was held to celebrate the learning and baking the students have done. All 600+ loaves of bread were brought into the multi-purpose room for viewing and for delivery to local food pantries.

Some Related Information:

Enduring Understandings:

· People of different countries have different systems of beliefs, knowledge, values, and traditions

· Events or global issues effect interactions between countries

· Societies around the world express themselves artistically

· Geography affects the way that people live, work and play

· Needs and wants are unlimited. Resources are limited

· Scarcity requires economic decisions

· The world is interconnected

Ideas that the specialists may be implementing:

MUSIC:

Middle East Unit will be taught, including geography, instruments, and music of that area.
Students will learn the 3 Cups of Tea Song for the closing assembly.
Students will view the 3 Cups of Tea song video.

ART:

Decorated trunks-clay tiles-raised relief wood pieces
Islamic pattern
Artsonia-poetry folders
Metalwork-silver cardstock
Mosque architecture
Textiles - rug design
Beaded bracelets
Block prints
Mehndi - painted hands

SPANISH:

Cultural norms and vocabulary from the region.
Language, (greetings, etc).
Reading of various stories about / from the region.
Geography of the area

Physical Education:

Discuss/play games that are big in Pakistan and talk about some of the traditional sporting games. (Badminton, soccer, field hockey).

Teacher Resource

2011-01-28T16:53:00.002-05:00

Please check out this wonderful website with great resources submitted by Angie Miller at Holderness Central School in NH.

www.teachingthreecupsoftea.weebly.com

One School/One Book~Sandwich Central School

2011-01-28T16:35:00.005-05:00

2011-01-28T16:33:00.000-05:00

Getting Started in the classroom with Three Cups of Tea

2010-10-14T14:15:00.005-04:00

Are you looking for teaching tools or curriculum to use with Three Cups of Tea or Listen to the Wind? Please scroll down the blog to where it says "For More Information". You will find several teaching tools if you click on the links provided. The Pennies for Peace site has toolkit with a wealth of information. You will find detailed curriculum for various grade levels as well as videos, maps, photos, implementation tools and stickers. Also, the free printable guide on the TeacherVision site offers discussion questions, cross-curricular activities and research projects to enhance the reading of Three Cups of Tea and Listen to the Wind. In addition, you will find many videos on You Tube with Greg Mortenson discussing his projects and his mission. Some are put to music and are quite inspirational. Good luck in your lesson planning!

Welcome Back Teachers

2010-10-04T21:01:00.010-04:00

I hope you have settled in to the start of a wonderful and exciting new school year. We would love to hear from you and find out what is happening in your classrooms with Three Cups of Tea. There is so much information out there and so many resources, but it is wonderful to hear from those of you who have been involved in this project, who have received books and have developed lesson plans and curriculum to teach along side the inspiring story. Please feel free to leave comments on my posts or email me if you have something you would like to share on this blog or if you have any questions. I would be happy to get back to you and pass information along or put you in touch with some of the fabulous teachers I have gotten to know through my involvement in this project. I hope to be posting many of your ideas on a more regular basis.

There are so many inspiring quotes from Greg Mortenson that are great jumping off points for lessons or even units of instruction. I would like to leave you with this one:

"I've learned that terror doesn't happen because some group of people somewhere like Pakistan or Afghanistan simply decide to hate us. It happens because children aren't being offered a bright enough future that they have a reason to choose life over death."
-Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea Served at Sanborn

2010-06-03T13:38:00.002-04:00

Three Cups of Tea has been used at Sanborn for a variety of purposes and by different classroom teachers for the past two years. The book has been on several of our suggested reading lists including our summer reading list, the Sociology reading list, and the Middle Eastern and African Studies class list. Many faculty members have read and enjoyed the book as well.

We were very excited to hear that we will be receiving multiple copies of the young reader’s edition of Three Cups of Tea. This version will make Greg Mortenson’s message of promoting peace through education accessible to a wider audience.

Our plans for using the two different versions of the book have expanded for next year. Our sociology teacher read Three Cups of Tea prior to the Greg Mortenson event in Exeter on March 5. As a result, she has decided to require it as part of next year’s sociology class. Her honors and “college prep” students must participate in “Social Action Projects” and the book will be used as an example of one person’s ability to effect positive change in the world. Also, our Global Studies teachers are looking forward to using the young adult version with freshmen students to supplement the unit on world religions. Global Studies is a required freshman humanities class that deals with a variety of global issues. It is wonderful that we will have enough copies for the message of the book to be discussed by such a large audience.

The Sanborn community is very thankful for the generous donation of copies of both the adult and young reader’s edition of Three Cups of Tea.

Ginny Bartlett is the school librarian at Sanborn Regional High School, Kingston, NH.

A wonderful evening with Greg Mortenson at Exeter High School, March 5, 2010

2010-03-23T14:56:00.011-04:00

Press Release

2010-02-25T17:08:00.001-05:00

New Hampshire Serving Three Cups of Tea is proud to announce that renowned author and humanitarian Greg Mortenson will be coming to New Hampshire on March 5, 2010 to speak to high school students about his work promoting community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mortenson is author of #1 New York Times best-seller, Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School At A Time, Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson is also the co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Central Asia Institute. In 1993 Mortenson’s life was saved by villagers after his failed attempt to climb K2, the second highest mountain in the world. In gratitude to the villagers, Mortenson announced he would return and build the children a school. Since then, and against great odds, he has seen to the construction of 131 schools.

Since 2008, the Oristano Foundation and The Cricenti Trust have made copies of Three Cups of Tea available to high schools and middle schools in New Hampshire. Heather Cummings, Director of Curriculum at the Governor Wentworth Regional School District, Foundation liaison and co-chair of New Hampshire Serving Three Cups of Tea, reports that currently 37 schools have received books and teachers and students are using the story to build an understanding of the culture and hardships of life in these distant and isolated villages. “These students have become fascinated with the Mortenson’s work in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are learning that not everyone in these countries are bad people looking to harm the United States. Students here are learning that Mortenson believes that ‘If you educate a girl, you educate a community’ and education can change culture.”

Educators in these schools have been developing curriculum and learning experiences around the book. They share their experiences at regional get-togethers and through the Three Cups of Tea blog (http://nh3cupsoftea.blogspot.com/). Some of the educators are also involved in more formal curriculum work through the College of Graduate Studies, Plymouth State University.

This event, being held at Exeter High School, is being sponsored by the Lakes Region Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Committee of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.

Mortenson’s interest in New Hampshire is with the high school and middle school students reading Three Cups of Tea. Therefore, the Exeter High School auditorium where Mortenson will appear, is being reserved for students, educators and invited guests. The general public is welcome to watch a simulcast at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham.

Media Contact: Dr. Kathleen C. McCabe, College of Graduate Studies, Plymouth State University, can be reached at 279-4753.

Note: Greg Mortenson will not be available for interviews. The press is welcome to attend the event and witness Mortenson’s address from an over-flow room.

NH Proudly Welcomes Greg Mortenson

2009-08-15T18:23:00.006-04:00

In addition to the continuing curriculum development work around Three Cups of Tea, educators who are part of "NH Serving Three Cups of Tea" are honored to welcome Greg Mortenson to New Hampshire this coming March.
Since the Oristano Family Foundation and the Cricenti Trust generously donated over 1700 copies of Three Cups of Tea to NH schools in collaboration with the NHSAA/Lakes Region Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Committee, it has been the hope of all involved that Mr. Mortenson would accept an invitation to come to the Granite State. We are thrilled to be welcoming him for a speaking engagement on March 5, 2010 at Exeter High School, our host site for the event.

Pennies for Peace

2009-08-09T10:18:00.002-04:00

Hello Teachers~

As the summer comes to an end, you may be starting to think about your curriculum for the upcoming school year. I hope that you will be reading one of the versions of Three Cups of Tea with your students. If you are teaching this book for the first time, or if you need additional lessons or motivation, I strongly encourage you to visit penniesforpeace.org and go to the toolbox on the left side of the homepage. This will provide you a getting started guide, implementation tools, complete curriculum for all grade levels, maps, photos and so much more. This is such a great resource provided by the Pearson Foundation. I think you will be motivated just by reading through all the wonderful ideas on the website. Good luck and enjoy!

Three Cups of Tea Curriculum Project

2009-04-09T09:44:00.000-04:00

A group of New Hampshire educators has been collaborating on differentiated projects and lesson plans for Three Cups of Tea. I wish there was a way to somehow share the energy through the blog that is in the room when these educators are together! Watch our blog over the next few weeks as the creative ideas are shared here. We hope you find the blog to be a great resource as you teach, and that you will be inspired to share your own ideas here! This is only the beginning...

***Please read comments below...

Three Cups of Tea Poem

2009-04-09T09:42:00.002-04:00

The following was submitted by Linda Beaulieu, English Teacher at Stevens High School in Claremont, NH:

I taught Three Cups of Tea to a Grade 10 English class. The unit worked out well and the students came up with a little poem that summarizes best what they experienced as they read the book.

What can $15,000 do?

It can build a school

That educates kids in the village,

That develops its economy.

It can train future teachers and nurses

To improve life in the village.

It can create HOPE

And build GOODWILL.

The final project for my students was to write a proposal explaining what they could do in Claremont that would benefit people. The kids took the project seriously and created wonderful proposals ranging from running summer youth camps to organizing SHS students to walk in the Audrey Prouty fundraiser. Some of the students plan to use their proposals as part of their community service. On the last day, we shared iced tea and cookies in honor of the book.

Kindness Project

2009-04-01T14:06:00.005-04:00

The following is a summary of the Kindness Project which was created by Mrs. Jasmine Tyler, English Teacher at Woodsville High School:

The Kindness Project is taught as part of my 12th grade World Literature curriculum and is introduced with Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea. This unit frequently follows our postcolonial literature unit, where students have looked at how outsiders change and affect cultures.

Students are introduced to the Kindness Project by participating in a 24-hour day of kindness, where they are required to be purposely and reflectively kind. Students keep a log of this day and write a reflection on their experiences. This becomes the starting point of a research project in which they explore different types of kindness (or the lack thereof), caring, social responsibility and their impact on others.

Unit materials include:

Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson and Relin

Edges of the Lord (film)

The Stranger by Camus

*To view Mrs. Tyler's classroom blog and website, see links under "For More Information".

Unit on Islam

2009-03-31T07:25:00.007-04:00

The following unit was submitted by Karen Currier of Moultonborough Academy:

Incorporated within a World Studies (10th grade) unit on Islam, Three Cups of Tea becomes a centerpiece for a discussion on peace (and the true meaning of an often misunderstood religion and culture: Islam). As an introductory activity, I had my students (three different sections of 90 minute blocks) enter our room, set up in small pods, and take a card which asked them to write down the name of someone in their class who they had worked with/spoke with/knew the least. Once the groups of two were established (I was prepared to tweak the groups as I needed to as many students were tempted to sit with their best friends) students were given various "real world" -- social responsibility-type questions-- to ponder, discuss, and record notes on, but began with prompts that asked the students to simply get to know one another first (to discover similarities, differences, etc.). Eventually, the questions moved toward opinion, i.e.: Do you think the U.S. should be contributing aid to countries in need, and if so, in what capacity, with what "strings" attached, if any? Will the world ever achieve peace, and if so, what is the best avenue toward this goal? For each "level" of question, I served the students a cup of tea, until they had transitioned through the three levels of questions and three cups (actually, about 1/3 cup servings to be practical) of tea. We discussed the symbolism of the tea: hospitality, growing from "stranger" to "friend" to "family." Finally, after discussion which touched on each of the questions students pondered and answered in their groups, students were asked to reflect on the activity.
For more on this, with actual materials, I will be posting a link in the near future.

Curriculum Development

2009-03-30T08:22:00.008-04:00

The following ideas developed from the Three Cups of Tea Curriculum Development Team. In its current form, this is simply a list of ideas for lesson planning. It is our hope that in the future, these ideas will continue to evolve as the teachers who are using Three Cups of Tea in their classrooms are developing lessons and contributing project ideas, work samples, objectives, student outcomes, rubrics and/or any other information they would like to share. Please feel free to add comments or links. If you have questions or have something to add to the blog, please email me at ljlorio@gmail.com.

General Curriculum Ideas:

Tie-in ICT Standards, Literacy and Social Studies frameworks
Islam courses at colleges/universities
Introduction to Islam
Introduction to Central Asia cultures
Study of Taliban/radical Islam (contrast negativity)
Field Trip to mosque
Interview refugees
Study of Ecosystem in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan

Project Ideas:

Kindness Project
Mountaineering Unit
Tea cups - share a cup of tea
Pen Pals with Pakistani students
Pen Pals with other students reading Three Cups of Tea
Create a blog for kindness/awareness/peace
Research Project - Pakistan or Afghanistan
Community project promoting Pennies for Peace
Compare/contrast Christianity and Islam
Research women's roles and other issues of social order
Central Asia project incorporating the themes of Geography

Lesson ideas:

Write letters/book review for Three Cups of Tea with specific reasons you recommend it.
Write persuasive letters to potential donors for Pennies for Peace or the Central Asia Institute
Interview Pakistani teachers (discuss vocabulary from book, teaching challenges, curriculum, etc.)
Compare/contrast schools in Pakistan with schools in the United States including challenges students and teachers face in both countries.
Analyze important quotes from the book, (for example: "...terror doesn't happen because some group of people somewhere like Pakistan or Afghanistan simply decide to hate us, it happens because children aren't being offered a bright enough future that they had a reason to choose life over death." Explain your interpretation and discuss whether you agree or disagree and why.

Thematic Connections:

Redemption
Peace/Generosity
Global Awareness
Activism
Character Education
Poverty
Hope

Technology connections:

Powerpoint
Animoto Video
Baraka Video
Podcasting
Facebook Forum
United Streaming
Flip Video
Twitter

Hope and Redemption in the 21st Century

2009-03-30T08:20:00.001-04:00

The following is a curriculum unit created by Kathy Loring of Moultonborough Academy.

Grade and Course Level: Juniors (AP Language and Composition)

Using a variety of texts and media, students will explore the answers to the following essential questions:

What responsibility does an individual have to society?
What influence does culture have on our relationships with each other?
How do I resolve my responsibility to the world?
How do I determine when social action is appropriate?

The main objective of this is for students to gain an understanding that the differences between humans are really quite insignificant. Compassion and cooperation are more important than our differences. Ultimately, students will write a synthesis essay utilizing information from the various texts/films to support their response to the essential questions.

Resources:

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (excerpts)

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Baracka (1992) by Ron Fricke

Literature Review

2009-03-30T08:13:00.000-04:00

Young adult and children's literature related to Middle Eastern countries will be reviewed. The focus will be on fostering an understanding of youth and their cultures in this area of the world. The reviews will include a short synopsis, vocabulary, activities, related films, and further suggestions to enhance curriculum. For more information, please contact Jerilyn Dolan at jerilyndolan@gmail.com and Barbara Cunningham at bcunningham912@gmail.com.

Bridging Cultures

2009-03-30T08:12:00.002-04:00

A special education interdisciplinary project between our World Cultures and Alternative Curriculum English 9 classes at Newfound Regional High School will introduce students to Three Cups of Tea and follow up with writing introductory letters and sending school materials to one of Mortenson's Pakistani schools. Upon meeting the Pakistani teachers who will be visiting Plymouth State University through the PELI Institute this summer, we will identify which school to "adopt". Our goal is to build a bridge between two cultures by fostering an ongoing exchange between the students. For more information, contact Jerilyn Dolan at jerilyndolan@gmail.com and Barbara Cunningham at bcunningham912@gmail.com.

Many thanks!

2009-03-13T12:00:00.006-04:00

Many thanks to Kathy and Dave McCabe of the Governor Wentworth Regional School District, Jamie Meyers of Kingswood Reg. High School, Jasmine Tyler of Woodsville High School, Jerilyn Dolan and Barbara Cunningham of Newfound High School, and Karen Currier and Kathy Loring of Moultonborough Academy for your dedication, time and energy in helping to generate the project and lesson plan ideas to share with educators through our blog. Looking forward to the "unveiling" of those ideas in the week ahead!

Three Cups of Tea Symposium 2008--Don't miss it!

2008-10-13T15:59:00.005-04:00

Save the Date--November 13th! Please see the invitation for the "NH Three Cups of Tea Initiative: Fall Symposium 2008" posted to the blog. Because of the continued generosity of the Oristano Family Foundation and the Cricenti Foundation, our NH project is expanding. Please come share your experiences teaching with Three Cups of Tea in the classroom...or come to learn new ways to incorporate it. Feel free to bring a colleague who is interested in joining the project! Join us Thursday, November 13th from 4:00-8:00 at the Flagship Room in the Chase House (Inns at Mills Falls) for dinner and an evening of sharing inspiration for the classroom, as we find new ways to share Greg Mortenson's message of peace. Questions? Call Heather at 569-0221. Want to register? Call Joanne or Michelle at 569-1658. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity!

Peace and Kindness

2008-04-08T15:03:00.002-04:00

I have loved reading about the various projects and work that is going on around the state with Three Cups of Tea. From the Kindness Project to the vocabulary lists to book clubs...Mr. Mortenson's message of peace is being shared with hundreds of New Hampshire high school students! Recently, Palm Beach County (FL) has begun a similar project--how exciting for us all! I look forward to hearing how students are reacting to the book and other projects that may have begun. Happy Spring, and thank you for taking part in this amazing project!

Brewing "Tea"

2008-01-10T12:28:00.000-05:00

The books have arrived! They will be delivered to all schools participating in the Three Cups of Tea project at the end of this month via regional chairpersons for the NHSAA Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (CIA) group. If you wish to receive them prior to January 31st, please contact Heather at hcummings@shaker.k12.nh.us to arrange pick-up. We are so excited to see the great things NH educators will share as the story unfolds...