Category: American Culture

Dancin’ the (summer) night away…

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Vocabulary:

To take advantage — exp., to enjoy something that’s given to you, usually at no cost.

waterfront — n. the edge of a body of water; a lake, ocean, or river shoreline.

revel — v., to enjoy something very much, to celebrate

beloved — adj., something that is deeply loved.

culture — n., a set of beliefs, values, and behaviors belonging to a group of people.

Do you like to dance? Do you like free events? Do you like taking advantage of NYC’s summer offerings?

There are many opportunities to have fun on the dance floor this summer. Here are a few:

Sunset Salsa on the river!

Sunset Salsa is a Thursday evening salsa series at Pier 76 in Hudson River Park, bringing outdoor dancing to Manhattan’s west side.

The evening starts at 6:30 PM with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson, then opens into social dancing from 7:15 PM. Talía Castro-Pozo leads and curates the series.

The waterfront setting gives the event a relaxed summer feel, with room for new dancers to jump into the lesson and experienced dancers to stay for the social. It is a strong option for anyone looking for an outdoor salsa night with Hudson River views.

For dancers who want salsa outside a studio or club, Sunset Salsa offers a lively summer gathering along the river.

Modern Dance

Modern dance in Bryant park!

Saturday mornings, 10 – 11 am through September 19th. Experience the joy of movement with dancers from the world-renowned Limón Dance Company, this free modern dance class is open to all levels and ages. Join us this summer and revel in the joy of dance!

https://bryantpark.org/activities/limon-dance

Zumba in Gotham Park!

Ger ready for Zumba under the Brooklyn Bridge! Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 5:30 – 6:15. All ages and abilities welcome! Come and dance, sweat, and have a great time with friends and fellow Zumba enthusiasts. No experience requires, just come with a positive attitude and be ready to move to the music. Dates and ticket availability below.

Register on Eventbrite

https://vinylnightsnyc.com/events

 Vinyl Nights is a beloved NYC institution – celebrating dance, music, club & DJ culture. 

Experience what it was like to party in NYC in the early 70’s to the 90’s, when DJ’s played strictly Vinyl.  Dance to the hits that shaped NYC – Disco, Funk, Soul, House, Boogie, Latin, Freestyle and 80’s & 90’s Hip Hop.  

Have fun and we hope you can sleep late the next day!

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Stack of vintage hardcover books arranged on a wooden table indoors

Summer Reading

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For many of us, summer is the time when we have more time for ourselves. No classes, no rushed schedule of school, kids and work. Things move at a slower pace, maybe it’s the heat of a NYC summer, but maybe it’s just all of us taking the time to slow down a little, a change from the busy-ness of the rest of the year. What’s better to do with this found time than read a book? Or read several books?

First things first! Get a library card! 

If you’re 13 or older, and live, work, attend, or pay property taxes in NY State, you are eligible for a card. Your card can be physical or digital.

https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card

If you prefer to complete the application for a physical library card in person, please visit an NYPL location with proof of ID and address. Find a location near you.

The New York Public Library even has a special card for this year!

With thanks to the New York Times, University Settlement has prepared a reading challenge list:

📖 ☐ Read a really short book.
📘 ☐ Read a really long book.
🕵️ ☐ Read a mystery book.
🎬 ☐ Read a book that’s been adapted for a movie.
☀️ ☐ Read a book that takes place in the summer.
🎧 ☐ Listen to an audiobook.  

READ A BOOK RECOMMENDED BY A LIBRARIAN!

Audiobook suggestion: Wahala, Nikki May

Happy Reading!  Enjoy your book choices!

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School’s out!

US Adult Literacy1 Comment
Ornate vintage carousel with decorative horses and warm lights glowing

“…And the seasons, they go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down…”

Ahhh…another school year finished, another step forward for our students. Celebration filled the rooms at University Settlement these past weeks — people getting promoted and people graduating and moving on from their English classes to bigger and better adventures.

After ten months of getting up early and coming to class, or finishing a long day of work and coming to class —

Everyone had reason to PARTY!!

Lucian’s opening remarks:

Our daytime classes celebrated in style:

amazing food!

The big moment for CCRA and CCRP graduates!

:

Our happy recipients of punctuality and attendance awards!

And E4 graduates, so proud!

To watch the E4 diploma ceremony and awards:

“Kahoot-ing” to see who eats first:

Students getting ready for summer!

Nothing like a disco ball to make a great party!

HAVE A FANTASTIC SUMMER AND SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

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Memorial Day

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Key Vocabulary

  • (to) Honor (verb): To show deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
  • (to) Mourn (verb): To feel or express deep sadness, especially because of someone’s death.
  • (to) Serve (verb): To perform duties for a person, group, or country—especially in the military.
  • Communities (noun, plural): Groups of people living in the same area or having common interests.
  • Graves (noun, plural): Places in the ground where people are buried after death.
  • Recognition (noun): The act of acknowledging or honoring something or someone.
  • Solemn (adjective): Serious, respectful, and often sad or reflective in tone or mood.
  • Remembrance (noun): The act of remembering or honoring the memory of someone or something.
  • Marks (verb): Indicates or shows something significant; to signal or commemorate an occasion.
  • Unofficial (adjective): Not formally recognized or authorized, but commonly accepted or understood.
  • Associated with (verb phrase): Connected or linked to something in meaning, use, or relationship.

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday for honoring and mourning military service members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is observed annually on the last Monday of May.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began on May 30, 1868, when communities decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags. Although several towns claimed to be its birthplace, the holiday gained national recognition after General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued a proclamation establishing it, which lead to its nationwide observance.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend for federal employees.

Note the riderless horse, with boots turned backwards. This is a symbol of a fallen soldier, who will never ride again.

Today, Memorial Day is observed across the country through visits to cemeteries and memorials, the placement of flags and flowers on military graves, and community parades and ceremonies that honor fallen service members.

While it remains a solemn day of remembrance, Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer, often associated with cookouts, retail sales, and travel.

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Biological Clock Day

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VOCABULARY:

circadian rhythm – n., our internal clock that keeps time by tracking light and darkness

biological – adj., relating to life or living things

rhythm – n., a regular pattern of movement or sound

protein – n., the building blocks of body tissue

hormones – n., chemical substances that act like messengers in the body

regulate – v., to control something

cluster – n., a group of things that are close together

hypothalamus – n., part of the brain that controls many bodily functions

genes – n., the basic units of heredity that carry your traits

organism – n., a living thing

sensitive – adj., showing a strong response to chemicals or other things in the environment.

blue light – n., the light that comes from sunlight and digital devices

miraculous – adj., something that is very surprising or lucky, like a miracle

Biological Clock Day is celebrated on April 28th. It’s a day to recognize the body’s natural ability to keep track of time, also known as the biological clock or circadian rhythm.

The biological clock is related to more than just aging.

For a start, both men and women have a biological clock, and all of this is celebrated by Biological Clock Day!

The biological clock acts as a sort of inner schedule by which a person lives that can often affect their behavior as well as their mood.  Also known more formally as the ‘circadian rhythm’, this internal clock controls a sleep-wake pattern that fits in with the light and dark of a day according to the rhythms of the planet.

Proteins and hormones regulate the biological clock. Scientists are just now discovering exactly what makes us sleepy or wide-awake.

This internal clock is located in a tiny cluster of cells known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. Throughout the day, internal clock genes in the SCN send signals to control the activity throughout your body. The SCN is sensitive to light.

source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/circadian-rhythm

What is a biological clock?

  • A biological clock is the body’s internal system that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other rhythms.
  • It’s made up of proteins that are turned on and off by thousands of genes. 
  • A master clock coordinates all the biological clocks in the body. 
  • The biological clock keeps working even when an organism is not exposed to natural light. 

How can you support your biological clock? 

  • Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
  • Avoid naps that make it hard to fall asleep at night.
  • Stop eating and exercising a few hours before bed.
  • Avoid caffeine and nicotine before bed.
  • Wear glasses that block blue light.

    Biological Clock Day was established to celebrate the natural rhythms of the body and show appreciation for the miraculous way the human body is formed. The day is meant to raise awareness for the need that people have to pay more attention to what their bodies and brains are telling them.

    source: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/biological-clock-day/

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    It’s a piece of cake! Understanding American food idioms.

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    Americans talk about food, think about food, and eat food – a lot. It’s not surprising that so many expressions in American English are centered on food. Here are a few you will hear frequently:

    Let’s start with our title – “It’s a piece of cake” means that something is easy to do. You might also hear the similar, “it’s easy as pie.”


    Desserts are always good – eating them is a piece of cake!

    “Spill the beans.”


    Shhhh – don’t tell anyone you’re learning these idioms! “Spill the beans” is another way to say you’re telling a secret or giving away a surprise.


    We didn’t want Luis to spill the beans about the surprise party for Dmitri.

    “Cool as a cucumber.”


    This means that someone is very relaxed and confident in a situation.

    Maria went into the interview as cool as a cucumber.

    “Bring home the bacon.”


    This means you’re going to work and earning money, or you’re competing and win a prize.


    Xiting worked hard all week to bring home the bacon for her family.

    “Go bananas”

    We use this idiom when we want to describe someone getting very excited about something – even acting a little crazy.

    The crowd went bananas when Beyonce stepped onto the stage.

    And let’s finish with another ‘sweet’ expression: “the icing on the cake.”


    We say, “that’s the icing on the cake” when something good becomes even better when added to.


    Ekaterina was happy to ice skate at the Olympics; winning the gold medal was the icing on the cake!

    If you can use all these idioms, you’ll be the Big Cheese in your English class!

    (“Big Cheese” means the most important person in a group.)

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    Major League Baseball Opening Day

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    In celebration of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, March 26th, here are some key vocabulary & facts to know ahead of the 2026 season.

    Baseball, sometimes called “America’s pastime”, is a team sport played between two teams of nine players each. The goal is to score more runs than the opposing team by hitting a ball and running around four bases to complete a run. A baseball game lasts for a minimum of nine innings – if the game is tied at the end of the ninth inning, the game continues until one team scores a run.

    Basic Rules of Baseball

    1. Teams take turns batting and fielding.
    2. The batting team tries to score runs by hitting the ball and running around the bases.
    3. The fielding team tries to get three outs to end the batting team’s turn.
    4. A batter gets up to 3 strikes. Three strikes = out.
    5. Four balls = walk (the batter goes to first base).
    6. A run is scored when a player touches all four bases and returns to home plate.
    7. After 3 outs, the teams switch sides (batting and fielding).
    8. The game is played over 9 innings.
    9. The team with the most runs at the end wins.

     The Field

    • Diamond – The shape of the baseball field (infield), with four bases in a square shape.
    • Base – There are 4 bases: first base, second base, third base, and home plate.
    • Pitcher’s mound – The raised area in the center where the pitcher throws the ball.

    Positions

    • Pitcher – The player who throws the ball to the batter.
    • Catcher – Crouches behind home plate to catch pitches.
    • Batter – The player trying to hit the ball.
    • Infielders – First baseman, second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman.
    • Outfielders – Left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.

    Key Vocabulary

    catch, hit, pitch, run, swing

    More vocabulary

    Special Hits:

    • Single – The batter reaches first base.
    • Double – The batter reaches second base.
    • Triple – The batter reaches third base.
    • Home run – The ball is hit out of the field, and the batter (and any runners) score automatically.
    • A grand slam is a home run with the bases loaded (4 runs scored).

    Ways to Get Out:

    • Strikeout – Three strikes.
    • Fly out – The ball is caught in the air.
    • Ground out – The ball is hit on the ground and thrown to first base before the batter gets there.
    • Tag out – A runner is touched with the ball while not on a base.
    • Force out – A runner has to move to the next base and is thrown out.

    League & Teams

    There are 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. They are divided into two leagues: the American League and the National League, with 15 teams in each. 

    American League

    AL EastAL CentralAL West
    Baltimore OriolesChicago White SoxHouston Astros
    Boston Red SoxCleveland GuardiansLos Angeles Angels
    New York YankeesDetroit TigersOakland Athletics
    Tampa Bay RaysKansas City RoyalsSeattle Mariners
    Toronto Blue JaysMinnesota TwinsTexas Rangers

    National League

    NL EastNL CentralNL West
    Atlanta BravesChicago CubsArizona Diamondbacks
    Miami MarlinsCincinnati RedsColorado Rockies
    New York MetsMilwaukee BrewersLos Angeles Dodgers
    Philadelphia PhilliesPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego Padres
    Washington NationalsSt. Louis CardinalsSan Francisco Giants

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