Do you enjoy writing? Do you want to get better and feel more confident? The Advanced Writing Class at University Settlement is a welcoming place for you. It is open to anyone who loves writing and wants to improve. In this class, people learn together, share ideas, and support each other as writers.
The class is taught by a professor from New York University (NYU). NYU is a respected university with a strong writing program. This means students can learn from an experienced teacher who can help them grow, improve their skills, and try new ways of writing.
At the end of the year, students have the special chance to see their work published in a collection of writing. This is a proud moment for many writers. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate each person’s hard work, progress, and voice.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please reach out to the Adult Literacy office at the beginning of the school year. We would love to welcome new writers into our community. Whether you have been writing for years or are just starting again, this class is a place to learn, connect, and grow.
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.
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.
(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.
A – April(noun) 🌦️ The fourth month of the year, often associated with springtime weather.
B – Bloom(verb) 🌸 🌹 To produce flowers.
C – Cherry blossoms(noun) 🌺 The pink or white flowers of cherry trees, commonly seen in early spring.
D – Daffodils(noun) 🌼 Bright yellow or white trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring.
E – Easter(noun) 🐣 🐰 A spring holiday celebrating renewal and, in Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus.
F – Flowers(noun) 💐 🪻 The colorful, often fragrant reproductive parts of plants that bloom in spring.
G – Garden(noun) 🌻 🌱 🥬 A space for growing plants, flowers, or vegetables.
H – Honeybee(noun) 🐝 A flying insect that collects nectar and helps pollinate plants.
I – Insect(noun) 🪲 🐜 🪰 A small animal with six legs, a body divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), and typically one or two pairs of wings.
J – Jump(verb) 🤸 To push oneself off the ground into the air using the legs.
K – Kite(noun) 🪁 A lightweight object flown in the air on a string, often for fun on windy days.
L – Lamb(noun) 🐑 A young sheep, often born in spring.
M – Migration(noun) 🕊️ 🦆 The seasonal movement of animals, especially birds, from one region to another.
N – Nest(noun) 🪺 🐣 🪹 A structure built by birds to lay eggs and raise young.
O – Outdoors(noun) 🌳 🌲 🌞 The open air or natural environment.
P – Picnic(noun) 🧺 🍷 🥪 A meal eaten outside, especially in a park or natural setting.
Q – Quack(noun/verb) 🦆 (Noun) The sound a duck makes. (Verb) To make the sound of a duck.
R – Rainbow(noun) 🌈 Bands of colors in the sky caused by sunlight and rain.
S – Sunshine(noun) ☀️ Light and warmth from the sun.
T – Tulip(noun) 🌷 A brightly colored, cup-shaped flower that blooms in early to mid-spring.
U – Umbrella(noun) ☔ A tool used to protect yourself from rain or strong sun.
V – Vibrant(adjective) ✨ 🌸 🌈 Full of energy and life; bright and striking in appearance.
W – Warmth(noun) 🔆 A comfortable temperature, often associated with spring’s rising temperatures.
X – Xylem (noun) 🌱 Plant tissue that carries water from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Y – Yellow(adjective/noun) 💛 (Adjective) A bright color often seen in spring flowers. (Noun) The color itself.
Z – Zinnia(noun) 🌼 A bright, hardy flower that blooms in late spring and summer.
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.)
