This post perhaps goes along with the previous one: in addition to simply having more books, I think it is extremely important for the stories of Micronesia to be written down and preserved, but also published and made available to Micronesians themselves and to those outside Micronesia wishing to learn about Micronesian culture. We in the West are fortunate to have an extensive literary tradition which has helped us preserve our culture and share it with others. I often hear Pohnpeiens of the older generations despairing of the loss of their culture and believe the lack of written tradition to be a prime contributing factor.

I have recognized in my co-teacher, Eleanor, a penchant for writing and storytelling, despite discoruagement from her friends and family who feel more strongly for the deep-rooted oral tradition. I believe Eleanor has something to contribute to her community and her culture with her writing. It is to this purpose I make my next request: if any of you are connected to the literary world and know of any grants, scholarships, or publishers who might be interested in the little-explored literary world of the Pacific Islands, please advise me so that I may advise Eleanor. I am also doing some research into this, but it is slow-going with only and hour or two's internet access every couple weeks.

On a related note, my 5th and 6th graders "published" (with markers and construction paper) their first stories just before Christmas break. Nearly all received A's and some A+'s, and I am proud to bursting of their first success as writers, despite the micture of past, present, and future tenses, sometimes all in one sentence ("the mas was go to fising and he will catch a big fish"). I look forward to seeing more improvement in the coming year and I know their pen pals at Palatine's Paddock Elementary School look forward to their writing as well!

Thanks to all of you who sent books! I'm looking forward to using them this week! The students will be able learn all about genres with the books you sent!