Portfolio Outline Ratbu Satarova October 27 2007 Portfolio Outline Portfolio Outline I. Introduction of the Portfolio It’s my pleasure indeed to have the great chance to start this Portfolio. This Portfolio includes six sections: Introduction Personal and Fieldwork Reflections Lesson Plans Strategy Sheets Resources/ Teaching materials from Mentor Teacher Cultural Sharing I shared my ideas “Who am I as an effective teacher?” and the fieldwork reflections here in the U.S. As a teacher of English, I teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. In an EFL setting the class is usually monolingual and living in their own country, where there is no English speaking environment. In my lessons I try to focus on student-centered methods which can meet students’ needs and interests. When I plan a variety of activities, it is important to have them connect to each other in order to support the language learning process. Moving from one activity to others that are related in content and language helps to recycle the language and reinforce students’ understanding and use of it. In Cultural Sharing section I include the Kyrgyz epic “Manas”, which surprised mankind with its world-level cultural achievement. Ratbu Satarova 1 Portfolio Outline RESUME Ratbu Satarova 9451 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031, Apt. 914 Ph: 703 272 3968 E-mail: ratbu@rambler.ru Professional Experience: Bokonbayev Secondary School – Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan Teacher of English Language (2004 - present) Teach English language to grades 7-11 Provide training to teachers in the region Act as a member of Methodological Section of Foreign Languages JOC (Japan Overseas Consultants) CO., Ltd – Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan Secretary (2000-2003) Deal with the incoming and outgoing English correspondence Ketmen – Tobo Lyceum – Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan Assistant Director and Teacher of English Language (1990-1998; 1998-2000) Ratbu Satarova 2 Portfolio Outline Teach English language to grades 1-11 Responsible for developing school schedule and curriculum Organize out of classroom activities US Peace Corps in Kyrgyz Republic – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Language and Cultural Facilitator Teaching Kyrgyz Language and Culture Education: Osh State Pedagogical University (1984-1989) Professional Development US Peace Corps Cross-Cultural Training Program US Peace Corps Language Proficiency Interview Tester Training Program EFL Teacher Training Module at the International Center A Prominent Teacher of the Year Languages Kyrgyz, English, Russian Ratbu Satarova 3 Portfolio Outline II. Personal Reflections/Fieldwork Reflections Who I am as a teacher? I love children and I love teaching. I have been working 14 years in this field, I'm still thinking "Am I an effective teacher?" To me, an effective teacher is someone who always works to improve themselves and their skills. They know how to effectively teach their subject. They use different teaching styles in order to meet students’ needs, to keep the students interest and to love the subject. An effective teacher can work with multi-level groups with different learning styles and language acquisition. They give skills to the student, but also learn from the student. I want to understand the key ingredients of American teaching success and innovation. Also I would like to develop a long-term link between U.S. and schools in my home country. I want to give my students a love the English language, to show the way to continue learning by themselves. I want to teach creativity, form views independently. My country is developing our students need strong education because every job is based on education. Without a good education students will not have specific knowledge. I always try to be in communication with students, teachers, parents giving my opinions and receiving their opinions. The educational processing should be balanced among these three areas. I think, if these three groups can work together, teacher's work will be effective. Some people compare a successful teaching like a climbing a mountain, a symphony, consulting a doctor. Yes, it's right. To me, successful teachings like a symphony. If a bandmaster knows how to conduct the orchestra, he will achieve success. A bandmaster is a teacher, an orchestra are the students, Ratbu Satarova 4 Portfolio Outline symphony is a lesson. What differences will I take back home? Last week I was two times at Poe Middle School. It was great pleasure for me to have a tour and to observe classes. All the classrooms, halls, gyms, a band and an orchestra classes were well equipped. The mentor teachers and all the teachers were very friendly and helpful. The teachers and students were informed about our visit. Students asked a lot of questions about my home country Kyrgyzstan. I observed T .A. (Teacher Adviser) classes, two Fast Math Classes and two Computer Classes ( this class is also called "Read 180"). I asked: "Why do you call this class "Read 180"? The answer was: as their ESOL students, so their level of reading is low and we want to turn around 180(degrees) in order to become good readers. I really like this class. At the beginning of the class she introduced the objectives and what are they going to do in this class. The instructions were clear. In the "Read 180" class I liked the way of my mentor teacher's motivating, warming-up the students. The warming-up activity was the bridge into the new topic. The topic was relevant to the student's interests and the students themselves were actively engaged in learning. Ms. Leme has a good balance of classroom management. Her students are free, independent, and at the same time she can keep discipline. She encourages students during the class. She used different student-centered teaching styles. Students were doing whole group and small group activities. The teacher involved students to be active participants, used open-ended questions to guide students, distributed hand-outs. Above I mentioned about the differences which I like and I want to take back and share with my home country colleagues. Ratbu Satarova 5 Portfolio Outline III. Lesson Plans Lesson plan # 1 prepared by Kyrgyzstan Group We love nature Level: Advanced Time: 45 minutes Participants: 15 students Materials used: Posters, charts, markers, flipchart Objectives: -Students will design their own rules how to protect the nature -To improve language skills Warm up: Brainstorming (What is nature?) Presentation: 1) How will you contribute to protect the nature? 2) Students divide into groups. 3) 15 minutes for preparation (they can present through drawing, role plays, essays, depends their creativity) 4) Each group makes presentations poems, it Practice: Station Rotation Application: Group discussion (create GOLDEN rules) Homework: To make a collage on the topic " My contribution to protect the nature”) Ratbu Satarova 6 Portfolio Outline Lesson Plan # 2 Topic: " So many countries, so many customs" Objectives: - Students will get a brief information about Kyrgyzstan - Students will learn one Kyrgyzstani tradition - Students will learn at least three words in Kyrgyz Time: 40 min. Materials used: a map, pictures, souvenirs: yurta (kyrgyz national house), beshik (a cradle), a chalkboard, a chalk. Warm-up: -Salamatsyngarby? Salam! (Good morning! Hi!) Brainstorming: -What countries do you know? (Every country has its own traditions, customs, food, culture etc.) -What is Culture? Presentation: a) Brief information about Culture. a) All people are similar in many ways. All people eat, wear clothes, make things, follow rules of some kind and have homes. That is how all people are similar. But it’s our culture that tells us what to eat, how to cook it, what rules are important, and the kind of homes we should live in. Culture is what makes us different. Some people say that, "Culture is like an iceberg with its seeing and unseeing sights". That is what we can see and we can’t see in culture. And we have to respect the customs and traditions of other countries. b) The Kyrgyz People, representing one of the ancient nomadic nations of Central Asia. In the ancient times people used to live in the yurtas. The yurta was easy to construct and assemble. As we were nomadic people, we moved from one place to another place. We still use yurtas when we have holidays, big feasts, and funerals. c) The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek. The population is more than 5.000.000. Kyrgyzstan is famous for the largest epic in the world "Manas", mountainous beautiful touristy places, agricultural products, and cattle breeding. Our people are very hospitable and respect elders. d) "Beshik" (baby's sleeping bed). We have a tradition, after the 40th day of baby's birth our grandmothers put baby into the cradle. And a baby sleeps there at night and sometimes daytime Ratbu Satarova 7 Portfolio Outline also. "Jigsaw" activity: Questions: -Where is Kyrgyzstan situated? -What is the capital of Kyrgyzstan? -What is the name of Kyrgyz national home? -What is the largest Kyrgyz epic's name? -What is Kyrgyzstan famous for? -Kyrgyz version of " baby's sleeping bed" -What is "Hi!" in Kyrgyz? Assessment: Lesson Plan # 3 Title: American Symbols Grade Level: 8th Grade Objectives: At the end of the class the students will be able to do the following: -Identify American Symbols -Identify the meaning of the Symbols Time: 45 min. Materials for Learning Activities: pictures, handouts, a map, flash cards Procedures for Learning Activities: A. Motivation 1) Activate Prior Knowledge Brainstorming: Show a picture with a symbol and ask: What is this symbol means? What is a symbol? Ratbu Satarova 8 Portfolio Outline B. Presentation 1) The Liberty Bell - Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, and the delegates signed the document on July 4, 1776. The liberty Bell in the State House in Philadelphia rang out on that day. 2) The Statue of Liberty - The French gave the Statue to the United States as a symbol of Now it is a symbol of freedom for new immigrants to this country. friendship. 3) The American eagle - is the official emblem (symbol) of the United States. It appears on the Presidential flag and on some coins. 4) The donkey and the elephant - first appeared in political cartoons. They are symbols for the Democratic and Republican Parties. 5) Uncle Sam - has the initials U.S. He originally appeared in political cartoons and is an unofficial symbol of the U.S. government. C. Practice Divide the class into small groups and give the task: match the sentence parts. Write the letters on the lines. 1._______The Liberty Bell is the symbol of flag and some coins a. the United States on the Presidential 2._______The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of b. the U.S. government 3._______The American eagle is the symbol of c. the Declaration of Independence 4._______The donkey and the elephant are symbols of d. the two major political parties 5._______Uncle Sam is the symbol of States e. freedom for immigrants to the United Assessment: Questionnaires, Shot quiz Evaluation Home Assignment Lesson Plan # 4 Title: Ratbu Satarova Symbol Portraits 9 Portfolio Outline Grade Level: 10th Grade Objectives: To have students practice their oral skills Time: 45 minutes Materials used: Biographical information about different characters from magazines, books, poster board, and markers Procedure: A. Motivation Questioning B. Presentation/ Practice 1. Explain to students that a portrait is a picture of someone. Tell them that they are going to make symbol portraits of their favorite person. They are going to make a poster with symbols about the person whom they chose. 2. Divide students into teams of four or five. 3. Students select a famous person, either alive or no longer living. They select someone they know a lot about or can learn a lot about. 4. Students make a list of ten things about the person. They can use history books, newspaper or magazine articles. For example, if the person were a democratic poet Toktogul students could put together a list such as: This person was a man. This person lived in Ketmen-Tobo. This person was a democratic poet. This person was poor. This person’s picture is on a Kyrgyz currency called a som. This person was born in 1864. This person was born in Cholpon-Ata village. This person was married to a woman named Alymkan. This person was a poet, a composer and a singer of the 19th century. This person encouraged and supported poor people. 5. Next students go through their list and discuss symbols that could represent each item on their list. For example, for item a, to indicate that “he was a man,” students might draw a stick figure of a man. Ratbu Satarova 10 Portfolio Outline 6. Students decide on one symbol for each item and write the symbols on scratch paper. 7. Students take the 10 agreed upon symbols and draw them on the poster board. 8. When the posters are completed, students use them to facilitate their group discussions. Each student tells three things about the person, using the symbols as prompts. Students are not allowed to look back to their notes during the discussion. 9. The team that has been able to remember all of the items correctly using the symbols wins. Note that more than one team can win. Assessment: Questionnaires Home Assignment Lesson Plan # 5 Topic: Song Presentation. Level: Intermediate, advanced. Grade: 10-11. Objective: Students will be able to listen to music and develop their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. Bell work: review the previous lesson. Brain storm: Put some pictures on the board which shows the meaning of the song. Then ask what about the song is going to be. Pair works: Students work in pair discuss about the pictures and create their story. Then each pair does presentation. Vocabulary: new words. Pre- listening: Students again work in pair and get a song with different gaps. They tell to each other the words and fill the gabs. Listening: Students listen to the song and check the gaps. Post activity: Students give the meaning of the song through pictures or make a project. Ratbu Satarova 11 Portfolio Outline True or False sentences Put cutting song in order while listen to the song. Homework: Students can make crosswords or puzzles with the new words Match the words with definitions. Assessment: Ratbu Satarova 12 Portfolio Outline IV. Strategy Sheet Strategy # 1 1. Name of method or strategy: “Jigsaw” I enjoyed using this activity in my presentation class. And it worked excellent. 2. When is this method or strategy useful? This strategy is useful when you: - review the covered topic or unit; - check students’ comprehension; - do consolidation of the material; 3. Why or how is this method or strategy useful? This method is useful, because this is student-centered activity teacher focuses the students to do more instead to sit and waist time. Each student is responsible for himself and everyone in the team. Everyone should be ready with the answer. 4. What are the steps involved in using this strategy or method? Teacher creates friendly at the same time competitive environment in the class. The students are active, responsible, share, and learn from each other. They become self-directed learners. Ratbu Satarova 13 Portfolio Outline 5. When would this method or strategy be useful in your setting? It’s useful to review or consolidate the topic, unit, and grammar materials: tenses, conjugation, prepositions, adjectives etc. 6. What would you like other teachers in your school to know about this method or strategy? I will share with them and I will tell how this strategy is useful. Teacher can involve the students to do more cooperative work and become independent learners. Strategy # 2 1. Name of method or strategy: "Building Background" activity 2. When is this method or strategy useful? Before presenting new materials, in order to make a connection to the new topic. 3. Why or how is this method or strategy useful? Because it links what are familiar with and to what students going to learn. 4. What are the steps involved in using this strategy or method? You have to put yourself into the students’ shoes, what they don't know and think how you can present it that they can make connection. 5. When would this method or strategy be useful in your setting? It's useful when you start the class. You make a bridge between the previous material and the new topic. Ratbu Satarova 14 Portfolio Outline 6. What would you like other teachers in your school to know about this method or strategy? You don't teach students using old teacher-centered way. You make them actively participate in the class. Students know why it's important. Strategy Sheet # 3 1. Name of method or strategy: Lexical Sets 2. When is this method or strategy useful? This is student-centered activity that allows students to review and critically evaluate vocabulary in categories. Students must analyze the relationship between items thus using critical thinking skills while reviewing vocabulary items. 3. Why or how is this method or strategy useful? Because this activity focuses students’ attention on the vocabulary and makes them critically think about hierarchy and grouping, which is higher order thinking skills than mindless, memorization. 4. What are the steps involved in using this strategy or method? This activity aim to channel the boundless energy of young learners towards enjoyable and educational learning experiences. Laughter, movement is fine in the classroom. It's completely unrealistic to expect young learners to always sit in chairs in rows and silently, individually complete worksheets. It's much more effective to incorporate their inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm into activities rather than try to stifle it. 5. When would this method or strategy be useful in your setting? With preliterate young learners, you can use pictures of items already learned instead of words. With advanced young learners, you could have pairs of students create the lexical sets and then use a different pair's set each time you run the activity. 6. What would you like other teachers in your school to know about this method or strategy? I will ask them to pretend as students, and to do this activity themselves. In order to feel how this strategy is useful and works effectively. When young learners are moving and playing while learning, chances are good that they will have positive feelings toward the L2 and will look forward to English class in the years ahead. Ratbu Satarova 15 Portfolio Outline Strategy Sheet # 4 1. Name of method or strategy: “Listen and Draw” 2. When is this method or strategy useful? This activity is for more advanced group that can produce speech. This activity allows meaningful practice of prepositions of place and categories of vocabulary. 3. Why or how is this method or strategy useful? Students competently communicate with each other in a realistic manner, which always increases motivation. The novelty of drawing pictures in the English class is also interesting for students, and the action of drawing often aids learning. 4. What are the steps involved in using this strategy or method? This strategy activates prior knowledge, makes connection. E.g. 1) Teacher chooses a category of vocabulary that the students already know. 2) On the day of lesson, teacher presents prepositions: top, bottom, and right, left, above, below, next to. 3) Teacher combines prior knowledge with the new material. 5. When would this method or strategy be useful in your setting? Ratbu Satarova 16 Portfolio Outline It’s interesting method for practicing vocabulary and prepositions while drawing them. Students will work in pairs or small groups and compare the card to the drawing. This is an engrossing activity and will hook students of all ages. 6. What would you like other teachers in your school to know about this method or strategy? I would like to share with my colleagues to learn about the benefits and the positive sides of this strategy. Strategy Sheet # 5 1. Name of method or strategy: Conversation Line 2. When is this method or strategy useful? This activity is great for injecting energy into the classroom. It can be used any time during a lesson or unit. 3. Why or how is this method or strategy useful? It’s useful strategy, because it provides student-centered learning environment. This activity develops listening and speaking skills. Every student is involved. They share ideas, express opinions, creative, learn from each other. 4. What are the steps involved in using this strategy or method? Ratbu Satarova 17 Portfolio Outline - Asking questions - Giving information - Discussion 5. When would this method or strategy be useful in your setting? This method can be used at any time in my setting and has already become a regular part of my teaching practice. 6. What would you like other teachers in your school to know about this method or strategy? I will share with the teachers in my home country. I would like them to know how student-centered strategies meet the needs of the students. All the students are involved in the process. There are given more opportunity to the students to talk. They are active participants. Ratbu Satarova 18 Portfolio Outline V. Resources/Teaching materials from mentor teacher VI. The Long Way to a New Land Teacher: Joann Leme Unit: My American Experience Objectives: —Students will read The Long Way to a New Land. —Students will compare their “emigration” experience to that of the Larsson family in oral and written form. Standard 7.1 Students experience a variety of speaking, listening, and viewing situations. Benchmark Students give and seek information in conversations, group discussions and in oral presentations. Indicators 3. Use verbal communication skills, such as word choice, pitch, feeling, tone, and voice. Choral reading of novel 7. Ask probing questions to seek elaboration and clarification of ideas. Discourse starters 8. Express viewpoints in a constructive manner. Ratbu Satarova Learning Experiences T-chart (come to America vs. stay in my native country) 19 Portfolio Outline Benchmark Students utilize critical viewing and listening skills. Indicators 1. Use prediction and context clues. Learning Experiences Anticipation guides Novel guides 2. Summarize ideas and content presented. Think-pair-share Jeopardy That reminds me… 3. Make connections between what is heard or viewed and personal experience. This is similar to… “Who is Farmor?” 6. Make inferences. rereading text context clues Standard 7.2 Students expand and enhance vocabulary through language and literature. Benchmark Students read to determine the meanings and pronunciations of unfamiliar words and phrases. Indicators Use a variety of vocabulary acquisition strategies. Learning Experiences Audiotape Context clues Rereading Prior knowledge – making connections Word wall Dictionary Ratbu Satarova 20 Portfolio Outline Standard 7.3 Students read and apply strategies to understand a variety of literature. Benchmark Ratbu Satarova Indicators Learning Experiences 21 Portfolio Outline Students read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fiction, narrative nonfiction, and poetry. 3. Make, confirm, and revise predictions. Anticipation guides Novel preview, picture preview 4. Describe setting. Graphic organizer (Farmor) 5. Describe character development by analyzing how a character looks, what a character says, does, thinks, and feels, and how other characters respond to a character. Graphic organizer 6. Describe plot structure including initiating event, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Novel guide 7. Describe theme. Graphic organizer 14. Summarize text. Cloze exercise, sequencing activity 17. Provide statements to support or negate opinions, inferences, conclusions, and evaluations. It’s (not) hard to emigrate to another country because… 18. Reflect on, make connections to, and evaluate what is read. That reminds me… This is similar to… Ratbu Satarova 22 Portfolio Outline Standard 7.4 Students write a variety of forms using the six traits of writing. Benchmark Students develop narrative, expository, and persuasive writing. Indicators 2. Apply knowledge of prewriting strategies. Learning Experiences Graphic organizers Discussion 4. Elaborate the central idea in an organized manner with descriptive details and examples. 7. Revise writing for clarity and effect. Emphasis on Ideas and Organization Teacher conference Benchmark Indicators Learning Experiences Students edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. 3. Edit for verb tense consistency. Describe your “voyage” to America written in past tense 6. Use complete sentences with appropriate capitalization and punctuation. The Long Way to a New Land by Joan Sandin Ratbu Satarova 23 Portfolio Outline Answer these questions about our new book. 1. What is the title of the book? 2. Who is the author? 3. When was the book published? 4. Who is the book dedicated to? 5. How many chapters are in the book? Write the names of all the chapters. 6. Look at the cover of the book. Describe what you see. Ratbu Satarova 24 Portfolio Outline 7. What country is the family leaving? What country are they going to? 8. How do they get to this new country? 9. Why do you think this family is leaving their native country? Ratbu Satarova 25 Portfolio Outline Name __________________________ Quiz – The Long Way to a New Land 1) Spell the words you hear (1-10). 2) Write the correct word next to the picture. 3) Draw your own picture. 1. _____________ OIL LAMP 2. _______________ RAILWAY STATION 3. ______________ TUNNEL 4. ________________ RAIN 5. _______________ 6. Ratbu Satarova ________________ TUNNEL 26 Portfolio Outline 7. _________________ 8. FARM _______________ 9. _______________ Who said it? Pappa Jonas Farmor Mamma Ratbu Satarova Carl Erik 27 Portfolio Outline 1. “I want wheat bread with butter.” ____________________ 2. “Hold hands! We must not lose each other!” ____________________ 3. “There is no future for us here. We will go to America.” ____________________ 4. “My poor darlings.” ____________________ 5. “It is hopeless. There is nothing to buy.” ____________________ 6. “Now we are arrived.” ____________________ 7. “Rain! We must have rain!” ____________________ 8. “Where will we sleep?” ____________________ 9. “Someone has died.” ____________________ 10. “Clean straw!” ____________________ Match the items that belong together. 1. Sweden 2. America 3. horse and cart 4. straw 5. twelve days 6. Farmor 7. rifle, tools, Bible, toys, and cloth 8. England 9. vaccinations 10. flour, moss, and tree bark Ratbu Satarova a. how the Larsson’s travel to Gothenburg b. Carl Erik’s grandmother _____ c. ingredients in Mamma’s bread _____ d. the doctor checks for these _____ e. Hull is in this country _____ f. Mamma stuffs the mattresses with this _____ g. where Uncle Axel and Anna Stina live _____ h. Gothenburg is in this country _____ j. things in the “America trunk” _____ 28 Portfolio Outline Write about some reasons you might have stayed in your native country and some reasons why you and your family decided to come to America. __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Write a letter to someone who still lives in your native country. Tell them about your life here in America. Remember Anna Stina’s letter to Carl Erik. __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Ratbu Satarova 29 Portfolio Outline ________________________________________________ Choose ONE of the topics to write about. Remember to begin your sentences with a capital letter. end your sentences with a period. Answer all parts of the question. Ratbu Satarova 30 Portfolio Outline VI .Cultural Sharing THE MAGNANIMOUS MANAS Manas is a great heritage and a wonderful world, which surprised mankind with its world – level cultural achievement. This epic is a kind of encyclopedia of the Kyrgyz people and its ancient history. It is a unique monumental epic work of oral art, and its great variety reflects not only history but all sides of the people’s life. The epos Manas has more than 500 thousand lines. It is 20 times longer than Odyssey and Iliad taken together. Manas is not only the historiography of the Kyrgyz, but also a work which deeply reflects the scientific views on philosophy, astronomy, history and mathematics of the Turkish people. In the epos Manas, three generations of heroes are mentioned. The work consists of three parts: Manas, Semetei and Seitek. The epic is united by the main hero, Manas. Manas’s grandfather Karakhan was a wise, brave ruler of the Kyrgyz tribe. At that time nobody dared to disturb the quiet and peaceful life of the Kyrgyz people. After his death came another time. Foreign aggressors began to constantly trouble them. The people suffered and humbly obeyed their tormentors, and those who tried to defend the interests of the people were severely punished. Karakhan’s children more than once tried to take vengeance on their enemies,but met with defeat. They were driven away to different places. At that time one of Karakhan,s son, Jakyp, was driven with forty families to Altai. After many years, a child appeared in Jakyp’s family – Manas. At the age of seven he was able to demonstrate his adroitness, courage and cleverness. When he was twelve, he defeated 700 invades on his race-horse Toruchar. In that battle the well- known Baatyr (hero) of the invaders, Er Kochku, lost his life. Ratbu Satarova 31 Portfolio Outline Then he defended his people from a group of aggressors led by Joloi. He defeated such baatyrs as Kaman, Jorn, and Dongo, but Joloi himself run away. From that time the Kyrgyz became widely known. Manas became a national hero and leader and brought his people home from Altai. After returning home, he married Kanykei, the wise and beautiful daughter of Bukhar Khan. They settled in Talas. Manas participated in many battlers and fought astride his charger Akkula, defending his people from foreign invaders. Together with his forty fellow warriors, he defeated the very cunning and artful foe Alloke. Manas fought for the freedom, independence and unity of his people and cared about the fate of the Kyrgyz people and their land. He was a clever, wise and just ruler of the Kyrgyz people. After reading the epos you will receive not only aesthetic enjoyment, but will also learn many interesting things about the life of the Kyrgyz. Ratbu Satarova 32