Saturday Academy November 20, 2010

Today's Saturday Academy was very relaxed. Today the students were supposed to go to a nursing home and spend time with the elderly but something didn't work out so we stuck with the usual plan. The students were granted an extended recreation period. Next the student went a learned a lesson about careers and dreams. The instructor passed out folders with paper in them and told the students to write out their dreams in life and what they desired to be. She told them that every dream in their folder could come true if they put their mind to it. I thought that this type of encouragement was awesome and that more students all of age need to hear the same thing. After the lesson the students went to the computer lab and played educational games until it was time for lunch. I must admit that some of the games were catching my attention just as much they were catching the kids. The interaction during this time was great.

Visting Dominique on November, 19 2010

Today when I visited Dominique I was very disappointed to find out that he had been placed into in-school suspension (ISS). Luckily the principal allowed me to have some one on one time with him. We went into the school conference room and talked about the situation the happened earlier that day that earned him a day in ISS. I told him that he was way too smart and too well behaved of a student to be in ISS. I gave him some advice on how to avoid situations that would get him trouble and also how to avoid people that seem to attract trouble. We made a pact that if he stayed out of trouble the next week then I would come and play basketball with him one day during his recess.

Saturday Academy October 30, 2010!

Today's Saturday Academy was a great learning experience for the students and myself because the Columbia City Fire Department came and spoke to us. They gave the kids fire safety tips and let them explore the truck also. The students were very engaged and seemed very interested also. The fire fighters were very friendly with the kids and made it very clear how important fire safety is. Many of the kids left that day saying that they wanted to be fire fighters, so the impact that they how on the students was profound.

In addition to the firefighter presentation the students were taught a Spanish lesson by a volunteer from USC. The students seemed shy at first but they gradually warmed up to the the teacher. They were taught how to spell their names in Spanish and were also taught also praise and sentences to say. I think that the Spanish lesson was a great idea was it shows the kids a different aspect of a different culture. It also sheds light into foreign language as a subject in school because all of  them will have learn a foreign language during grade school.

Spending Time with Dominique

On Friday, October, 29th I went to eat lunch with my mentee Dominique during the school day. He seemed excited to see me so this makes me feels like he is enjoying having a mentor. I am definitely enjoying having Dominique as a mentee and I try to give him the best advice as possible. I also try not to just talk about school related issues with him. Aside from school we talk about his family, his friends, and sports. Dominique is a huge sports fan, mainly football, and this is great because I am a huge football fan too. This really gives us a lot to talk about. Dominique also asks me questions about college life and my family too. I really try to talk to him and not talk down to him. I remember as a kid I liked it when adults would talk to me like I could carry a conversation and not like I didn't have a brain. I try to remember this when I am speaking with Dominique also. The biggest thing that I try to talk to Dominique about is his discipline in school. While he a great behavior with me, his teacher tells me that he has been having problems with talking too much in the classroom. I tell him to be sure listen to his teacher and show him respect. He seems to understand so I will be sure to check next week to see if his behavior has improved. Here below is a picture of Dominique and I.

Goals and Expections of Service Learning

-First Thoughts
Honestly I have no idea what to think about service learning but I will say that I only see positive things coming from me doing service learning. This will be my first time doing service learning and I really hope that it is an awesome experience. I feel that anytime people have the chance to give back to the community or help kids then they should seize the opportunity. Even though I have to do a mandatory 20 hours of service I plan to make this a yearlong commitment.  I had trouble with getting contact with my initial site, but so now I am with assigned to HOPE Worldwide which is through Keels Elementary School. I will be mentoring a 5th grader named Dominique and also being a volunteer at Saturdays at their Saturday Academy. I am nervous to a certain extent because my focus is secondary education and not elementary or middle level but I think that I will be able to adapt and make the best out of the situation.

-Initial Expectations
One major expectation that I expect from service learning is growth. I expect to grow as student, as a leader and most importantly as a person. I am very passionate about education and each every task that I'm given as a student I take very seriously because one day I want to be the best teacher possible for my future students. What that being said I will take this service learning task very seriously. To me this means much more than just accomplishing 20 volunteer hours and moving on. I view this as a chance to serve as a mentor to young kids but also to be a positive figure in their lives. I also expect the kids to rub off on me and open my eyes and shed light onto new things. It be the ultimate honor to know that I was able to inspire or influence kids for the better. This would mean the world to me.

-Hopeful Accomplishments
First and foremost I hope to understand my mentee Dominique and the other students and HOPE Worldwide. I know that each and every student will have different backgrounds and different stories I just want them to be able to relate to me. I want them to understand that I once was in their shoes and that I know some of the things that they are going through. I want them to know that they can tell me what they are going through in their life and that I will try to aid them to the best of my abilities. Also I would like for the veteran mentors to provide me with constructive criticism. I want them to tell me what I can work on or do better as a mentor. I also hope that they will be willing to give me advice when I go to them will questions. I will be very receptive and will apply all advice to make me a better mentor.

-Prospective Problems
Given the fact that my practicum site is at an elementary school I know that discipline will be an issue just because of the age group. I really hope that I can be able to control the kids without coming off as mean or unfair. I want the kids to like me but at the same time I don't want them to think that they can run over me. I am worried that some of the students may not all come with a positive attitude. If I encounter any these attitudes will try my best to make it a pleasant experience for the student. I know that some students may not have the best attitude towards me but I can't let that this effect my attitude or let me emotions get the best off me. I must stay level headed and remember that the whole reason that I am there is for the kids.

Saturday Academy with Hope Worldwide!! October, 2 2010

My first day as a mentor was an awesome experience! It was great meeting all of the kids and the other mentors involved. Saturday Academy was held at Joseph Keels Elementary School in Columbia, SC. Saturday Academy is a program in which 4th and 5th graders come on Saturday morning and interact with their fellow peers and mentors also. They get to have leisure time with each other but they also learn character lessons and work on academics also. They also are provided lunch. Some Saturday's we will go and field trips and another Saturday's we will do community service projects. It is a very positive environment for the kids to be in and the adults as well. It really feels good to give back.

The day begins with the children in the P.E. room the children having recreation time in the P.E. room. I walked around and introduced myself to all of the kids and would have small conversation with them. I found out their hobbies and interests and just talked about whatever they wanted to talk about. I find that kids are really receptive when you treat them like actual human beings and not anything less. I also played games with them too. After the recreation time they learned a character lesson on respect. After that lesson they went outside and played a game with multiplication tables. The kids really enjoyed this and it's good that they were able to do something educational and fun at the same time. After the same the kids returned back to the P.E. room and played a game that involved teamwork. They had a relay race in which they had to put their shoes in the middle of the P.E. room. Then they were placed into teams and they and to relay race to put the shoes back on. The team that finished first won. This taught the kids how to work together and showed them good sportsmanship. I have posted a video of the game below.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Keels Elementary with Hope Worldwide. I loved interacting with the kids and I hope that I can be a positive influence to each and everyone of the kids. I don't think that the kids will be the only one effected. My goal is to leave this experience having gained just as much from it as the Hope Worldwide as the kids.