Due to the local schools being on Fall Break Monday and Tuesday and my new practice schedule for crew I was only able to volunteer for an hour this week. Despite the small amount of time I was able to give this week I still feel like I accomplished a lot. Almost all of the children had at least one page of homework they needed to do. They have begun grouping the children at different tables in the homework room by their class so one person can help multiple kids at the same time with the same assignment.
The first table I helped was a group of three 4th grade boys with their Reading and Vocabulary worksheet. None of the boys knew the meanings of any of the vocabulary words even words like humble and vain. I help seven more kids with the same worksheet throughout the rest of Power Hour and not one of the ten kids knew what the Constitution was which I find to be a very frightening and concerning situation.
Another thing I noticed was many of the boys are trying to act gangster or thug. This is a really bad thing because several of them come from places where there are versions of gangs and I really don’t want them to get mixed up in that. The boys are really sweet when they aren’t trying to act all bad and tough. I hope that it is just acting because the club is supposed to prevent the kids from getting messed up in that.
It really helped brighten my day when my little buddy smiled and came running up to me when she saw me. It is such a nice feeling to know that I have made enough difference in some of the kids’ lives that they are happy to see me.
We played an inside game, since it was raining, called Mr. Wolf that involved a lot of running. Despite all the running involved in the game my little buddy and several of my other buddies insisted on holding my hands the entire time we played the game. We weren’t very good at the game but they had fun anyway.
Volunteering was a bright spot in my very stressful week and I hope I will be able to go more next week.
Until next time…
XOXO Service Girl
They didn’t know what the Constitution was?! Really? That is so crazy! I hope you told them what it was! (: Your work at the Boys and Girls Club constantly reminds me of my babysitting job. The girls I babysat always wanted to play “school” and have me be the teacher. I would always feel really good when I would teach them something new because I felt like I was giving them a one up on the rest of their class.
ReplyDeleteIt too would bug me that the little boys are starting to act like thugs. Do the workers do anything to try and prevent that? I’m not sure how much they could do but I just feel like the issue should be addressed. I hope that the club really does make an impact on the kids and keeps them out of trouble. Best of luck with the rest of your work! (:
The tables seem like a great idea for the kids to be able to get help more efficiently and maybe even be able to help each other out. It is unfortunate that the kids didn’t know what the Constitution was. It seems that the school systems are getting so wrapped up in all of the testing that some very important things are being left out. Reminds me of the video that we watched in English about losing creativity.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that are such an impact in these kids lives. You are great role model for them and it seems that they love having you around. What a great feeling it must be to know that they want you around and can see that you are making a difference in their lives. The fact that you enjoy being there so much is great also and probably changes the atmosphere around you!
That’s so awesome, knowing that you achieved a little fun and productivity with the kids even when school and activities get in the way. Helping out kids in groups sounds really fun the way you described it. Personally for me, I feel working one-on-one with a kid is most beneficial for him/her, but I’ll admit interacting with several of them at once will not be boring.
ReplyDeleteThat’s interesting…do kids even learn about the Constitution though, in fourth grade? Maybe they start in fifth grade? Or maybe that’s not the point, haha. When you realize that they’re not knowledgeable of something as commonly known as the Constitution, at least we can be thankful that that day they learnt it from you! I agree though, that can be a bit worrisome that those children aren’t educated in everything we’ve been educated in during our elementary/middle school years. And about those boys acting gangster…there’s almost nothing you can do (besides notifying the club) except to keep loving on them and being there for them. Hopefully they won’t mix with the wrong crowds.