Running Circles Around It
9 years ago
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Awesome Kids! Awesome Monday!!
This week I forgot to print the sign-in sheet before leaving home; so I had the kids jot their names down on a piece of paper. As a result, everyone did not sign in; but I was able to remember at least 15 of the children who were there. The children come in waves. We get a group of kids right when we open at 3:30 p.m. The second wave comes in closer to 4 p.m. We've been working with children in grades Kindergarten through 7Th grade. We've also been blessed with a couple of older girls who have stepped up to help us with the younger children. They also stay to help us clean up!
This week, we welcomed a new volunteer, Gina! Gina attended the orientation we had after Journey classes last Wednesday. She's been a blessing to us! Welcome, Gina!!
Gina, Rachel, and I opened up the Study Center; and were joined by Jared shortly after 4 p.m. We must have been asked by at least four of the boys if Jared was coming. Jared is the Games Leader for our monthly Son City Kids Events; so the kids know him well. They also know that he is more than happy to shoot some hoops with them! Unfortunately it rained on Monday afternoon; so the game play was upstairs this week.
The kids snacked on string cheese, Rice Krispie treats, apples, and Sunny D. It amazes me how much they love string cheese! While snacking, the kids worked on their homework. Once again, our Kindergartner, Andriana, proudly came in with her Disney Princess folder containing handwriting homework. She loves homework, and gives us the biggest smile, when asked if she has any. I know this will change in a few short years; so we'll enjoy it while it lasts!
The kids love having their picture taken, especially the boys! This makes me laugh, because this will change, too. Below you will see photos that were taken by both me and some of the children! Notice what the boys were wearing. They wanted me to take pictures of their cool shirts!! :)
The kids always ask when we'll be back; and the answer always is "We'll see you next Monday!" It's nice to know that they want us there!!
Next week, we'll be starting something new. We now have books for the children to read! YEAH!! They can read them at the Study Center, or they can take them home to read. They can even keep one if they want to! Now we need to go in and organize four boxes of books, and put them on shelves; so the kids can choose a book easier. We may even get to read to them!! Now we need sofas, bean bags, and comfy chairs for upstairs!
This week, we welcomed a new volunteer, Gina! Gina attended the orientation we had after Journey classes last Wednesday. She's been a blessing to us! Welcome, Gina!!
Gina, Rachel, and I opened up the Study Center; and were joined by Jared shortly after 4 p.m. We must have been asked by at least four of the boys if Jared was coming. Jared is the Games Leader for our monthly Son City Kids Events; so the kids know him well. They also know that he is more than happy to shoot some hoops with them! Unfortunately it rained on Monday afternoon; so the game play was upstairs this week.
The kids snacked on string cheese, Rice Krispie treats, apples, and Sunny D. It amazes me how much they love string cheese! While snacking, the kids worked on their homework. Once again, our Kindergartner, Andriana, proudly came in with her Disney Princess folder containing handwriting homework. She loves homework, and gives us the biggest smile, when asked if she has any. I know this will change in a few short years; so we'll enjoy it while it lasts!
The kids love having their picture taken, especially the boys! This makes me laugh, because this will change, too. Below you will see photos that were taken by both me and some of the children! Notice what the boys were wearing. They wanted me to take pictures of their cool shirts!! :)
The kids always ask when we'll be back; and the answer always is "We'll see you next Monday!" It's nice to know that they want us there!!
Next week, we'll be starting something new. We now have books for the children to read! YEAH!! They can read them at the Study Center, or they can take them home to read. They can even keep one if they want to! Now we need to go in and organize four boxes of books, and put them on shelves; so the kids can choose a book easier. We may even get to read to them!! Now we need sofas, bean bags, and comfy chairs for upstairs!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Week 4: Monday, October 13, 2008
Last Monday, we had a record breaking 17 kids, which we were excited about! We were also blessed with five volunteers, and a visitor!!
This afternoon we had at least 16 kids, and two volunteers, including me. We were still excited to see so many smiling, and hungry, faces; but we were not able to give them as much individual time and attention, as they needed, and deserved.
Out of desperation, I asked if two of the older girls who had finished their homework, could set up games and stay with the kids upstairs; while Rachel and I worked with a couple of children downstairs.
We have kids as young as Kindergarten, and as old as 7th grade coming to the Edison Gardens After School Study Center. They are all great kids. It is so fun to see the young ones so excited about having homework! Our Kindergarten and 1st grade kids have been bringing handwriting worksheets for homework. Ana brings her homework in a Disney Princess folder, and gets so excited when she can finish her handwriting all by herself! Today she needed help with the number 8. I seem to remember having trouble with that when I was her age. We tried it several times the traditional way, and then by making two circles, one on top of the other. That worked!
I then helped a 7th grade boy with a worksheet. He brings one every Monday. It usually has a picture on it, and some sort of clue. He is supposed to identify the picture, and then write a sentence or two about it. I really wished I had brought the laptop with me this afternoon, but then remembered I could use my Motorola Q! It turns out it was a picture of Stephen Hawking! You can read more about him here http://www.hawking.org.uk/about/aindex.html.
I then attempted to help a 4th grader understand his Math homework. I quickly found out that it is one thing to show him how to do it, and to walk him through it; but it is another thing for him to truly understand it and be able to do it on his own. I asked him if he ever asks his teacher to explain it better to him. He said the other kids laugh at him if he asks questions. I thought this was so sad. Kids can be so mean. I told him that the kids that are laughing probably don't know how to do it either, and that he should ask for help anyway.
Rachel spent most of her time with one young lady, who needed both homework help, and encouragement. She seems to be hurting; so please pray for this young lady to open up and reach out to Rachel.
We were so thankful that the two young ladies who helped with the games upstairs, also helped us put things away and clean up! Just before leaving, one of them asked if we had any journals that they could have. I told them I would be happy to bring a journal for them next week! I'm not sure where that request came from, but I'm hoping they use it to continue to bring up there, down here!
Despite all the hurt that some of the Edison Gardens' residents have endured recently; God is doing great things here!
This afternoon we had at least 16 kids, and two volunteers, including me. We were still excited to see so many smiling, and hungry, faces; but we were not able to give them as much individual time and attention, as they needed, and deserved.
Out of desperation, I asked if two of the older girls who had finished their homework, could set up games and stay with the kids upstairs; while Rachel and I worked with a couple of children downstairs.
We have kids as young as Kindergarten, and as old as 7th grade coming to the Edison Gardens After School Study Center. They are all great kids. It is so fun to see the young ones so excited about having homework! Our Kindergarten and 1st grade kids have been bringing handwriting worksheets for homework. Ana brings her homework in a Disney Princess folder, and gets so excited when she can finish her handwriting all by herself! Today she needed help with the number 8. I seem to remember having trouble with that when I was her age. We tried it several times the traditional way, and then by making two circles, one on top of the other. That worked!
I then helped a 7th grade boy with a worksheet. He brings one every Monday. It usually has a picture on it, and some sort of clue. He is supposed to identify the picture, and then write a sentence or two about it. I really wished I had brought the laptop with me this afternoon, but then remembered I could use my Motorola Q! It turns out it was a picture of Stephen Hawking! You can read more about him here http://www.hawking.org.uk/about/aindex.html.
I then attempted to help a 4th grader understand his Math homework. I quickly found out that it is one thing to show him how to do it, and to walk him through it; but it is another thing for him to truly understand it and be able to do it on his own. I asked him if he ever asks his teacher to explain it better to him. He said the other kids laugh at him if he asks questions. I thought this was so sad. Kids can be so mean. I told him that the kids that are laughing probably don't know how to do it either, and that he should ask for help anyway.
Rachel spent most of her time with one young lady, who needed both homework help, and encouragement. She seems to be hurting; so please pray for this young lady to open up and reach out to Rachel.
We were so thankful that the two young ladies who helped with the games upstairs, also helped us put things away and clean up! Just before leaving, one of them asked if we had any journals that they could have. I told them I would be happy to bring a journal for them next week! I'm not sure where that request came from, but I'm hoping they use it to continue to bring up there, down here!
Despite all the hurt that some of the Edison Gardens' residents have endured recently; God is doing great things here!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Qualyn & Melissa's Birthday!
Monday was Qualyn's 10th, and Melissa's 9th, birthdays! We surprised them by singing "Happy Birthday" to them as they were getting ready to leave the After School Study Center!!
Jared & Basketball!
One of Edison Gardens monthly volunteers stopped at the After School Study Center on his way home from work. The boys were happy to see him! Maybe Jared's name should be Mr. Basketball!!!
This is Kristy. Kristy is one of our older guests at the Community Center. She is a freshman in high school this year. I recruited her into helping one of the younger children with her homework.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Week 3: Monday, October 6, 2008
This is Malik. This is his first visit to the Community Center. Malik is a classmate of one of our regular guests.
This is De'Shawn. De'Shawn is quite a talented artist! He is currently working on a portrait of Sponge Bob!!
Three of the boys are hamming it up for the camera!
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