Leah (International):After AmeriCorps I will be going to grad school to study Child Development. What will I do with it? Who knows. But my love for working with and understanding kids has brought me this far, and I'm looking forward to continuing it in hopefully unexpected ways.
Kimberly (Highlander):I will be going to school as a full time student.
Deyan (Serve Rhode Island):This summer I will be working as a camp counselor at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Then, starting next fall, I will be going back to school at URI to get my bachelor’s degree in Wildlife & Conservation Biology so I can pursue a career as a park naturalist.
Dianny (International):Unfortunately, I don't have any concrete plans as to what I'm going to do after AmeriCorps. I believed that by this time I would have had a well thought out plan and although I had one (obviously not that well thought out), I never had any backups. For the meantime, I'm looking for a job that would help me continue to pay my student loans and allow me to go back to school next year.
Francesca (International):After my term of service ends, I'm planning on volunteering on a farm in Ireland for a portion of the summer. When I get back, my plans are slightly less definite. I've applied to a few jobs, and I'm keeping my fingers crosses on a reply!
Nellie (Highlander):My plans for after AmeriCorps are to become a substitute teacher, get my TA certification, and take classes for my youth development certificate.
Jill (Highlander):Next year, I will be attending Columbia University. I will be starting a Master's program in Education Policy.
Brandford (Highlander):My plans after Americorps is to do a final service over the summer with Social Venture Partners of Rhode Island. Following this I will be a free lance entrepreneur until its time to go to Grad School.
Itza (International):No concrete plans yet but, I think a little mystery is okay.
6/5/13
8th Grade DC Trip
by Brandford (Highlander)
Working with the students at Highlander has opened my eyes to a lot. One of the most recent eye opening experiences was being a Chaperon on the 8th Grade Field Trip to Washington, DC. Having the opportunity to connect with students outside of the traditional education setting and that wasn’t comprised of their daily living environment was exhilarating.
As we embarked on a tour of the capitol, students had a high knowledge of the history that was represented in Washington. The tour guide would ask numerous questions and one after another Highlander students would answer. The tour suddenly seemed like a personal tour for Highlander students with the amount of interaction and direct conversation that was going on from the tour guide. Students had an opportunity to expand on their in-class knowledge while visiting the Lincoln and Washington Monuments. From citing Lincoln's first and second speech to understanding the strategic development plans Washington created and realizing the complexity of their contributions to the country.
Students were immersed into the historical atmosphere and really became engulfed in the culture of Washington, DC. One of the memorable times I had was towards the end of the trip when Mrs. Nellie (Charter Corps Member) and I facilitated the reflection workshop. We were able to culminate the experience of the trip with the overall experience of the 8th grade school year into one setting and had students digging deep and reflecting on their past and future. One of the most important ways of learning is expanded/experiential learning which the students most certainly experienced. Thank you DC for a time well spent!
Working with the students at Highlander has opened my eyes to a lot. One of the most recent eye opening experiences was being a Chaperon on the 8th Grade Field Trip to Washington, DC. Having the opportunity to connect with students outside of the traditional education setting and that wasn’t comprised of their daily living environment was exhilarating.
As we embarked on a tour of the capitol, students had a high knowledge of the history that was represented in Washington. The tour guide would ask numerous questions and one after another Highlander students would answer. The tour suddenly seemed like a personal tour for Highlander students with the amount of interaction and direct conversation that was going on from the tour guide. Students had an opportunity to expand on their in-class knowledge while visiting the Lincoln and Washington Monuments. From citing Lincoln's first and second speech to understanding the strategic development plans Washington created and realizing the complexity of their contributions to the country.
Students were immersed into the historical atmosphere and really became engulfed in the culture of Washington, DC. One of the memorable times I had was towards the end of the trip when Mrs. Nellie (Charter Corps Member) and I facilitated the reflection workshop. We were able to culminate the experience of the trip with the overall experience of the 8th grade school year into one setting and had students digging deep and reflecting on their past and future. One of the most important ways of learning is expanded/experiential learning which the students most certainly experienced. Thank you DC for a time well spent!
6/4/13
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
by Angelica (Segue)
I once heard someone say that if a book is only good as a child, it is not worth reading. If a book is truly good, then it can be read throughout childhood and again through adolescence and adulthood. Recently in sixth grade science, we have read several children's books that incorporate objectives that we are currently studying in class. Although these books were written with children in mind, re-reading them from the science perspective as middle school students gives students a whole new perspective on reading and science material. The last book we read was by Dr. Seuss titled "Bartholomew and the Oobleck". We were discussing the states of matter and how to determine which state is which by observing their properties. We read the story and had students write a hypothesis about what they believe the substance "oobleck" is. After they had developed a hypothesis, we then conducted an experiment where each student created oobleck and observed its properties to either prove or disprove their hypothesis. I believe using children's books as a tool to gather students prior knowledge and gain new understandings, is a perfect way to engage students in the classroom.
Want to make your own Oobleck? You can find a recipe here!
I once heard someone say that if a book is only good as a child, it is not worth reading. If a book is truly good, then it can be read throughout childhood and again through adolescence and adulthood. Recently in sixth grade science, we have read several children's books that incorporate objectives that we are currently studying in class. Although these books were written with children in mind, re-reading them from the science perspective as middle school students gives students a whole new perspective on reading and science material. The last book we read was by Dr. Seuss titled "Bartholomew and the Oobleck". We were discussing the states of matter and how to determine which state is which by observing their properties. We read the story and had students write a hypothesis about what they believe the substance "oobleck" is. After they had developed a hypothesis, we then conducted an experiment where each student created oobleck and observed its properties to either prove or disprove their hypothesis. I believe using children's books as a tool to gather students prior knowledge and gain new understandings, is a perfect way to engage students in the classroom.Want to make your own Oobleck? You can find a recipe here!
6/3/13
Music in the Classroom
by Itza (International)
Our classroom is trying a new learning style. From the Zumba class, it easy to tell that we're a musically inclined class. This time we're singing. The songs come from a book that teaches different lessons on letter blending. This is important since the students tend to stumble on words that have two vowels together. They'll also review letters that change sound based on the following vowel and the sounds of double consonants (cr, sp, etc).
So far the students love it. They were still singing a song they'd learned the next day. I feel that they find it as a nice break in the routine and it's a lesson they're quick to get ready for.
Our classroom is trying a new learning style. From the Zumba class, it easy to tell that we're a musically inclined class. This time we're singing. The songs come from a book that teaches different lessons on letter blending. This is important since the students tend to stumble on words that have two vowels together. They'll also review letters that change sound based on the following vowel and the sounds of double consonants (cr, sp, etc).
So far the students love it. They were still singing a song they'd learned the next day. I feel that they find it as a nice break in the routine and it's a lesson they're quick to get ready for.
5/31/13
Reflection Friday: What is your favorite after school activity you've run, this year?
Nellie (Highlander):My favorite after school activity that I've taught this year was Garage Band. I loved being able to teach basic skills about the program and give suggestions but it was very student driven. The students were able to help and provide constructive criticism to their peers and showcase their work.
Leah (International):My favorite after school activity I've run this year has been my Brianteaser class, which has expose students to many different and unique ways of thinking. The theme of the class is "thinking outside the box", as we have done rebus and logic puzzles, optical illusions, and impulse control games among others. The kids really seem to enjoy the class, even finding more riddles and puzzles on their own to share with everyone!
Deyan (Serve Rhode Island): I've mentioned before that Pokémon Showdown holds a special place in my heart, but another of my favorites was Create-A-Creature. The reason Create-A-Creature was such a success is because I was able to work together with my students to perfect the curriculum. While I had imagined my students drawing and writing about their invented animals, they had loftier plans in mind: clay dioramas! I love when my students speak up about what they want so I can find ways to make it happen.
Francesca (International): My favorite after school activity I've run this year was during Urban Garden Club. The night before the club, I ventured to local beaches where I picked up earth materials such as twigs, branches, rocks, leaves and shells, which I brought to class the next day for my students to build garden tools with. They were extremely creative with products ranging from rakes to watering cans.
Yairy (Segue): My favorite after school activity I led this year, along with another member, was volleyball. We led it twice this year.
Dianny (International): My ultimate favorite activity that I have run this year is the science club. I enjoy science club because you don't need to be a genius or a student in an upper grade level to experience the art of science and learn the scientific method through hands-on and fun science experiments, the only thing you need is a spark of curiosity! I also enjoy how even some of our most difficult kids are having a blast and are excited about future experiments.
Jill (Highlander): My favorite after school program this year was the retro gaming class because it brought together kids from all grade levels to enjoy fun activities.
Brandford (Highlander): I don't have a favorite after school program. I enjoyed all of the after school opportunities afforded to me. Each activity provided its own obstacle, excitement, and memorable times. Overall the students have been a pleasure and brought something special to each of my after school activities.
Leah (International):My favorite after school activity I've run this year has been my Brianteaser class, which has expose students to many different and unique ways of thinking. The theme of the class is "thinking outside the box", as we have done rebus and logic puzzles, optical illusions, and impulse control games among others. The kids really seem to enjoy the class, even finding more riddles and puzzles on their own to share with everyone!
Deyan (Serve Rhode Island): I've mentioned before that Pokémon Showdown holds a special place in my heart, but another of my favorites was Create-A-Creature. The reason Create-A-Creature was such a success is because I was able to work together with my students to perfect the curriculum. While I had imagined my students drawing and writing about their invented animals, they had loftier plans in mind: clay dioramas! I love when my students speak up about what they want so I can find ways to make it happen.
Francesca (International): My favorite after school activity I've run this year was during Urban Garden Club. The night before the club, I ventured to local beaches where I picked up earth materials such as twigs, branches, rocks, leaves and shells, which I brought to class the next day for my students to build garden tools with. They were extremely creative with products ranging from rakes to watering cans.
Yairy (Segue): My favorite after school activity I led this year, along with another member, was volleyball. We led it twice this year.
Dianny (International): My ultimate favorite activity that I have run this year is the science club. I enjoy science club because you don't need to be a genius or a student in an upper grade level to experience the art of science and learn the scientific method through hands-on and fun science experiments, the only thing you need is a spark of curiosity! I also enjoy how even some of our most difficult kids are having a blast and are excited about future experiments.
Jill (Highlander): My favorite after school program this year was the retro gaming class because it brought together kids from all grade levels to enjoy fun activities.
Brandford (Highlander): I don't have a favorite after school program. I enjoyed all of the after school opportunities afforded to me. Each activity provided its own obstacle, excitement, and memorable times. Overall the students have been a pleasure and brought something special to each of my after school activities.
5/30/13
Science Club Makes Rockets!
by Dianny (International)
3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!!!! It was another typical afternoon of science club...that's it if is typical to make non- Newtonian liquids and blast off rockets. Last Friday in our science club we made rockets out of paper and film canisters, yes you heard it right...FILM CANISTERS. They might be useless for cameras now a days but for our rockets the film canisters were the engine that help them lift off. But an engine without fuel is nothing; in this case our fuel was a mixture of water and Alka-Seltzer tablets. For every rocket we needed exactly 5mL of water and half tablet of Alka-Seltzer.
Although we all used the same measurements and same materials, not all of our rockets had the same success. The results varied significantly among the rockets: some went as high as two meters while others never took off. The variables to be consider for the malfunction of the rockets that never took off, that went sideways, or that went up just a few mere inches are: the wind’s intensity, how fast the students placed the lid on the film canister, and how long it took the student to place the rocket on the ground. We knew that we had to cover our film canisters as fast as we could but this didn't mean that all of them would be cover at the same time or same rate, after all we are human not robots.
We didn't have much control over these factors but we did have control over how much fun we allowed ourselves to have. And overall, we literally had a blast!!! We learned, we put into action our theories, and we went outside...it can't go better than that.
Stay tuned to hear more about our ridiculously awesome experiments, until then don't space out too much!
3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!!!! It was another typical afternoon of science club...that's it if is typical to make non- Newtonian liquids and blast off rockets. Last Friday in our science club we made rockets out of paper and film canisters, yes you heard it right...FILM CANISTERS. They might be useless for cameras now a days but for our rockets the film canisters were the engine that help them lift off. But an engine without fuel is nothing; in this case our fuel was a mixture of water and Alka-Seltzer tablets. For every rocket we needed exactly 5mL of water and half tablet of Alka-Seltzer.
Although we all used the same measurements and same materials, not all of our rockets had the same success. The results varied significantly among the rockets: some went as high as two meters while others never took off. The variables to be consider for the malfunction of the rockets that never took off, that went sideways, or that went up just a few mere inches are: the wind’s intensity, how fast the students placed the lid on the film canister, and how long it took the student to place the rocket on the ground. We knew that we had to cover our film canisters as fast as we could but this didn't mean that all of them would be cover at the same time or same rate, after all we are human not robots.
We didn't have much control over these factors but we did have control over how much fun we allowed ourselves to have. And overall, we literally had a blast!!! We learned, we put into action our theories, and we went outside...it can't go better than that.
Stay tuned to hear more about our ridiculously awesome experiments, until then don't space out too much!
5/29/13
Camp Transformations
by Nellie (Highlander)
Since February vacation camp was such a great surprise for me, I was looking forward to see what April vacation camp had in store. I was excited because I was going to be able to work with older students than I what I did last time, which is more in my comfort zone. I was also anxious because I would be working with people that I normally don't, and they don't seem to really communicate, so I wasn't sure at all what I was getting myself into. It was fun getting to know some of the younger students than I am used to working with and develop stronger relationships. I was able to teach art which I really love doing and since we were studying cultures it was nice to be able to open the students and myself up to new ways of doing art. My favorite part of camp was seeing how our group transformed and got closer as the week went on. They also were really excited to find out from day to day where we were traveling. This camp was a great success and was much better executed than February camp.
Since February vacation camp was such a great surprise for me, I was looking forward to see what April vacation camp had in store. I was excited because I was going to be able to work with older students than I what I did last time, which is more in my comfort zone. I was also anxious because I would be working with people that I normally don't, and they don't seem to really communicate, so I wasn't sure at all what I was getting myself into. It was fun getting to know some of the younger students than I am used to working with and develop stronger relationships. I was able to teach art which I really love doing and since we were studying cultures it was nice to be able to open the students and myself up to new ways of doing art. My favorite part of camp was seeing how our group transformed and got closer as the week went on. They also were really excited to find out from day to day where we were traveling. This camp was a great success and was much better executed than February camp.
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