Tuesday, February 20, 2007
First Blog Prompt
Most of you have just visited your site, and all of us will be interested in what happened. While you can write anything you want about that first visit, here are some prompts if you need them: What were your expectations? What surprised you? Did you meet anyone interesting? What was the building like? How was the trip?
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My first visit to the site was rather interesting. I am doing the DC Reads program via Turning the Page. Last semester I only had the opportunity to go to one session that really did not pertain to the program’s function, so this was technically my first time doing the tutoring. As I arrived at the school, the students (grades 1st -6th) were finishing up their playtime and were getting ready for their dinner which was pizza. We, the tutors, just sat there and waited for them to finish eating. Then when they were done, we went to another floor and separated the students according to their grades. I should mention, that during this specific session, we were actually assisting another organization that volunteers around the community. The ladies of this organization took the younger students while we took the 6th graders.
The male tutors happened to split up with the male students and the female tutors took the female students. At first the boys were being quiet. However, we went around the table and introduced ourselves and they started talking a little bit more. The other organization gave us a book for us to teach the students. At first glance, all of the tutors thought the same thing, “These kids are too old for this book”. So when we were split up we decided to just skip the book and keep the kids entertained. We talked about sports and the kids were excited to tell us their favorite sports teams and athletes. Then, a teacher from the school who happens to stay after school for the program showed up. He asked one of the boys to summarize the book. The boy did not know what it was about because he did not read it. He started joking and making up stories about what the book was about. The teacher knew he had not read it. Then the teacher opened up the page and told the kid to read it. With deep contemplation the kid struggled to get through the page. By this point, I had realized that these kids really do need help and the problem is much greater than I thought. This book might have been adequate for my seven year old nephew in first grade and these two sixth graders could not even read it.
I am working at the Next Step charter school in Capital Hill. After some complications with the public transportation system (surprise surprise) I arrived at the bus stop where I promptly walked into the wrong charter school that was located a few blocks from where I was supposed to go: the Latin American Youth Center. I wandered around for a few minutes, all the while sensing that I was close but I finally gave up and decided to ask for directions. Now, having grown up in New York City, you’d think I would posses the common sense to ask anyone other than the homeless guy standing in a seedy side street, (but in my defense, he didn’t look very homeless at first) and that’s who I ended up talking to. He decided that he would lead me the back way, through even dodgier allies, mumbling partially to himself and to me- and I’m pretty sure he said that it was a good thing I had him there to watch out for anyone in these parts…meanwhile I’m thinking to myself, “I should have my cell phone ready, just in case.” Finally, we arrived at the right street at which point, he asked me to ‘help him out’ but I really was not carrying any money whatsoever, so we parted ways. I then found myself in front of the Latin American Youth Center, went up in the elevator, and arrived in the office of the semi-attractive young Micah Nelson- the community service director for Next Step Charter School. The purpose of the meeting was to have me come by to hand in my forms and ‘talk to him.’ We then sat at one of the small tables in the hallway of the school and had one of the most awkward conversations I have experienced in a long time. It was of course, informative; I learned about the small charter school that only occupied one floor of the multi-purpose Latin American Youth Center (the real estate expenses are significantly less this way), the small size of the school (they only accept about 80 students who are mostly Latin American), and all about the ‘step program’ designed to accommodate students at different levels of ability who progress at different paces. Micah then took me into one of the colorful classrooms to meet a teacher and I was relieved to interact with another person and have a chance to look around. This coming Friday I will return to the LAYC and actually meet the kids. Until then, goodbye.
My group and I had a great first trip to the Potomac Lighthouse Charter School. We got off at the Brookland/CUA metro stop and took a looong walk to the school (on our way back, however, we found a much shorter way to and from the school). On our way to the school, we passed by a Howard University building, which we were close to going into but then realized the Lighthouse School was just across the street.
When we arrived, we were buzzed into the school by an office assistant, who was very friendly and nice. Although the head community service coordinator wasn't available, we met with his assistant. He was extremely friendly and welcoming as well. Everyone seemed so excited to have us there. After taking care of the forms and everything, we took a tour of the school. I was amazed at how small the building and class sizes were. The school holds pre-k to 4th graders and approximately 80 kids go there. I guess that's normal for a charter school but my elementary school was probably 4x the size.
The school itself was very cute, decorated with all the students' pictures and essays. We walked around the entire school, meeting with students and their teachers. The whole tour took about 5 minutes, but it was fun seeing all the little kids. They all seemed so eager to have us there and I can't wait to go back!
Roundtrip on the Metro to Next Step= $3.70
Meeting Micah Nelson, the teachers and kids= Priceless
With Lauren in tow, she and I arrived to the Next Step charter school located two blocks from the Columbia Heights metro stop.
Next Step looks like an apartment building. Upon entrance, we walked through a metal detector. Besides the fact that they were able to fit a full-fledged metal detector into the building, I was stunned that a metal detector was even needed.
Walking up a flight of stairs, I noticed that the school seems to be well funded. In the computer room, there were newer versions of the Dell computers. The building itself was also clean and organized.
At this point, Lauren and I were introduced to Micah who told us about the school itself. Funded mostly by the government and small grants from companies such as Best Buy, Next Step is a charter school composed of 80 students, in which the majority of students are new students from Spanish-speaking countries. It is also a program that designates “Steps” which graduates students based on academic achievement. At the final step, the student should be able to retain his/her GED. Students also range in age with the older students being in their 20’s.
After the introduction with the teachers, Micah directed us to our first class. It was a Math class currently learning decimals. Here, I was introduced to a boy that mothers have warned their daughters about- the boy that flatters you into doing the work for him. Despite his charismatic personality and attempts to get me to do the work for him, he did the work himself and finished somewhat on time.
After Math, we went to a writing class whose currently working on global warming, which was also a pleasant experience. In retrospect, I look forward to going back to Next Step next Wednesday.
There was some confusion in my group as to when we were going to go and I ended up going early last Tuesday morning and our contact was not there. I therefore just turned in paper work and returned back to campus. I'm doing a portion of my volunteering at an after school child care program at a homeless shelter, and therefore my perception of education was very different then after going to the Next Step charter school. I’m used to the kids fighting, yelling, and in a sense just out of control. At the charter school, the part I saw anyway was very calm and a great deal of learning appeared to be happening.
I’m very excited to return and I’m ready to see what the challenge involved with the Spanish language part will be. All of the employees seemed to be Hispanic and I was greeted in Spanish when I entered. I also was a little taken off when I had to clear a metal detector when I entered. I will be returning and I will let everyone know more next time.
I am doing the CLSP with the after school kindergartin class that I teach. When I first began teaching at Bruce Monroe Elementary, which was about 4 months ago, I was excepting to work with one child twice a week. When I walked into the "classroom" that I was assigned to, I found 9 unaccompanied kindergartiners: Darnia, Watterra, Sbria, Glenmar, Edgardo, Andy, Deverrick, Amya and RayJanae. These kids became my class and I have grown to love them all very much. Our first classroom was the reception office to the principal's office. There were no desks, no supplies and no books. I was left with one book: "Clifford Takes A Bath", which had obviously been read with many eagar hands too many times. After I finished reading the book to the children, I asked what I thought was a simple question: "What did Clifford just do?" No one could answer.After that, my youngest, Darnia, took the book in her hand and pointed to a tree that was drawn on the page and asked "what does this word say?" My first day was a little discouraging but gave me more reason to want to help. The next class, I brought a bookshelf full of picture books that I got donated from a school in Alexandria. Every week since then we are faced with many challenges, from fights to inattentiveness, but I wouldn't trade my kids in for anyone.
I am volunteering at Community Academy off of McPherson Square, which is a small charter school. At first Nick and I could not find the school because of its interesting location. But once we wandered around the side of a church we found the little sign telling us that we had arrived at our destination.
The campus is not what you would call your traditional campus, for one reason that it is connected to a church. When we met with the principal she was very nice and gave us a sufficient tour of the school. Explaining that they have classes from preschool to fourth grade, and all classes are small. When we peeked into a third grade classroom there were about 10 students, which is really different from the sizes of typical elementary school classes.
I have been assigned to a first grade classroom, and I absolutly adore the students. One of the first days I was there we played Jr. Scrabble, and the kids did so well! I was working with a particular group and the they were amazing at sounding out the words and spelling the words. I was working with a 'mixed group', where the teacher had assigned some of her top students with some of her struggling ones. The girls (who were the better spellers) were very good helping the boys spell and sound out the words. Occasionally I would have to guide them, but for the most part I would ask one of the girls to help. The students seemed to like being able to help each other, and being helped.
On Tuesday the students were working on writing sentences that described a certain transportation device. This assignment was challenging for them (at least the group I was working with). The teacher really wanted me to focus on their penmanship and the coherence of their sentences.
I really enjoy the time I spend at the school, and always look forward to my next visit.
I’ve been going to City Collegiate Public Charter School (at 8:30 to 10:30) for the past two weeks. I go twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, so I’ve been there four times so far.
Upon my first visit I really didn’t know what to expect. I took the Metro-bus for the first time, and I was really impressed at how easy the system is. Once I got off the bus I had no idea where to go—I walked up and down S Street several times, mumbling curses under my breath. It was snowing and I didn’t have anything to protect me from the weather—walking out in the snow for about 20 minutes, when I finally arrive to the factory-like school I was covered in snow, and the melted water was dripping down my face. I was pretty miserable!!
When I got to the school I reported to the principles office. I surprised by the cracked door at the entrance of the building because I didn’t think this was very secure. Principal Hedlund was very welcoming and friendly; she directed me to Ms. Robins, the pull-out teacher I will be assisting the next few weeks.
Mrs. Robins is a short, skinny woman who seems to enjoy all of her students. I assist her with two classes, each has four students. Mrs. Robins gave me a description of each student, detailing each of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their personalities. She admitted to me that “she’s not a math person,” so my math skills (as I’m minoring in Mathematics) will be beneficial to her and the students. To be completely critical, I was somewhat shocked by this—as an educator I thought she should be required to have these basic skills….
So, the first day Ms. Robins let me observe her class and gave me my own copy of the math text so that I can refresh the familiar concepts of graphs, linear equations, and input/ output tables. She revealed to me that several of these 7th graders are at a 3rd or 4th grade math level (I’ve also discovered that their reading levels are just as weak).
The past few visits I’ve been working with an African American girl, Deborah, who is completely emotionless. Once the material is out of her area of comprehension she gives up, pouts, and blocks all adults out of her head. All of my explanations are most likely ignored. In the second period class, I work with Jonathan and Brandon on mathematics. We’re working on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive and negative numbers. (Again, this material is not for middle school students—entering high school in a year and a half. Rather, this material is for 3rd grades. They still do not know their multiplication tables). Jonathan is bright; although he gives into peer pressure and allows Brandon to cheat off of his 95% correct worksheet. Brandon has a sever case of ADD or ADDH, and refuses to attempt to comprehend the material. I try to make the boys laugh, and they definitely make me chuckle. They’re good kids, who have a lot of unrecognized potential.
I am so happy that I have chosen to volunteer at these schools. During my four years in high school, I tutored elementary students every Saturday morning at a local parish. I missed it last semester and this is definitely filling that gap. I look forward to waking up early every Tuesday and Friday, anxious to see what these youngsters will be up to. Luckily, I discovered Einstein Brothers Bagels around the corner from the school. I’ll put good use to the caffeine.
I found my first visit to The Potomac Lighthouse Charter School to be quite surprising. Although I expected this school to be small, as charter schools typically are, I never imagined how small. Each class has no more then 15 students in it, and they only teach grades Pre-Kindergarten to fourth grade. I was expecting a typical elementary school with kindergarten to sixth grade.
The actual size of the building was quite smaller than I would have imagined also. It was connected to a church, but there were only three floors with about 3 or 4 classrooms on each floor. I was amazed that such a small school existed in such a populous city. It was so small that the children have Physical Education in the church section of the school. They said that this was due to the snow, and that usually it was held outside.
It was also quite surprising that there was such a lack of diversity. Although it was not the majority white population I am used to coming from a less urban area, it still lacked diversity. The majority of the students were African-American, or Latino. I only saw one student that was not a student of color.
The students were much better-behaved than I thought they would be, and the teachers enforced a strict set of rules. All the students seemed to be excited to learn, and they were very interested in us, as we were new faces. I am anxious to go back, and see the students again they were a lot of fun!
My very first visit was on the first snow day of the year~ so despite emailing our contact at the school, attempting to call the school, checking online and watching the news, I could not determine for sure whether or not the school was open. After walking from AU to the metro, taking the metro to Columbia Heights, turning north rather than south, and a half hour later actually finding the school, I discovered that it was closed.
As for the actual first visit (which I shared with Peggy Wu), I was worried about what I would be expected to do- originally our contact made it sound as if I would be helping students write in Spanish. Now whereas I can do that, it’s not easy and I was concerned that I would blank on Spanish grammar rules. Fortunately, after being able to take the shuttle and only making a few wrong turns in Columbia Heights, Peggy and I made it to the school fine and met Micah, who gave us a tour and introduced us to teachers. Well I was happily surprised when I learned that I would be helping in a Spanish-speaking math class. Now math I can do.
I was surprised that the teacher did not speak Spanish despite all conversation between students in her class being in Spanish. I mean honestly that would make me paranoid. But she was a good teacher and her students respected her. I was surprised how much the students acted and sounded like students I’d gone to school with in South America. They even called their teacher “miss” like they do in South America, rather than “miss” and then her last name.
The building itself was really nice- they have a computer room with flat screen monitors. The classrooms are small, and after talking shortly with Micah about their program, I was impressed by the personal attention each student was receiving.
As for the second classroom we worked in, we were working in a level 6 (the highest level class in the school) english class, helping the students write a composition. Their teacher fascinated me- she was an graduate of AU’s graduate school and had come up with lesson plans to literally walk these students through the writing process. I was impressed by the amount of time she had invested in her classroom- it was clear that she loved what she was doing, but she admitted to us that we needed to be prepared for just how behind these students are.
Something especially different about Next Charter is that it gears students to get their GED, not a high school degree.
While teaching my kids today, a little mouse crawled into my purse(which was sitting on the floor)and ate half of a luna bar.
Oh and the water at Bruce Monroe is considered poison, so the kids are not allowed to drink out of the drinking fountains anymore. The reason that the drinking water was finally tested was because the board of education finally allocated the funds for it, not because of students' health but because they are now competing with Fenty for control over DCPS.
Nice.
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