Today was the first day back after being closed for staff development. In the Education Center, as part of our summer programming, we went through the rules and expectations of the program. Once these were explained, members were told about the importance of continual learning in the summer months. Because we, at Jerry Gamble, believe that much learning instruction can be lost during these months, we have created our summer programmming with that in mind.
In the Education Center, members were put into their literacy teams and I distributed a notebook to each member where they will record their work each week. Each day, members will make their way through six stations centered around literacy. These stations all have reading, writing and comprehension skills in mind, and are at the core of their learning.
The reading station is where members read articles, books, and poetry and analyze these for main ideas and purpose. In the writing center, members journal their ideas about a certain daily writing prompt.
Next, in the art station, members created an All About Me poster that highlighted their special and unique characteristics.
When members made it to the computer station, they were able to play educational games from pre-selected sites.
In the vocabulary station, members have specific vocabulary words they will learn each week through creative word play.
In the educational board game station, members have a choice in what games they want to play such as Chess, Checkers, Brain Quest, UNO, and Scrabble to name a few. Members spent approximately twenty minutes in each station and then switch to the next one with their team members.
At the end of the week, to reward those who work hard, those members who have completed each station thoughtfully and purposefully will receive an incentive prize from my prize box.
Overall, it was a great first day and I was proud of our members' hard work and dedication!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Happy Birthday Tjayia!
In honor of members' birthdays, I try to give them a little special recognition at the club. On their specific birthday, they are able to choose one prize out of my prize box and help me decorate and design their very own birthday crown.
Here is a photo of Tjayia who just turned nine wearing her unique birthday crown! Happy Birthday Tjayia!
Career Launch Graduates
One of the many programs that we have established at the Boys and Girls Club is our Career Launch Program. This is a program that all members aged 13-18 may participate in.
These courses are geared towards goal setting, career and college exploration. In addition to these, members have the opportunity to create resumes, cover letters and sample job applications.
Members also learn how to make a good first impression at the interview as well as practice their interviewing skills. We have had twenty plus career launch graduates so far, and I am very proud of each and every members' success.
What Do I Want to Be?
In the Education Center, as part of our literacy stations this past week, I led a discussion on the importance of goal setting which then led into the overarching question:
Members wrote a five sentence paragraph and drew a picture of themselves doing the career that they chose. Many members have aspirations to be boxers, doctors, cosmetologists, architects, lawyers, teachers, basketball players and scientists. Here are a few of drawings as well as their reasons as to why they want these careers. Great job members!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Members wrote a five sentence paragraph and drew a picture of themselves doing the career that they chose. Many members have aspirations to be boxers, doctors, cosmetologists, architects, lawyers, teachers, basketball players and scientists. Here are a few of drawings as well as their reasons as to why they want these careers. Great job members!
Fun Friday Activity
On Fridays, members have the chance to have less structured time in the Education Center which means they have even more choice in the activities they choose.
One of the members shown here was having fun putting together a train trac and playing with the trains.
Interactive play is both fun and educational. Nice job on your track, Legend!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Crazy about Mad Libs
In the Education Center yesterday, as part of our literacy stations, members had the chance to create their own mad libs. This is an engaging way to get members to think about words in a creative way. Members had to come up with nouns, adjectives, and silly words first and then take these words and fill them into the correct blanks to create their own mad lib. One member stated to me, "I wish school could be this fun every day!"
Running Club
Now that Spring is finally here, members at the Jerry Gamble location have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Run Club. Caitlin and Brian Gregg, who are MN Olympians themselves, understand the importance of eating healthy and exercising. As part of this program, members have the chance to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles, goal setting, and running. Here are some pictures of the members working on goal setting and enjoying some delicious and healthy apples. Thank you to Caitlin and Brian Gregg for this wonderful program.
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