Volunteers Teach Us About Internet Safety

Members had the chance to learn about internet safety in the Education Center.  Members learned the importance of creating strong passwords, not accepting friend requests from people they do not know on social media, and explained that the things we do post, even when deleted, can stay on the world wide web for years to come.  It was a great reminder of how important it is to talk to our kids and know what they are doing on these sites.

Black History Month

In the Education Center, in honor of Black History Month, members had the opportunity to research some influential African Americans.  Members read books about Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks and Thurgood Marshall.  Once they read these stories, members wrote down five interesting facts that they learned.  Great job members!

Youth Job Postings

As part of our Career Launch, members 13-18 are learning how to write resumes, cover letters, and complete job applications.  There are many places hiring youth.  Please look at the list below:

Cookie Cart: http://cookiecart.org/
Step Up Summer Jobs ages 14-21: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/cped/metp/STEP-UPIntern
Jobs by Age and Youth Labor Laws: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/cped/metp/STEP-UPIntern
Conservation Corp Jobs ages 15-18: http://www.conservationcorps.org/youth-outdoors/
Hennepin Library Site which has many youth jobs listed: http://www.hclib.org/teens/TeenTopicsAction.cfm?Topic=JobsMoney&ShowAllWebSites=Y
Emerge has jobs for ages 14-21: http://www.emerge-mn.org/workforce.html
Applications due February 21 for Step Up Summer Youth Program: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/cped/metp/STEP-UPIntern
Cool Works ages 14-17: http://www.coolworks.com/teen-jobs
Engineer Girl: http://www.engineergirl.org/
Minnesota Minority Golf Association: http://www.mmjga.org/programs.html
Must have parental permission.  Reach One Teach One ages 13-18: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/mn-nd-sd/reach-one-teach-one-roto-15599.htm
Team Teen Works ages 14-18 and 19-24 :http://www.minneapolisparks.org//default.asp?PageID=780
YMCA Summer Opportunities ages 16+: https://www.ymcatwincities.org/careers/career_opportunities/summer_opportunities/
Job Corp ages 16-24: http://huberthhumphrey.jobcorps.gov/Home.aspx
Tree Trust ages 14-21: http://treetrust.org/jobs-2/
Compas Art Works ages 14-21 (interested in the arts): http://compas.org/programs/youth/artswork
Science Museum Jobs for kids in Grades 10 and older: http://www.smm.org/jobs/youth

Valentine's Day Art

In preparation for Valentine's Day, members spent time using their creative side.  Members created a heart shape person that they could give to a loved one or hang up in the Education Center.  Members were very creative with this, creating bows for their heart heads as well as moustaches and hair.  Below are some pictures of member inspired Valentine's Day art.  Great job members!

Fiction Unit

In the Education Center, as part of our literacy stations, members have been reading leveled books as part of our fiction unit.  These have been graciously donated by the Pearson Publishing Group. Students were able to choose from a variety of books that were differentiated for each members' individual reading level.  Students read these stories and explored some of the elements of a short story which included looking at the setting, characterization, and plot of the books they chose to read.  Below are just a few photos taken with members reading these books.  Great job members!

The Career Launch Program

In the Education Center, we have started our Career Launch Program.  Members aged 13-18 may join this class and learn hands on tips that will help them get a job such as resume writing, cover letter writing, filling out job applications, practice interviewing skills as well as career exploration.  If you are 13-18 years old, please come and see me.  We meet every Wednesday and Friday from 5:30-6:30 pm and I would love for you to join the program!

Synonyms, Antonyms, and Context Clues Practice

Members in the Education Center have been busy this week working on their homework and literacy stations.  This week members' literacy station work centered on building vocabuary.  Members looked up the definitions to specific words on the computer and then they wrote these definitions down.

Once they completed this, students had to read an article and fill in the blanks with the correct words.  Members also had practice finding both synonyms and antonyms for words which helps aid in reading comprehension and vocabulary building.  Great job, members!

Valentine's Day Trees

Members have been quite busy in the Education Center working on their Valentine's Day trees. Members traced their hand on a piece of paper which then became their tree and branches. Next, they put pre-cut hearts around the tree to resemble leaves.   Members had fun with this activity and it their artwork is now hanging up outside the Education Center.  If you are here, come and check out their work!

Tiger Tessellations

Did you know that only three shapes can tessellate by themselves?  The only shapes that can tessellate solely on their own are the triangle, square and hexagon.  Last week, members worked hard on their homework as well as creating math tessellations. Members read an article on what a tessellation is and answered reading comprehension questions about it.   Once they completed the reading comprehension worksheet, members created their own tiger tessellation template and traced this on the paper provided. Next, members decorated it in any way they liked. Here was the end result. Great work members!