Making Easter Baskets

Last Friday, in celebration of the Easter holiday, members had the opportunity to create Easter baskets in the Education Center.  Twenty members would come in at a time and design their own unique Easter basket.  First, members had a cup by which they fastened a pipe cleaner for the handle.  Next, they created the bunny face and attached bunny ears to the inside of the cup.  Once finished, they were able to put Easter grass and candy in their baskets.

After they finished their Easter baskets, members were able to estimate how many jelly beans were in the water bottle and the top two members that were the closest, were able to take these home.  Our winners were Verssy Flowers and Aleciayanna Smith.  Great day had by all members who participated!

Bullying Awareness Unit

In the Education Center for this week and next, our literacy stations will be focused on the theme of bullying.  I have created a thematic unit around this topic and our first lesson was about the power of our words.  Members wrote down hurtful words, how these made them feel, and drew a picture of what others might feel when they hear these words directed at them.  Next, members made a list of kind words, how these words make them feel, and drew a picture of how others might feel when they hear these words.  I followed this up with a two part question and answer having them journal the following:

Do our words have power?  Why or why not?
 
"Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never break me."  Members then stated their position and defended it by journaling about the meaning behind this quotation.

Members were highly engaged in this topic and worked hard on their journal writing.  Great work!

Celebrating Boys and Girls Club Week: Do You Think You Can Dance?

As part of Boys and Girls Club Week, we ended our week of activities with our "Do You Think You Can Dance" competition.  Here is the video that Lorenzo Hampton, the Teen Director, has created:  So You Think You Can Dance?

Celebrating Boys and Girls Club Week: Tissue Paper Flowers, Puppets and Coloring Contest

In honor of Boys and Girls Club Week, members spent time in the Education Center creating tissue paper flowers, puppets as well as participating in a coloring contest.

At the tissue paper flower station, members were able to choose the color of tissue paper that they wanted for their flower and were instructed on how to make these.  Members had a lot of fun doing these and were very proud of their creations.

Members also had the opportunity to enter the coloring contest.  Members colored a spring flower and then turned these in to be judged.

Finally, at the puppet making station, members were able to use several items to create their own puppets.  Members used brown paper lunch bags, google eyes, feathers and construction paper to create  these and some created people, animals, monsters and more.  It was fun seeing some of the members actually having conversations with their puppets.

Those who were less interested in crafts, had the opportunity to build things out of Leggos, Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs or play educational board games.

Here are a few photos from this day below.  Great job members!

Celebrating Boys and Girls Club Week: The Carnival

In honor of Boys and Girls Club Week, several members had the chance to go to camp Voyageur with Coach Bryant for an afternoon of fun.

Selected teens had the chance to participate in the Cargill Career Day with Mr. Greene, our Program Director and learned many skills that are needed when looking for a job.  Those who participated in this event had a great time.

Those who stayed back, had the chance to participate in a carnival that we set up in the gym.    Members were able to play selected games for tickets which they could then exchange for prizes.  Some of the activities included kick ball, a bouncy house, a giant connect four game, basketball, and floor hockey.

Thank you to the Northwestern College volunteers for helping us organize this event and for helping us do some much needed Spring cleaning at the club.

Here are some pictures from members enjoying the carnival.

Celebrating Boys and Girls Club Week: Spelling Bee

This week, members had the chance to participate in our annual Spelling Bee.  Members competed in three different categories by age level.  The first group was members aged K-2, the second group was aged 3-5, and the last group were sixth graders.

Congratulations to all the spelling bee contestants and a special congratulations to the following for winning in their age bracket: Destanee Jones (K-2 Spelling Bee Winner), Dion Wright (Grade 3-5 Speling Bee Winner), and Jasiona White (6th Grade Spelling Bee Winner).

Each winner was presented a spelling bee certificate as well as an individual prize.  Great work members!