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.

April Members of the Month

I would like to take a minute to congratulate Lamia Cooke and Daunte Wright for being chosen as my April Members of the Month.  In order to have this prestigious award presented to you, you must be working towards academic excellence and service to the club.

Lamia has been working with me for the past seven months. Every day she consistently brings her homework to me and I have seen great strides in her reading ability and comprehension.  Even when the going gets tough, Lamia does not give up and continues to amaze me with her strength and determination.  Keep up the great work, Lamia!

Daunte has been working with me for the past seven months as well.  He consistently brings his homework to me and even completes the literacy station work I have created each day as well.  Daunte is very respectful and is always smiling.  Whenever I need him to help around the club, he never hesitates.  I appreciate his leadership in both his service to the club and his academics.  Keep up the great work, Daunte!

Weaving Project

In the Education Center this past Friday, members had the opportunity to learn the art of weaving.  We used square shaped cardboard pieces and created slits on these to create our makeshift looms.  Members then would take the yarn and weave it through.  They had a great time doing this.  Even Mr. Malm, the K-2 instructor, tried this activity out.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Volunteers from the Timberwolves and Lynx Organization

We, as a team, at the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club would like to give a special thank you to both the Timberwolves and Lynx Organization for volunteering their time at the club last week.  Members had fun playing basketball, foosball, and board games with you and we appreciate you coming to see us.  Please come again soon!

Kids in the City

This week, selected members had the opportunity to be part of the Kids in the City Event.  Twelve members were chosen and had to meet the following requirements in education, leadership, behavior, attendance and service to the club.  Members were able to go to the Twins Stadium to enjoy some food from Buffalo Wild Wings and then watch the game.  Congratulations to Verssy, Dion, Brandon, Daunte, Gwen, Haji, Isaiah, Amori, Khallyah Kendale and Neveah.

Poetry Unit

This week, members have been busy in the Education Center working on their homework and literacy stations.  This week's theme was poetry. Members anaylzed haiku and limerick poems and once they completed this, they created some poems of their own.  Here are some Boys and Girls Club poetry produced in the Education Center.

Haiku Poems by Members

A traditional Japanese haiku is a three line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count.  These poems usually speak about nature.  In the Education Center, members chose the theme spring.  Below are their published creations:

Kendale

Spring is fun

Kendale likes to play baseball

Spring has trees to climb

Haji

Beautiful flowers

Springtime is the best ever

Better than ever

Lanajia

Lanajia loves spring

Lanajia is good at sports

Lanajia loves rain

Takari

Spring is really nice

I like to play in the rain

Spring has raindrops too.

Limerick Poems by Members

A limerick is a short, silly poem.  Limericks are five lines long and follow a specific pattern.  Lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme and have 8, 9 and 10 syllables.  Lines 3 and 4 rhyme and have 5, 6 or 7 syllables.  Beow you will find members' published limericks:

Dennis

There once was a boy named Dennis

He liked to play a lot of tennis

He likes to learn

He likes to twist and turn

He knows he is not a menace

Coretta

There once was a very fat cat

He also had an awesome hat

He was friends with a dog

They hung out by the log

Then they dined with the rats

Takari

There once was a boy named Takari

He had a friend named Ja'mari

He went to the fair

And played truth or dare

In the end they had to say sorry