Hello world, my first day

Wow!  My first day of service learning was not exactly what I expected.  I assumed that we would be working in a classroom setting and the children would be enthusiastic about learning.  Unfortunelty, my predictions were false.  I did my service at the Chesterbrook afterschool program located in the Chesterbrook housing projects.  I had no idea that Waltham, Ma, home of Bentley college, contained low income housing.  I was shocked when I arrived at the location, expecting it to be much luxurious and comfortable.  Instead, we were located in a building with two rooms; a recreation room and a computer room.  The kids ranged in all ages from first graders to high school freshman.  The children were loud, excited, enthusiactic, but at times unwilling to listen and coporate.  One difficult aspect of the experience was that children were constantly running in and out of the building, without anyone surpurvising them.  When it came time to perform the activity most of the children just wanted to go outside and play with their friends.  However, after extreme patience from the project manager Eddy, we finally got the children settled down.  Our objective was to break into small groups and make the largest possible tower out of twenty five straws.  My group won, but not everyone was willing to partake in the experiece.  One particular child, who was a male, refused to work in group of all girls.  He ended up quitting and returning to his homework.  When the project ended, we also had a difficult time recapping the objective of the lesson.  Most of the children wanted to go back outside and enjoy the weekend.  However, this was a good experience and I hope it goes better next time.

Comments

[reshma]

Hey Jeff,

I understand exactly what you are going though. Even though I did not teach at the same place as you, I death with a lot of the same problems. It was difficult to get my kids settled down and listen to me at times also. I too had to convince my kids to discuss the activity with me. I guess anywhere you go, kids are the same. I agree with you when you say it was a good experience. I think things will go better next time. It just takes getting used to for both the kids and the teachers.

[Shotokan]

Hey Jeff,

Despite all of my experiences with children and my many successes, my first time was not really that much of a success either. My group came in last place, and they were not completely responsive to my hints. Mostly because two of the boys in the group thought that they were superman, and could leap from cardboard square to another even though it was ten feet away. Silly kids, tricks are for magicians.

[Jeff Jacques]

"...I had no idea that Waltham, Ma, home of Bentley college, contained low income housing. I was shocked when I arrived at the location, expecting it to be much luxurious and comfortable. Instead, we were located in a building with two rooms; a recreation room and a computer room...." This is a comment, which I made in my original weblog entry on the 30th of September, which has now struck particular interest in me. This evening in class, Scott Morency, creator and surpervisor of the 2+2=5 Program, came into our class and discussed the diversity in Waltham, Ma. Upon arrival to Bentley College I had no idea that this Waltham area contained a low income are. I assumed with two prestigious Universities this town was in no need of outside help. Little did I know that my original observation was wrong. Scott talked about the diversity in Waltham and in particular the diversity in the schools. Two Waltham elementary schools contained two opposite demographics. One which mostly contained white students while the other minorities. This shocked me. I had no idea that this town had such a great racial divide. I believe that a program like 2+2=5 should start focusing on intergrating these students in afterschool recreational activities. This would be a good way for the towns elementary shcool students to get to know one another and develop friendships, which would last way into future.

[Javy C]

what's up Jeff? I'm sorry to hear that your first day did not go as you had anticipated. It sounded like a tough time, but i'm glad that you are remaining optimistic about your next visit. It must be harder being the only authoritive figure and not having any assistance from a teacher, like the people at the Fitzgerald school have. Hope all goes well for you next visit, peace amigo!

[Jeff Jacques]

Javy C,

Thanks for the support, I hope my next visit goes better also.

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