EXP201.Davi.Fall05

I don’t think one can really determine who benefited more from the 2+2=5 service learning program, the Bentley Students or the children. I can’t say how much of an impact Bentley Students have had on an individual student. It all depends on how much the children wanted to take away from the program. The more the children put into the program the more they got out of it.

            As for me, I got a lot out of the 2+2=5 service learning component. For example I know a major benefit form the program was it enriched my problem solving and critical thinking skills. When working with kids one has to be able to think on their feet. Everything doesn’t always run as smoothly as you would like it to. Regardless of how much preparation you may have put into the activity beforehand, you can never predict what the kids will do with it. They may finish an activity you thought would take them the whole block in ten minutes or vice versa, an activity you thought they would be able to complete in ten minutes takes up the whole block. What do you do then? You have to use your critical thinking skills to figure something out to keep the children occupied for the remainder of the time. You have to learn to be flexible and patient with the children. These skills are critical in the real world after college. Especially in my case where I’m looking into management as a major. I know I will need to have problem solving abilities, patience and flexibility. The service learning activity also deepens the understanding of individual and collective roles in social action. What I mean by this is you learn everyone has a different personality and approach to things. Some people are leaders and like to take charge of an activity, some are shy and just follow what the other kids are doing and never really get their input in, and some always challenge your authority. Learning how to deal with each and every single personality type will also be carried into the real world. I learned your personality may clash with another personality type, but that’s life. You won’t get along with everyone. You have to learn to deal with these people in a civil manner and get the task at hand accomplished. By watching 5^th grades being able to brush little negative things off said by their teammates makes you realize you can’t hold grudges and let minor things hold you back from whether it be building a newspaper bridge or something greater. By doing so you realize you become civically and community minded.

To me I feel that both we the Bentley Students and the children benefited from this experience. I mean not only did we learn from them, but they also learned from us as well. I remember the session that I had at the Fitzgerald last week and I remember Chris asking what has everyone learned so far and I was amazed at how fast these kids answered the question. On person said that they learned how better communicate within a group and another one said that they learned how teamwork is appreciated within a group in order to succeed at what you want to accomplish and I found that to be really remarkable.

I was a counselor before I did 2+2=5 and I should have known not to think of these kids as not able to do a certain task but I did anyway. I thought that they were going to hard to manage. I figured that I would have to kick kids out of the group but I didn’t have to at all. There was one little girl that always didn’t want to do something and when she saw everyone else doing it she sort of joined in with the group and she had some really good ideas and really showed everybody that she really does know how to think it just a matter of adjusting to a new group.

These kids learned that without determination then what you hope to accomplish in the long run as if to say someone that was determined and couldn’t wait to do whatever the activity was. I know for my group everyone was determined to win and would stop at nothing to beat everyone else. That is when I began to learn from them. They had the determination to win whatever activity they were faced with and that is something that I don’t do with school now. I do my work successfully but I don’t do it with any determination that would make me want to do my homework right then and there. These kids showed me that if I had as much energy and determination as they have then I would be unstoppable. I would e able to claim Mt. Everest if I wanted to. I’m sure that might not mean anything to some people but it does to me. It gives me hope to do better than what I am doing now. It makes me want to actually put a tighter grip on my goals and really fulfill them to the best of my capabilities.

Not only did we the Bentley students and the children learn something but so did the teachers at the school. I remember when Chris, Eddy, Alicia, and I returned the second and third time, the teachers were fascinated with the work that we were doing with these kids and they noticed a change in the way that the kids were acting in the classroom. I remember one teacher telling me how she has learned just from observing us that she is thinking about changing her way of teaching a little bit to somewhat continue what we are doing now in 2+2=5. I found that to remarkably incredible that not only do we in the class learn something but so do people that just observe and think about the way that they are doing things. I really found this experience to be really exciting and can’t wait to do another Service Learning experiment next Semester seeing how one of my classes is a 4th credit option. Right now I don’t even care about it counting as a 4th credit; I just want to work with these kids again.

Service Learning Closing Reflection Exercise

2.) 

I believe that the 2+2=5 program benefits both the Bentley students and the children. It benefits us, the Bentley students, by giving us experiences that can stick in our minds forever. It allows us to assume leadership roles and learn to work with kids. It most importantly allows us to feel a sense of contributing to the cumminty. I know that I feel happy knowing that I was able to contribute to the community. The program also allows us to work with new people and work on our own teamwork abilities.

The children I believe get more out of it. Although the Bentley students got positive things out of the experience, it is the kids that are left with something they can remember for the rest of their lives; learning how to function as a team at a young age. This can benefit them in the long run. They could use their team work abilities learned in to program in multiple different settings. The classroom, sports, and maybe even work being some examples. The kids also have the benefit of meeting a new role model. Their 2+2=5 instructors serve as role models that can inspire the kids to take on similar roles in the future. They could also be influenced to be good roles models to children younger than they are. Lastly, the children get the benefit of working with peers that they may otherwise never get to know, an aspect of the program that I believe is truly important. By giving these students the opportunity to work with other people they may not otherwise talk to, they may  have the benefit of making new friendships which can last a long time.

No Casualties in the trust fall

            I have found out that like the question and how Mina Shaughnessy said not everyone learns the same that is why all throughout the service learning time. I have stressed different things but now it is out, as “teachers” or so what we are told by Mr. Swiask, we had to find different ways to talk, teach, and see how they reacted.  I have found that I have to talk to all the students differently.  Some I have to raise my voice to get their attention, some I have to make eye contact, others I just have to get down to their level and they will pay attention to me. 

            In Chesterbrook this is more or less true because there are so many different ages and students abilities.  There is a big difference one how guys and girls are treated because the guys I just get their attention by sometimes having to zone everybody out and just talk to them.  The girls I just have to be sweet to them tell them to lower their voices and then after a while they will do it.  Humor works well with the girls.

            Any ways this week it went well, the students some accomplished the trust fall. For some it was a big risk and at first they did not want to do it. Some just wanted to be catches others were anxious to fall in the arms of their classmates. IN one case the girls was the only one to ask and tell the other classmates, “ok now caught me guys, don’t let me fall” it was funny because this was the smallest.  I was happy sometimes the kids made a big GASP as they fall back and then were appreciative that the people did the correct thing.

            Not the whole class did it because it is very scary to know that another person has your live in their hands. All throughout the students falling back I thought about the weekend away for CAP.  I was like at first over the summer that I was not going to make good friends.  I climbed to the top of the line over 30 feet in the air.  I was scared because there were three people holding me and if they did anything wrong I was going to die or fall.  I have to trust them, myself, and not think about anything else.  So I know what went through the minds of these students as the fell back.  What happen if they don’t caught me.  Was I mean to any of my classmates?  They doubt everything even think about not doing it.

            For the students to do this is a big step because it is no looking back and that is what is the most stressing not seeing anything and the person next to you have to be your eyes. Even when I was talking to Heidy I was like why don’t you fall back and demonstrate for the kids, she was like I don’t know if you guys will caught me. That means she did not trust us, it’s all fine.

            Thinking back to when I was in Fifth grade I do not think I would not have done the trust fall just because it is crazy.  I think I would trust my classmates but when it comes to safety I will pass.  Even if think to do it in class how many people would actually fall?  That is a final question to see how many people would do it will?

Peace,

Edison

The Politics of Remediation

I think by Mike Rose using the title "The Politics of Remediation" he has incorporated many different aspects of the "special programs" which many institutions are constantly adding and dropping.

On pages 194 and 195, Rose talks about how many administrators and faculty were suspect to the programs he was involved in. Such questions came up as "were they qualified to do it?" and were the programs actually keeping unqualified children in school rather than helping qualified students succeed. These are some of the "Politics" Mike Rose had to deal with when in the institution at UCLA. The programs which he worked and supported and it's budgets where some what of a "political campaign" in itself. Rose has to find supporters to back him who could help keeping the budget, and keep at bay his offenders who were trying to defeat him and have their budget money placed elsewhere.

The opposers of the programs Rose so strongly supports voice the opinion that students should already have the knowledge of remedial courses. Rose of course sticks to his opinion that mistakes mark the beginning of learning, and that not everyone is smart in the way that is defined by the institution or government.

I think "The Politics of Remediation" incorporates more than just the programs which Rose was struggling to keep at UCLA. If one looks at the work remediation, it means to correct an error or deficiency. I think Rose is implying that the errors are more in the system of education and the correcting of the errors is what he is dealing with.

A True Essence of Teamwork

     Last Friday the students at Chesterbrook did an activity called Lap Sit.  To begin this activity the students gather up in a circle and stand one behind the other.  The important thing is for them to stand close to each other.  Once this is done the objective is to have them all sit down at once so that each student is sitting on the lap of the student that is behind them.  Surprisingly this activity has a lot to do with teamwork.

       When Eddy asked the students to gather up in a circle to do the activity many of the students rejected the idea.  There were only a few students that wanted to do the activity.  Later Eddy said that he would bring in the new XBOX 360 next week if they all tried to do the activity.  I thought this would convince and motivate the students to get started, but the response was that the students were skeptical of the idea.  They didn't believe that he would bring it in so they further questioned him.  Some of the students questioned me to see if he really had it.  I knew that he had one so I told them that he did.  After getting enough evidence more students came to the circle to try the activity.  It seems that each week the students have been consistently more motivated by rewards than anything else.  Rewards definitely give students the needed incentive to complete the activities.  Once the circle was made the remaining students came.  Before we started the students requested that the Bentley students join them and also do the activity.  This surprised me because adding us into the activity would make it much more difficult for the fact that we all have a different height and weight.

      The circle was made and it was time to sit down and see if it all works.  I was a bit skeptical that it would work since the student behind me was half my height and wait.  We all slowly tried to sit down and everyone instantly fell down.  Almost everyone started to laugh.  Since the activity did not work out the first time the students were eager to try it again and make it work.  During the second attempt the students decided to stand closer.  This time everyone was sitting down for a few seconds and then one part of the circle fell apart and everyone else fell down.  At the third try the objective was accomplished where everyone was sitting in the circle without falling down.  After the third try it was evident that trust is a very important aspect of this activity.  If one person did not trust the team then the circle fell apart from that one person onward where it created a chain reaction.  Even though everyone's height and weight was different I was able to realize how the whole activity worked.  Later we explained to the students how each person is supporting one another and therefore strengthening the whole team. 

     To add another twist and to make the activity more challenging, Eddy explained that everyone had to do it over except this time the whole circle had to sit and walk at the same time.  This took much more effort, but after many attempts the group was able to accomplish this objective.  Once the objective was met the kids cheered in happiness.  It seemed that everyone had a lot of fun in doing the activity and were really able to understand the true essence of teamwork.

 

Trust fall at Chesterbrook.....lol

This weeks service learning at Chesterbrook was chaotic as usual, tons of children running around and no one in control which is the norm.   This week as our counterparts did trust falls, but we at Chesterbrook did the lap-sit with our children.  This seemed to be more of an appropriate “trust” game for the children of Chesterbrook since there is such a wide variety of ages and maturity levels amongst the kids.  When we first arrived we gave the children some free time because the lap-sit didn’t take much time to complete.  After hanging around with the kids for a while, we decided to begin the activity.  For some strange reason, everyone participated in the activity even the 2+2=5 staff! This was great and seemed to get the kids more eager about completing the activity.  We did it several time until we finally got it and the kids were quite relieved.  After that, Eddie decided to introduce anther “trust” game to the children.  He had one child stand in the middle of the circle and stand motionless while the people on the outside of the circle pushed them in every which way.  The kids got a real kick out of this activity, so much so that they began fighting on who should go next.  Overall, this trust lesson was a great idea and the kids really enjoyed it.  I think that the trust fall should be the last trademark activity for the 2+2=5 program.  What do you think………Get back at me!

Service Learning

Whats up everybody, it's me Javier. This week's service learning session, like all the others, was interesting one. We did the high anticipated trust fall activity. Most of the kids were familiar with the activity, so we didn't have many problems with behavior from the kids. They were really mature about it and did not fool around. I found it interesting that the kids did the activity with much ease. They were not scared and trusted each other a lot. I think that if I did this activity, I would have had a hard time. I'm one of those people who finds it hard to trust others, therefore making the activity very challenging for me. We also did the circle game, where everyone had to sit on each others laps. The kids found this activity easy too, and did it in two tries. Anwayz, have a nice weekend everybody. Take care.

Javy C 

GrAnD FiNaLe....

Hi you guys Im back,

I have been very lost for few weeks and I'm truly sorry you guys but I'm back and with my service learning experience. This week we were designed to do the lap sit and the trust fall. At first we split the class into two groups to start the activity. I was working with Eddie we were responsible for one group together we explained the activity and the reason for it. We said that it was very important to get this done before we start the trust fall because we should be able to trust eachother otherwise we couldn't start the other activity until we get this done. At first my group failed to do the activity three times they wasn't trusting eachother. They got so aggravated ater seeing the other team finish first with no problems. They worked on a solution that they believed was going to work for them. It was nice to see that they was working together but that wasn't the solution to their problems. They thought that if they do it by height then it be easier to overcome this activity. But when they lined up from smallest to biggest and then got into a circle they ended seeing that it wasn't going to work out regardless because the smallest girl had to carry the biggest guy in class. When she was getting ready to carry she was like " No, I can't carry him", everybody started laughing and realized that that wasn't going to work for them either, they decided that they needed an equal balance in order to work Finally they ended up completing the activity. It wasn't the fact that they ended up finishing last that matter they trusted eachother after all the activities during the past weeks they finally accomplished what we have seeked out to do. That their No I in TEAM, to trust their companions and work as a team, its important skills that will come in handy in the long run. After that activity they were prepared for the trust fall. We set up the activity and then we explained it to them while they sat waiting attentively. Eddie and Edison even wanted to use me as an example and I looked at them laughing and said to them that I love myself too much. When we was done expalining the activity we akked for volunteers to catch the person falling. We had 6 volunteers and we rotated taking turns. Everything worked according to plan. We only had one student almost fall because the catchers didn't let go of hid legs for him to get up. There was one little girl that got up and before falling turned around and told her catchers before she fell to make sure to catch her...I found that to be so adorable. Not everybody in the class participated only about half did, even the boys were scared but it was incredible to see the some did. We are repeating the same activity next week hoping that everybody can participate. It was a fun activity to watch and see the expressions of people after dropping they looked relief like taking a pressure off their backs. After the activity we sat down and went around listening to the students responses they were very pleased with the activity and the whole program. A young girl even complimented me on my clothes. She said I was looking nice and she loved my name belt. Awww I found that so cute Im going to miss the program and the kids. I hope they can take a lot from this program and use it in the long run. ...Bye you guys

<:RuBia:>>>Heidy

Bad Day At Fitzgerald

Today was a very negative day with the kids. They were asked to do a activity in which they had to sit on each others lap in a circle while balancing each other out. I thought that the entire class was going to do this fairly easily because they had progressed so well the past few weeks. i was completely wrong. Not only did the kids fail miserably, i feel like they all took a step back in their development in the program.

First the kids were divided into two groups. My group didn't take the task seriously and they didn't want to do it at all. When they all managed to sit on each others lap for about a minute they lost their balance and fell to the floor. After this every time they wanted to try the game 5 seconds into they would all fall to the ground in giggles. Then the all were jumping on each other.

The other team was having even a worse time with the game. One boy even said he would only do the activity if one of the teachers would give him $5. After 25 minutes of us being there the gym teacher got very aggravated with the students and canceled the activity. He thanked us for our time and we left. He was really disappointed with the kids because it seemed like they were less mature today than what they have been in the past.

It was a really disappointed day because next week is the last time we meet with the kids and i feel like we've spend all this time with the kids and they went from doing really well in everything to acting like they didn't give a damn about anything that was going on.