Peter Fairbrother Week #9

Peter Fairbrother
12/6/11
Service Learning Week #9

This week was our last week doing service learning at Shea High School. Due to the fact that this week was our final time with these students it was a little different than the other weeks. It was much more informal. First we gave them a survey to complete so that somebody could gain some information for their final paper. Then we past out food. I was shocked at home much food their was. Then as everybody ate we discussed more things about college that they wanted to clear up before explore was over before the semester. Mostly we discussed how to get involved in sports in college. We had a good time reminiscing all that has happened while we have been visiting Shea and discussing the relationships that we have built with these students. The students also had to write a letter to their future-selves about why they want to go to college now. The school counselor is going to take this letter and give it to them when they begin the college process. I had a chance to talk with the students in an informal way to get more feedback about the building structure for my final paper.

Then when it was time to leave we had to say good-bye which was more emotional than I thought it would be because all of us have become so accustomed to meeting with each other every Tuesday. Then the students and the counselor handed us a thank you note which they all wrote something in. It was a very nice gesture and made all of the volunteers laugh as we read through it. I was skeptical about doing service learning when I found out we had to do it for the Urban Education meeting but now looking back on it I am glad that I took part in it. I feel like I made a connection. These students may not go to college but I took an interest in their lives and gave them something to do after school which other than athletics they normally would not experience.

Shea Final Week

Just as Carolyn and Erin stated, this was our final week at Shea which we used as a 'celebration' day. The environment was very laid-back - we had cake, discussed students' lingering questions about college and had them write letters to themselves that they will see again during their junior year of high school. We had students write why they wanted to go to college so that while they should be applying to college they can re-read these letters and hopefully trigger further motivation to apply to college. Some topics we discussed were financial aid, playing division 1/club sports in college, and scholarships. We also gave students certificates demonstrating that they successfully completed the EXPLORE program and Erin helpfully noted to students that EXPLORE would be a great addition to add to a resume that they'd send to colleges. Students were a little more off task than usual today but I suppose that is expected since it was a very informal last meeting. I hope that next semester there is a little more structure in EXPLORE curriculum so that students stay on task and ultimately take more away from the club.

Final Week of EXPLORE! at Shea

As Carolyn previously stated, today was our last day at Shea for EXPLORE. We had an informal session and the guidance counselor and our CL brought in goodies for the students. I was disappointed in the fact that only five students showed up for the last session (although three of the boys could not come because they had basketball practice). The first week of EXPLORE we had twice as many students and the last few weeks it proved to be the same 5 or 6 students who showed up. The students asked a few questions about college and we had them write letters to their "future self" about why they wanted to attend college and how the EXPLORE program this year has helped them thus far. After we finished the letters we just talked to the EXPLORE students about their experience with the EXPLORE program. If I could make one recommendation for the improvement of the EXPLORE program it would be to add more structure. I believe that it should be an easy going environment in which the students feel comfortable speaking their minds and asking questions but often times the students were disruptive and it through off the conversation. I am happy I was able to participate in this experience at Shea and I hope that the students we worked with this semester continue to stay focused on college.

Shea Final Week

This week was our final week at Shea. Instead of planning a formal lesson, we had an informal celebration of the students' accomplishments this semester. We opened up discussion for any questions the students had about college, and it was encouraging to see that they had things to ask even when we were not talking about a specific topic. We also asked the students to write letters to themselves talking about why they want to go to college, which their guidance counselor will give back to them junior year when they are starting to look at colleges. I think this will be be encouraging and hopefully motivating for them as they continue on the path toward college. I am glad I was able to volunteer with Explore! this semester, and I hope the students benefited from their experience as well.

This past Tuesday

Last week at Shea, the topic was time management. Together we talked about the importance of time management and how good time management skills are essential to being successful in high and beyond. We had students make schedules using a template that they accessed on the computers. Overall, it was a good lesson that I think students enjoyed and got a lot out of.

Last Day at Mt. Pleasant!

Today was the final session of the Explore program at Mt. Pleasant. It was supposed to be somewhat laid back, so we had the students write down on an index card one thing they have learned from Explore and then share their answers to a smaller group. The guidance counselor passed out "Upper Bound" applications to some of the students who were interested. I had never heard of this program before but one of the students explained to me that it is a Saturday class that takes place at a college campus to prepare high school students for college.The program targets students who attend urban schools and is known to increase college attendance of inner city students. If the students perform well during the Saturday classes, they have a chance of being able to attend the Summer program offered as well. I found this very interesting and think it sounds great for students like those who attend Mt. Pleasant. I plan on doing some research into this program to find out more about it. It was a rewarding experience spending time in an urban school setting, and it made me happy to hear some of the students asking us to come back next semester. Overall, I enjoyed my time volunteering for Explore and hope to have made a difference in these students' lives.

Tavares

Like Kayla said, we were unable to go to our service learning site because it had been cancelled.

Chad Brown

We went to the Tavares Center as usual tonight, but it was locked and there was a sign on the door saying the Teen Program was cancelled for tonight. There was no explanation and no one told us. I texted our CA and she had no idea it was cancelled either. I will try to go on Monday if I am able.

Service Learning Week #8 Peter Fairbrother

Peter Fairbrother
12/1/11
Service Learning Week #8

This past Tuesday was our second to last service learning at Shea High School. To begin our lesson we past out a survey with some questions on it in order to get a better perspective about how the students think about the building structure of Shea. I also had time to ask the students when we were going through the lesson about Shea. The information that I gained during this service learning is going to go a long way towards completing my final paper. Next week I just need to meet with Dr. Lord the school principal one more time to finish my interviewing process.
Now when it comes to the actual lesson that we were teaching the students it was about time management and using an agenda or planner to keep track of assignments and meetings one has to go to. I was shocked to hear how many of the students did not use their planners because Shea gives each student a planner at the beginning of the year. This means that they do not take advantage of something that was given to them so we tried to get them to see how important it was to keep track of one’s appointment and assignments. Unfortunately I do not feel that the lesson got through to the students. I feel as though the main purpose now of the Shea EXPLORE! program has become a social event after school where the students get to interact with the volunteers. They like asking questions about college but I feel that they only go through the motions of the lessons which we are teaching and they do not take anything away from it. I hope that I am wrong, however, I hope that these weekly visits will help the students become motivated and better prepared for college.