I went to PLUS Time yesterday for the first time in over a week. I didn't realize how much I had missed it. The kids even mentioned that I hadn't been there for a while. Yesterday, the activity of the day was to read books and journal about the book. I was helping one of the boys who, I think, is in kindergarten. I was surprised that he didn't seem to know his alphabet. As he was writing, I tried to help him sound out the words, but when I realized that he didn't even know all the individual letters, I ended up giving him the letters and helping him learn them rather than trying to help him sound out words. This instance stressed to me the importance of working with kids at their level and ensuring that there is a good foundation before moving on to more difficult concepts.
During snack time, I was talking with a few of the girls. One of them asked me whether I was a volunteer, and I told her yes. A disappointed look came over her face, and then she commented that it meant that I would leave. I told her that even when I was done volunteering, I would still try and come back to PLUS Time. The conversation reminded me of how hard it is for the kids to transition through all of the volunteers that come and go. Due to the fact that the volunteer and worker base consists of students who are only around for approximately four years, and may even only volunteer for a semester, the students are constantly adapting to new people and building new relationships. It's especially difficult because many of these students do not find the love and support that they need at home. They finally find that through a volunteer at PLUS Time who eventually leaves because of college graduation.
The rest of the time, I mainly helped students with homework. I actually think that tutoring students is my favorite part of PLUS Time. I love seeing the lightbulb go on in their brains after they understand a problem. Yesterday, I was helping a girl with rounding. She had to round to the tenths place, hundredths place, and ones place. We began with the tenths and I explained the process, showing her how to do it with a particular problem. I tried to make the explanation universal so that when she was told to round to the hundredths place, she could figure out the process. It was so neat to see her understand it and I'm pretty sure she'll know how to round the next time she is asked to.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the PLUS Time kids this semester and I know that I will miss them over Christmas break!
During snack time, I was talking with a few of the girls. One of them asked me whether I was a volunteer, and I told her yes. A disappointed look came over her face, and then she commented that it meant that I would leave. I told her that even when I was done volunteering, I would still try and come back to PLUS Time. The conversation reminded me of how hard it is for the kids to transition through all of the volunteers that come and go. Due to the fact that the volunteer and worker base consists of students who are only around for approximately four years, and may even only volunteer for a semester, the students are constantly adapting to new people and building new relationships. It's especially difficult because many of these students do not find the love and support that they need at home. They finally find that through a volunteer at PLUS Time who eventually leaves because of college graduation.
The rest of the time, I mainly helped students with homework. I actually think that tutoring students is my favorite part of PLUS Time. I love seeing the lightbulb go on in their brains after they understand a problem. Yesterday, I was helping a girl with rounding. She had to round to the tenths place, hundredths place, and ones place. We began with the tenths and I explained the process, showing her how to do it with a particular problem. I tried to make the explanation universal so that when she was told to round to the hundredths place, she could figure out the process. It was so neat to see her understand it and I'm pretty sure she'll know how to round the next time she is asked to.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the PLUS Time kids this semester and I know that I will miss them over Christmas break!
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