4 posts tagged “volunteer”
Yesterday I received an unexpectant review.
I was in the midst of ditching, packing and cleaning for more renovation work when the phone rang. It was the project manager/lead for the volunteer work I did with the group of sixth grade boys. The culminating event for the project was this past Monday. However, I missed it as I had to take care of some things for the Snickerdoodle.
Apparently I made a lasting impression on the boys as they were excited to see their name in print. The final project for the boys included an anthology the project manager and I put together for the them. The book featured the work they did with me and even a few written things from their regular classwork. It also - in keeping with the theme of creativity and business matters/sense - the book also featured their professional profile (what they wish to be in life). The boys also had business cards as well that told their "desired" profession.
"Believe me when I say, your name is gold in that school. The teachers were impressed, the parents and the principal loved it."
I was given praise for the work I did during my short time with the boys. Honestly, I didn't know I had introduced or encouraged whatever creativity they had within them. Some weren't use to speaking in front of their class. Because I had them stand in front and present their poems, they were eager to share their work to all by Monday's event. What I'm most happy about is the fact that the boys actually learned something!
The whole time as I held the phone to my ear and listened to Ms. S go on and on about how what they experienced through the program has changed them, I couldn't help but wonder if this is part of my purpose - basically just inspiring and enpowering through writing. Nisha use to ask me ..or tell me rather.. that I should thinking about teaching. I don't know about that kid! As I tell Nisha all the time, ESPECIALLY TO HER, teaching is a special gift. I saw this in my mom and all her close friends who are now retired from the school system. I see it in Nisha as she is a high school English teacher in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.
Me? I never wanted or even considered being a teacher. I don't have that much patience to deal with an ill school system, parents who act worse than some children or being over worked and under valued.. even though the most rewarding part is watching a child mature with knowledge and molding them for the world. I guess what made it "easy" for me with these boys is the fact that it was a small group - easy to manage. The other thing is - as with most sixth graders - they were very impressionable. As I prepared for my presentation I made sure I was on their level with some things, while exposing them to something they may come across is in junior high school.
Ms. S went on to say how the boys gave her suggestions for next year, which proves the point that children want to learn when you take your time with them and make it interesting. I hope to be around for next year's project. I really did have fun doing this. I'm actually sorry to see it end.
As for my purpose and my gift... I honestly do believe this writing with worth more than gold. Thank you Lord for such a gift.
What can you say about a group of kids who are shy, yet expressive in a way that makes you smile and say "Write on!"?
What is there to say about a group of young boys on the verge of being men eager to learn and though still "tender" in the 6th grade, their responses fill you with some kind of hope and pride for the future?
As anyone can tell, I had a ball with MY group of 6th grade boys. Today was the day I was to meet with them as part of a volunteer project through an organization that my mother is a member of. The organization itself focuses on community service with emphasis in the education community. So you can gather a lot of the women involved in the organization are currently active or retired from different school systems. Each chapter is subject to a community service project, and my mother's chapter has been going to different public schools (within their chapter's jurisdiction) and doing themed presentations of etiquette with females of 6th grade classes.
This year was the first in which they included a themed presentation for 6th grade boys; the theme of creativity and using your skills through entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, a small local business owner that was suppose to give his presentation didn't make it today. So the boys just had 40 minutes of me working with their creativity.
I had a whole bunch of "goodies" planned; music of Coltrane , Miles and Dave Brubeck to write with, one of my Langston Hughes books with book marked poems to read and explore and the same with Shel Silverstein's Where the Side Walk Ends.
Instead, in the essence of time I stuck with the main crux with a quick impromptu that worked out.
When I was introduced to a colorful group of Black and Latino boys, I had no idea I would be featured as a published author. So as I told them that I am a (freelance) journalist and was published in an anthology I asked them questions about an anthology. Of course they were right on time with answers such as
"An anthology has parts of stories..."
"...it has different writings..."
This was the beginning of how the boys made a good impression with me.
I did do the Tupac question as I was curious to see where conversation could go.
"Was Tupac Shakur a rapper or a poet?"
Like sixth graders... some couldn't contain their answers. Some blurted out rapper while other blurted out poet. Then some even said both.
One little guy in particular at first told me rapper and then switched up to say both. However, he was at a lost for words as to why he felt it was both.
Another student put it very eloquently as to say (in so many words) Tupac was a poet that expressed his words in a rhyming way, as in rap and he was being real an expressing hismelf even though he cussed.
*insert chuckle*
I told the boys that they were all right. 'Pac was a poet that expressed his thoughts through the art form of hip-hop and I began to briefly explain how poetry is delivered in various forms; be it rap, spoekn word, haiku, prose or just a free for all.
I read a poem from Tupac's poetry book, entitled When Ure Hero Falls.
When Ure Hero Falls
Written by Tupac Shakur (1971-1996)
when your hero falls from grace
all fairy tales r uncovered
myths exposed and pain magnified
the greatest pain discovered
u taught me 2 be strong
but im confused 2 c u so weak
u said never 2 give up
and it hurts 2 c u welcome defeat
when ure hero falls so do the stars
and so does the perception of tomorrow
without my hero there is only
me alone 2 deal with my sorrow
your heart ceases 2 work
and your soul is not happy at all
what r u expected 2 do
when ure only hero falls
There was brief discussion about the meaning behind the poem and I had them express aloud their feelings about their heros. Of coruse some were shy and some were eager to express their thoughts. My impromptu came in when I asked them to sum up their hero in two lines and if they made it rhyme it was even better.
Sure enough my impromptu worked as I called on another student and he read me his lines that rhymed. Immediately when I mentioned how the lines were a couplet the kids smiled and even the teacher. Later on I would learn that the kids had not long ago had a lesson in couplets and the teacher was pleased that they were able to excercise an example of that today.
What really took up the bulk of the time is when I had the guys write a bio poem. This is where their minds really began to work and I was further impressed.
So this is what I had the boys do with their Bio-Poem.
BIOPOEM
Directions: Create a bio poem about yourself
Line 1: First Name (write first name of nickname)
Line 2: Four traits (characteristics) that describe the person
Line 3: Relative ("Brother", "sister"," husband", "wife", "daughter", etc. ) of __________
Line 4: Lover of __________ ( list three things or people your love)
Line 5: Who feels __________ (list three items)
Line 6: Who needs __________ (list three items )
Line 7: Who fears __________ (list three items
Line 8: Who gives __________ (one item fully explained )
Line 9: Who would like to see __________ ( list one item)
Line 10: Resident of __________ (list city, state or country)
Line 11: Last Name
I went line by line with the boys in helping them create their poem. By the end of the assignment they were all eager to share their poem. Starting with the most shy boy in the class, I made them stand up in front of their classmates tall and project their voice. The teacher was pretty impressed with some of their answers, especially with one student who is obviously the "class clown," and even a couple of boys who listed their fears with one being monkeys.
*insert chuckle*
I had a ball with my group and I hope to return sometime in April for part two of the project with them. The project leader and I discussed that their poems could be compiled into a booklet to publish. Of course the boys were excited to hear that. If Im able to return for part two of the project I want to touch on some of the things I cut out today. Hopefully the business guy that was no show today won't be that way in April. After having a meeting with the principal today, it's quite clear that she is concerned about her 6th grade boys lacking positive male mentors. Yet, in part of today's meeting with her a solution was discussed as to how to invite other male reinforcements into the project just as observers and supporters for the boys.
Nevertheless my time with the boys was wonderful and I really did enjoy this tasks. The Snickerdoodle WAS with me the whole time and was such a little lady during the whole presentation. Well..... she did get a little fussy towards the end and then she was rushed down the hall to my mother where she was working with the females until I finished up.
I'm tired.. but I'm in the feel good tired stage.
The sun was out
I smelled hints of spring in the air today
My brain is a little overworked doing and thinking too much.. but that's ok
Today was truly a good day.
T-Mobile has been calling and texting me. I'm overdue and about to be cut off.
Yet, I'm too preoccupied to even worry about this matter.
I'm even a bit too much in my own world to entertain other text messages; from Papi, a friend that I refer to as "El Cheapo, " and my usual good morning, how are you greetings from another male friend, AJ.
I'm beginning preparations for the creative and etiquette workshop session with the sixth grade boys that my mother asked me to be a part of. I've been searching, skimming poetry book after book, for the right poems to present. There are a lot I see that have personally become my favorites, but I feel they maybe too advanced for their sixth grade minds. I've even been digging through my own poetry for the different forms, but I can't find any "rule book" type forms I've written outside of the usual prose, free for all flow, couplets, haiku and tanka.
The book(s) I have on Langston do offer a variety of poetry, so I'm bound to find one that is suitable or easy for them to understand. Though I want to bring in Langston, I don't want to bring in the usual that they (may) hear in school, such as Dream Deferred.
I also have (an autograph copy of) Nikki Giovanni's "Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day." I haven't flipped through this one yet.
Honestly, I'm tempted to head to the library and check out Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends." I thought he was a brillant writer. He was introduced to me around the fifth or sixth grade. His poems, though elementary are pretty light and easy for children to understand. I'm sure I'm safe with him.
Whatif
By Shel Silverstein
(of course his work is copywritten)
Last night, while I lay thinking here.
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poision in my cup?...
I still wanted to bring Tupac Shakur's poetry and Alicia Keys into it as well. We'll see.
In the midst of all of this there is some glee.
A caller, about a job, contacted me.
I don't wanna say. I don't wanna make a fuss
Cause usually when I do, it turns out a bust
I'll just say that it's a postion that I want
They have even asked me if their budget for the job should be what it ought.
I agreed and a time to meet has been set
Now I'm giddy as hell, trying to keep myself in check.
Next week is the big day and I want to look good.
So now I'm gonna keep my mouth shut so I won't knock on wood.
My portfolio is straight, my hair is always great
I just need to have clear directions so I won't be late.
Oh yes, the job is in Bethesda, but that I can do
I'm a super mom, I can do anything for my little Schmoootsy Poo.
- Mahoganie, untitled, Feb 28, 2008
Wow! Would you believe I just came up with that?!?!?!
Yeah, Erin was right! I am "hopped up" right now.
Today has been about homework. Not for any particular reason or shall I say not for a "mandatory" reason.
The U.S. Department of Education sent me a notice in the mail today or really a congratulatory letter.
I'm one payment away from being "rehabilitated". Meaning, if I should choose to go back to the school with help from the government, I'm one paymeny away from loan eligibility.
Yippe!!!
Ironically I was literally about to pick up the phone and call them to see where I currently stand.
I'm a bit tickled at the fact that in the eyes of the US. Gov't I'm about to become "rehabilitated."
Makes it seem as if I was strung out on crack for the three years I was m-i-a from school.
I did manage to make a phone call to my school today.
"Hello, I'm a former student looking to return and I was within the school of communications. I would like to come up to the school tomorrow to speak with an adviser. However, I need the name of the person who would be my adviser?"
After asking for my name, the person on the other end of the line gladly gave me the name of my adviser.
I'm nervous about a (possibly soon) return. I kinda fear I'm going to fall in the same runt I did all those years I was in school.
Feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed.
Yet, I do have a strong desire to finish this.
Also, I still have a hanging balance on my tuition bill too.
Blah.
Nevertheless, I know.. this must be done.
In the meantime, I'm gearing up for a volunteer gig coming up in a few weeks. Actually this is some of my mother's doing, but at least she asked me if I wanted to take part. The chapter of her social organization that she is a member of is having a workshop for some sixth grade students. The workshop is educational and a bit artsy fartsy as it focuses on entrepreneurship, etiquette and a few other values.
Where do I come in?
Well I'm suppose to introduce or really encourage some writing skills, especially with forms of poetry.
Did I mention that I would be working with a group of sixth grade boys????
I don't mind doing this. I'm actually a bit excited.
The tricky part is... how would I start the session?
I know I want to introduce a couple of different forms of poetry that probably isn't taught in school... forms I didn't learn into I was in college and took a class by poet Tony Medina.
I thought about opening up with Tupac's book of poetry. Maybe. Then slide in Langston Hughes, Audre Lourde, Sekou Sundiata, Nikki Giovanni and Sonia Sanchez. I'll figure it out I suppose. I won't want to choose a poet or poem that might be too far fetched for a sixth grader's mind and I don't want anything too elementary neither.
Well I guess I'll sign off now ad return to the daily activities at this "rehab."
The Snickerdoodle has (once again) misplaced her pacifier and is about to have a fit.
