tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362179352024-03-13T08:43:26.383-05:00Audacity to LearnJanet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.comBlogger556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-872705958251104472011-04-22T18:53:00.001-05:002011-04-22T19:15:02.962-05:00MTU College Trip- University of North Texas<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOKOpMJTnOQ/TbIWzked7nI/AAAAAAAAFDM/6gjv4h4wz4c/s1600/IMAG0240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOKOpMJTnOQ/TbIWzked7nI/AAAAAAAAFDM/6gjv4h4wz4c/s320/IMAG0240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598562361995554418" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHhIXYqtQYM/TbIWzZP3sJI/AAAAAAAAFDE/alksw21gTnk/s1600/IMAG0239.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHhIXYqtQYM/TbIWzZP3sJI/AAAAAAAAFDE/alksw21gTnk/s320/IMAG0239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598562358981537938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JL9oIg8SQ_o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; border-collapse: collapse; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in; ">The teens took a college trip to University of North Texas on Saturday April 2, 2011. They were able to attend various workshops that provided them with an abundance of information about the university, and the different majors they offer. They also learned about the extracurricular activities that they could get involved in if they were to become a student on that campus. The teens enjoyed visiting the University of North Texas, and they had many questions about life on a college campus.<span> </span>They absolutely can’t wait to go visit other Universities.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in; "><span> </span>After the college tour, they were able to tour an organic restaurant and grocery store so they could learn more about organic foods and how they are grown and prepared. The teens really enjoyed touring the grocery store and reading the labels on many of the food items to see how they differed from other food items that they normally eat and buy from the grocery store near their home.</p><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-65597737427044039972011-04-22T18:17:00.001-05:002011-04-22T18:20:41.564-05:00Rubik's Cube Challenge!<object id="vp1bwgn0" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1303514203&f=bwgn0bWt3zP3u0wH2yZU3g&d=32&m=b&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed id="vp1bwgn0" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1303514203&f=bwgn0bWt3zP3u0wH2yZU3g&d=32&m=b&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com/">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">During the spring break Lock-In, the teens tried to solve the Rubik’s cube. Some of them found it easier to use the book “The Simple solution to Rubik’s Cube”, and some of the teens thought it would be easier to figure it out on their own. The teens stayed up until 3am making it a friendly competition between them. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some of the teens were so determined to solve the Rubik’s cube that night, that they fell asleep with the Rubik’s book and the Rubik’s cube beside them (Maybe they thought the solution would come to them in a dream <span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span> ). <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Rubik’s cube challenge continues!</p><p></p>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-10327080896244034442011-04-22T17:53:00.002-05:002011-04-22T17:57:32.333-05:00MTU Book Club<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JCv6ikCO21c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XtNLZ-3L2x4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Every Monday evening Mid Teen University has a book club at various eateries throughout the North Dallas area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We host the book club at different eateries so that we can challenge their taste buds, and expose them to various foods that they might not have chosen to try if they were out eating on their own. For the past few weeks they have been reading the book “Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The teens are not only enjoying this book because they can relate to the garden elements, but they are personally relating to the story and struggles of many of the individuals in the book. They often relate some of the challenges that are expressed in the book to their own life and personal challenges that they experience in their community. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the first book club meeting we asked the teens to answer the question “What does the word Seedfolks mean to you?” Mid Teen University student La’Kyra Pattin wrote, “I think the word Seedfolks means something that you start off with important in your heart that is small, and then as it grows; just like how plants grow in a garden.” </p></div>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-25837266976453840342011-04-21T20:32:00.002-05:002011-04-21T20:36:36.817-05:00"Garden in the City!"<iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-15CB77MhvY" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The teens are reading the book Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. This book has a lot to do with gardening in the city. So we decided to take the teens to the Texas Discovery Gardens at Fairpark so they could get more back ground information about gardening in the city, as well as gain information about maintaining their garden at the ASA. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>MTU went to Texas Discovery Gardens for one of their spring break fieldtrips. The Texas Discovery Gardens were offering many different and activities throughout the week of spring break. One of their themes for the week was “Garden in the City,” and because of this they offered many garden related activities, and information sessions relating to gardening in the city. Some of the things that they learned about were composting, planting wild flowers, greenhouses, and etc. The teens enjoyed the Texas discovery gardens, and they were able to gain a lot more knowledge about gardening in the city! </strong></span>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-55131850716463819532011-04-15T12:27:00.001-05:002011-04-15T12:29:32.098-05:00Design Squad-Watercraft!<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PS7McpH_J4A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Watercraft!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The challenge in this design squad activity was to see if the kids could design and build a boat out of straws and plastic wrap that could hold one or two AA batteries for at least ten seconds before sinking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The teens were force to ask themselves how they could design and build a boat that not only floats, but can withstand a heavy load. They also had to determine how big they needed to make their boat, and if their boat should be a platform (raft), or an open boat (canoe). This activity also taught the kids about the design process because they constantly had to build, test, evaluate and redesign until they got the results that they desired. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although this activity did bring about a little frustration in the beginning, when the teens finally got the results that they were seeking it eventually turned into a friendly competition to see whose boat could hold the most and stay afloat the longest. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-62471514853253560832011-04-13T15:48:00.001-05:002011-04-13T15:51:49.222-05:00Design Squad-Paper Table!<object id="vp1X60cR" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1302727773&f=X60cR1ZC0LIcoWe0h1Qmng&d=33&m=b&r=240p&start_res=240p&i=m&options="><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed id="vp1X60cR" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1302727773&f=X60cR1ZC0LIcoWe0h1Qmng&d=33&m=b&r=240p&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com/">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The challenge in this design squad activity was to see if the kids could figure out ways to use tubes of newspaper to make a table that is at least 8 inches tall, and strong enough to hold a heavy book. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This activity called for a lot of trial and error, but once the kids were able to figure out ways to make a paper table that was tall enough and strong enough, the challenge was on! Eventually, it became a competition to see who could make the strongest table, and whose table could withstand the most amount of weight without tumbling over. </p><p class="MsoNormal">MTU</p><div><br /></div>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-59067531027795561132011-01-22T08:30:00.001-06:002011-01-22T08:30:17.173-06:00Middle Schoolers Use Critical Thinking Skills<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/21tU3J9yJ9I" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe><br />
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I do believe watching problem solving in action is one of the most exciting parts of being an educator.<br />
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<a href="http://pbskids.org/designsquad/">Design Squad</a> is a science and engineering curriculum created by PBS for middle schoolers. Some of the concepts are pretty complicated and I'm not sure that the kids grasp everything just yet, but I think challenging them to think through it and see what they can do is fun to watch.<br />
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(for the other educators out there who might be interested, go to the link. Design Squad has just redesigned their website. It has great complimentary online activities for the kids)Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-58982311178582071572011-01-20T12:26:00.002-06:002011-01-20T12:26:29.344-06:00What is your inspiration?"Miss Janet, what is your inspiration?"<br />
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One of the teens had taken the Flip video camera to interview people on our field trip. "What is your inspiration?" was his question of the day.<br />
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"You guys," I replied. I saw a slightly odd look on the videographer's face like, <i>"What is this lady talking about??"</i>I tried to explain, though I don't know that I was able to express my sentiment in a way that completely described the depth of my statement. I probably can't do it much justice here either, but I'll try.<br />
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Youth combined with education is my inspiration. I see how much the two together can accomplish. I see kids who are...<br />
<ul><li><b>Quick. </b>Watching the teens handle technology that they've never touched before and take to it so quickly. </li>
<li><b>Knowledgeable.</b> Seeing the kids in our After-School Academy garden and listening to them explain the difference between grub worms and earthworms, tell about the tea mixture they created to make the garden grow, and explaining how diatribes can get rid of ants. </li>
<li><b>Passionate.</b> Listening to young adults who teach the kids get as excited as the kids about what they are teaching. </li>
<li><b>Growing.</b> Seeing the maturity of a college student in a text telling me, "Everything has a reason," and, "Something better will come along," </li>
<li><b>Demonstrative. </b>Hearing a teacher at the elementary school encourage the kids to get to the After-School Academy because, "They're learning so much about science there! They are my students who speak up in science class."</li>
<li><b>Eager.</b> Hearing about teens who, before going to see Maya Angelou on Friday, rush home from school and immediately go to the computers to begin looking up information on her.</li>
<li><b>Appreciative.</b> Appreciation is often covert. I feel love and appreciation when a middle school boy acts like he doesn't want to participate yet has a sparkle in his eyes as he does participate and learns something new. </li>
<li><b>Excited.</b>When a few kids begin pushing the other kids to learn and rise to expectations we've set, the many other frustrations go away (at least for that moment). I am thrilled when I am told about different youth who are having extraneous conversations about Nobel Peace Prize winners, life skills they've learned, technology, and game nights.</li>
</ul>Youth and their minds inspire me. People in poverty seeking to overcome inspire me. Knowing a kid has potential and pushing, pushing, pushing until that kid begins to see his/her own potential motivates me beyond anything I could explain.<br />
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*They* are my inspiration.<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/egfIzydjNhQ" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-18781327749176150462011-01-19T14:52:00.000-06:002011-01-19T14:52:18.068-06:00In the Presence of Maya AngelouThis past Friday we gave the teens a choice to continue our traditional Friday night Game Night or to go see Maya Angelou at the Northwest Hwy Barnes and Noble. The group was split in half. The girls wanted to see her; the boys did not.<br />
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Making an executive decision about what would be most beneficial to everyone in the group, I decided everyone would go see Dr. Maya Angelou speak. After all, it was an opportunity of a lifetime...and it was FREE! Knowing she would arrive around 7:00, we had decided to leave at 6:00. However, when we called at 4:00 to find out more details, the store employee informed us that there were only 150 seats available and people had already started arriving. The Americorps members overseeing Teen U and Mid Teen U scrambled to make phone calls and push the teens to hurry home from school so we could leave. Around 5:00 we had finally gotten the last permission slip needed.<br />
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The store wasn't overly crowded when we got there and we were able to find seats about halfway back. We sat and waited...for about two hours. At 7:00, they raised the black curtain they had set up as if they were revealing a piece of artwork. It seemed odd but I guess, in a way, Dr. Angelou is that precious and rare so why not??<br />
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At her first words, the audience began to silence. However, in the 30 seconds to a minute it took the audience to settle down, Dr. Angelou had finished speaking. She was ready to sign books...and we didn't have the wristbands needed to have that opportunity. The teens were disappointed. They couldn't understand, despite her age and breathlessness, why she couldn't/wouldn't say more.<br />
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In hopes of them taking home something from the experience, we drove down the street to Half Price Books. I purchased 5 Maya Angelou books and we did a drawing to see who would get to take home one of her books. I watched the bravado of the boys, but I also saw the interest some of them showed in knowing more about her.<br />
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After purchasing the books, we quickly drove back over to Barnes and Noble just in case she might speak her words of wisdom. Luckily, right after we got back, she did say a few more words which, I can only hope, were enough to inspire the teens and help them understand her greatness.<br />
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Here is a video from the evening. Unfortunately, because of youtube's strict rules these days, the video doesn't have any music with it (until I figure out how to use OpenSource music). However, music or not, I always find the words of people in our Education Department completely inspiring and encouraging.<br />
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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-AVY-YTfptg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-AVY-YTfptg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-17998263506810646502010-11-22T11:14:00.000-06:002010-11-22T11:14:00.156-06:00Avid Readers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sQuzJfqrKUc/TOn7jKZaMaI/AAAAAAAACQQ/VBKspvuxljY/s1600/IMAG0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sQuzJfqrKUc/TOn7jKZaMaI/AAAAAAAACQQ/VBKspvuxljY/s400/IMAG0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This has to be the greatest picture ever!</div>Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-54322819163946362482010-11-21T21:28:00.000-06:002010-11-21T21:28:36.680-06:00TWU College Trip<object height="285" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JYJ6BCZIQRs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JYJ6BCZIQRs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="285"></embed></object><br />
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We believe allowing young people to touch, feel, and experience things creates opportunities. It creates vision. It creates hope and belief. So, this past Saturday, we all rolled out of bed early in order to visit the TWU College Preview Day.<br />
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Once there, Ms. Danielle (an alumni and our Americorps member who runs our Teen U program) gave us a personal tour of the campus. We saw how many computers are available to the students, saw the inside of a dorm room, and learned about financial aid.<br />
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Shannon is planning to attend TWU because it offers family housing and opportunities for students who are also moms. Since she will be having a baby in February, she is working to plan for all of the foreseeable obstacles. She is determined to finish her senior year and continue right on through college.<br />
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Thanks to all of the Mid-Teen U and Teen U students who woke up early, stuck with us as we trekked all over campus, and were able to pass the "pop quiz" I gave them at the end of the trip. :)<br />
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We have an awesome group of teens with so many possibilities ahead of them!Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-39306574902465392112010-11-20T00:31:00.001-06:002010-11-20T00:33:57.125-06:00Moments in the CitySquare Education Department<object height="285" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WTgBQ-36uY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WTgBQ-36uY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="285"></embed></object><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana;">Some days my job is really hard. It's emotionally stressful. I haven't yet figured out the best way to tell people the amazing things I see each day. Dealing with a very minimal staff that turns over every summer and end of school year because we depend on Americorps members who can only serve a limited number of terms makes consistency and knowledge of expectations almost impossible some days. This week has been one of my worst in a while in some ways...and then today came...and I end on a completely high note. I wanted to share those moments. Here are some of the happenings from today:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">1) The elementary school principal called and said Hunger Busters will be delivering the school 300 meals each week, M-Th. They can't use all of them and wanted to know if we can use them. She may ask Hunger Busters to deliver to the Ed Programs their own 300/week as a separate site. Solves our problem of never having food for our teens who stay from 4:00-8:00.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">2) Richardson East Church of Christ wants to get more involved in Roseland. I suggested they do an annual drive that would supply our Ed programs with supplies (like construction paper, binders...everything expendable) since the kids in our community already have a back-to-school day. The minister said he thinks he can make that happen.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">3) I had a brilliant idea of how to grow our numbers and maximize the number of staff we have...without adding any more. During Christmas break we will probably switch our two entire buildings so that Teen U and Mid Teen U will move in to the ASA space and vice versa. Because of the space, we can potentially expand the ASA numbers to 50 and maybe even 60 eventually...without adding any more Americorps or staff than we already have. (If any of you are interested in volunteering over Christmas break, email me!!)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">4) I worked late tonight planning for Monday's staff retreat to help us figure out the education department's plan for the next 6 months. I had invited staff, one parent, and a couple of teens. I was extremely excited when one of my staff called saying that the middle schoolers were upset they weren't represented. She wanted to know if some could come, too. Of course they can!! How exciting! About 7:30 this evening, the 2 chosen ones saw my office light on and came to my office to ask if they could come be a part of Monday's meeting. They were so excited..and so cute! When I mentioned we would be planning curriculum, Antonio (who was in the ASA about 2 years ago) asked if we were going to do check books like we did when he was in the ASA. He was so excited about potentially doing more with balancing checkbooks like we did when he was younger. Then he asked if they still had the weekend backpacks like we used to have. He explained that he learned how to play chess that way. (I was thinking he learned from Mr. Carmen, our former chess teacher). Antonio said all the younger kids knew how to play and he wanted to learn so bad. I remember finding a How to Play Chess book that I gave him. I had no idea that he actually read it and learned to play chess from that book!!! When I told them about some of the curriculum possibilities, they were so excited and were already brainstorming possibilities.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">5) There was a fight on Tuesday at Teen U. I was emotionally sick when I heard. We (our Americorps members who witnessed, me, Dallas Housing Authority (DHA), the parents, and the 2 girls) met on Wednesday. Though the parents were about to fight on Tuesday, my staff and DHA had handled it beautifully. When the two families came back together on Wednesday, everyone was much calmer. I suspended both girls for a week. One girl apologized completely unprompted. The other had no desire to so I told her not to come back until she was ready to accept responsibility. Ends up, she went back to Danielle that evening, gave her a hug, and apologized for her behavior. Expectations. Love 'em!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">6) Tomorrow is a college trip to TWU and UNT. The staff only had 1 person on Wednesday because the kids found out they had to leave at 7:00 a.m. and decided they weren't going. I was very discouraged. I don't know what she did, but she text'd me this evening saying we have a full van of 12 kids, plus the three of us adults. Though the staff hadn't thought to do parent visits to talk to parents themselves, after I told them they needed to, she and Veronica hit the streets and talked to each parent. I am very hopeful (crossing my fingers) that we'll have 12 kids tomorrow morning.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyway, it's been a good day. :)</div>Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-62510349623205914232010-10-24T10:27:00.000-05:002010-10-24T10:27:14.518-05:00Americorps' Annual Pumpkin Festival<div><embed align="middle" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2449958197328903899&site=widget-db.slide.com" name="flashticker" quality="high" salign="l" scale="noscale" src="http://widget-db.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" style="height: 320px; width: 400px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></div><br />
On a cloudy and potentially stormy Saturday, faithful Americorps members came together to set up the annual Pumpkin Festival events in J.W. Ray park across from the Roseland community. Families came to toss the bean bag through a hole, knock milk bottles down, get their face painted, karaoke, tour a haunted house, and eat hot dogs despite the on-again, off-again showers.<br />
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About two hours into the event, the storm couldn't be avoided. The wind picked up and the temperature dropped suddenly. As the tent set-ups began flying, Americorps members and community attendees went into action. Though several children and adults panicked and ran, Americorps members and even some children, quickly grabbed chairs, disassembled tents, moved tables, and picked up trash. Within 30 minutes, the park looked almost the same as before the event started.<br />
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As the rain subsided, some parents returned thinking we might continue the event inside. Unfortunately, we couldn't at that point. However, some Americorps members had the idea to continue the fun event in a fundraiser for the Education Department this Friday from 6:00-8:00 at our Teen University building. So, if you missed out and would like to join the fun, come visit us at 2101 N. Washington this Friday!Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-71310375391224574262010-10-14T11:29:00.001-05:002010-10-14T11:29:39.981-05:00Skeleton Creek Sneak Peak!<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1543302482" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1870975516&playerId=1543302482&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Roseland Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597680940953525671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-18323455279724797542010-10-14T11:17:00.003-05:002010-10-14T11:30:44.537-05:00Coming Soon...a Spinetingling Adventure in MTU!This afternoon we will hold our first book club with the boys of MTU. We will be reading the <em>Skeleton Creek</em> series, which is actually an interactive novel that takes the reader back and forth between the main character's journal and some secret video footage that can be accessed online with the website and passwords provided in the book. Check out the video book trailer! You won't want to miss this!<br /><br />Posted by: Ms. RachelRoseland Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597680940953525671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-91484270595430392292010-10-13T18:11:00.009-05:002010-10-13T19:23:39.114-05:00Girls' Book Club Off to a Great Start!Last Thursday, the 4th-5th grade girls kicked off our weekly book club. We are reading "Money Hungry" by Sharon Flake. This entertaining novel is about a girl named Raspberry who is obsessed with making money...but how much will she risk to make and save a dollar? Already the book has brought us lots of laughs and we are looking forward to chapter 5 next week.<br /><br />Today after we read chapters 3 and 4, the girls answered a reading response question and then typed their response into "Tagxedo" to create word clouds. Here are some of their very creative products:<br /><br />Amaya<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-XPA-0gI/AAAAAAAAABM/47gokK_wbC0/s1600/amaya.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 372px; height: 352px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-XPA-0gI/AAAAAAAAABM/47gokK_wbC0/s400/amaya.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527674161532424706" /></a><br />Aneja<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-RONnZHI/AAAAAAAAABE/3HBI8XMswfA/s1600/aneja.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 367px; height: 357px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-RONnZHI/AAAAAAAAABE/3HBI8XMswfA/s400/aneja.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527674058237764722" /></a><br />Diamond<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-LemO9wI/AAAAAAAAAA8/Zv2UT9VpP0U/s1600/Diamond.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-LemO9wI/AAAAAAAAAA8/Zv2UT9VpP0U/s400/Diamond.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527673959556773634" /></a><br />Hayzul<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-FndwDEI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ToU6WWsrp_c/s1600/hayzul.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY-FndwDEI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ToU6WWsrp_c/s400/hayzul.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527673858857897026" /></a><br />Karina<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY943pEuKI/AAAAAAAAAAs/6cHq4FBrH1A/s1600/karina.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 361px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY943pEuKI/AAAAAAAAAAs/6cHq4FBrH1A/s400/karina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527673639862057122" /></a><br />Ladaysha<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY9ywukYsI/AAAAAAAAAAk/KWLx0DjAARI/s1600/ladaysha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 364px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY9ywukYsI/AAAAAAAAAAk/KWLx0DjAARI/s400/ladaysha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527673534926840514" /></a><br />Niesha<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY9o0oEUvI/AAAAAAAAAAc/7eQl6k4i_lg/s1600/niesha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 111px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2SfGIkXHMQ/TLY9o0oEUvI/AAAAAAAAAAc/7eQl6k4i_lg/s400/niesha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527673364174623474" /></a><br /><br />Stay tuned for what happens with Raspberry next week!<br /><br />Posted by: Ms. Rachel :-)Roseland Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597680940953525671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-87517978063324982722010-10-07T13:06:00.010-05:002010-10-07T13:20:46.055-05:00learning and homework at asa<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0oX0MymdXfM/TK4PAqotZGI/AAAAAAAAFA4/DxY0Q6neAgw/s1600/Photo0099.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0oX0MymdXfM/TK4PAqotZGI/AAAAAAAAFA4/DxY0Q6neAgw/s320/Photo0099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525370296949630050" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Each and every day the children are learning something new. This week we learn about flowers and what they need to grow. Also we learned the different parts such as the pedals, style and all the other parts. Another thing we learned about within the past weeks is helpin others, when someone has a problem why do we just help them. I believe that is why here at the asa the homework does not take as long anymore. Last week k-3rd grade learned about butterflies such as; what they eat, where they live, how they become butterflies and also why they change. We have much in store for the children in the upcoming weeks stay in touch.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0oX0MymdXfM/TK4O2u6K9sI/AAAAAAAAFAw/4BqV8lZNY_A/s1600/Photo0094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0oX0MymdXfM/TK4O2u6K9sI/AAAAAAAAFAw/4BqV8lZNY_A/s320/Photo0094.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525370126297921218" /></a>Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-82679951041385081072010-10-06T00:33:00.000-05:002010-10-06T00:33:27.252-05:00Kirk Franklin Visits Roseland<object width="380" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gMc6jMqorOE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gMc6jMqorOE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="380" height="285"></embed></object><br />
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The Roseland Community had an amazing opportunity today to show off everything that's going on...to Kirk Franklin!!<br />
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He was an amazing guest with plenty of complimentary things to say about the staff and programs in Roseland. You guys are awesome!!Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-31602643547485017792010-09-30T18:21:00.001-05:002010-09-30T18:21:44.647-05:00After-School programs...a day in the lifeYesterday our Americorps representative came by to check in our members. As I toured her around, I had to quickly grab the Flip to capture some great moments. Check out what the youth in our programs are doing...<br />
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...and then feel free to contact us for a tour! :)Janet Morrison-Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-81717188261216184142010-09-28T12:39:00.002-05:002010-09-28T12:40:47.240-05:00A Quote to Remember!"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you."- B.B. King<br /><br />Posted by: Rachel Embry :-)Roseland Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597680940953525671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-68214125112127789702010-09-27T17:39:00.001-05:002010-09-27T17:51:37.006-05:00"Deep in the Heart of Texas"<p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGLd92O9Pvc?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGLd92O9Pvc?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><br /><br />At the Roseland Library we have Map Monday’s where we read about different places in the world. To start off we read about our great state of Texas! The students read about Texas, researched facts about Texas, created a book about Texas and also recorded a video singing “Deep in the Heart of Texas”. Every week we will read about another place and do fun activities so that the students can remember the information. <br />By: Katrina HobbsRoseland Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597680940953525671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-6152836834750432232010-09-27T17:31:00.002-05:002010-09-27T18:05:06.352-05:00Welcome back fall 2010 the Mid- teen boys. I'm Paula Perkins and I'm currently working with boys from 3rd to 8th grade this year. I'm looking forward to teach and learn from the mid-teen boys this year. The Mid-teen boys are currently working on a project using Lego blocks. The boys are constructing a model of Roseland Community. This project will be great for the mid-teen boys, it will help them to be able to embrace their community while excelling their team building skills.TeenUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17917448769875908109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-66206812193775955902010-09-27T17:30:00.005-05:002010-09-27T17:55:41.404-05:00Using Math Everywhere I GoIn the After School Academy, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class have been focusing on developing faster math skills. Each day there is a new fun activity for them to engage in to enhance their math skills such as math bingo, math race, and timed math puzzles. We as a class have been discovering the importance of having fast math skills and how we use these skills in everyday life. Many still use their fingers to do math problems and some feels it slows them down when taking timed math tests in school. The daily math reinforcement has been very effective among the students because they have begun to compete with one another to become the math king and queen for the week. I have encouraged them to assit their parents in daily math activities within their home even if it is as simple as adding the total while grocery shopping. <br /><br />Clarissa(3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher)Roseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-20742664265280185492010-09-27T17:12:00.006-05:002010-09-27T18:02:55.392-05:00Fun with the kids!This fall i think its going to be wonderful.I love when some of the kids come in from school they greet me in then they ask me can i help them with their homework.I loved when me and grade 3-5 had played the adding math game they all liked the game they all had a happy smile on their face.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Lakeitha HaskinsRoseland ASAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05449866745099392381noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36217935.post-330796285608189822010-09-27T17:10:00.008-05:002010-09-27T17:54:11.900-05:00The Keen Mind of a Teen!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FO1s2JBCrz4/TKEgWIaWStI/AAAAAAAAACU/swHTYX_39yo/s1600/people_around_good_ideas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521730182720146130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FO1s2JBCrz4/TKEgWIaWStI/AAAAAAAAACU/swHTYX_39yo/s320/people_around_good_ideas.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>This is the start of a new school year for Teen University. To start off, we asked the teens for any ideas or suggentions that come out of their young minds. They bombarded me with ideas that really caught my attention! They planned a "Teen U Kick Off!" during the first week, inviting all the teens from the Roseland community to visit Teen U in the form of a mixer. It was a success, and we have new teens for the year. Another plan was to fundraise by holding a basketball tournament in the Roseland Recreational Center. But the ideas that really stuck out to me were the suggestion of visiting Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and coming up with "reasonable" rules to reinforce in Teen University (which surprised me that they were so involved in making them).</div><br /><br /><div>The teens are very creative and full of ideas, and I am glad we are here, so we can make these ideas come true, and, with our help, encourage them to think like this on their way through high school and upon admission in college. </div><br /><div>-Dranoel Wilson</div></div></div></div></div>TeenUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17917448769875908109noreply@blogger.com1