My Field Trip to Texas Instruments

One thing I learned on our field trip at TI (Texas Instruments) was that they test a little chip in our phones, our cameras, and pretty much all technology.

--Shania

The news never stops...

Camera Operator: Kwane

Just another day on the farm...

The Silent Interview

On yesterday, I had my first sign language session in the library, from 3-3:30. I felt as though I set myself up for failure because at this time of day, the library goers are usually a bit antsy, and we get a group of kids from the ASA. The circle initally began with about 7 or 8 participants. We began working on the manual alphabet. I wasn't sure how many of the ladies were already familiar with it, so I started slow.

One of the youngest participants, Tatiana, was already having an off-day and had a not-so-good attitude. I lost her before I had even began--or so I thought. I was fearful that because she was unattentive; she wouldn't retain anything that we were working on.

Some distractions here, a parent pick-up there. Gradually the circle minimized. It was only 3 ladies left--Aneja, Trinity, and Tatiana. They worked on learning how to sign "What's your name?" and "My name is--." It was amazing to see that they had not only learned the entire manual alphabet, but also how to spell their names & each other's names in only a 30 minute session.

-Brittany Stubblefield

Insects, Bugs and Crustaceans….

Last week my 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade class discovered Sparky (an escaped insect from Ms. Danielle’s class). Rather than be upset that Sparky was disrupting my Morning Meeting, I asked the class if they wanted to catch him. They responded with a resounding “YES”.

Originally, I had planned for the class to continue a study of Rain Forest and Ocean habitats. However, after noting their excitement over Sparky; I asked them if they would like to go outside and catch other bugs. Thus began my class’s infatuation with all things creepy and crawly. In the past seven days I have learned more about centipedes, millipedes, lady bugs, worms and roly polies then I had ever learned in 16 years of formal education.

Below are the Top Five Facts the kids have taught me. Also, note that some of the information we learned through observation as the children have built a habitat for the roly poise.

5. Centipedes eat roly polies.

4. Roly Polies eat dead leaves and grass.

3. Lady bugs can be red or orange with black spots.

2. Roly Polies are crustaceans not bugs or insects.

1. Roly polies breath through their “feet” . They have gill like structures not lungs.

- Chrystalin (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher)

Mr. Aviant makes the Connection

So today the 2nd-3rd graders learned about oil spills and simulated one of their own (hopefully video will come out soon; I brought home the wrong FLIP). I just wished to share an "Aha!" moment with you.

Over the past week, the kids have been learning about resources and have developed the concept that things are made from other things using other things. Today, I had made some simulated oil for our activity and had set it aside for the afternoon, when I noticed that it was missing midway through the morning.

Oh my goodness, I thought prematurely to myself, I don't want to get on to another kid.

I looked around and noticed Mr. Aviant hurrying to the door with the oil in hand.

"Aviant!" I shouted as I went to fetch him, "Where are you going with that?"

"I'm going to the place where they make bottles!" he answered nonchalantly as he continued out the door.

His answer stopped me dead in my tracks. You see, I had yet to tell them that this was oil (though vegetable oil wouldn't make very good plastic, but they don't know that yet), but Aviant had seen it, and applying what he had learned last week about plastic, bottles, and oil (and reading the book I've had lying on the shelf since the summer started), he decided he was going to go make bottles out of his newly found oil.

It's so wonderful being inspired by kids.

~Chris

Welcome to Teen U, Again! =)

Even though I have worked with Teen University for half a year, it is still exciting for me to work at Teen U for the summer. It is good to see the familiar faces participating in the program(Phantasia, Phasia, Chasity, Crystal, Sharde), as well as some new faces (Kadriana, Jorrell). And also I have co-workers who were apart of Teen U during the school year(Reisha, Shannon, Brittany). And I can't forget my new co-workers and fellow colleagues, Iman and Jamacah. The first two weeks has been great, and it's only the beginning. The teens are here, and I am ready to get it in gear!:) This is going to be an exciting summer at Roseland, I can feel it.

-Dranoel Wilson

I Got Caught Doing Something Good

With the beginning of the summer programming at the Roseland Library and Bookstore, the staff implemented the "Got Caught Doing Something Good" jar. Although it is only a recycled animal cracker jar, the kids that come to the library are very eager to get their name in the jar. The winner gets to pick out one book of their choice within the library to make their own library.

Our first weekly recipient of the "Got Caught Doing Something Good" was Ta'Kyra. She is an avid library participant and also is an attendant at the After School Academy's Summer Enrichment Program. I witnessed her be a leader within her peer group and even demonstrate respect and social encounterings surpassing those older than her. She always greets the staff and any other adult that enters the library. She even helped us with constructing our library expectations.

I am overly excited about Ta'Kyra's performance over this summer in the library. Until next week...she was caught red-handed--doing something good.

Blues Clues Brings All Ages Together

Throughout the week, I have noticed the kids in the library tend to group together by age. However, after all but two kids left today, I was scratching my brain on how I was going to entertain them both because they are on different reading levels. When the four year old went to the book shelf and picked up a book he was interested in reading, I told him he was a genius. He looked at me with a funny face because he did not know I didn't know what to do so he really did not know how he had saved the day. All three of us sat on the ground and the four year old and I listened as we were read to. I had never read a Blues Clues book because it came out after my childhood years, but I was moved on how it was able to bring 3 people of 3 different ages together.

Greetings!!! From Teen University

We have reached the end of our first week here at Teen University. This week we focused on Greeting. Greeting is a very important social skill and if it is done properly it can make a persons day. A proper greeting serves as an introduction which is essential for meeting someone new or acknowledging someone you already know. Sharde uses a flipshare to demonstrate a proper greeting. She understands that a proper greeting consist of saying Goodmorning or Goodafternoon, making eye contact with the person you are speaking to, a firm handshake, and speaking clearly. This skill has become a natural part of everyones day here at Teen University and should be adopted by all.

Operation: GET HENRY A JOB

On yesterday, Teen U was ecstatic to have Ms. Hazel Davis present a job readiness workshop. She taught the teenagers about the stereotypes employers may have against them.

• Irresponsible
• Play to much
• Mean
• Lack of a strong work ethic
• Know it alls
  

Despite these stereotypes, Ms. Davis told the students that they should not get discouraged. She told them how to impress potential employers when they have little to no experience by researching the company, making good grades, having perfect attendance, and volunteering for different organizations. We had fun with group games and the TEEN U students stated they could not wait until Ms. Davis comes back to give more workshops about resumes, networking, and how to dress for interviews.

Our first summer adventure... Wild Walkabouts

Another Picture

 

Dirty Dirty Air

Today the 2nd-3rd graders (after an...interesting bout at the healthy eating adventure challenge) continued their studies on pollution, and we made our very own pollution catchers! We painted old food cans then covered them in double-sided tape; we'll check them in about a week or so and find out about the air quality in this area.

Of course, the kids decided they wanted theirs on the roof...and Mr. Chris found out that shimmying up poles is not his forte.

Dallas Arboretum – Garden and Wild walkabout

Above is a montage of photos from the ASA first field trip. They went to the Dallas Arboretum.

-Chrystalin (3rd, 4th, 5th grade ASA teacher)

A day at the Dallas Arboretum

So much fun and Learning

Today we took the kids on a field trip to the Dallas Arboretum. They had so much fun. They learned a lot about the different flowers, animals, and insects. They also caught dragon flies and put them inside this Magnifying Glass and looked close at it and named the type of dragon fly it was. Some children caught two at once they were very excited !!! One student named Joshua caught one and he named it Joshua Jr. (Awww... how cute) He was very sad when he had to let it go.

We also visited the Peter Rabbit Exhibit. It was very cool the kids loved it and we also so this giant rabbit. It was sooooo neat!!!! All in all... I think the kids enjoyed themselves even though they were complaining about the heat.

The arboretum

Today, we attended a field trip at The Dallas Arboretum. During the walkabout, we had the opportunity to catch dragonflies. One of my kids, Joshua, caught a dragonfly and named him Joshua. He wanted to keep it and take it home but he couldn't so we had to let it go way back in to the wild.

Going Green, but Not in the Environmentally Friendly Way

Today we learned about pollution and natural resources, and so after looking at some gross (one of the boys insisted that he showered in it every day, much to the dismay of the girls) pictures of water pollution, we drew our own versions of water pollution. This is one of the pictures drawn, notice their teacher (Mr. Chris) is one of the contaminants...

At least I'll be cool with the boys!

Memphis Civil Rights and College Trip

Our Civil Rights/College trip started at 10:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Eight charter buses full of 400+ teenagers and chaperones left City Hall to head to Memphis, TN for a whirlwind trip thanks to Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway and staff.

The itinerary:

• LeMoyne-Owen College--tour and breakfast
• Stax museum
• National Civil Rights Museum
• Beale Street
• Mud Island for lunch
• Drive by the Clinton Library and Central High School
• Philander Smith College--tour and dinner

It was a crazy schedule. I admit, I wasn't real hopeful of accomplishing all of it. But, as you see in Shenandoah's video above, we were able to make it to every place on the trip...with a slight little adjustment of driving by Beale Street instead of stopping.

I'll write more later once I edit the other videos.

First time to meet... The big greeting... The talk...

Nazareth Vidal--Moving in to greatness!

Nazareth Vidal is a go-getter! She called Thursday afternoon explaining she had a dilemma. Her school counselor had just given her a scholarship application and it was due in a couple of days. She had to have letters of recommendation and had to fill out the paperwork. Instead of throwing up her hands and saying, "That's not enough time!" Nazareth started making phone calls. By the time I called her back she had already gotten one letter of recommendation and needed one from a community member...which would be me. Despite having a ton of things to do, because she is so persistent and diligent, I took time to write the letter.

Nazareth will be graduating from Skyline high school this year. But she has no intention of taking a break. Nazareth had applied for the Bank of America internship as well as the AmeriCorps position. Nazareth likes making sure all of her bases are covered. She is always looking for a new experience and always wanting to step in to the best possible opportunity she can find. So, when she was chosen as one of the 10 people (out of 400 applicants!) for the Bank of America internship, she seized the opportunity.

Nazareth comes from an amazing family that pushes her and encourages her. As mentioned in the video above, her brother, Gustavo, was also awarded the Bank of America internship two years ago as well. I'm always very proud and humbled to be included in young peoples' successes. I'm always so impressed by young adults like Nazareth.

Congrats, Nazareth!

Veronica White--Bachelor's in Communication from UTA

I received a text at 9:00 on a Friday night explaining..."I'm graduating tomorrow at 4:00 and just got extra tickets. I'd like for you to come." Despite already having plans that might overlap, I wasn't going to miss a college graduation!

About six or seven years ago Veronica's sister lived in Turner Courts, about two doors down from our After-School Academy. Veronica was living with her mom in the Roseland scattered sites. Marva Epperson-Brown knew Veronica's mom and knew that Veronica was looking for a job. Knowing we were hiring, Marva sent Veronica to me. After interviewing and hiring her, we put her to work with the kids. Veronica continued working in our University of Values summer program as a teacher every summer until she graduated from high school.

Congratulations to you, Veronica! I am so happy for you and look forward to seeing what comes next!

Graduates--May 2010

Congratulations to our May 2010 Graduates!

• Nazareth Vidal--Skyline High School--will go to UT-Austin in the fall and is planning to major in Engineering, but is also interested in teaching. Nazareth was involved in our University of Values summer program as a student, volunteer, and teacher
• Michael Woodard--North Dallas High School--will go to SMU on a full-ride scholarship and is also planning on majoring in Engineering. Michael came to us as a Mayor Intern through Education is Freedom and came back this year for our Digital Connectors program
• Veronica White--UTA--graduated with a Bachelors degree in Communication. Veronica began when she was a teenager, working in our After-School and summer programs.
• Rachel Embry--Texas A & M-Commerce--graduated with a Master of Educational Technology-Library Science. Rachel was the coordinator of our After-School Academy for two years before returning to the classroom at Pearl C. Anderson middle school.

We had a party at my house to celebrate their amazing achievement. I realized I didn't even get the graduates on tape!...but you can see how everyone came together to help out. Look for great things from each one of them! 

As each one of them graduates, I'm sure I'll have more posts to show.

Farm Adventures

Ok, here is the thing; on Friday, May 21, 2010 we did not have school. So what should some 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders do?

Go on an Adventure.

Moss Gather's Farm here we come...

Life is a garden...Dig It!

Making progress with Mid-Teen U

Mid-Teen University is an after school program for young men ages 10-13 years old. Our goal is to help young men develop into exemplary teens. We believe helping kids develop at a younger age improves their chances of “Developing into an exemplary adult” which is Teen University’s tag line.  Ideally, MTU students will be successful in the program and move on to Teen University. In order to reach this goal we focus on positive behavior, social skills, teamwork, listening and communication skills.

I am delighted to share with you that I (Terrence Brooks, MTU Coordinator) believe our goals are being met. This week I had to opportunity of witnessing positive behavior, social skills, teamwork, listening and communication skills in action. These skills were displayed during our daily challenges. Every day I present the boys with a set of challenges that forces them to utilize the skills listed above in order to accomplish their challenge.

The first challenge that was given to them was titled “A Sunken Treasure.” This challenge involves an empty water bottle and a paper clip. The top is screwed off of the bottle and the paper clip is dropped to the bottom. The goal of the game is to remove the paper clip from the water bottle without touching the water bottle. The boys were put into one group and required to work together as a team before anyone could take a chance at removing the paper clip. The story line is they are stranded in the desert without food or water when they stumbled across food and supplies (“A Sunken Treasure”) laying low beneath the surface in a container.

The only problem is the container which holds the treasure is places on top of a land mind. If the container moves the land mind is detonated. The boys were puzzled, left trying to figure out how to complete this seemingly impossible task. After about 45 minutes of frustration and anger at their failed attempts, they figured it out. To my surprise, it was not the way I expected. The way I knew to remove the paper clip from the water bottle was to fill it with water, but the boys created a new way. They decided to take a pencil that was long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle and wrap the front end of the pencil with tape. After about three or four try’s the challenge was complete and to my surprise with a new method.

There are tons of other stories, but I’ll give one more. This next challenge was to create a human knot and then unravel it. The boys were asked to form a circle and to extend their hands. Once all hands are extended each person must grab the hand of someone across from them. You are not allowed to grab the hand of the person next to you. Once everyone has grabbed a hand and created a human knot, they must unravel the knot without anyone letting go of their hand. This challenge takes lots of positive behavior, social skills, teamwork, listening and communication skills.

At first, these skills were nonexistent, but after a short while with some encouragement, the boys were on their way. As I stood aside watching them attempt to unravel this knot I was also watching my stopwatch to keep track of how long it would take them to break free.  At 5.25 seconds someone accidently let go of their partners hand and I restated the challenge. Frustrated and wanting to quit, I encouraged them to use the skills they had developed to make it to the 5.25 mark. They agreed and circled up again.

This time they actually completed the task in 3.54 seconds. I was very proud of them and they were excited to see that they worked together and completed a challenge they first believed was close to impossible. So, when I asked if they were willing to try it again in an effort to beat their record, they were thrilled about the idea. They quickly circled up and worked together to complete the challenge in 1.37 seconds.

I couldn’t believe it. The mood went from being frustrated and wanting to quit to being excited about the idea of breaking their own record. To their surprise and mine, they did. I write this story because it goes to show what the next generation can accomplish if they are given time, encouragement, challenges, love, grace and truth. While there were many of times when kids wanted to quit and actually some did, but I encouraged them to try it again, they ended up being successful. All along the way I reminded them to work together, listen to each other, communicate, have a positive attitude and they would be successful.

Because their challenges are never completed until they use positive behavior, social skills, teamwork, listening and communication skills, I believe are goals are being accomplished.

Have you heard?

Gardens are a form of autobiography.

~Sydney Eddison

Afterschool Achievers

Sorry for the video quality. My Flip is only as good as the lighting around it and the mini speaker installed in it.

About two years ago, the Dallas After School Network (DASN) was formed. They wanted to create an alliance of after school programs across the city so that we could collaborate, build best practices, and get to know what each other is doing. Two years later, the organization is going strong and helping improve the quality of after school programming in our city.

As a member organization, last night we were able to participate in their 1st annual Afterschool Achievers celebration. Providers as well as parents and city officials came to celebrate students from 20 different after school programs across the city.

The two students we chose to honor out of our Roseland community were:

Darvon Dixon: Darvon is a determined fourth grader, with a can do attitude, and makes it a point to learn new things in and out of the classro.om. Over the past two years, Darvon has really come along way in making positive choices both socially and academically. Dixon is a great example that “success is a journey not a destination.”

Shenandoah Smith: Great leaders are teachable, great leaders lead by example, great leaders are good listeners, great leaders lead without force, great leaders often step outside of their comfort zone....Shenandoah this is you. Thanks for stepping out of your comfort to lead your peers and giving us the opportunity to watch you grow into the beautiful and intelligent young lady you are.

Thanks to all at DASN who made it happen...and thanks, especially to ALL of the students of the After-School Academy, Library, Digital Connectors, Mid-Teen U, Teen U, Connect U, and Roseland Community Center for being great!

Kwane's sly way of telling us he's learning

I absolutely LOVE being around kids...especially when I can see the lightbulb go on. :) ...and today was one of those moments.

I went downstairs to the After-School Academy to get some footage of the mural the kids designed, drew, and are now painting. (I'll put it together in a post soon). As I stood watching three of the kids paint, Kwane stood beside me. Quite honestly, I wasn't paying him any attention whatsoever. I was focused on the mural painting for one, but I've also learned to ignore his antics at times when he decides to act out. So I guess I was unconsciously tuning him out.

I can't quite explain my brain, but I could hear him talking, but it was little one or two word phrases so I guess I thought he was just talking to himself figuring someone would notice and tell him to be quiet or something (it's a way to get attention). Something in my brain told me what he was saying was familiar, but I guess I was just too focused on other things to pay him any mind.

"Hey. Who?"

"Oh?"

"Me?"

"You."

"Yo.Yes."

As he spoke them in small sentences, his words somehow soaked in to my brain and I realized what he was doing. I quickly turned toward him with a big smile on my face. He returned my big grin and simply said, "I saw it," with a mischievous look on his face. It was obvious he knew that he was going to shock me with his statement.

See, on our After-School Academy blog we have a Story Time link (you can see it at the top of this page. I try to post a new read-aloud that I or someone else has read to our Flip video camera and loaded to the blog. It reminds me of Reading Rainbow. When I started doing it, I didn't know if it would catch on, but I figured it couldn't hurt and it didn't take a lot of effort.

Yo! Yes! has been up quite a while. I'd never heard any kids comment on the story so I didn't know if they were utilizing our Story Time posts. Evidently, some are. If they're like Kwane, they're watching it so much that they've memorized the words. Kwane has, at times, been one of our biggest challenges. But more and more often, we are seeing his mischievous nature come out as he slyly tries to tell/show us he's learning.

Yo! Yes! is one of my favorite children's books. I'm sure you'll love it, too. You can listen to it below. If you would like to be a guest reader for us, please read your favorite book, post it to youtube, and email me the link so I can embed it in our StoryTime link. We need new stories!

Aviant expects perfection

So many times kids I have checked kids' homework and had them re-do it...either because their answers were wrong or because it was sloppy. Many times the kids have told me, "It doesn't matter. My teacher doesn't care." To which I always respond, "I do...so you'll have to fix it." I'm not saying every teacher is like that, but I can't deny it has happened quite a bit.

So, the other day when I visited the After-School Academy, I loved when Aviant called me over to explain his process for getting neat handwriting.

Vote for your favorite video!

Please take a moment to view and vote on the videos below. You may vote for your favorite video more than once. Voting ends on Monday, May 10th at 7:00 pm. Please share the videos with your friends, family, coworkers, etc and have them vote. Feel free to leave comments!

Thanks so much for your time.

"The Adventures of Apple Man" by Shannon, Michael, & Rocio

The Recycling Bin" by Sharde, Vanessa, Elle

Vote Here!

We have to make them grow!

In June of last year, Ms. Susie started helping us create a garden for the After-School Academy. A group came in and worked alongside our kids to create a "lasagna garden" because the dirt was too hard to till.

Planting in the middle of the summer in Dallas didn't seem like the best idea, but we started with what we had. When the school year started back up, Ms. Susie continued to come and work with a couple of kids at a time showing them how to take soil samples, stake plants, and check the rain gauge. At the beginning, most of the kids' interaction in the garden was pretty basic. Only a couple of kids could go out at a time and close supervision was required so that kids didn't walk through the garden (and on top of the plants). Basic instruction was given and a one or two kids were given the opportunity to water at Ms. Susie or Ms. Danielle's instruction.

When I walked out to the garden the other day, I saw several kids in the garden, moving the wheelbarrow, shoveling and carrying the dirt...all while carefully walking through the rows of the garden to make sure they weren't stepping on any plants.

I'm seeing more initiative on the kids' part. The garden is becoming their own and they are becoming the experts in the garden. Ask them about worms or composting and they do a pretty good job of explaining it.

As you see in the video, the kids are also eating the vegetables produced in our garden. Right now, the garden is loaded with variety--chard, onions, garlic, lettuce, sweet peas, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes...and more that I'm probably forgetting. As we move into this summer, we plan to do more with cooking and tasting the vegetables from our garden with the goal of working toward healthier eating habits.

The kids love the garden...and I love what the kids are learning from the garden!

Garden Time Lapse

I say it all of the time! I have the coolest staff ever!

I received an email today with a link to a youtube video. I thought it was a video An had found on someone else's garden...until I recognized the "Plant" mural and the fencing...and realized it was our own garden! Danielle and An came up with a way to create a time lapse video to watch the garden grow!

I'm hoping we can perfect it a little and make the time lapse over a longer period of time so it will really show how quickly the lettuce, peas, chard, broccoli, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes (yes, we really have all of that!) grow.

For now, enjoy the video An created for us!

Thank you, ARAMARK!

Great partnerships are what makes our organization work so well. A couple of weeks ago a group of City Year staff came in early Monday morning to prep many of our sites at Roseland for a group of 100 ARAMARK volunteers who would arrive on Thursday to paint murals on some of our walls and add a new plot to our already thriving garden. The volunteers also took on the huge task of painting the entire inside of the gym/community center as well as creating raised flower beds for the church across the street.

I have to commend Danielle Evans, Children's Education Coordinator, and Tameshia Rudd-Ridge, Digital Connectors Coordinator, for spending so much time and effort on this project. All day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Danielle and Tameshia worked with the City Year group to choose the designs and create the spaces for the ARAMARK volunteers to work. By the time Thursday morning came along, Danielle and Tameshia were up and at work ready to go by 6:00 a.m.

You can see most of their work in the above video, though the video doesn't really show how void of design our walls really were beforehand. My favorite part of the video is at the very end. As the ARAMARK and City Year workers finished up, the kids began coming in from school. I walked up to the After-School Academy to see the kids walking up to the group of ARAMARK people, hands extending to greet with their typical formal greeting.

Kudos to ARAMARK and City Year for spending their time getting to know us and creating murals, bookshelves, and garden plots to help us continue making our program great!

Whispering Wednesdays

As I took a potential volunteer on a tour through the Connect U computer lab yesterday, I was greeted by Iesha with a nice firm handshake and good eye contact (as usual). However, as I continued walking into the lab and talking about our programs, the kids quickly shushed me.

"You've got to whisper, Miss Janet!"

"Why?" I whispered.

"Because it's Whisper Wednesday!" they whispered back in unison.

I loved it! It was so quiet in Connect U. Mr. An (our IT specialist who oversees Connect U) explained that it was Miss Katrina's idea. So I ventured over to the library to check them out as well. Sure enough, they were all as quiet as mice. Katrina was sitting on the floor with two kids leaning on her, eagerly listening to a book she was reading to them, three other kids were sitting at the table doing their homework, and a few others were in a different section quietly browsing for their next book to read.

Since September 2009, the library has sold over 170 books to the Roseland Community. The kids love buying the books (for 25 or 50 cents) and building their home libraries. When I used to walk over to the library, kids would often be running around, talking loud, and distracting each other. Katrina has done an amazing job. These days, the library seems more like a library. Kids sit around and read or do homework. When story time comes around, 15-20 faces look eagerly at Miss Katrina as she reads and does activities with them.

Building a community around reading...does it get any better?? :)

Ms. Tameshia's Wild Class

Check out the "Wild Self" avatars created by some of our After School Academy students. Enjoy!

"Miss Tameshia is stuck in the computer!"

Over the past few days, I've been dealing with a nasty stomach virus (gastroenteritis) but of course I didn't let that stop us from having Digital Connectors. On Monday and Tuesday, I held class from my couch via Skype.

As Mr. An setup the webcam for Digital Connectors, he allowed some of our After School Academy students to speak to me on Skype. Iesha, was walking in the hallway when she heard my voice. She was completely confused because she hadn't seen me all day and she didn't see my car. She quickly ran into the computer lab (Connect U) to investigate where my voice was coming from. She soon realized that my voice was coming from the computer. Then she grabbed Mr. An and exclaimed "Miss Tameshia is stuck in the computer!" She even offered to jump in and save me.

Soon after, Ta'Kyra and Amaryee (Kindergartners), asked how to spell my name. I quickly spelled it out for them. Within a matter of 3 mins, I saw a piece of paper held up to the camera. Unsure of what it said exactly, I asked Ta'Kyra to read it to me. "Tameshia, I hope you feel better tomorrow!", she said. It wasn't spelled correctly but it's the CARING that counts.

As the Digital Connectors filtered in, I continued to speak to Ta'Kyra and introduced her to my family including the dog. I wanted to sure her even more with Skype, so I had her pose for a picture and then shared my screen with her. I showed her the picture, I had just taken of her. Completely amazed, she asked Shannon (Digital Connector) to help her take a picture of me with their webcam. Mr. Phillip and Mr. An had a hard time pulling them away from Skype.

During our Digital Connectors class, I conducted a scavenger hunt of Web 2.0 tools. I created a video and had the students re-create it. I watched what they did via screen share and answered any questions they had.

Thanks to technology...I was able to conduct classes while I'm at home sick!

Building Butterfly Houses...

On Saturday some of the ASA youth attended the Kids Workshop at Home Depot. The project for April, building Butterfly Houses.

Joshua Lathan asking the questions...

When they came...

Dallas Fire-Rescue



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Apple Store Field Trip ( the computer Mac)

March 16, 2010

I had a great experience at the Apple store. It was great because you could split the screen with a click of a button. I learned some things about the MAC computer. I learned how to make my own movie using the clips from the Flip Video we made at the Digital Connectors club. Also I took some very funny pictures with the web cam using photo booth that was with the computer. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE BUT IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats all for today

The Game of Life!

The other day Wensday March 17, 2010 we had a group of teenagers come in from another place. We played a game called The Game of Life. It is basically learning how to live life as some regular people do every day around the world. We had to learn how to write checks, deposit them to the bank, work and get our paychecks, pay tickets, and we had to waste money for our necessities. Each one of us playing the game had a different life role. Some of us had a part time job that didn't cover all of our bills, some of us didn't have cars so we had to ride the bus, and some of us had kids which meant even more expenses. You had to write down your expenses or else you would go broke. This was a real life experience for me. At the end of the game it was an eye opener. I realized I had just done most of the things I would have to do when I got older and grown up. Its as if I had just grown in 20 minutes and payed bills and worked and all that stuff. It is a big important thing to have a life plan as you get older. And its really important to have a job and an education because that will get you in a good job and in a good position later on in life. With a good education and good determination I think anybody can achieve anything they set their mind to. That was my lesson learned in The Game of Life! :)

Janimation

On March 18,2010, we took a field trip to Janimation Studios. Where we uncovered the process of making videos and much more. We were able to get a first hand look at were the process takes place and how. We also got to meet very inflentiual people in the animation world. One peron in pactiular was Claude Locke the Executive Producer of Janimation. Mr.Locke has been working in the animation world for the past 40 years. He is the driving force behind all the production at the Janimation Studios. Their work space was very cool and they seem to be a family. Their work is tedious and very detail orientated. JANIMATION STUDIOS ROCKS!!!!

Day two of Spring Break

Our mission, to spread joy to all we encounter. First stop, Roseland Gardens where the seniors live. In this picture, we are containing our excitement and energy for our mission.

Meet our new friend Novella Roberts.

Trinity, Ta'Kyra, & Novella Roberts

Meet another new friend, Margie Macky

Trinity, Titana, Iesha, & Margie Macky

Getting Down to business with some arts and crafts

B I N G O, B I N G O, ...

Who knew BINGO could be so intense!!!!!!!!

SMU...Here he comes!

I was sitting in our Parent Academy when Tameshia came up behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and said she needed to talk to me. Thinking the worst, I  walked to the back with her. Once we got to the back, she explained to me, "Michael just got a $200,000 scholarship!"

I was speechless! $200,000...to SMU! Oh my goodness!

I first met Michael a few years ago when the great people at Education is Freedom provided us with a summer intern. Michael helped us get things organized that summer. Michael attends North Dallas High School. This year, when we started our Digital Connectors program out of Roseland, we recruited from North Dallas. Though we hadn't seen Michael in a couple of years, he remembered us and was one of the first people to sign up.

Though we can't take credit for all of Michael's hard work and persistence in being involved in many different programs and writing and following through on college applications and such, we can say that Michael will be more prepared technologically when he finishes Digital Connectors in May.

By May, Michael will be equipped with a Cisco IT Essentials certification that will provide him with the skills and knowledge of rebuilding computers from scratch. He will know how to create a mobile app. He will have completed a leadership skills module as well as a financial literacy module...all of which will be extremely important in college--especially at such a competitive school like SMU...and especially as an engineering major!

When Tameshia told me, I immediately went downstairs to congratulate him and do a quick interview. He reads this blog so help me in congratulating him on his amazing achievement of receiving one of only four Dedman Scholarships offered each year at SMU!



CONGRATS & WAY TO GO, MICHAEL!!!

Jr. Reporters update

Our VP, Gerald Britt, came to my office for our meeting today. Not five minutes into our meeting, Danielle (who runs our After-School Academy) quickly came into the office apologizing for breaking in. Joshua stood around the corner as Danielle explained. Joshua had interviewed Rev. Britt during the Jr. Reporters interviews they did about two weeks ago.

Joshua saw Gerald walk in the door and immediately got excited and wanted to say hi. So, while Danielle asked permission to interrupt our meeting for a few minutes, Joshua stood around the corner. As soon as Gerald stood up to greet Joshua, I saw Joshua come around the corner with a big, somewhat shy, grin on his face. I loved the connection I saw.

The original intent of Jr. Reporters was to teach kids professional skills and interviewing techniques in hopes of encouraging a possible career in journalism and/or just developing skills that could help them in ways that could prepare them for their future. We are definitely achieving that, but an added benefit is seeing the kids excited about seeing the instant connection with the adults they interviewed.

I didn't think to capture the interaction until it was almost over so this is really short...

Spotlight: Bridgett and Phillip Casey

There's nothing like having great parents. Though I believe all parents want the best for their children, I also realize that some parents take advantage of opportunities more than others.

Brigett and Phillip Casey are two parents who are soaking up every opportunity that comes their way. They enrolled their oldest boy, LaMarcus, in our After-School Academy at the beginning of last year. It was our first year so we had an orientation to sign people up. Bridgett and Phillip were one of the first couples there.

Throughout the first year of our program, they were very supportive. They loved that we had a checkbook system where kids earned and lost "dollars" according to behavior. They had to write their gains and losses in their checkbook to keep track. Bridgett and Phillip wanted to implement the system at home so we gave them extra check registers.

This year, they signed LaMarcus up for the program and added his younger brother, Joshua. The two boys are quickly becoming experts at greeting every person who walks in the door...just like we teach--firm handshake, good eye contact, and a strong voice.

Bridgett (and sometimes Phillip) participate in our parenting LOL (Ladies Oxygen Luncheon), faithfully attends the monthly Parent Academy, and started the 10-week Play Connection I blogged about here.

Yesterday, when I talked to Miss Katrina to find out who is buying books at the Library/Bookstore, she said Bridgett and Phillip went in to buy adult books for themselves and also bought a book a piece for their two boys and their older daughter.

Though we recognize that families have other things to do and can't attend every single workshop, meeting, and event we set up, I think Bridgett and Phillip have figured out they can attend everything, gather good information, and, in the process, be a participant in their child's education and experiences.

Thanks, Bridgett and Phillip! You guys are awesome!

Library/Bookstore is gaining ground!

What do you do when the rain has gone away and the weather is beautiful? Go outside, of course! ...which is exactly what Ms. Katrina decided to do with her kids who came to the Library/Bookstore today. What a way to combine the greatest things ever...great weather and a good book!



I look at these eager readers and smile. Less than six months ago, children accessed books through their school library...maybe on a weekly basis. Today, the kids can visit the library/bookstore on a daily basis...and they do!

I was asking Katrina how the library was coming along. She handed me $11.50 in sales just from last week! I asked her who was buying the books. She explained to me that two new boys, Jerry and Rome, have started coming to the library. Both are about 10 years old. They're best buddies and they can't get enough of the library. They come right after school, grab a book, sit off to themselves and read silently. When they're finished reading their book, they scrounge up money and buy it. Since they've been coming, they buy about a book a day.

I had to chuckle. Katrina said she has to warn them to swallow their food. Not sure what she was talking about, she explained that since they library is open until 7:30, their parents come to get them for dinner. The boys say that they will be right back as they sprint to the house and get back as fast as they can...just so they can read some more.

The great thing is...they're not the only ones enjoying the library/bookstore services. I'll post about that later...

Engaged parents

My to-do list never seems to end. Sometimes I have to realize my workload will never go away no matter how hard I try and recognize visiting the programs are sometimes the best thing I can do.

At lunchtime, I decided to check out our LOL (Ladies Oxygen Luncheon) led by Dr. Rhonda, a pediatrician in our clinic. LOL is an opportunity for current, future, and seasoned parents to come together and talk about different parenting and relationship issues. The number and variety of women at the luncheon were impressive--a young mother, pregnant with her 3rd...a couple of mother/daughter pairs...grandparents. Some parents came on their lunch breaks. I was encouraged by the attendance. Our CEO once told me, "people vote with their feet." It seems to me the parents in our community are voting.

Play Connection, an interactive support group on play for parents and children, met this evening. Though a smaller number of parents came, their engagement was energizing! When I arrived, Joshua was saying his "cloud" was when he didn't get to play with his daddy. His "sun" was when he did. At Play Connection, the kids get to play and interact with their parents. Parents and kids work together to create activities together out of very easily accessible materials. The energy in the room was contagious!


When one person said, "Great job!" to a child, other parents followed. Clapping, compliments, and celebrations were in abundance. I heard more "excuse me's" and "I'm sorry" from the kids when talking to each other. The smiles tell the story. 


The homework assignment given to the parents when they left? "Play with your kids for 30 minutes this week." After this evening, I don't think that will be a problem.

Boys at Work!!!!!!

Every first Saturday of the month, Home Depot has a Kids’ Workshop. Kids’ Workshop is so awesome! This month the kids got to build rain gauges.

Off to work we go!!! Jaden, Hakim, and Aviant went to Home Depot for Kids’ Workshop. They brought along their friend Kanye, Jaden’s little brother, Jayvion, and Hakim’s little brother, Izayha. What a day!!!

Getting down to business…

Tools, tools, and more tools... We like this : )

Brothers working together, Hakim & Izayha...

All in a days work….

The man in the middle, he is our new friend, Paul.

After the Bell: Roseland Jr. Reporters

In case you just couldn't roll out of bed...or forgot to...this morning, here is our WFAA Channel 8 segment on the Roseland After School Academy and Dallas South News Jr. Reporters.

Watch out Chris Flanagan! :)

Turning the tables

Last Thursday, WFAA (Channel 8) came out to visit the After School Academy and video a piece that will air on their After the Bell segment. As was expected, we prepared for their visit and chose two of the kids in the Jr. Reporters program and Shawn Williams, President and founder of Dallas South News (also the founder of our Jr. Reporters program) to speak to Chris Flanagan, the reporter for the event.

However, before they left, our Jr. Reporters turned the tables on them. Ishmael asked to sit down with Chris in order to conduct his own interview. You can see the preview of the segment in the video above.

Watch the entire segment tomorrow morning at 6:20 a.m. on WFAA Channel 8.

We found out yesterday that Channel 8 liked the segment so much, they put it at the end of their "sweeps" period (for those of you who are journalists, I'm assuming you know what that means. For those of us who aren't, I've been told it's a really good thing! :) )

Tune in tomorrow!!