After talking with some VISTAs (other AmeriCorps members) at the AmeriCorps conference in Estes Park, I started to give the idea of curriculum development for our youth programs some more thought, especially since, as of late, I've become more interested in peace education programs and curriculum reform. The environmental education coordinator from over the summer came back on as a staff member, and we started to brainstorm ideas for curriculum and experiential education opportunities for youth corps members. No big deal, until we planned an activity for Friday, and I got to implement it by myself since my partner was out sick. So I was lucky enough to be in a position of explaining, impromptu, to a group of not totally engaged youth why they should take an online test to assess their learning styles. To which I was met with blank stares and "I don't want to do this" and other encouraging words. Ultimately, it wasn't too bad, as I found out after some hand wringing. According to some of the computer lab staff, the corps members were a lot more cooperative than usual and even interested, and I think I was able to convince 80% that the activity wasn't really, really stupid.
Then today, when one of the county cars died, we showed the youth corps how to jump a car or asked them to show us, which sort of worked. (I also learned that my car is in a really poor position to jump another car.) They were surprised both at a) how small my car was and b) the fact that I'm from Mississippi, but somehow this, er, experiential learning opportunity made them like all of us more than computer tests, maybe since dancing around is easier outside.
I've been thinking more about how to relate what I'm doing now to my future work, and I think that the best plan for now is to concentrate on aspects of program development and fundraising, both of which I could apply to work with a non-profit that provides direct services to youth. Both tasks, however, require me to ask really specific questions and hope to get equally specific answers, but hopefully I can hammer out what I imagine that I want.
On another note, I made pumpkin bread with leftover pumpkin from a pumpkin dip that I made, and it was delicious. Both recipes were from Simply in Season.
And it snowed! Am I really excited about this? Stay tuned to find out...
Your life seems to be filled with new experiences. I'm anxious for Part II to hear about the snow!
ReplyDeleteSorry, but this is my first visit to your BLOG.
ReplyDeleteI did not know what a blog was, and am not much better off on that score.
I want you to know that I have prayed hard for your grandmother, but alas, her recovery was not to be. I sympathize with your loss, and am glad you got to go to the funeral. I looked all of that up on Google, so I know almost exactly where they lived, and where she was buried.
I have been doing required maintenance around here this week. I don't know if you noticed the problem with our front stoop. Anyway, I took the two courses of brick off the edge, and relaid them myself. It is OK, but not perfect, just like the person who did it. Also leveled
the sidewalk which was tilted with new concrete topping to finish that job. I am also resealing
the floor in our shower along one edge. I take two steps forward, and one step backward.
Now to the serious stuff. Our alma mater, LSU,
entertains the Black Bears of Ole Miss tomorrow, you know that place where your parents
work and made enough money for you to get this far in higher education. I expect your full support for the home team tomorrow!!
Love,
Your Papa