Today was heartbreaking for some, but for my little and I, it was the beginning to hopefully many more years of being "sisters!"
We started out by going outside to play on the playground with her other school friends. We also chalked pictures of horses and wrote our names with a variety of colors. She knew it was going to be a fiesta and wanted to do so many things! We went in and out of the cafeteria at least ten times! We ate lots of food (one of her favorite foods is pizza) and drink milkshakes. We also talked with the woman from BBBS, and my little said her favorite things about mentoring are painting, going outside, drawing, and reading our journals. During the last fifteen to twenty minutes, we joined in on the big game of kickball! As always, she really enjoyed it and was always running around and smiling.
She forgot her journal today, but fortunately I remembered to bring mine! I reflected on my favorite moments of the last year and shared with her how I feel this summer and next year will be. I meet with her parents in about a week and half, and Dawn said this could also be our first "meeting" as being part of the community. This is going to be an amazing experience, but also a huge responsibility on my part. It will be a commitment every week and also something I will have to save up for; St. Charles is somewhat of a long drive from Winona. I have factored all of this in already and there should be no problems! I am also really excited for this summer as I meet with her through the end of May. Once the summer actually begins, we will write letters or emails back and forth, which I hope she will like to do!
I am most looking forward to learning more about my little outside of school. What is her family like? What does she really like to do? How can we become better friends, and what is my role in her life?
This blog will hopefully be continued as I begin this new experience...!
Thank you, Stace!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
April 15: To WSU!
Wow, what a day! I rode on the bus to St. Charles to pick up the littles. They were all ecstatic, especially for the bus ride! My little sat next to me and she shared her journal (I did not bring mine, thinking we were not going to have time!). I told her that we are now even! She also brought a photo alblum of her family with many pictures of her siblings. I was trying to figure out why she wanted me to look through the pictures so quickly, and then I finally realized that inside the photo alblum she had hid two candy bars! The bus ride was a great opportunity to talk and joke around with the other kids.
Once we got to WSU, her eyes became really big, and as we walked off the bus, she was beaming and holding onto my arm very tightly. I think the moment she was waiting for finally came!
One thing I noticed about this group is that not only have the Bigs and Littles become more closely bonded, but the Littles have as well. I noticed this while we were eating icecream; all of the littles were sitting around the table eating and talking, some in Spanish and some in English.
My favorite part was going to the football field to meet the sports players. One of my friends, Eric, was leading the event, and he did an amazing job! All of the kids were actively involved, and I also loved playing soccer! I caught my little looking at one of the players from a distance, so I asked her is she wanted a picture with him. She first responded with a "No!" because she hates taking pictures! I knew she wanted to but was too afraid to ask. I said, "Are you sure? He's really nice, and he is a friend of mine." She said only if I was in the picture with her, so Amanda's little, my little, myself, and Eric took a picture! This was one of the few times I caught her smiling with a FULL GRIN!
The theater department was also an adventure for me; I have never been in many of those places. My little did not talk much with me during this time. She was having too much fun running around with the other kids looking at objects they have probably never seen before! If we had the time, it would have been really fun to have them put on a short play or try on some costumes.
Next week is our last time this year meeting as a group. I will hopefully keep in contact or meet with my little outside of school because we are becoming "community sisters." And over the summer, we will keep in contact through email or through letters (snail mail).
Next year, it would be amazing if we could join in on any field trips that happen. I also know that as a community big we can expand our experiences. I just hope that she understands what it means completely to be part of the "community" program; she will most likely not be spending as much time with this group of kids, but on the other end, there is much more to be explored!
Thank you for an amazing field trip!
Once we got to WSU, her eyes became really big, and as we walked off the bus, she was beaming and holding onto my arm very tightly. I think the moment she was waiting for finally came!
One thing I noticed about this group is that not only have the Bigs and Littles become more closely bonded, but the Littles have as well. I noticed this while we were eating icecream; all of the littles were sitting around the table eating and talking, some in Spanish and some in English.
My favorite part was going to the football field to meet the sports players. One of my friends, Eric, was leading the event, and he did an amazing job! All of the kids were actively involved, and I also loved playing soccer! I caught my little looking at one of the players from a distance, so I asked her is she wanted a picture with him. She first responded with a "No!" because she hates taking pictures! I knew she wanted to but was too afraid to ask. I said, "Are you sure? He's really nice, and he is a friend of mine." She said only if I was in the picture with her, so Amanda's little, my little, myself, and Eric took a picture! This was one of the few times I caught her smiling with a FULL GRIN!
The theater department was also an adventure for me; I have never been in many of those places. My little did not talk much with me during this time. She was having too much fun running around with the other kids looking at objects they have probably never seen before! If we had the time, it would have been really fun to have them put on a short play or try on some costumes.
Next week is our last time this year meeting as a group. I will hopefully keep in contact or meet with my little outside of school because we are becoming "community sisters." And over the summer, we will keep in contact through email or through letters (snail mail).
Next year, it would be amazing if we could join in on any field trips that happen. I also know that as a community big we can expand our experiences. I just hope that she understands what it means completely to be part of the "community" program; she will most likely not be spending as much time with this group of kids, but on the other end, there is much more to be explored!
Thank you for an amazing field trip!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
April 9th
Today we first read our journals. She wanted me to read hers first, which is a change from the norm! I've noticed that she really enjoys reading my entries and that there is a decrease in the amount she writes. But I am not going to encourage her to write any more; it is something she must want to do in order for it to continually be an inviting experience. In my journal, I shared about my week and also told her how much I like to write encouraging letters to people. I also asked if she was excited for next year when we get to do things outside of school. She really wants to watch movies, eat ice cream, and go to the park. In her journal she brought pictures of her family! This brought up lots of discussion about who was in the picture and also about her recent move to a new house.
After reading the journals, I gave her a bookmark I made for my field experience project. I really enjoyed making it and I know she enjoys little gifts like that. Something I must be careful of is of her expecting me to bring things each week. I want whatever I bring to be a surprise as well as a good experience.
Next we painted with water colors. In my journal I wrote about going to a birthday party dinner for Amanda, one of the big sisters. My little wanted to make her a birthday card, so we spent the next hour painting, drawing, writing, and talking. She wrote on the card, "To Amanda, my second best big sister." She was very creative and put a lot of effort into the card, and Amanda loved it! While we were painting a ball game and knocked over our water. It got our papers all wet, but the experience was actually quite comical! Her face was priceless when she looked up at me with a wet face! After we cleaned up the mess and started working again,she told me that she lost the envelope for the Winona Field trip, and I was fortunate enough to get both an envelope AND a stamp from the school office!
After we finished, we went outside to play tag with the others. I love the freedom we now have in our friendship to be ourselves! I really notice it in my little and her growing openness and willingness to talk about her school and home life. What really got me pumped was when she said she was SO EXCITED for the Winona trip next week. I told her to make sure she gives the envelope to her parents and to get it in the mail as soon as possible.
This was another amazing week. Looking back, I can see how it does take a long time to truly develop a relationship with a child, especially someone who comes from a different cultural background.
After reading the journals, I gave her a bookmark I made for my field experience project. I really enjoyed making it and I know she enjoys little gifts like that. Something I must be careful of is of her expecting me to bring things each week. I want whatever I bring to be a surprise as well as a good experience.
Next we painted with water colors. In my journal I wrote about going to a birthday party dinner for Amanda, one of the big sisters. My little wanted to make her a birthday card, so we spent the next hour painting, drawing, writing, and talking. She wrote on the card, "To Amanda, my second best big sister." She was very creative and put a lot of effort into the card, and Amanda loved it! While we were painting a ball game and knocked over our water. It got our papers all wet, but the experience was actually quite comical! Her face was priceless when she looked up at me with a wet face! After we cleaned up the mess and started working again,she told me that she lost the envelope for the Winona Field trip, and I was fortunate enough to get both an envelope AND a stamp from the school office!
After we finished, we went outside to play tag with the others. I love the freedom we now have in our friendship to be ourselves! I really notice it in my little and her growing openness and willingness to talk about her school and home life. What really got me pumped was when she said she was SO EXCITED for the Winona trip next week. I told her to make sure she gives the envelope to her parents and to get it in the mail as soon as possible.
This was another amazing week. Looking back, I can see how it does take a long time to truly develop a relationship with a child, especially someone who comes from a different cultural background.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
April 2nd
Today we did many fun things!
We first played Apples to Apples with other bigs and littles. This is her new favorite game that her and her students play in her ESL class. This game involves a great deal of language and comparing word meanings. I noticed she was more self-conscious in this bigger group setting than when we read one-on-one; when she did not know a word, she would lean over and ask me to help her define it. Also, if she could not pronounce the word, she would initially say "I can't" or " I don't know that one." I think this largely had to do with the pressure and intensity of the game. After I encouraged her to sound out the word to herself, she became more comfortable and confident. This experience showed me how important new audiences are in reading; a child may know how to read, but when there are unfamiliar people listening, self-consciousness can become an issue. Paired reading is also very important in developing confidence in reading skills; it is the first step to reading in small groups and other new settings.
Later today I introduced to my little the idea of becoming a community big and little. I told her we could go to other places outside of school like go to the movies, eat ice cream, play at the park, and any thing else she likes to do. She said she would love to do that! She always says that the time goes by way too fast, and I think meeting outside of the school and meeting two or three hours a week will allow for more experiences and a deeper friendship to develop.
Today I also noticed that I must be careful with my words; sometimes I speak like I would to any of my friends, which is usually much more casual and fast. I think this confuses her, especially when I ask her a question or am explaining directions.
In the library we read a short passage about a fish fry and apple pie family reunion. It was a practice MCA test reading, and because we usually never work on homework, I thought it would be beneficial to do a little bit of assigned reading. Half way through the story she asked if we were done yet, which showed me that she does not enjoy enforced reading! One of the hardest things for her to do is reading difficult English words. A strategy I encouraged her to use is splitting the word (covering one half with her finger) and trying to sound it out that way. We then asked each other questions in an interview format. It was fun to see her act "professional" when she asked me when I was born and what my favorite things to do are.
She then read my journal entry (she did not bring hers). Even if she does not have hers for me to read, it is still beneficial for her to learn about what I am doing throughout the week. I know she thinks about that because she always asks questions.
Next week I will bring some books of interest; I know she loves soccer and other sports. Comical books and suspenseful books also grab her attention. Games like apples to apples that are both social and educational are also beneficial.
I can't wait until the field trip to WSU. She said she was going to come; her parents just had to put the letter in the mail!
We first played Apples to Apples with other bigs and littles. This is her new favorite game that her and her students play in her ESL class. This game involves a great deal of language and comparing word meanings. I noticed she was more self-conscious in this bigger group setting than when we read one-on-one; when she did not know a word, she would lean over and ask me to help her define it. Also, if she could not pronounce the word, she would initially say "I can't" or " I don't know that one." I think this largely had to do with the pressure and intensity of the game. After I encouraged her to sound out the word to herself, she became more comfortable and confident. This experience showed me how important new audiences are in reading; a child may know how to read, but when there are unfamiliar people listening, self-consciousness can become an issue. Paired reading is also very important in developing confidence in reading skills; it is the first step to reading in small groups and other new settings.
Later today I introduced to my little the idea of becoming a community big and little. I told her we could go to other places outside of school like go to the movies, eat ice cream, play at the park, and any thing else she likes to do. She said she would love to do that! She always says that the time goes by way too fast, and I think meeting outside of the school and meeting two or three hours a week will allow for more experiences and a deeper friendship to develop.
Today I also noticed that I must be careful with my words; sometimes I speak like I would to any of my friends, which is usually much more casual and fast. I think this confuses her, especially when I ask her a question or am explaining directions.
In the library we read a short passage about a fish fry and apple pie family reunion. It was a practice MCA test reading, and because we usually never work on homework, I thought it would be beneficial to do a little bit of assigned reading. Half way through the story she asked if we were done yet, which showed me that she does not enjoy enforced reading! One of the hardest things for her to do is reading difficult English words. A strategy I encouraged her to use is splitting the word (covering one half with her finger) and trying to sound it out that way. We then asked each other questions in an interview format. It was fun to see her act "professional" when she asked me when I was born and what my favorite things to do are.
She then read my journal entry (she did not bring hers). Even if she does not have hers for me to read, it is still beneficial for her to learn about what I am doing throughout the week. I know she thinks about that because she always asks questions.
Next week I will bring some books of interest; I know she loves soccer and other sports. Comical books and suspenseful books also grab her attention. Games like apples to apples that are both social and educational are also beneficial.
I can't wait until the field trip to WSU. She said she was going to come; her parents just had to put the letter in the mail!
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