Students spent most of their time the first day utilizing their new letter writing skills to request in-kind donations from local businesses for the GYSD project. Students also wrote letters to their elected officials from city council members up to President Barack Obama telling them about their project and inviting them to come. This was an exercise in civics so students could learn who represents them and how easy it is to contact them.
On Thursday, we talked about some of the skills that make a strong public speaker. We also talked about tips to overcome the fear of public speaking. Student practiced by giving impromptu speeches on topic drawn out of a hat on random topics. Students had 2 minutes to prepare a 2 minute speech that was thoughtful, organized, and had a thesis. At the end of the speeches, the students gave peer feedback and learned from one another about how to become more effective speakers. Some of the topics were kind of crazy and the speeches were pretty entertaining! Nevertheless, the students learned a lot and are excited to practice more in the future!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Week Twelve: Midterm Review
We have made it past the half way mark! That can be a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. This past week we tied up some lose ends and also prepared for the the busy weeks that lie ahead.
On Tuesday, students learned how to right a proper Thank You Letter and created letters for two of our sponsors: Target and Caribou Coffee (both at Edgewood). Students also learned how to write a project proposal. They put their skills into action by writing their proposal for Global Youth Service Day! The students organized a meeting with Principal Underwood for Thursday to present their project idea. Students we nervous the day of the proposal, but they did very well answering Mr. Underwood's questions--he even provided very helpful feedback and suggestions. In the end, their project was approved! I will reveal the details by retyping their proposal:
"Everyday Leaders is creating a project for Global Youth Service Day. The reason for this project is to help Genesis; a small community based family homeless shelter. We as a group decided on this project. Our project is a dodge ball tournament and a fundraiser for Genesis. Kids will have a fun time, at the same time contribute to the community, and learn about homelessness and how it affects the city.
The day of the dodge ball tournament will be April 24 after school, in the gym, from 4-6 pm. We as Everyday Leaders will be working with Genesis to inform students and do letter writing to congress about homelessness. We will also be asking parents to help us with the tournament.
For this event, we will be asking in-kind donations for the winning prizes. Although the tournament will not need any funding, there will be a small entry fee that will go to Genesis either a small amount of money or an item that Genesis has request."
For more information on Genesis, check out: http://www.genesisshelter.com/
As this week's blog title suggests, we did complete a midterm review. Students had a chance to provide me with incredible and insightful feedback through an anonymous survey as well as a journal entry. Thank you, Everyday Leaders.
Note: I have only collected T-shirt money from one student. Until we receive forms from all of the students, I will order the t-shirts. The cost is $12; however, pay what you can. We want everyone to have a t-shirt so we only need the forms in to start the process.
Finally, students also connected with Chris Appleton, Co-Executive Director at WonderRoot, a non-profit arts organization committed to uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change (http://www.wonderroot.org/). Russell did a great job calling and setting an appointment with Chris. The students are going to organize with WonderRoot for their project for Youth Art Month during the four Thursdays in March that we will meet. This is really a chance for the students to not only make decisions, but really take the reigns in project planning. I am very excited to see what they come up with!
Whew! That's a lot of stuff! Keep up the great work!
On Tuesday, students learned how to right a proper Thank You Letter and created letters for two of our sponsors: Target and Caribou Coffee (both at Edgewood). Students also learned how to write a project proposal. They put their skills into action by writing their proposal for Global Youth Service Day! The students organized a meeting with Principal Underwood for Thursday to present their project idea. Students we nervous the day of the proposal, but they did very well answering Mr. Underwood's questions--he even provided very helpful feedback and suggestions. In the end, their project was approved! I will reveal the details by retyping their proposal:
"Everyday Leaders is creating a project for Global Youth Service Day. The reason for this project is to help Genesis; a small community based family homeless shelter. We as a group decided on this project. Our project is a dodge ball tournament and a fundraiser for Genesis. Kids will have a fun time, at the same time contribute to the community, and learn about homelessness and how it affects the city.
The day of the dodge ball tournament will be April 24 after school, in the gym, from 4-6 pm. We as Everyday Leaders will be working with Genesis to inform students and do letter writing to congress about homelessness. We will also be asking parents to help us with the tournament.
For this event, we will be asking in-kind donations for the winning prizes. Although the tournament will not need any funding, there will be a small entry fee that will go to Genesis either a small amount of money or an item that Genesis has request."
For more information on Genesis, check out: http://www.genesisshelter.com/
As this week's blog title suggests, we did complete a midterm review. Students had a chance to provide me with incredible and insightful feedback through an anonymous survey as well as a journal entry. Thank you, Everyday Leaders.
Note: I have only collected T-shirt money from one student. Until we receive forms from all of the students, I will order the t-shirts. The cost is $12; however, pay what you can. We want everyone to have a t-shirt so we only need the forms in to start the process.
Finally, students also connected with Chris Appleton, Co-Executive Director at WonderRoot, a non-profit arts organization committed to uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change (http://www.wonderroot.org/). Russell did a great job calling and setting an appointment with Chris. The students are going to organize with WonderRoot for their project for Youth Art Month during the four Thursdays in March that we will meet. This is really a chance for the students to not only make decisions, but really take the reigns in project planning. I am very excited to see what they come up with!
Whew! That's a lot of stuff! Keep up the great work!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Week Eleven: Random Acts of Kindness Week
Due to the early release day, we were only able to hold one session of Everyday Leaders -- though it was a busy day! On Thursday, students made over 100 cards for the Alzheimer's patients at the Wesley Woods Nursing Home. They were so happy to receive such bright, colorful, and warm valentines! Students used great teamwork and took on the big task, not wanting anyone to go without a card. Shout Out to David's mom for helping us by cutting out hearts!
Later that evening, DeJanique, David, and Camille all volunteered to bake a cake for their teachers for the following morning. On Friday, we received a large donation of fresh coffee from Caribou and students brought their cakes into the teacher's lounge with their big thank you banner. Camille came in with cup cakes that morning because her dog ate her cake! Poor thing! Shout Out to Camille's mom for taking her to Kroger!
The students did a great job with such little time. For the upcoming week, the students will start on their proposal to the Principal for Global Youth Service Day as well as thinking ahead to March for their project for Youth Art Month.
Later that evening, DeJanique, David, and Camille all volunteered to bake a cake for their teachers for the following morning. On Friday, we received a large donation of fresh coffee from Caribou and students brought their cakes into the teacher's lounge with their big thank you banner. Camille came in with cup cakes that morning because her dog ate her cake! Poor thing! Shout Out to Camille's mom for taking her to Kroger!
The students did a great job with such little time. For the upcoming week, the students will start on their proposal to the Principal for Global Youth Service Day as well as thinking ahead to March for their project for Youth Art Month.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Week Ten: GYSD Timeline / Prepare for February Project
What a great and productive week at Everyday Leaders! As a group, the students have finalized their GYSD project. In the weeks to come, the students will be preparing a proposal for their Principal Underwood. Details of the project will be revealed as soon as their proposal is approved!
We are also gearing up for Random Acts of Kindness Week, which is next week. Though we will not have EL next Tuesday due to the earlier release, On Thursday, students will make cards for their teachers as well as for the patients at the Wesley Woods Nursing Home. On Friday, students will present their cards to their teachers along with cakes that they will back and coffee provided by Caribou Coffee at Edgewood. On Tuesday, students learned how to write an In-Kind Donation Request and were successful in securing a 25 cup cambro of coffee for the teacher's lounge!
Thanks Caribou and great job, Everyday Leaders!
Finally, students completed their design for their Everyday Leaders tshirt. We hope to wear these for future service project events so that everyone will know who we are!
We are also gearing up for Random Acts of Kindness Week, which is next week. Though we will not have EL next Tuesday due to the earlier release, On Thursday, students will make cards for their teachers as well as for the patients at the Wesley Woods Nursing Home. On Friday, students will present their cards to their teachers along with cakes that they will back and coffee provided by Caribou Coffee at Edgewood. On Tuesday, students learned how to write an In-Kind Donation Request and were successful in securing a 25 cup cambro of coffee for the teacher's lounge!
Thanks Caribou and great job, Everyday Leaders!
Finally, students completed their design for their Everyday Leaders tshirt. We hope to wear these for future service project events so that everyone will know who we are!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
