[Danhi] My Volunteer Experience, 2012-10-23

[Dave Allen Barker Jr]

Just wanted to share with you some of my experience volunteering this 
morning.

I signed up to do AR testing 
<http://www.9.0ne.org/w/Ms._Danhi_2012#vol_ar>, and this was my first 
time.  I arrived 9:10a (after dropping my son of at pre-school), was in 
the classroom a couple hours, ate lunch with my daughter and her 
classmates in the cafeteria, and left around 11:40a.

Ms. Danhi hooked me up with an AR book, "Hi, Cat!" 
<http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=31673&l=EN&slid=317821754>  
I read to the class, which was fun.  I did a bit of review at the end, 
to let it sink in a little more.

I tested kids one at a time on the computer in the classroom, as the 
library was being used when I got started.  Ms. Danhi told me I could 
take three kids at a time down to the library, but I stayed in class 
because I wasn't sure how to do three at a time, and I enjoyed being in 
the classroom.

I chose the order of students randomly.  There's a stack of cards with 
student login information, and I had students pick a card (the next 
student) as the left (they enjoyed that).

I was mostly pleased with how well everyone did.  They were a bit rowdy 
when I read and reviewed the story (as 5/6 year olds are :) ), but I was 
pleasantly surprised to find most everyone did well on their test (they 
were paying attention afterall! :) ).  The same tricky test question 
tripped up quite a few.  Props to Ella & Julia for acing it.  I worry 
about Michaeel not really trying.  I missed Javier because his login 
information card was missing from the deck I was drawing from.  I didn't 
see Arelis, Madelis, & Noelia, I'm told, because of their (lack of) English.

In the background, it seemed to me Ms. Danhi was often frustrated 
working with this (young) age group.

As Audrey mentioned before, it really is a kick to be with each of the 
kids and their unique personalities.  Big smile Celine, dancing Cristal, 
Kirubel the jokester, Maya all hugs, Elliot the reader; just some the 
personalities that will stick with me.

I put some pictures on our website 
<http://www.9.0ne.org/w/Ms._Danhi_2012_photos>.  I was told Maya is the 
only one without a media release (so she cannot be photographed).

I'll be volunteering again! :)

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