Cottonwood Creek

Hello!!!

We have been getting back into school mode these past few weeks!  WHEW!!!  Actually, before school started I wanted to get everyone to refresh their little minds, so I printed a few pages and made a practice book that the little ones (kindergarten and first graders) could practice before they went back to school.  We stretched every last minute we could before heading back to school and then talked middle school with the older girls.  Yep, some of the children are making that transition into middle school and I explained some of the new and exciting things they will encounter on their next educational chapter.  I tried to be as helpful as I could by answering all their questions.  The last day of summer that we had together, I decided we needed to end it with a fun activity.  I rented the movie Monster University and treated them to popcorn!

We had great laughs and a good last day before school started!  I had been thinking for a while about how the children communicate as they come into the computer lab/after school program...I wanted to try something new with the children...I started my social experiment the first day back to school.  I placed a few dry erase boards on our wall that are intended for the children to write on as they come into the lab...i.e. how their day was, good/bad news that they would like to share with everyone, etc.  It's a good way to control all the talking coming from 10 different children all at the same time.  "Write it on the dry erase boards"...this way everyone gets to write it down, then read it, if you so desire.  It's a nice way to share.  It has been working out great!...Now I don't have any complaints from the children saying I'm not paying attention to them anymore!

Since it's only been a few days since the children have been back at school, not alot of children have homework to do.  No worries, I've kept them busy via a fun little craft activity.  I printed a school bus template and had the children cut out the picture and color on one side.  Now on the other side I had them write if they were excited, happy, glad, mad or sad about going back to school...also what they hope to achieve this school year, gotta have GOALS!  A couple of days later I had a few that wanted to help me color and cut "back to school" themed coloring pages to decorate the front windows with. They did an excellent job!  Lastly, this past week we started doing homework and getting back to our regular routine.  Over all these last three weeks have been busy and we are getting organized to be successful in school!  Yea Fall!!!

 

 

Rancho Lindo

Hello from Lamont,

Summer vacation is officially over and the children are back in school.  We here at Rancho Lindo, located south of Bakersfield had lots of fun this summer.  We kept our brains in shape...how you ask?  by making learning fun and exciting!....from cool science experiments, arts and crafts activities and to top it off, to get some relief from the heat, we made snow cones.  In case you're wondering what to do next time the children are in your after school program...try having the children do the following 1) make a masquerade mask using paper, glue, paint, beads and feathers, 2) Observing a chemical reaction, using a soda bottle, balloon, water, lemon juice, baking soda and a straw.  The balloon will inflate from the carbon dioxide gas after you add water, baking soda and lemon juice into the bottle 3) Celery and food coloring...celery in water with food coloring left over night in a cup to see how the celery got some color, showing how plants absorb water.  Every Friday I would bring my small ice machine to make snow cones with the students and I had/have students working on some fun math and writing worksheets, they also played games on the computer.  Our blog has some great links for math, reading and educational games.  Now that school is back in full effect, I will have them work on their homework and read for 30min.  If time permits I will allow some computer time as well...we're also planning a pizza party this week to get the children jazzed up for the new school year.  Until next time, keep learning.

Casitas Del Sol

 

Please enjoy our Green Eggs and Ham activity...

 

The children enjoyed a classic Dr. Seuss book followed by delicious Green Eggs and Ham...Yummy!!!

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Plaza

Hello to All,

It's about that time again, school is about to begin and our children are ready to head back and fill their brains with knowledge.  At Lincoln Plaza we have decided to take the time and just chill...take a deep breath and prepare our minds for the big event.  These past few weeks since the boys are on vacation I've had nothing but girls in the after school program.  I asked for parental permission because the activities we have done involved me giving the girls makeovers.  Many of my girls are the big sister in the family and don't experience having older sisters doing their hair and makeup.

Also many of them don't have the luxury of mom doing that with them because of work and time constraints.  The short of it is, many of these girls had so much fun...I had to come up with a princess day where they got to dress up like princesses and enjoy getting their hair and make up done.  Although I enjoyed doing this with/for them, it made me reflect on my upbringing and the bond I have with my siblings.  Gestures like this help us reflect on how we are making a difference especially after hearing "when my baby sister grows up I will do this with her."  It might have been a last minute idea but it turned out amazing...I got to see the girls smile.  This is why I enjoy my job and love what I do.  Making a difference one smile at a time.

Before I forget, please enjoy a few photos of our arts/crafts projects...