T.O.U.C.Ch. Update

I did all of my T.O.U.C.Ch. community service hours during the first half of the quarter but I did only posted one blog. Therefore I thought I should post another blog as a follow up of how I felt about my experiences with the kids in Watsonville.
First of all I went to the Calabasas Elementary School five times and each time was more interesting than the last. I really enjoyed the last few times I went because the kids began to recognize me and each time they became more comfortable with me and I found it easier to get them to cooperate with me to help them out.

On one of trips I worked with two young boys in the fourth grade with their math homework and then reading. I realized while working with them that they the kids are exhausted by the time school is over and it is really hard for them to be serious and concentrate on their present assignment. After noticing this I tried to make the assignment more fun to do by talking to them like a "kid". Instead of seeming serious and authoritative like their teacher usually are I tried to joke around with them just to losen them up bit. After they had a few laughs I found that it was easier to get them to think about the question they were working on and it was easier to get them to work together to figure out the solution.

After all the hours I spent at Calabasas Elementary School I learned that these students have all the same capabilities as other students. They just need someone to understand their situation and help them overcome their fears of working on a problem and getting it wrong or reading a book and not being able to pronounce some of the words. I learned that if you can be understanding of these kids they tend to appreaciate your help more and they gain more from your prescense. Working with T.O.U.C.Ch. is definitely an experience that has impacted me for the better.