VOLUNTEER WORK AT NORTH HALEDON ELEMENTARY

This was a fun experience for me. It was my first time , volunteering in the after school program. All grades in the elementary level are allowed to attend. It costs $200 per month. I think its well worth the money. Most of the volunteers are college students like myself. We helped the students with their homework. After they finished they were allowed to have free play.The hours of operation are from 3-6pm. The students really seemed to enjoy themselves in the after school program. They enjoyed being around their friends. The program is held in the school cafeteria five days a week. This is a really good program for parents who work and can't pick up their kids on time. There is also a field trip that the students get to go on, since the parents are paying monthly. I really look forward to volunteering again.

MY COUSINS SOCCER GAME

I attended my cousins soccer game. All the parents were at the game cheering on their kids. It was really cold ouside, this is one thing I definately remember. I couldn't wait to leave because it was cold and raining. Even though it was in the morning, the kids had lots of energy. I wish I could have as much energy as them. They ended up winning the game. The kids were really exited about winning. The score was 4 to 1. The coaches encouraged the girls to try their best throughout the game. I forgot to mention that my cousin is in the 4th grade. The parents really encouraged the girls to give it their best shot. In was fun to feel all the energy in the atmosphere, I felt like a little kid again. It was a fun game, I really enjoyed being part of it.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE

I attended my brother's parent/teacher conference. I attended the conference with my mother. My brother is in the 7th grade. It was a short meeting. it lasted for about 10minutes. Most of the parents showed up for the meeting. Each subject area teacher attended the meeting. The classroom that we were in was need and organized. this was the first thing that I observed. The teachers showed concern for my brother's academic progress. They said that he had the abilities to work harder and do better. In the classroom there were some motivational posters. This was the first parent teacher conference that I ever attended. It was a good experience, I just wish it lasted longer. it seemed way to short. I think the meeting should last for more than 10 minutes.

ARTS HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATIONS

I really enjoyed my observations at Arts High School. Mrs. Anglin (U.S. History I) was really nice. I sat in the back of the classroom and did my observations. I really tried to take in my surroundings. First, I looked at the classroom. I checked the classroom set-up. The teachers desk was all the way in the right corner of the class. Her desk appeared to be neat and organized. I also looked at the set-up of the students desks. They were set up in groups. There was a chalkboard and an over head projector. The classroom seemed a bit small and somewhat cluttered. There were posters and projects all over the classroom. There was also a small desk with a computer sitting on top of it. I then observed the class itself. The class was small. The teacher taought the lesson by using the blackboard and the over head projector. She handed out hand outs in the beginning of the class. The handouts had the course objectves and also the homework for the week. The teacher got the students involved by asking them questions and usingreal life examples. The students particiapted in the lecture. The teacher gave them group assignments. The students seemed interested in the lesson. The teacher was doing a lesoon on Habieus Corpus. I asked the teacher how she motivated the students. She told me she motivated them by encouraging them to work gard, she told them that they could do anything that they put their mind to. She encourages them by giving them confidence. Mrs. Anglin gives group projects, and also an 80 mintue test, I'm assuming during each marking period. She said that the students usually do well on the test. Mrs. Anglin makes calls home to parents when she has to. She also has parent teacher conferences when needed. She sometimes shows videos in the class. Mrs. Anglin likes giving extra-credit to the students. It encourages them to improve their grades. Mrs. anglin tries to challenge her students by making them think outside the box. In her lessons she tries to use visual aids. Overall I had a really great experience at Arts. I would love to go back.

Arts High School

I thought Arts High School was a great experience. It was even better than I had expected. The kids there are so talented and have so much to offer. I was really surprised to find out that out of 2000 applicants only 150 are excepted. This is a serious school with many important values. Everyone there was really polite. It was just a great atmosphere, there was a lot to observe. It wasn't like an ordinary High School, it had something unique about it, I guess that's why I liked it so much. People are there because they want to be there, and because they have the talent to be there. I really look forward to going there again.

The Promise of Urban Schools

Urban schools are suffering from many challenges. Urban schools lack the resources that suburban schools have. Urban schools have great potential to prosper. Urban schools need to undergo many changes. Urban school students need to be encouraged through knowledge. Teachers need to be able to relate to their students. Urban school students shouldn't feel like their participation is not valued. They need to know that they are an important part of the community. They can make a difference in their lives if they are willing.(Teachers and the community also need to help in making a difference.) Teachers need to be actively involved in debates and actions in their schools as well as in their cities. Parent participation is also very important.(The Promise....pg.3-4) Instead of controlling students we need to inspire them. Action definately needs to happen quickly in order for their to be changes in the urban school environment. Schools need to prepare their students for the real world society. Schools also need to guide students in decisions that will affect their lives and also their community.

Inquiry Project Data

I still need to make some changes to my inquiry question. I think I need to be more specific. I still want to write my paper on the topic NCLB.I will need to check many sources and references. I can check the data from different schools; both urban and suburban. I can also speak to teachers who know the pros and cons when it comes to NCLB. There are many sources, I need to pick the ones that are most reliable. I can check the internet as well as books and use them for my sources. It seems like it's a tough assignment, but I think once we all start it will get easier.