Tutoring Success!

Ruby Willmann, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Bellevue Elementary

I’ve been tutoring the same kid for almost two years now, and he’s absolutely amazing. He’s a wonderful kid, and having worked with him one-on-one for so long, I feel like I’ve been able to learn how to relate to him. Today was amazing. Lately, we’ve been working on focusing and not wasting time by complaining, and today he sat down and just got straight to work. He read, we worked on our curriculum, and practiced our reading fluency. We had a whole ten minutes for me to read him The Trumpet of the Swan (which is his incentive to finish his work quickly). Walking back to class we talked about Pokemon and Digimon – his two favorite cartoons – and we tried to describe them using some adjectives from our “Word of the Day” activity. Overall, best tutoring session ever!

Service Learning at Roseland Elementary

Charlie Ruda, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Roseland Elementary

Service Learning Projects are in full swing at Roseland, and our various activities are centered on making our community a better place!

First graders have been studying the benefits of physical fitness. They have been talking about stretching, what muscles we use when we exercise, and how an active lifestyle keeps us healthy, all in preparation to teach their fellow first graders a fun workout routine.

Second graders have been learning about natural disasters and overcoming the damage they cause in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. In order to help rekindle a livable environment there, students are painting flower pots donated by Jail Industries, and are planting flowers which will beautify the homes of fellow students. Funds raised by selling the pots will be given to UNICEF, a supporter of people in need who have suffered because of natural disasters.

Third grade is looking at their project on a more local scale by appreciating the things that make Roseland a great place to live. After a visit to the Schultz Museum and a walking tour of the landmarks and assets of their neighborhood, they created a scrapbook reporting the reasons they appreciate living in Roseland, which was shared at a Cesar Chavez Health Fair table.

Fourth and Fifth grade have grouped together for their project: to create care packages for American soldiers who are fighting overseas. Focusing more on the rights and responsibilities of military members and the good they do for our country instead of rhyme and reason related to the current wars, they will observe the challenges and benefits of serving in the armed forces. After tabling at the Dollar Tree, they will send donated items to a group organizing care packages for our troops.

Sixth grade is taking a very personal approach to making the world a better place, by focusing on the “-isms” of society and how to eliminate hate in their own lives. Students have been talking about limiting bullying; stress management; advocating for the rights of students; how to challenge racism, sexism, and ignorance responsibly and respectfully; and creating a more supportive school climate. They are taking part in the Operation Beautiful campaign by posting positive messages anonymously on bathroom mirrors to encourage self-worth and self-respect among their school population. They have also learned about the challenge to avoid gang involvement in the area and why it can inhibit their personal success.

What's Cookin? Tuesday - Kick'n Chicken Pitas

Kristen Mowers, CalSERVES Nutrition Coordinator

Fruity Facts:

• Grapes are about 80 percent water.
• One cup of grapes contains about 3/4 cup water, helping to keep the body hydrated.
• Grapes are actually berries.
• There is an average of 100 grape berries in a bunch.
• Fresh grapes stay good for two to three days in the refrigerator. Store grapes in a covered container or plastic bag.

Kick’n Chicken Pitas

Ingredients 

2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

1 cup red or green seedless grapes, each grape cut in half

1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast, cold

1/3 cup crispy chow mein noodles

1/3 cup shredded carrots

2 tablespoons sliced green onions

4 tablespoons light Oriental salad dressing

2 whole wheat pita pockets, each cut in half

Preparation

1. Combine romaine lettuce, grapes, chicken, chow mein noodles, carrots, and green onions in a medium bowl. Mix well with a large spoon.
2. Add dressing to bowl. Mix until ingredients are coated with dressing.
3. Spoon about 1 cup of mixture into each pita pocket half. Serve.

Makes 4 servings. One serving equals 1 pita half.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Volunteers Make a DIfference Tutoring!

Lisa Navarra, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Meadow View Elementary

Meadow View is proud to be the first of CalSERVES sites to establish a volunteer tutoring program. In the past month or so we have welcomed several volunteers to work one-on-one with students, with guidance of mentor partners and Literacy Team Leader. We are excited to have volunteers to be a part of our program and provide a link from CalSERVES to the community. Thank you Kim, Tara, and Michelle!

The "Wright" Stuff - Success Stories in Tutoring

AmeriCorps Mentors, Wright Elementary School

-Maria Magana, AmeriCorps Mentor

When I first met Christian I thought, "He'll never open up to me. I'll never get through to him." He would hardly communicate with me, which made tutoring stressful. As time went by, Christian quickly caught on to the new ideas in each lesson and began to open up to me a lot more. He was in a bad car accident when he was 5 which left him badly burned. I thought I had to treat him differently because of it but I've realized that while Christian may not look like the average seven year old, inside he still really is. I believe his resilience has helped him not give up on his reading. I've never met any child like him and I doubt I ever will.

-Brandi Johnson, AmeriCorps Mentor

When I first started tutoring Dante I was told by his teacher that he didn't like to read and that his participation level would be very low. Much to my surprise Dante is nothing like what his teacher described. He never wants to stop reading; it is by far his favorite aspect of the lesson! If I tell him it's time to move on he begs to read one more story. His motivation and desire to do well in tutoring is amazing. I am so happy that I get to tutor Dante and help him along the way in his reading process.

-Emily Nagel, AmeriCorps Team Leader

At the beginning of the year, Nikki struggled to sound out simple decodable words like "cat" and "mop". When I presented a new book for her to read, she would hesitate and fidget in her chair at the thought of trying to get through it all. She would complain- good naturedly and with a smile, of course- if I asked her to reread a sentence to work on fluency. Now, I am pleased to observe that Nikki's attitude toward reading has greatly improved. Just the other day, Nikki voluntarily asked to read a book that I was going to read to her. The book was slightly above her level, but she was determined to read it for the enjoyment of the story. She also voluntarily rereads sentences for fluency, always with her good natured, cheerful smile. Not only is she learning how to read but she is also learning to love reading!

What's Cookin? Tuesday - Craving Carrots?

Kristen Mowers, CalSERVES Nutrition Coordinator

Carrots are rich in beta carotene — more than 400 percent of the recommended Daily Value (DV) — a form of Vitamin A when absorbed by the body. Beta carotene is important for eyesight, skin and normal growth. It may also help reduce chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Baby-cut carrots are made from full-grown, small diameter carrots by peeling and cutting them to the desired length. They are planted closer together so the roots stay slim and there is less waste when the carrots are cut to their small size. True baby carrots are removed from the ground early and actually look like miniature carrots.

Carrots are biennial, meaning they have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, the edible root is formed, followed by production of the flower and seeds in the second year.

Even Cookie Monster would agree these are better then chocolate chip!

Carrot Cookies

Serving Size: 2 cookies

Yield: 30 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soft margarine

1 cup honey*

1 cup grated raw carrots

2 well beaten egg whites

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups raw oatmeal, quick cooking

1 cup raisins

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together margarine and honey. Stir in carrots and egg whites.
2. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oatmeal and raisins. Gradually stir flour-oatmeal mixture into creamed mixture, just until all flour is mixed. Do not over mix.
3. Drop from teaspoon on greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

*Note: Instead of honey, you can use 1 1/4 cups sugar mixed with 1/4 cup water.

Cost:

Per Recipe: $ 3.54

Per Serving: $ 0.12

Recipe from www.recipefinder.nal.usda.gov

Group Learning about Cesar Chavez!

Lisa  Navarra, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Meadow View Elementary School

All week we had been learning about Cesar Chavez, a great inspirational social leader and Mexican American activist. Throughout the week students had been reading about Cesar’s life and discussing the values he stood for. Each tutoring student wrote about one important value and we compiled these into a ‘house of values’ (below). On Friday everything came together when both lower grades and upper grades had group tutoring sessions to celebrate and do activities, admiring what this man taught us.

While the older students heard a passionate piece of Chavez’ Grape Boycott speech the lower grades participated in an alphabet read aloud about Mexican culture and nature. All students also illustrated a favorite fruit or vegetable and wrote notes to the farmers who help to get this food to us; thus creating a ‘garden of thanks’ (also in photo above). To end our session of thanks and celebration, students planted seeds with their mentors to symbolize new life and the spring. A wonderful theme day enjoyed by all…the tutoring display is located in the Multi-Purpose Room to show off our students’ work.