Regarding the Palmer Munroe Teen Center

Hey Guys!
Today Jennifer and I went to the teen center and met with a few boys there. I'm going to put some information regarding them up here so that people going tomorrow will know who has started working with us, and ideas we can elaborate on!

Melvin
Is going into 7th grade. He struggles with math and trying to pay attention in that class. This upcoming year he is going into pre-algebra (he thinks.) He's really interested in Top 10 Facts videos and he was thinking something like "a world without humans." He also likes video games.

Maleek
Is going into 9th grade and is going into Algebra 2.  He's trying to get finished with his math classes so that he could potentially take some AP courses his junior or senior year. Maleek is also interested in the Top 10 Facts project, so I think this could be a cool opportunity for these two boys to collaborate on a project.  

PJ
Is going into 12th grade and concerned about his computer science class. This is an elective course and I think we all agreed that he would be fine because he has a huge interest in technology and video games. In an art class I took we had to make video games on a website called Scratch. They mentioned this today so they know what it is called, but I think PJ (or any of these boys) creating a video game could be awesome. Scratch is super user friendly, but lays the foundation for programming. And the games can be published! (https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/33028688/) an example.

Rashad
Is trying to take the test to receive his GED (ASAP is what he said.) That being said, math is what worries him, so I think for now bringing in study resources for him would be ideal. According to GEDtestingservice.com, this is the math layout:Number operations and number sense (20-30%)
Measurement and geometry (20-30%), Data analysis, statistics, and probability (20-30%), Algebra, functions, and patterns (20-30%). (http://mycareertools.com/ged-math-practice-test/) A good website for practice questions.

Joe
Is going into 12th grade we well. His struggle is in history, really everything about it. But there are so many projects that would be worked on with this boy. He's looking for a job, (so resume building), he wants to get laptops for the teen center to teach kids how to use photoshop, (writing grants, or making "intro to photoshop" videos, etc. He really enjoys making videos. Jennifer and I were even thinking that Joe could help Melvin and Maleek create their Top 10 Facts video.



I personally think it could be really cool for Maleek and Melvin to create a Top 10 Facts video about the Teen Center and then Joe could also use that with his grant to try at laptops? Just some ideas. I'll hopefully be there again Monday. 
 

Hey everyone! Is it too late to sign up to volunteer at Palmer Munroe? Its been hard getting ghazvini to work with my schedule. I'd be free to stop by this Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Today at Palmer Munroe, Heinz and I attended and got to hang with 5 of the kids. In the end, I was doing math problems with a few and Heinz was reading with one of the girls. At the end, Becky, Heinz, and I discussed a binder with all the kids information and subjects/projects their working on, and the difficulty in the randomness of tutors over multiple days. Heinz and I are thinking a group text or GroupMe just to get immediate updates.

Janiya- was working on pre algebra two step equations. I pulled up a random website on my laptop to work on these.

Jamiracie- wants to work on reading. Read a random book left on the table with Heinz. She reads pretty well (and knows it) but is interested in murder mysteries and comedies. Suggestions??

Melvin- hates Greek mythology but needs to study is and Heinz is fixing to change that. So Khan Academy segments or Hercules (!!!) would be cool.

Maleek- is doing a video project (??). I haven't seen proof of it. BUT he also likes dancing, so I was thinking history of dance/ something? He also said he wants to work on chemistry for the upcoming school year. Also, maybe Khan Academy??

Jasmine- needs to work on pre-algebra. I didn't actually get to meet her.

Andreah- needed help with geometry. I didn't meet her either.

Prentis- needs help with Algebra 1, is going to 9th grade. Had trouble passing pre-algebra, so he wants to get a head start with Algebra so that he can stay ahead. Wants to learn as much as possible before the school year starts. Prentis and I worked out of the textbook and he is so eager to learn.


H: Might want to set up activities for long term usage to help facilitate the learning experience. Activities should be educational but definitely fun and interesting in nature; there HAS to be incentive for them to actually do these activities when the tutor isn't around to make sure they are doing it. I was planning on buying some books for Jamiracie and Melvin to get them more interested in their subjects; we can do something similar with the other students. Not saying you got to buy stuff, but lets try to go out of our way to make this a great experience for them. Once we set up the binder, we can set up those activities so that each tutor can upkeep with it. Binder can/should include: students name, grade level (incoming), desired content focus, any general interests, current activity/lesson, upcoming activity/lesson. Either way, Leigh and I will be explaining this more in detail tomorrow after class and try to coordinate with everyone.

I'm planning on staying longer. We have a few things in place, including a GroupMe! I can add you, via email or phone number, whichever you prefer. These suggestions are good, too!!