Week 9: Implementation
1357 words by dhancock
I have been very busy with the implementation of my project. To refresh your memory on my project, I am tutoring in the homework clinic located on Xavier University’s campus in the dormitory, House of Studies. Our program is geared for Kindergarten through eighth grade students. They come from different backgrounds, families, neighborhoods, and schools with all one purpose…to receive free tutoring on any homework and help with various projects and also a free balanced meal prepared by our cafeteria staff while they wait on their parents to pick them up. Although the homework clinic will be closing for the semester soon around middle November so that we, the volunteers can prepare to go home for our Thanksgiving break as well as studying for our final exams, I still feel like we as a collective group have made great progress. I tutor with two seventh graders who come on a regular basis. They pretty much can help themselves so I just mainly check their homework as well as offer them any advice towards studying, balancing any extracurricular, and doing their homework outside of the homework clinic.
I have seen many changes in my students as well as other students that I have overseen since the beginning of the program. It is two sisters who are in the seventh and eighth grade. Both of them were having difficulties with their vocabulary every week. I sat down with the both of them and we came up with a plan together to try and get them to understand as well as learn their weekly vocabulary words. My advice to them was to on that same day that they received their words to make flash cards while at the homework clinic or when they got. Also, to do the exercises in their vocabulary book and have me or their teacher to check their work. I also explained to them that if they reviewed their words on nightly basis that they would be more likely to remember them for their weekly quiz on Friday mornings. After doing that for about two weeks the two girls showed significant progress in their comprehension of the words as well as their grade in that particular subject. I am proud of them as well as myself for being able to help them out and they actually were excited to show me their grades and they also saw the progress they were making.
Another student I have seen change in is a little boy who is in the first grade. This young guy seems to have a problem with staying on task and following directions. While helping him to learn to add and subtract without using his fingers, we tried another strategy of using candies or something that we could visibly see. Using this method kept his attention as well as interested him in doing his simple math homework. The last time I saw him, which was this past Tuesday he was excited to show me that he knew how to add and subtract on his own.
One great example of how much of a positive effect the volunteers of the homework clinic have on these kids is that they get angry when one of us misses a day to tutor them because we have made a great bond with them. Also, most of these children do not have parents at home who could possibly help them with homework so they are very eagered to complete it at the homework clinic under our supervision and help.
I am going to miss my kids when the program is over for the semester but I know we have given them the tools and advice to be able to complete the remaining semester without us. The homework clinic then starts back up again in January where the same students will be able to return and we will new students.
I really feel like me volunteering in the homework clinic has made a great impact on the children’s lives as far as their schooling is concerned. I will continue to implement my project as well as suggest new ideas and new ways to conduct the tutoring because these kids need us as positive role models and assistance to their work that they are not probably receiving at home.
The deuteronistic historian believes that in order to be a good king one must possess a number of different traits including many. A good king has faith in God and is a good servant unto Him and he is also faithful to one and only one God. A good king is also tolerant with his own servants and has patience when dealing with them. A good king reads and understands the bible and is therefore able to follow its commandments and teachings. These are the conditions to being a good king in the Deuteronomistic historian’s eyes. If we look at George W. Bush, he does follow the criteria mentioned above. He is a believer and God and follows (to the best of his ability) the Ten Commandments. He never fails to talk about God when addressing the nation even if it’s just to say, “God bless America.” He believes Christianity is the religion in which America was founded and that our forefathers intended for us to live in a society that recognizes God as the Supreme Being. The Deuteronmistic historian may agree that Bush is a good leader in those respects but I don’t know if he would agree with Bush on his war and defense policy. Bush rushed into a war with people from a foreign land for apparently no justifiable reason. His decision to invade Iraq showed poor judgment and little patience with the United Nations to come to an agreement. He did not wait for support for the United Nations or other countries before he declared war and now the reason for the war has changed completely.
David was king of Israel and the tribes of Judah following the death of Saul. David does many of things while in the position of king. He first has to overcome Saul’s son who was over some of the tribes of Judah, but he is easily killed. He transfers the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, where he has established a new capital. He even tries to build a more secure temple, house for God but his hands are not sacred enough. But soon David messes up. David is supposed to go to war as all kings do but instead he sends his general Joab in his place. While at home, David notices a beautiful woman bathing. He asks her name, Bathsheba, and learns that she is the wife of a man name Uriah, a man who happens to be at war for him. He invites Bathsheba to his house and they have sex in which Bathsheba gets pregnant. David tries to cover up for his acts. He summons Uriah from the battle field and tells him to go home and have sex with his wife.Well, not exactly like that. He actually says something like go home and wash your feet, which in those times meant go have sex with your wife. Instead of going home Uriah sleeps outside his door and the next day tells David that he can’t go home while Israel is still in battle. David even gets Uriah drunk thinking he will go home, but he doesn’t. David then writes a letter to Joab. In the letter David instructs Joab to place Uriah on the front line of battle and have all the other troops on the front line fall back which would expose Uriah and he will be killed. Joab did as the note said and Uriah was surely killed. When Bathsheba finds out that her husband is dead, she mourns for the required amount of time then marries David and they have a son. David’s bad things included breaking some of the Ten Commandments all to cover himself and being down right dirty towards Uriah.
October 29th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I tutor at the Homework Clinic as well and totally love it! I have gained great relation ships with both students and tutors. Just hearing what the kids have to say inspire me to come back week after week. I am glad to see that you have also gained a relationship with the kids so they feel that we as tutors are not only there to tutor but to also show support and that we care.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
That sounds like so much fun. I have seen these kids sometimes and was always wondering where they came from but now that i know it sounds very fulfilling. Its nice to hear stories of success like that. Using what you have learned over your many years of schooling to teach younger students is a great idea and a very thoughtful thing to do. I also love how you have made a relationship with these kids it shows you really care about what your doing.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Education is key. This project is great, because it starts with educating and helping the kids at an early age. I think your correct about your feelings about your impact on the children’s lives. They may be young, but they wont forget you when they excel at the things you have helped them with. Good luck with the rest of the project.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:05 am
I think your project is going very well. Education is an important topic that often times gets overlooked. It’s nice to see students taking time out to help others. I also think you can make a big impact in the students lives. You are helping them with their work but you are also giving them tips to succeed in life.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Your project seems to be going great. It is always endearing to hear about people like you helping others as much as you can. I think it is great that you have taken your precious time out to help these children with not only their education but their appreciation for life in general, although these kids may not know it. They do not look forward to going home to watch tv. Instead, they are anxious to meet up with their tutors and spend an extraordinary afternoon learning new things while having fun. Great job on your project. The world needs more people like you who can take the time out to help others with so much.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I think your project is going very good. Education is all ways the key to success and yet over look by so many of our youth and adults. By helping our youth you are giving them a chance at having a future. Do not for get who you are helping and the reason that made you want to get involved.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Tutoring the younger people is a great way to help them get a better education. Also, by tutoring them, you create an extra relationship that allows the kids to personally communicate with. You are helping them to decrease their chances of living in poverty by doing this. How can get others to join you? Or, can you start tutoring kids in other places?
November 4th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Oh Wow! I feel so clueless. I had no idea that there was tutoring in the House of Studies but I am so glad that there is! Maybe it’s because I don’t live at school, and come to think about it, I try to be there as little as possible. Anyway, I think that it is great that the program exists and great that you are apart of it. When I donate blood, I know that it is important and that it will help someone. But when you tutor the children you really form a bond with them and you become a fixture in their lives. I think that is so exciting. I am so proud of you and the others that are involved with this program. What our youth need the most are education, love and support. Good job at locating something close….it just makes sense for you to participate in something that’s already on campus. You are making a real difference. Keep up the good work!
November 5th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
You have a good project. I do believe that tutoring helps with younger kids. It is a good way to get connection with them, to learn & know what kind of help they need & how they have improved from it. Have you seen any improvements with any of the kids yet?
November 6th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I think that you are doing a good job with the homework clinic. I am glad that you are getting the chance to see the change and growth in the kids. I also think that it is very cute that the kids get mad when one you guys don’t show up. To me that really shows that you guys are making a difference. I think that your project is coming along great. I also hope that even though the homework clinic is ending that you continue to tutor kids. Could you also please comment my project, thanks.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
your project is a wonderful one. where i grew up, many kids parents were out at work and struggled with schoolwork. Your project helps kids like the ones I was bought up with. I was fortunate to have a mother at home to help. But I commend you and wish continued success.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Your project seems to going very well. I myself had planned on volunteering and I’m glad to see that others are getting the job done. The children really love when an older role model comes to spend time and help them succeed. And from experience, its a mutual joy when they learn something new or understand better! It’s the cutest, most adorable job in the world and I wish you much success. I’m going to try and find time to do it next semester so be on the lookout
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
You have made great progress with your project. Helping these kids who really want to be helped and really appreciate it has to be a very rewarding experience. It is also good that these kids have a positive role model to look up to because they probably are not very prevalent in their lives. I am sure these kids will remember this experience for the rest of their lives because it showed them that people really do care for them and want to see them succeed. (P.S. Please comment on my blog 9.)
November 29th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Tutoring is a beautiful thing. I tutored at a middle school during the hurricane semester, and no words can express the looks on the faces of the students. It is a good thing that you have the interest of others at heart. Due to the relatively closeness in age, the students probably find it easier to relate to you and will probably listen to you before they would listen to someone they consider an ‘adult’. Hopefully you’ve had some type of positive impact in the life of the students. So congratulations on making a difference in the lives of others.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
It seems as if your work was very productive. Although working in the homework clinic was a small step in changing the world, it definately was a step; which many people wouldn’t take because they are focused on self. It was a wonderful thing you did to try and help the youth. After all the children are the future. Since the homework clinic is now closed you may want to consider finding another way to continue changing the world.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Congratulations!!!
Your project has made a direct impact and it always feels great to see the actual change that you are making in the lives of others. Other people were not able to actually see their progress and the difference that they were making, but you are the perfect example of how the service you were giving actually made a difference.
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:38 am
I also work in the Homework Clinic and it has been like you said, very rewarding. Never did I think it was possibly to help somebody make a major improvement in their homework skills in just a few weeks, but it is. I worked woth the 1st graders and for the longest time this same little boy ould come in there and have trouble with his math. I think with everybody’s help of showing him visual aides on how to count when doing addition and subtraction he was finally able to do it on his own. I’m glad that you have had the same experience working in the homework clinic as I have had and I am glad that your project is doing well. Good Luck
PS: Are you going to be working in the Homework Clinic next semester??
December 7th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Your project sounded like it was a complete success. I think it was a great idea to offer free tutoring and a free meal to the kids. It gives the kids nothing to lose when they come but everything to gain. It’s also great that you made a bond with them because now they know someone in college who can help them out whenever they need it or give them advice when they’re about to go to college too. Seems to me like you accomplished your mission. Good Job!
December 7th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Your project has been really successful. It really is an amazing thing to see children improve from where they first started out. You seem to be pleased with your outcome of your project. I hope this a continuous thing for you. Congrats!
December 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I believe you have a great project. One suggestion I might give based on a comment in your blog this week, is for you to tutor privately. You can still do it voluntarily if you feel the parents would not be able to afford to pay you. Tutoring privately would allow you to work with the students even after the program ends. It’s just something for you to think about. I believe it can give your project another element for long term impact.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I love the fact that you are willing to dedicate your time repeatedly. As opposed to just doing a one time job you come back over and over again. Helping children out early on in their lives in very important. It makes it easier for them to trust in other people for guidance later on. I have many friends that are used to trying to figure things out on their own that they wont even think about using the tutoring centers offered for us! I think its great to want to discover things for yourself but everyone needs a little help every now and then. I’m glad you’re providing that kind of help for them! Good Job