Describe the setting: I was assigned to Hyalite Elementary School. This is Bozeman's newest elementary school, it opened it's doors for the first time 4 years ago. The program host between 60-80 kids each day. The program director is Beth Kennedy, who has been with the program prior to the opening of Hyalite Elementary. The children descend on the school stage after the final bell rings. The afternoon starts off with some play time outside followed with a snack. Once the snack is finished the kids break up into respective age groups. The younger children usually have story time followed with an activity or art project. The older kids move to the library to work on homework, reading or math activities. The main study and activity time for the children is between 4:05 and 5:00 pm. Typically things start to wrap up around 5pm and if there is extra time the children that still have not been picked up get a chance to go outside again.
The staff at the after school program are very organized and have many different hooks that they employ to organize the children between activities. Knowing these hooks is very helpful when teaching lessons, because the children know to stop talking and give you their undivided attention. The library is where most of the lesson's will be taking place, because of the access to technology in the school. I learned very quickly that establishing a relationship with the library staff will be essential to a successful tech club. Getting to know the staff of the After School Program will also be very advantageous, because they will be able to help with the disciplinary issues as well as the lesson.
What Challenged You? I am very familiar with the program from my previous volunteer work. The biggest challenge is getting comfortable effectively using the technology that is provided by the school.
What Surprised You? There were not to many surprises because of my familiarity of working with the director and the children during previous visits to the school.
What Interest You? I am interested in becoming more familiar with methods that will help keep the children engaged in the lesson.
What Scared You? The one thing that scares me is that the children have already spent a full day at school. More instruction is the last thing that they are interested in and coming up with projects that teach as well as entertain is my biggest concern.
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