Marumofase High School Limpopo Reflection

Marumofase High School Limpopo Reflection

In today’s meeting, Mrs. Fazenbaker was the instructor. Today’s topics that we covered were, activities to gain trust, number of Limpopo students per writing workshop, and a discussion on mealtimes with the Limpopo students. The first topic we reviewed were activities to gain trust and how to approach, act, and react with the Limpopo students. We will apply the techniques taught by a member from “The Theater of the Oppressed” to interact with the students. Second topic was the number of students per writing workshop. We collectively decided as a group, that two AISJ students would teach six Limpopo students. This is the preliminary plan. Mrs. Fazenbaker will be contacting the Marumofase High School in order to determine the exact number of students so we can plan accordingly. The students that have been chosen from Marumofase High School are first-generation children of freed slaves; they will each have the opportunity to use their creative writing skills to express themselves on this topic. The AISJ students’ roles will be to proofread, edit, and revise the students’ stories. The final product will be a collection of stories from each student into a published book. The third topic discussed was mealtimes with the Limpopo students. We as a group felt that we wanted the Limpopo students to feel accepted and part of our group to partake in mealtimes. This would allow us to have conversation, get to know one another, and learn of their families, school, and hobbies. On the other hand, they would have the opportunity to ask us the same questions or whatever their curious about. In conclusion, we meet again next week. We will finalize our plans on building trust amongst the Marumofase High School students and AISJ students. 

AISJ Senior Track and Field Team Reflection

AISJ Senior Track and Field Team Reflection

The AISJ track team competed on Wednesday, 25 September against Dainfern and De La Salle at Heronbridge. Speaking as a team member, our team is getting stronger with every practice and every meet. Camaraderie and teamwork are consistently displayed between team members. Each track competition unifies our team. I continuously see great support from other team members coaching on their peers. My challenge on joining the track and field team is that it takes great discipline between balancing studies and homework.

My biggest challenge is reserving all my energy for sprinting the 100-meter and the 200 meters. I am learning to get more sleep and eat nutritious meals to prepare myself for the physical exertion it takes to compete. Also, I am breaking in my running shoes. Each track practice and competition I feel my body is stronger and my speed is faster. Keeping my eye on my opponents drives me to sprint faster and reach for my goals. I keep my insights focused while I’m sitting on the bench waiting for my turn to sprint. Using mental preparation to drive my enthusiasm. One specific learning moment was when I was continuously experiencing a thigh cramp in my left leg. I knew this could hinder my performance so I have learned to always thoroughly stretch before and after each sprint. Now, I know how important it is to keep my legs warmed up for each run. Each practice helps me eliminate my limitations. Therefore, on competition days I have much smoother and defined runs. 

I can relate to my leg cramps and I can identify the slightest discomfort. Thus, I add more stretches both dynamic and static to my warm-up. When I began track I didn’t know about fatigue and keeping one’s form throughout the run. Now, I have learnt new lessons on how to keep my body posture when running. A straight back and head, running on my toes, and keeping my arms inline and in rhythm with my stride enhances my performance tremendously. I feel these changes have definitely improved my overall running ability. I have come to the conclusion, to make time to practice running outside of school, eat well, and sleep. These are no longer outstanding issues. My future goals from this incredible experience are to keep these strong exercise ethics, proper running techniques, and team camaraderie in future sport endeavors.    

             

              

CAS Retreat 2013 Reflection

CAS Retreat 2013 Reflection

The AISJ painting volunteers consisted of Myself Enya, Neringa, Eilif, Anjali, and Raquel. The children at Sunnyside Primary School were in 4^th grade, 5^th grade, and 7^th grade. They were overjoyed when they discovered we were painting. The AISJ team introduced ourselves to the children and explained the activity we were going to participate in. We separated the children into five groups each with a partner into the five painting stations that was conducted by one AISJ student. Each student’s assignment was to paint a portrait of his or her friends face. This activity was aimed at building team skills and using art as a method to express oneself. I myself discovered through observation of the various paintings that the children painted happy faces throughout their pictures with bright colors. Also, they were very innovative with the colors provided to mix and create their own colors. Each student was in full throttle of participation, enthusiastic, and you could hear lots of giggling and happiness. The overall experience that was felt by all AISJ volunteers was camaraderie and teamwork. I feel we completed the learning outcome “working collaboratively with others” that was aimed for; as we all took part and helped where needed. Through having a plan and sticking to it as much as possible allowed us to utilize time efficiently and ensure quality-painting time for the children and success in the activity. A specified learning moment I had when I was working with a young lady was helping draw the eyes of her friend onto the paper. I saw and felt great satisfaction and gratitude from the student. It encouraged her to continue painting her portrait with confidence. We did not plan nor expect the children to be older than grade 4; therefore, we modified the painting plan to accommodate the interests of older grades. Instead of painting the big five, we chose to make it more personal and interactive for the children by painting a portrait of their friend. Another slight problem was an insufficient number of paintbrushes for each child. To improvise quickly we as a team decided to make it a bit more creative by using our own hands. The kids seemed to be delighted with this as it was a more hands on approach. However, they even began to paint their own faces. This had to be stopped immediately because; the paint was not suited to be used as face paint. Also, I would change the location in which this activity took place. A location that provided tables and chairs to accommodate the children to sit, relax and paint. One other thing to point out would be to inform the children to write their name and class on the paper before they begin to paint. This would ensure the children would receive their painting at the end of the day. I realized by working with six children all at the same time was quite overwhelming to meet all of their demands. At times it might have exceeded my own limitations. Overall, I think that this activity benefited the community. I learned a great deal about how much energy these young children have and the different needs that arose from each child. I learned that when three of the children are talking to you at one time that I must address to them I could answer only one of you at a time. So, patience was a virtue there. On a return visit, I will note that we need a sufficient amount of materials including not only the paint brushes and the paints but the paper towels, newspaper, and cleaning supplies. Some of the conflicts that arose during the activity that I noticed was children running around after they finished their paintings disturbing the ones that were still painting and accidents with paint and water through silly playing. We resolved these issues by reiterating the no running rule inside of the building and by enforcing monitoring the children while they were painting more closely. For future goals, when we have groups of children of six or more there should be two AISJ volunteers interacting and teaching the children. What I take away with this experience is despite a few problems the overall project was positive, effective, and rewarding. The children’s faces, attitudes, and participation displayed this clearly. 

CAS Retreat Proposal

For this activity our learning outcomes are “working collaboratively with others” and “planning and initiating new activities.” This activity is primarily service and creativity. In our group Eilif will be our group leader, coordinating the people and leading the communication between the children and us. Anjali will be in charge of getting the children from one station to the next promptly. Neringa will be in charge of clean up, but clearly all of us will help as it will be a big and messy job because of the paint. Raquel and I will be in charge of getting and returning the supplies to Ms. Barton. The activity we will have the children do is to paint the big 5 on A3 sheets of paper. We will have three pictures per rotation, with three different groups. We will divide ourselves between the groups to help direct and facilitate. This activity is planning and initiating because we have to make a plan ahead of time to know what to do at Sunnyside and we will then have to facilitate the activity. It is working collaboratively with others because we must work together in the group to plan and facilitate, and we must work with the children to do the activity. This activity is creative, because we will be painting and doing art. It is service because we will be working with children who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to paint and it caters to an interest in the children to be creative.

Johannesburg Model United Nations (JOMUN) Reflection

            Currently in JOMUN, the Press Team is preparing for the conference in October. Specifically, I am working collaboratively with the other members to update the JOMUN handbook. I am revising this years committees and student officers page. Claire sent me the link to include this year’s committees, member’s names, and position held. I am inputting the updated information and it is expected to be complete on Tuesday, 17 September 2013. It will be uploaded to the database with other member’s work. Attached are pictures of me actively working in the JOMUN Press team.