After School Program

We've been busy.. busy, busy with everything. The harvest came in... we still have a few pumpkins and beets to put away. Math seems to be enjoyed - although Gabi sometimes rolls her eyes at the stuff she already knows. (She had a different program in school last year, so we're using the transition lessons right now to help her understand the part of this program before jumping into the level C that she's ready for... almost done with the transition though.)

Anyway, we're involved ourselves in the after school program (asp). Unlike most ASPs, this one is put on and run by the youth program committee of the rec. department. Therefore, I am co-directing it this year. We decided on a cultural theme. So, most of the days we focus on one country. A craft, a physical activity - game, cultural snack, and so forth. Several of the days we have someone come in and talk about their culture... or one they know a tremendous amount about.

So far, we've made rain sticks, and started African drums. Obviously these are mock items, as to make the real thing would require items we can't ready get a hold of, but the idea is there. They've also heard from a Penobscott Indian, and he shared some drumming and songs with them. We also had the children try Zimbabwe Sweet-Potato Cookies (which they loved). The also seemed to enjoy a native stew as well.

The younger children generally get to hear stories read about the culture we're talking about. Last week, I did a re-telling of Abiyoyo while they children ate their snack. They really enjoyed that.

We only meet two days a week... it seems to be enough for those of us putting it on... with out own kids and schedules to have to maintain as well.

What they learns is interesting, but it's only a taste of the culture. It gets the kids excited and interested. - And it helps to open their eyes to things that are different (and similiar) between their own culture and others. (We are, after all, a very small and "sheltered" community).