Shaking it Up!

I have really enjoyed training the teacher who is now working implementing our class through Jamestown at César Chávez Elementary School. Showing her the ins and outs of our curriculum, and my own style of teaching was not without it's rewards. In talking about materials for our projects, she mentioned that she was planning to use small boxes rather than plastic bottles for our shaker craft. I decided to do the same, especially since I was able to get just the right size boxes at SCRAP. I wasn't even planning to do this before I went shopping. The mothers in the City College babies class really took these boxes to town, and created some really cool little shakers for their babies. The best part was seeing the faces of the babies light up as they moved their little shaker boxes, and listened to the sound they made.

-Dawn Noelle

Sharing our Challenges

As new mothers trickle into our Good Sam Babies class, it is always good to have the core of mothers who know each other from the past semester. Building relationships between families is an important part of what we do - and helps to form support structures for the new mothers. This past week, there was an openness I haven't seen this early in the semester before, as mothers shared their challenges. Those who are not first time mothers are often less timid to share, and my hope is that this openness will be an encouragement to those who are facing motherhood for the first time.

On another note, I have run into students outside of class a number of times over the past couple of weeks. It's always good to see these toddlers with a book they have received from the Reading Tree in their hands!

-Dawn Noelle

Fire Alarm!

We had lots of excitement in our Good Sam toddlers class today. The fire alarm went off half way through the class - and we were evacuated to nearby Rolf Park. It was reassuring to observe that the staff at the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center were well prepared for an emergency. It was also interesting to note that in the wake of the recent San Bruno fire, it was not at all hard to convince my families to leave their belongings behind and to move quickly and calmly to the designated location. Once the fire department declared the building safe (smoke from a fourth floor microwave set off the alarm) we returned happily to our class, continuing to make, of all things, bus and fire-engine pull-toys. I had no idea that the kids would be able to see a real fire truck during class-time today! We also had some of the best participation I've seen, mothers and toddlers participating in all aspects of the class. In spite of, (and perhaps even partially due to) the excitement - we had a great class!

-Dawn Noelle

Collaboration

The class has been going well. One new component to the class is that an ESL teacher has started teaching this semester at my location. We were just commenting to each other that we are very fortunate to have 3 different programs working together. Hopefully this gives the families a great experience since the class offers some learning about child development, early literacy and English as Second Language. All of this happens in a place where the adults and children can play, be creative, meet new people, make friends, and have a good time.

-Laura Hecht

Lots of New Families!

We are still feeling out the dynamic at the Tenderloin Children's Playground City College Childhood Observation Class. We tried something new this week, since lunch is served toward the end of their three hour time at the center. I read to the families while they ate lunch. Though there were still many distracted children, I had the attention of more than ever before as I walked back and forth, reading Mouse Count (Cuenta Ratones) hissing like a snake, and showing the pictures of the mice that got away. It was fun to relate the snake's lunch with their own, even though the snake didn't get to eat the mice in the end. 21 families in all this Wednesday - word is starting to get around!

-Dawn Noelle

Lupe Lupita...

It is always great when parents are very excited when they see the book I give away. This week I gave away Lupe Lupita, Where are you?/Lupe Lupita, ¿dónde estás? by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza. One parent was very excited because the girl in the book has darker skin and she goes by Lupe Lupita, which you wouldn’t find in many books. She was also very happy with the translation. It is also a great and unique book because it teaches positional words by following this little girl.

-Laura Hecht

New Semester

The semester has just started for me. There are lots of new faces. Many of them are families from the baby class that have moved up to the toddler class.

It has been a good two weeks. The classes have been FULL. Last week I was able to give a book to completely new families because some returning families already had the book. They told me to pass it on to those who were new to the class. It is never a good feeling when I don’t have enough books to give away to all of the children.

Along with meeting many of the families from the baby class, a mother that started in the class in 2004 has returned. She now has a toddler and a two month old. It has been great to see her again and to catch up. It is also great to know that she wants to give the younger children a chance to participate in the class just as their “big” sister did.

-Laura Hecht