My site for the nutrition practicum is the recreational center in downtown Keene on Washington street. The recreational center is used for an after school program for grades K-5th. The facility has classrooms, a gym with basketball courts and a field. I will be teaching these children how to make healthy snacks once the kitchen is open in a couple of weeks. The first
day is always the most nerve-raking, even with kindergarteners. Most of the counselors are still in high school. The day always starts at 3:30 at the rec center. The kids are given milk and pretzels for a snack. Kids love their milk, plus it is fat free. However, a few steps beyond on the entrance into the rec center, there is a vending machine, and some kids go straight there to purchase chips or gummy candies.
At 4’o’clock we go either to the gym or outside. In the gym we either play floor
hockey, dodge ball, or soccer. The kids get really competitive and engaged with the sports. The outside is beautiful with an up to date jungle
gym and World War II memorials.
Outside the kids play tag and run the track. Kids participate in physical activity for an hour each day at the rec center. By 5:30 the day ends and most of the parents have picked up their children.
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| The Jungle Gym |
As
days go on I’m starting to get to know the children and other counselors a lot
more. Also started to realize who are the well behaved ones and who are the ones receiving coal in their stockings. I'm surprised that the counselors are so lenient, if I was counseling these kids they would not hear the end of it.
The
first day of cooking took place this past Monday. There is a little
kitchen with a window that connects to a bigger room where the kids are. All of us made Apple Carrot Muffins with raisins. Hannah and I put out all the ingredients in bowls so the
kids can mix the solids ingredients together as well as the liquid ones.
Afterward we put the pan of raw muffins into the oven and waited 15 minutes.
Once they cooled the kids enjoyed their muffins with a glass of milk. However, of course there were those who are stubborn and did not even bother trying their creation. I cannot imagine these kids at home because the crumb trails they made were extraordinary. I spent 20 minutes sweeping those floors. However, the experience I had was just as mind-boggling. I am excited to see what else this practicum has in store.
Once they cooled the kids enjoyed their muffins with a glass of milk. However, of course there were those who are stubborn and did not even bother trying their creation. I cannot imagine these kids at home because the crumb trails they made were extraordinary. I spent 20 minutes sweeping those floors. However, the experience I had was just as mind-boggling. I am excited to see what else this practicum has in store.
Pros that come out of this practicum is that it is energizing participating with hyper children. A teaching aspect is involved by showing them how to craft healthy snacks. Some cons that come out of this is the distance. A bike works well, but will not if it downpours. Another annoyance is cleaning for 35 children. Some did not even bother cleaning up after themselves after eating the carrot stuffed muffins.
I am unsure of the program that you are doing at the Recreational Center, so I would definitely mention that in your blog and expand off of that by including your primary job and the primary goals of the program. Also, there are a few spelling errors at the beginning, so beware. I would recommend either changing the font or the color of the background from white to a more engaging color. I think your blog could definitely be more eye-catching and engaging if you did that!
ReplyDeleteI am unsure of the program that you are doing at the Recreational Center, so I would definitely mention that in your blog and expand off of that by including your primary job and the primary goals of the program. Also, there are a few spelling errors at the beginning, so beware. I would recommend either changing the font or the color of the background from white to a more engaging color. I think your blog could definitely be more eye-catching and engaging if you did that!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a Recreational Center for kids to me! However, I think the program you are involved in here needs to be further explained. I would also add some more color and possibly change the background of your blog to fit your practicum sites atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteHi Will! Your first 10 hours really seemed like it might be a good predictor for the rest of your practicum experience. I liked seeing the Rec Center internship through a different experience (compared to Hannah's). I like how you went into detail about what you actually did with the kids playing, cooking, etc. but your "duties" should also be described so we can see what's to come!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you wrote your blog and showed how it really is to work with children. However, I do agree that in your upcoming blog posts you need to expand more on what your practicum is all about. It seems like working with the children may be stressful at times, but it seems like a great experience.
ReplyDeleteI like how you included pictures within your blog post. The pictures broke up the writing well so it wasnt too overwhelming. I also liked how you described personal experiences you had here and im interested in what you will be doing here in the upcoming weeks!
ReplyDeleteI like the set up of the blog! You had a great use of photos throughout the text to help break things up. It sounds like a great experience so far, can't wait to hear more about it!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of pictures! I enjoyed reading about what a day at your site is like, you provided a great amount of detail. Cooking with the kids sounds challenging... but fun!
ReplyDeleteIt's been great working at the rec center with you. You really interact with the kids well.I can attest to the challenges of cooking with such a large group of kids, but it's been a fun and rewarding experience. You provided a great description of the program.
ReplyDeleteI like the simplicity of your blog but it might need a new background. It sounds like you will have a lot of fun at the rec center teaching kids all new things. It must be so rewarding yet difficult to work with kids. Looking forward to see what you will do at the rec center!
ReplyDeleteSounds like there is a lot going on at the CATCH program and that you will have a busy but exciting semester! Nice job Will.
ReplyDelete