Picking up from yesterday –
So, as I said, I was working with 5th graders. The books were picked by the organization, and we were reading The Odyssey.
One thing I thought was cool was that there was a theme that went across all grade levels. This day’s was folklore and fantasy. But it was cool to me that there was a cohesive umbrella, even though it was segmented between grade levels.
Usually, when I volunteer for things, it’s not so bad when I go alone. Sure, I’ve noticed that a lot of times people come with people or with groups – whether it be people from their job, church, hobby group, meetup group, or wherever else they might find people.
And sometimes, depending where I am, I might feel like I’m the only person not from UCLA or One Brick or whatever. But it hasn’t bothered me too much. And today, it didn’t bother me all that much more. But I will say, of all the volunteer activities that would be better with a friend – this would be the top of my list so far.
You’re paired up with people and the pair of you take a group of kids to a classroom to read to them. (We actually had 3 in our group since there were enough volunteers to justify that.)
So, we went in and each of us took a chapter. I absolutely adore that really over-the-top excitable delivery. So, reading to kids is right up my alley. I really enjoyed doing it.
There was one child who seemed really into books. He knew a lot about a lot of books… However, when it got to craft time and the kids were to draw their own ideas of monsters, he just sort of put aside the craft supplies and went for the book.
Now, I love the idea of kids loving to read. Reading is grand, and I understand it’s why I was there. But he mentioned that he didn’t think he was very good at crafts. And I’d never want someone squelching his creative side because he’s afraid he’s not “good” at it – especially since there basically are no rights and wrongs in creative projects.
So, I really tried to encourage him to draw a monster. It was a little bit like pulling teeth, but we did get him to draw at least a little by the end of the day.
There was also this incredible girl who I can’t wait to tell you about tomorrow.