SOAR Afterschool Program - Daily Program Volunteering

This week with Group 2, I was able to interact with the students while they were in their own classroom doing crafts. The craft they were given was to create anything they could imagine on a brown paper bag. I sat with a group of 4 children and had them explain what each of them decided to create. It was intriguing to see what each of them came up with!

At SOAR, I spent the whole afternoon hanging out with a great group of first-graders. When I got there they were having an afternoon snack and then it was time to go outside and play. Some of the kiddos truly schooled me on my poor soccer skills. After outside time, we went to the classroom and I helped their lead teacher give a lesson on living and non-living things. When the lesson was over, the kids got to have some more free time to just play. It was such a fun learning experience and I was very impressed with the amount of structure they can manage with a large group of kids after school.

I was paired with 3rd grade today! They first had snack time and then they presented all of the club opportunities they had for the kids to join. We then went to the classroom and they all played a math game on there ipad and were able to stop once they got a green light. After this they had a math coloring sheet and then reading time!

I was with the first grade students again and I am glad that I am getting to know them. I started to notice that some of them knew my name. We went outside, which is the routine everyday after checkin. Then played with play-dough. After that they served dinner, which is an important part of SOAR. Then they got to color during flex. The coloring seemed to be a class favorite!

I spent my day with the first grade students! They are called group 2. These students are such an energetic group! I helped Catie, who is another University of Arkansas Student! During the day we went outside, did a math lesson (discovery lab), had dinner, and read a book as a class. I had a great time getting to know the kids. I learned about keeping students entertained and ways to discipline.

I was paired with the 4th graders! We went outside and played Hoop Hop Showdown, a game that combines rock-paper-scissors with hula hoops. After this, we went inside and had reading time.

September 4th was my first day volunteering at George Elementary. I happen to join on a very exciting day where groups of children were placed in a "house"; a tradition the SOAR program does. Kindly enough, the staff members included me in choosing a house! It was a good experience and I felt very welcomed, even with it being my first day!