I only had a little time to stop by SOAR today, but it was still very fun. I hung out with the kiddos while they ate snack and had a competition to see what grade could be the cleanest. It was very cold so instead of playing outside we had a dance party/competition for the kiddos. They got to do the grinch dance and grade 1 won.
For my last day of volunteering at SOAR, I got to participate in being sorted into a house and helping with an early fun Friday. After getting into the Isbindi house, the kids were so excited and made my whole year. I also helped some kiddos with a building activity. The positivity of SOAR has been so amazing to experience. The staff and kids are all truly rock stars.
When I volunteered on the 12th, it was Tuesday, so most of the afternoon was spent on clubs. I floated around, helping during snack time and playing games with the kiddos during outside time. I got to help with sports club. This week, sports club was working on how to play soccer. I helped the teacher in charge set up and monitor drills and coach the kids during a quick scrimmage.
When I volunteered on Monday, I got to help the lead teacher in group one. Things were running behind on Monday, so things were a little more simple. The kiddos all got a snack and some time outside after they arrived. When we came in, everyone sat down for the afternoon show and announcements, including singing a couple of happy birthdays. After everyone broke out into their groups, the lead teacher read a few books to group one and then we transitioned to free time to end the day.
This was my third time volunteering at SOAR, and this time, I was with kindergarteners and then fifth graders. For the first part of my time, I just helped the kindergarten teacher with after-school snack time and monitoring students during outside time. I helped some of the younger kiddos spell words for their chalk creations and played tic-tac-toe with them. After outside time and the afternoon show, I went to help the fifth grade while the teacher administered surveys about the students and facility. My time at SOAR is always so enjoyable since the staff makes it such a welcoming environment. As a childcare provider, it has been a great learning experience seeing the teaching styles of others.
At SOAR, I volunteered on a Tuesday so it was club day! I got to help the teacher in charge of the slime club. Before the kiddos came in, we had to do a lot of prep to figure out the perfect recipe to make the slime. We also had to strategize the least chaotic and messy way to set up everything. The kids had the best time making the slime and were so excited to have something they made to take home. After clubs were over, I helped in their classroom while they had silent reading time. I then got beat in a game of Uno during free time.
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.
Fayetteville Animal Services
Fayetteville Animal Services
Fayetteville Animal Services
