Level Up! From Elementary to Junior High Kids

Seventh grade students (left to right): Randy, Andrew, and Raymond doing their homework out in the field since the weather was so nice out today.

So two weeks ago, I went to Parkmont Elementary School to tutor and help elementary school students with their homework. Unfortunately, the library was closed due to STAR testing coming up for the elementary school. So this left me unsure where to go volunteer next. I said in my previous post that I would go work at Bronco Brainiacs, an after school program at Brier Elementary School. I currently still am aiming to work there, however because of the sudden amount of work and tests that came up this week, I didn't get the chance to go ask the school if I could volunteer there. Instead, I turned to a small homework program at Walters Jr. High. My younger brothers (they're twins) are seventh graders attending the junior high school so I was able to to go over and volunteer there for today. Originally Brier Elementary was my second choice, but due to the short amount of time and the amount of work that suddenly came up on me this week, Walters was my third option. I chose to go to Walters because it was close to my dad's and brothers' house, so walking to my dad's house and a couple extra minutes to get to the school was no problem for me. Once again, I chose to work as a tutor because I enjoy helping kids with their homework and because this time the students were junior high students, I was able to give them advice for the next few years. After all, within two or three years, these middle school students will be heading off to high school.

When I arrived, I went to the office to get a visitors' pass and then went on campus to find the teacher in charge of the homework program. Unfortunately the head teacher wasn't there, but the other teachers let me volunteer anyways. When I asked to take pictures, they said the same thing as the librarian did at Parkmont, I needed parental permission to take pictures of the students. Fortunately, my brothers happened to be there and their friend too, so I asked if I was allowed to take a picture of their friend and their friend, Andrew, said yes. Of course, since the other two students happened to be my brothers, I doubted that I needed their permission.

While working at the program, students were allowed to do homework at the field since they didn't want to be cooped up inside. So the majority of the kids went outside to do their homework and to play around. My brothers, Randy and Raymond, along with their friend Adrew, went outside to do their homework. It was pleasant for them maybe, but I didn't appreciate the fact that I was going to be sitting on a grass field, under the hot sun, and helping them with their homework. However, I sucked everything up and continued to work for no blazing temperature would stop me. Sometimes while helping them with their math homework, I asked Andrew if he liked being in the program. His response: "Not really, but I'm at least with my friends and finishing up homework at the place where I can get help." I wasn't really surprised at his answer, after all, it was a Friday and most students thought after school programs were just a waste of time. However, I was satisfied at how he acknowledged the fact that he's at a place where he could get help with his homework. I asked my brother Randy what the program was like usually. He probably found it weird how I was interviewing him, but he answered, "It's usually quiet for those who need serious help with their homework. But other times, it's just loud or normal where everyone is just doing their homework and then they go home."As I worked, I noticed how the other volunteers were actually helping and explaining to the junior high students on how to correctly achieve the answers on their homework. These volunteers are better than the ones back at Parkmont since three of them stuck together like a pack and were just talking or gossiping. One girl even had the nerve to have her phone out in the open. However at Walters, the volunteers were spread out and they were focused completely on the students. I think there's a big gap between elementary school students and junior high school students. Despite elementary school students are easier to help out with their homework, middle school students seem to understand and grasp the concept of their homework instead of just trying to get the whole thing done. I hope I can continue to work at Walters or I'll just see how big of a difference it is to go from a homework program to a real after school program at Brier Elementary.