Assessment Essay Outline

Assessment Essay:

A Progression of Confidence and Experience 

OPENING PARAGRAPH

1. 4.5 million people served at BGCA ( www.bgca.org)- I'm proud that I was able to help out.
2. The act of service-you will benefit from-I will benefit from
3.  I will learn many things from this experience
4.  If I think more deeply will I find my life lessons?

1. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR PARTICULAR SERVICE SITE?

TS - Picking the BGCA was chosen in thought of early childhood education
SD 1- thought of how the children could benefit from my being there
CM - I would be someone for them to look up to
CM - Help boost their confidence in doing homework
SD 2 - This is one of the charity's that is more effective
CM - I will increase the level of them being successful in the future
CM - I will be a friendly helper
SD 3 - my goal- not to think so much of strictly the project and enjoy helping kids
CM - I wanted the kids to enjoy my presence
CM -I wanted the kids to be comfortable with me/ me be comfortable with them
CS - I chose this service because of how I may impact the kids and I

2. WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU EXPERIENCED AT YOUR SITE?

TS - From the beginning I was worried about working with children
SD 1- I was afraid because I didn't have siblings I wouldn't have enough experience
CM - I wanted to show that little fact was not a problem for me
CM - I tried my best to be someone they can trust
SD 2 - I always felt awkward there
CM - I never understood exactly what I should of started out doing when I came to the site
CM - It was hard for me to adjust to helping the kids
SD 3 - I was afraid the kids would not like me
CM - If the kids thought I was too mean or not someone they want to hang out with I wouldn't know what to do
CM - I was happy that the worry went away when the kids got attached to me
CS - With these few minor challenges I think I succeeded on pleasing the children

3. WHAT GOOD DO YOU THINK YOU DID DURING YOUR TIME AT THE SITE?

TS - Doing good is about community service and I sure helped a few of the kids
SD 1 - During Power Hour I helped a few kids out on their homework
CM - It felt good that I was able to help and educate someone
CM - I made sure the were focused in a way that was not harsh
SD 2 - Some of the girls would have troubles with sharing
CM - I made things equal
CM - I made sure I did not choose a side to favor so I wouldn't make things worse
SD 3 - Some of the boys would call each other names and complain about it
CM - I helped them make sure calling each other names was not okay
CM - When they realize that they would go back to playing
CS - The drama of a young child still reminds when I was young.

4. HOW DID YOUR RESEARCH INCREASE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION YOUR SITE DEALS WITH?

TS - BGCA helps kids learn right from wrong when certain situations occur
SD 1 - When the economy went down it was harder for after school care to have more staff
CM - Staff amounts in after school programs were decreased
CM - Fees were increase (www.afterschoolalliance.org)
SD 2 - I realize because of staff decrease they really needed help
CM - Some days were really hectic and stressful
CM - BGCA needed all the help in controlling the kids
SD 3 - The U.S. Department of Justice helps distribute the funds and make sure they are used properly ( www2.ed.gov)
CM - This helps the 4.5 million kids get served by BGCA
CM - In ALL of the 50 states ( www.bgca.org)
CS - It makes me understand the help that I have given to them has been appreciated

5. HOW CAN YOU RELATE THE STORY AND THE THEMES IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD TO YOUR WORK AT THIS SITE?

TS - Scout - service - " -She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?" ( Lee, page 140)
SD 1 - Scout and I both had to do services
CM - Scout does not realize that what she has to do is helpful
CM - At first, I just thought of this strictly as a project -- you realize that you are being very helpful to the community
SD 2 - Scout did not want to be doing this at first and neither did I
CM - When learned to enjoy it
CM - We realize how selfish we seemed when we didn't want to help out at first
SD 3 - If we didn't do these types of things we wouldn't learn to appreciate how fortunate we are for all of the other privileges we have
CM - When we realize that we are more keen to do more service
CM - In To Kill A Mockingbird the Finches realize that blacks are less fortunate in those times --> racism
CS - In To Kill A Mockingbird we both have to realize what people don't have and what we have --> appreciation

6. LOOKING BACK WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

TS - When we come to a conflict we never know what to do at first, we only realize the better solution later.
SD 1 - I needed to be more interactive with the kids I thought.
CM - Being uncomfortable held me back
CM - The thought of not having much experience with kids also held me back
SD 2 - When I feel awkward I tend to be shy too
CM - When I'm shy I usually get really nervous and don't help control the kids as much
CM - I watch the clock waiting to go because of the awkwardness
SD 3 - It is hard for me to discipline the children
CM - I don't want to be mean or be too nice that a kid gets away with something
CM -  I think it would be better for me not to be as worried about what the counselors think of my help in the service
CS - I plan on continuing to go back to BGCA so I can improve my contribution to the service

7. HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGED YOU?

TS - This project would change anyone
SD 1 - It has given me experience with children
CM - It feels good to help out someone younger than you with homework
CM - I will now feel more confident to help younger children in future service projects or not even a project
SD 2 -  I learned that BGCA is fun
CM - I learned that there is more than just the internet, theres a service that is fun and beneficial.
CM - I won't watch the clocks hands tick every second away until I have to go home in the future when I go to BGCA again
SD 3 - My confidence seems higher after this project
CM - By improving my confidence level I can easily feel more relaxed in territory I have not been in before
CM - In the future I will be more inclined to do these projects because I already have experience and lots of confidence
CS - This experience will always stay in my soul

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH

1. I wanted a challenge
2. I learned a few life lessons
3. Spend your time wisely, don't waste it on silly things like the internet
4. This is an experience that is going to be treasured for a very long time