Spring 2000
Pluto, Pet Rocks, and Plays: A Sanchez Intercession
What do AmeriCorps members do during Intersession? This is not an article about crazy adventures we have during our time off from school (although we may have some), but rather it is about the work that we do at Sanchez while most teachers enjoy their vacation. AmeriCorps members must continue to work their regular hours as much as possible during the break in order to finish their hours on schedule.
During the week of academy full-time members worked in two capacities. In the morning they facilitated the groups of fourth- and fifth-grade students who were rotating at half-hour intervals. These sessions consisted of interactive group learning activities about space. Students launched balloon rockets, figured out how old they would be when they reached Pluto, and calculated their weight on planets with different gravitational forces.
In the afternoon, full-time members joined the part-time members in the classrooms and assisted teachers or students with whatever was needed.
During the second week of Intersession, ACEE sponsored Fun Days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All Sanchez students in kindergarten through fourth grade were invited. About 30 children attended each day, a larger turnout than in the past.
Tuesday and Wednesday included a read-aloud, lunch, recess, and crafts. Some of the craft projects were making pet rocks, macaroni art, kites, books, and playdough. Each child took home his or her treasures at the end of the day.
On Thursday the kids spent the entire morning working on a readers' theater project, similar to a play. In readers' theater the children do not memorize their lines, but are encouraged to read them several times during rehearsal; they then act out the play while reading the scripts. Readers' theater has several benefits: children practice re-reading the same text without getting bored, they are more likely to fluctuate their voices, and they enjoy reading.
The students were split up into four groups: Spanish, kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, and fourth grade. They made their own costumes and performed the plays just before leaving in the afternoon. Their hard work made the plays successful and humorous.
AmeriCorps members are currently discussing what to do during the Spring Intersession. Many members would like to continue working in the school, but to do so they need more responsibilities in the classroom or more opportunities to lead their own projects.
—Sara Castellano