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Fields
of Dreams Program Update 2008
2007-2008
Academic Enrichment
During
the 7-week Fall program, students from all 6 elementary
schools focused on the 5 Step Writing Process with their
final, published versions of the essays competing in a Fields
of Dreams essay competition.
Students wrote essays on their role models and the
values of Jackie Robinson their role model exhibits.
Writing is a difficult subject for most of our students
and many are lacking in the very fundamental writing skills.
Throughout the 7-week fall program, students diligently
worked through the steps of the writing process from
brainstorming to outlining to peer editing to publishing.
The improvements that students made in their writing
with the extra practice and help was remarkable. Special
thanks to Gelberg Signs for sponsoring the prizes for the
competition.
This
Spring, students are focusing on the history of Anacostia and
examining various themes each week, from community landmarks
to School History to Lessons on the Anacostia River.
Hands-on science lessons taught around the history of the
river are being provided by Living Classrooms. Students
are also reading various oral histories and will be conducting
their own interviews and putting together oral histories of
people from their school and home communities. Students
will all attend a field trip to the Anacostia Smithsonian.
Program
Additions
In
the Fall of 2007, Fields of Dreams added an in-school
mentoring program at 3 of the elementary schools in the most
need. Students meet once a week with a Fields of Dreams
mentor/coach. The program uses the Jackie Nine's
curriculum as well as a curriculum developed by the Cal
Ripken, Sr Foundation.
Fields
of Dreams piloted a 7-week winter program at Malcolm X ES this
winter. This provided Dreamers with a quality program
during the critical after-school hours during the winter as
well. During the academic enrichment portion, students
focused on the heroes of the Negro Leagues, culminating with
presentations on various players made during Black History
month for the entire school. Fields of Dreams plans to
expand the winter program next year if appropriate funding is
secured.
Nutrition
Education
In the fall
of 2004, Fields of Dreams initiated H.E.A.L., Health Eating
Active Living. Our goal was to integrate a nutrition program
to demonstrate the correlation between physical fitness and
healthy eating. The purpose of H.E.A.L. is to assist parents
and children in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes,
and changes in behavior necessary for a nutritionally sound
diet that will lead to a longer and healthier life.
The
communities we operate in are characterized by stark economic,
racial, ethnic, and educational disparities. These factors,
combined with poor access to proper health care facilities,
personnel and lack of insurance, have created a situation in
which the most vulnerable members of our community have less
access to primary and preventive care and engage in unhealthy
behavior with regard to nutrition and physical exercise.
We have
compiled a list of medical concerns and medications for each
child and we've found that many of our participants suffer
from obesity, asthma, high cholesterol, iron deficiency, high
led levels and possibly Type II diabetes. Most of these
children are inactive, unmotivated about their health and
potential health risks, and unable to identify healthy food
options.
In 2006,
Fields of Dreams began a partnership with DC Central Kitchen's
Healthy Returns Program. Nutrition lessons to children
take place during the after-school program and summer camp
during the academic portion of classes. Our main goal is to
incorporate health and nutrition into the regular lesson plan.
In doing so, children will regularly engage in health and
nutrition literacy lessons. Healthier snacks are also being
distributed to help children reach their recommended daily
allowances.
All of the
services provided are free of charge. |
