01/05/2009 "Project Exploration" (my experience at Bancroft)

Today is Tuesday, January 6th, 2009. I just wanted to blog on the fact that today was my first day with my sponsor. The sponsor that I have choosen isn't one that I am to follow, but she will lead me to other people such as teachers, aids, occupational therapists, social workers, and physical therapists. I started my voluntering today at Bancroft in Haddonfield and it was such a wonderful experience. Bancroft is a place for children and adults that have special needs and need help doing everyday activities. I observed a room today with three students between the ages of 13-15 and they function at a level of a 4-5 year old. When I first met them they were very welcoming, but shy at the same time. I was with the group of students from 12:30 to 2:30 when I first got introduced to them they were in gym class (they have gym two days a week), music one day, and art the other day. When the students were finished in gym class we went to the classroom and worked on a worksheet about polar bears! Did you know that a polar bear changes to the color brown in summer time? I never knew that! Intresting huh? After the class completed the worksheet one of the students had some one on one time with the occupational therapist. I watched them swing on the swings and play with play-do. I let the occupational therapist and the student be so I went back to the classroom and observed the other two students. And then before I knew it, it was 2:30 and I helped one of the aids walk one of the students to the bus.