CAS Week 1

In Helping Hands this week we focused on learning colors and articles of clothing. I planned and initiated a game in which the students were able to learn and have fun. The students were split into three teams. Each member of the teams took turns running to the end of the field, putting on articles of clothing( hat, shirt, pants, bag), describing their new outfit, taking off the clothing from the activity,and running back to their team to tap the next participant. The use of a relay race allowed the students to be active and use their energy. The students were extremely enthusiastic and cheered throughout the race. The students learned new colors and the names of the different articles of clothing as they described their new outfits. As the weeks pass I can really see my skills in leadership beginning to develop. The following picture is of the colors and clothing game activity.

 

This week I went to my first yoga lesson. It was extremely challenging but a wonderful experience. My favorite part was the 8 minute meditation period. During this time I was able to reflect on my new living conditions. I was able to increase awareness of my areas of growth, I thought about my new life here in Sri Lanka and the new things I have learned in these past weeks. Yoga is a way to learn more about the Asian culture.

I have begun practicing basketball to prepare for the basketball season. I have been playing basketball since a young age and am very passionate about this sport. I hope to make team captain this year, I believe that this will improve my leadership skills and teach my to work collaboratively with others.

In RCCI this week we worked on getting the students to be active and develop their skills in coordination. I worked collaboratively with the other club members as we tried to come up with fun games. At times it was challenging and took a lot of patience, however it was a very rewarding experience. As the meeting progressed I was able to see a difference in the trust and attitude with which the students addressed the OSC students. The students became more comfortable and I was able to see personal relationships beginning to form.

IB ORIENTATION TRIP

September 4-6 my classmates and I went on an amazing adventure to Kitulgala. Borderlands organized our trip and created a wonderful experience for all of us. We participated in multiple fun activities such as hiking and swimming in the river. On this trip I faced many challenges and learned a variety of things not only about my classmates but also about myself.

The most exciting new challenge that I undertook was abseiling. During this activity we had to lower ourselves down an eighty foot water fall. I was extremely scared to try abseiling, my teachers and classmates were encouraging and supportive through every step of this experience. From this activity I learned that it is important to face your fears and try new things. Though I was initially intimidated by the great height of the waterfall, I am happy that I participated in this activity and challenged myself.

My favorite part of the trip was rafting. The first day we arrived in Kitulgala, we were split up into groups of teachers and students, and went rafting in the main river. This was great for learning to work collaboratively with others and allowed me to get to know my classmates better. We cheered and screamed out of fear as we went down the river. I felt that after this experience with my classmates I was able to share a closer bond with them.

 

 

 

Pictures from: http://ianlockwood.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/abseiling-collage.jpg

GOALS

This year I hope to challenge myself weekly both physically and academically. I plan on being extremely engaged in my studies and maintaining a high grade point average. I hope to learn new ways of learning and studying.

I am an active member of RCCI. This is a school club in which students help mentally challenged local students to improve their communication skills and learn to interact with others. I have no prior experience in this type of project, therefore it will be a new experience for me. I hope to eventually have a leadership position in this club. 

I hope to be very active in my schools sports teams this year. I plan on trying out for both the soccer and basketball teams. I will develop new skills and improve my playing in both sports. My goal is to be the captain of the team in one of these two sports, this would show my commitment to athletics.

For the creativity section of CAS I will be leading the club Helping Hands and taking yoga lessons. In this club  I work with OSC elementary school children to teach skills such as English and reading to local Sri Lankan children. This club will allow me to further develop my leadership skills. I will plan and initiate activities every week for the students. Through this club it will learn to work collaboratively with others, I will be planning the weekly activities with the other leader of the club. Yoga lessons will allow me to have time to reflect on life I have never taken yoga lessons before so it will allow me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.