o My program consisted of the implementation of a one day informational program during Walkers first week of summer school. o The theme of the first week was Community & Careers. o After collaborating with a teacher at Walker, I decided to invite community members to come into the school to present information about their careers.

o I invited five community speakers including a banker, a police officer, a fireman, a dental assistant, and a Springdale Public Library representative. o Each community speaker was asked to prepare a fifteen minute presentation based upon the following questions. 1. Introduction (name, family, hobbies, etc) 2. Where do you work? 3. What post-secondary training or schooling have you completed? 4. Do you plan to continue your education? 5. How has that training/schooling assisted you in your career? 6. What work related activities do you do on a regular/daily basis? 7. What do you like the most about your job? 8. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

We believe students, faculty, staff, families, and community members are partners. They should all feel welcome and have a personal responsibility in the educational success and culture of our school (Walker, 2011). Walker Elementary. (2011). Core Beliefs. Retrieved June 17, 2011 from

o Provide students with new experiences and resources by bringing in community speakers to present information about their careers. o Request community speakers to distribute promotional items to the students. o Allow students to participate in book drawings.

o The program began in the LMC with a brief introduction of the program. o Presenters were stationed in five different classrooms, and the students rotated to the different rooms. o As a concluding activity, all students returned to the LMC to participate in book drawings and complete evaluation forms. o The total program lasted about two hours.

Since the students traveled from classroom to classroom, I provided each student with a yellow treat bag to use to carry the items they received from each presenter.

Hernandez described various careers within the field of banking. Hernandez said that the most challenging aspect of his job is telling customers no when they do not qualify for a loan. He also discussed the benefits of saving money.

Hernandez distributed a document that listed all the career options in banking, a multi-colored pen, and a banking activity book to the students.

In addition to discussing their daily duties and the importance of education within their field, the firemen talked about the importance of working together and fire safety tips.

The firemen from Station Six brought stickers to distribute to the students.

Treat and Wooten described the various responsibilities of police officers. They also encouraged students to get involved and stay involved with school activities. Based on the evaluations at the end, the police officers were one of the students favorite aspects of the program.

The police officers brought stickers to distribute to the students.

In addition to discussing her career and education, Eaton drew a diagram to illustrate how a root canal is performed.

Eaton also researched and shared intriguing dental facts. For instance, did you know that: o George Washingtons dentures were made from walrus, hippopotamus, cows teeth and elephant tusks. o Some cheeses have been found to protect teeth from decay. o Each persons set of teeth is uniquemuch like their fingerprints. Even identical twins have different teeth. B. Eaton, personal communication, June 29, 2011.

Eaton distributed a color coded diagram of all the teeth and a toothbrush that already had toothpaste in the bristles to each student. The students were very impressed with the toothbrush!

Ms. Jackson discussed activities and resources that are available to students at the SPL and showed the students how to access the catalog.

After Jackson demonstrated how the students could utilize the catalog, she also showed them how to access online games through the librarys website. She even played a few of the games with the students to peek their interest.

Trudy Hill, Childrens Librarian at SPL, donated bookmarks and pencils for Jackson to distribute during the program. I created the brochure shown about library activities specifically designed for students in grades 1 st 6 th and only included the events that are still available this summer.

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Mrs. Isabell, a teacher at Walker Elementary, also donated a few books for the drawings so that students would have a wider selection. After the drawings, I returned all additional books to Mrs. Isabell.

To ensure that a child from each grade level won a book, I created four different drawings. I wrote the different grade level teachers names on each cup and then placed students names in the respective cups. At the end, I combined all names into one container and did two additional drawings.

To increase student engagement, I had various students draw names from the cups. The teachers helped the students select a book at an appropriate reading level.

A total of six students went home with a new book.

At the end of the program, I requested the community speakers, teachers, and students to complete evaluations. Below are a few comments from the forms. o I wish the program was longer. –Multiple Students o The thing I liked the best about the program was the prizes. –Multiple Students o The best aspect of the program was the variety of careers represented. –Teacher o Everything was very thought out! Great job! –Teacher o The best aspect of the program was keeping the students moving through the different groups. –Teacher o This was a great experience! –Community Speaker j o Had a great time, would do it again! –Community Speaker