Discover Montreal: Poutine Week

The vast majority of Homework Zone’s volunteers aren’t native to Montreal, and many use the program as an opportunity to break out of the dreaded McGill Bubble. This is one of many posts that should keep you abreast of Montreal life – mais il n’y a rien de mieux que d’apprendre un peu plus de français!

Anyways, here is a major event: Montreal’s Annual Poutine Week, which starts tomorrow. Follow the link for a list of suggestions to delicious, decadent poutines across the city! Perhaps we could grab one together after a Homework session…?

On how emotional intelligence is taught

We’ve touched on the topic of emotional intelligence during the Orientation and even in some of the schools. This NPR report delves more deeply in the issue, exploring two new-ish programs in the U.S. designed to teach emotional intelligence: how to interpret one’s own feelings, how to communicate them to others, and how to recognize discomfort in others. Even as adults, we still learn how to do that!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/12/31/356187871/why-emotional-literacy-may-be-as-important-as-learning-the-a-b-c-s

Valuing the joy of learning

From The Atlantic, a nice reflection piece on the importance of valuing the joy of learning. You can read here.

Here’s an excerpt:

Building on a child’s ability to feel joy, rather than pushing it aside, wouldn’t be that hard. It would just require a shift in the education world’s mindset. Instead of trying to get children to buckle down, why not focus on getting them to take pleasure in meaningful, productive activity, like making things, working with others, exploring ideas, and solving problems? These focuses are not so different from the things to which they already gravitate and in which they delight.

Winter 2015 sign-up period extended to January 21st, noon + Orientation location correction

Good news! The Winter 2015 application period has been extended to January 21st at noon!

To sign-up, please read the information and fill out the form here. 

Furthermore, there had been a mistake on the sign-up page: the Orientation will be held from 1 to 5pm in the New Residence Hall Ballroom, not in Carrefour residence.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write to Gabrielle at hz.sede@mcgill.ca.

See you Saturday!

Gabrielle

WINTER 2015 APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 20TH

This page is for McGill students interested in volunteering with Homework Zone.

Deadline to apply for the Winter 2015 semester: Tuesday January 20th, Midnight.

Do you like working with kids? 

Do you need an outlet for your creativity?

Do you want to explore new neighbourhoods in Montreal? 

Do you want to get involved?

Then you’ve found the right place to look!

We ask from our volunteers an enthusiasm for working with kids as well as a regular, weekly commitment over the course of at least 1 semester. Because this is a mentorship program, commitment is our main focus.

Time Commitment:

3 Hours per week (including travel time to and from the school) for a duration of 10 weeks.

For the Winter 2015 semester, the program begins with training on January 24th and ends on April 9th, with break during Reading Week.

Volunteers can choose what day works best…

1. NEW for Winter 2015! Monday 2-5PM
2. Tuesday 2-5PM
3. Wednesday 2-5PM
4. Thursday 2:30-6:00 PM

There will be a 4-hour Mandatory Orientation session (Saturday January 24th, 1:00 – 5:00 PM) in the New Residence ballroom. A catch-up session is offered to the volunteers that cannot attend due to religious restrictions, work, or illness. 

Two 2-hour Reflection Dinners with guest speakers (DATES TBA)

Optional: volunteer as group leader for My Day @ McGill (in early April)

Benefits and Recognition:

• A Letter of Attestation from the Dean of Students for a minimum of 30 hours
• A 20% voucher at the McGill Bookstore
• Volunteering in a group with other McGill students

How to Apply…

Step 1: Fill out the 2015 Homework Zone application form. When marking your availabilities, please keep in mind the time slots mentioned above (see: “time commitment”).

Step 2: E-mail Gabrielle at hz.sede@mcgill.ca with your CV and confirm you filled the above form.

Step 3: Wait for confirmation e-mail.

Note: If you have already volunteered with Homework Zone, please email Gabrielle at hz.sede@mcgill.ca if you would like extra responsibilities as team captain.

DEADLINE FOR THE FALL SESSION IS TUESDAY JANUARY 20th @ 11:59PM