Heart House Austin
March 2008

Note: If you have problems viewing the graphics included in this email, a copy of this
e-newsletter can be seen online at http://www.hearthouse.org/newsletter.htm
  

In this issue:

• The Many Kinds of Smart

• Student Spotlights

• Our Locations

• Special Guests

• Photo Scrapbook

• Donor Spotlight

• What We're Studying This Month

• Heart House Angels: Friends and Supporters Who Make Our Program Possible

• Volunteer Spotlight

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Major Heart House Sponsors

Heart House has three beliefs upon which we build our program:

• Critical thinking skills are a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one’s personal and civic life. We should and can teach children to be critical thinkers. 

• Curiosity is one of the most fundamental tools children can bring to their early learning experiences. We will model and foster curiosity as a highly esteemed value at Heart House. 

• Children are “smart” in different ways. We will honor the multiple intelligences of our Heart House children.

This month, we'd like to tell you a little more about one of these beliefs.

Children Are “Smart” in Different Ways: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes nine different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:

• Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence 

• Mathematical-Logical Intelligence 

• Musical-Rhythmic Intelligence

• Visual-Spatial Intelligence 

• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

• Interpersonal Intelligence 

• Intrapersonal Intelligence 

• Naturalist Intelligence 

• Existential Intelligence 

Our schools and culture focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. This educational model esteems the highly articulate or logical people of our culture.

Heart House believes that we should also place equal attention on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, philosophers, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live.

Unfortunately, many children who have these gifts don’t always receive much reinforcement for them. Many of these kids, in fact, end up being labeled as learning disabled or underachievers, when their unique ways of thinking and learning aren’t addressed by a heavily linguistic or logical-mathematical education system.

At Heart House, we like to present lessons in a variety of ways, using music, cooperative learning, art activities, role play, multimedia, field trips, inner reflection, and much more.  For example, when studying about Japan, we could integrate the following activities for a well-rounded thematic learning unit that supports the genius of EACH of the wonderful children we serve.

At the heart of it, our belief in the rich variety of the genius of children has broadened our idea of what constitutes giftedness, resulting in a more egalitarian view that every child has a gift or combined gifts.

Do you have a special gift, passion or talent to share with the Heart House children?  Contact us at volunteer@hearthouse.org and see how you can come brighten a child's day and expand their mind at Heart House.  We'd love for you to be our special guest!

Haley joined Heart House North in the fall of last year and we are so excited she is a part of our program.  She is a terrific student and a positive role model for the other children in her group. Haley likes Heart House because “it is fun and has a lot of nice teachers!” (She also mentions that she likes that there are a lot of decorations around the building, too.) Most of the time, we see her with either a broom or vacuum in her hand, which is very unusual for a second grader, but she genuinely enjoys clean-up time at the clubhouse. And just a bit of interesting trivia: Her mother is the lead singer of a rock band in Austin! When asked what Haley wants to do when she is an adult, she replied, “I want to be a veterinarian. I have already taken care of 2 cats, a dog, a bird, and abandoned kittens by my house! I like to take care of animals and give them love.” Haley certainly is a warm-hearted little lady....to every animal and everyone she meets!

Heart House South has selected Gilbert as our Student of the Month. Gilbert is a third grader at Casey Elementary. This Spring semester, Gilbert made a big move to Ms. Jet's 4/5/6th grade class due in part to his fabulous academic achievement. Gilbert felt he needed a bigger challenge and has definitely stepped up to plate! The move has proven to be a good one as Gilbert has shown enormous improvement at school and home.   Way to go, Gilbert!

Heart House North
In the Learning Center
7224 Northeast Drive
Austin, Texas 78723
512-929-8187 

Heart House South   
In the Learning Center
815 Slaughter Lane
Austin, Texas 78748
(512) 292-9400

The last Friday of February, Alpha Phi Omega hosted a literacy awareness day at Heart House North, incorporating a variety of activities to reinforce the enjoyment and importance of reading! The younger students read Arthur stories and the older groups created their own children’s books!

Heart House South received a special visit from Shana Fox, our former Volunteer Coordinator, who showed them a whole “bag” of reasons to be healthy and let them experience ways to be physically fit including jump-roping, hula-hooping, football, soccer, catch, and Frisbee.

Get Fit! Ad Campaigns: Children made photo ads similar to the Got Milk? Campaigns. Their goal was to create an ad that encouraged and promoted healthy lifestyles. These were some of their creative products!

Thank you to our many donors and friends who donated funds, time, and talent to our organization this month! For more information on donating to Heart House, please visit our website at http://www.hearthouse.org/giving.htm.

New and Recurring Donors:

Cash America Pawn Austin #11
Dell Corporate Foundation
Carol Filip
Becca Floyd
Foundation Communities
Ritika Gunnar
Barbara Hopson
IBM Employee Svc. Center
Andy Land
Cecile Morgan
Emeka Obianwu
Sunil Patel
CeCe Ridder
Jay Rogers
Safeway Inc.
Amy Wilson
  

For as little as $10 a month, you can make a huge difference in a child's safety and education.
100% of your donation goes to the children of Heart House Austin.
   

2:00-3:00PM – “Program Prep” The Program Prep Volunteer assists staff in preparing the program before the children arrive. Responsibilities include such things as setting up chairs and tables, sharpening pencils, organizing supplies, preparing snack, and making worksheets. 3:00-4:30 PM – “Volunteer Tutor” The Volunteer Tutor, under the guidance of the Program Leaders, will be assigned a study group to work with. This volunteer’s primary role is to aid children with their homework. This volunteer will also help serve snack and help children transition to book time. 4:30-6:00 PM – “Afterschool Volunteer” The Afterschool Volunteer, under the guidance of the Program Leaders and the Program Director, will supervise the children during activity time, computer time and clean-up. This volunteer’s role is primarily socializing with, supervising, and mentoring the children. 4:30-6:00PM – “ Reading Buddy” This volunteer will receive specialized training, in addition to the Heart House orientation, that focuses on working with struggling readers. Depending on the number of children in the group (usually between 1-4) this volunteer may be paired up with another volunteer to work together. Reading groups meet on a weekly basis. Upcoming orientations at Heart House are listed below.  You may attend either location for an orientation. Heart House North  Map Tuesday, April 1st  6:00 to 7:00pm RSVP for this orientation! Tuesday, April 15th  Noon to 1:00pm RSVP for this orientation! Tuesday, April 15th  6:00 to 7:00pm RSVP for this orientation! Heart House South  Map Wednesday, April 9th Noon to 1:00pm RSVP for this orientation! Wednesday, April 9th 6:00 - 7:00pm RSVP for this orientation! Tuesday, April 22nd  6:00 to 7:00pm RSVP for this orientation!

Audrey Spanko came to Austin last August from Mineola, Texas. She decided to volunteer at Heart House while studying social work at the University of Texas. She enjoys “interacting with people, and learning new things from the people I encounter” and enjoys theatre. The kids love her already! “On a Friday, while playing with the kids that decided to go outside, I had close to 8 hands all over my head. Four wonderful little hairstylists all took part in giving me a new hair style. I am now asked every day ‘can I do your hair?’” Audrey plans to work with children and families after college, which makes her a great addition to the Heart House family. “Volunteering at Heart House has helped reiterate the fact that I do want to work in a service agency and with children,” she says. She keeps coming to Heart House because she “knows each day and each week will be different: different stories, experiences, and opportunities. I really enjoy working with fun individuals: Heart House staff, volunteers and children alike.” We’re so glad Audrey came to Austin!           Fill out an online application for Austin today!     For more information on volunteering at Heart House Austin, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, 512-929-8187.

Heart House Program Sponsors and Diamond Sponsors provide core support for our mission. Please join us in recognizing and thanking them for making Heart House possible.

Program Heart Sponsors

Diamond Heart Sponsors

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The Heart House Herald is an online publication of Heart House, a free afterschool program dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support to low-income children and encouraging them to become good citizens.  

www.hearthouse.org