HomeWork & CircusWork

"I've improved my grades a lot," says 14-year-old Lauro Ramos of Chicago, who juggles, unicycles and clowns in the Youth Circus. "I went from a D to a B [in both subjects]. They've helped me with my homework a lot."
– From "Balancing Act" by William Hageman
(Chicago Tribune, Sunday, May 23, 2004)

 

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Homework & Circuswork is an after-school tutoring program, which addresses the need CircEsteem participants have to keep up on their schoolwork while still being able to spend the time learning circus skills. Because so many of our kids are recent immigrants, they need extra help with homework and practice with speaking English. HW & CW solves the problems of grades and practice space by offering a safe, educational, and fun after-school destination. Almost all the kids come from families where everyone is working and no one is home to help with homework or provide companionship and supervision. Many of our students live in cramped conditions with 5-8 people in one-bedroom apartments, and there is not room to practice juggling or space outside to ride a unicycle. CircEsteem programs give these kids somewhere to go where they can be active, make friends and build the self-esteem that comes from mastering skills.

This program serves 25 students for two fifteen-week sessions each academic year. These are all kids who participate in the Saturday CircEsteem program; all are low income, coming primarily from the local uptown neighborhood.

The program meets three days a week at our partner agency, Alternatives. From 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon, students practice circus skills, including as juggling, ball walking, stilt walking, tumbling, trapeze and clowning. The CircusTeens must maintain a C grade average to continue working with CircEsteem; so far, the results have been stunning: every kid in the program last year brought their grade up at least a whole point. They then have a healthy snack provided by Whole Foods Market Inc., and receive homework assistance from 4:00 until 5:30.

Last year, Homework & Circuswork met twice a week. This year, we added a third day and a new, exciting component: Circus Reads! Circus Reads was developed to enhance the literacy growth of the kids in CircEsteem, the majority of whom are non-native English speakers. On Fridays, instead of doing homework, the kids read. The three main goals of Circus Reads are to help the kids increase their reading enjoyment, comprehension, and critical thinking:

There are two staff groups. The circus skills are taught by a roster of high-quality professional Circus instructors who have been chosen because of their outstanding track record or the skill they have demonstrated while volunteering for CircEsteem. Right now, the tutors are mostly college students. We would like to be able to pay tutors who specialize in the various subjects.

The outcomes of Homework & Circuswork will be:

• Students will learn new circus skills
• Students will complete all homework on a weekly basis
• Students will raise the grade point average
• 100% of students will have high satisfaction with program

Evaluation of the project will be accomplished through several different means. Some of the above have clear ways of measurement, i.e. grade point average, numbers of participants. Satisfaction is rated by using a questionnaire given to the participants at the end of each semester. Some rehearsal and every performance are videotaped and edited to share with new and returning students showing how they have grown and how they can improve. And there is an ongoing process of feedback between the teachers and the students.

Homework & Circuswork has been in operation since the spring of 2003. We began tracking grades last year and hereís how the kids did:

First report cards - 13% F, 8% D, 22% C, 22% B, 35% A

End of the year report cards - 2% F, 11% D, 16% C, 27% B, 44% A

Here's a sample of what the kids have to say about the program:

Homework &Circuswork has made me a better person. They have helped me by improving my grades. They have also helped my circus work. Finally they have helped me gain higher self-esteem. Homework has helped me improve my grades, and made me more interested in school. I pay more attention in classes, I complete my homework assignments, and the Friday reading program has helped me become a better reader. Iím more interested in reading in my spare time. In our Friday reading, I first read a book by Walter Dean Myers; he is now my favorite writer. When I first started in 7^th grade, I tried to keep it a secret because I thought everyone would call me a lame. Now Iím a teen worker. I donít care what people say, and I wear my CircEsteem shirt to school. When we do shows I tell all my friends and family.

– Cornell Freeney age 15

CircEsteem has helped me a lot with homework, class work, and my vocabulary. Since I came to this circus, my report card got better and better because CircEsteem also helps me with homework and tutoring. Since I came to America, this year has been the best because of CircEsteem and Paul (the leader). Paul is a very good teacher, encourager, protector, and a good Father! Thanks to him I discovered my self-esteem, talents and most especially joy. – Emmanuel Tiwah Age 16

HomeWork & CircusWork is generously supported by: Alternatives Inc, The Springboard Foundation, The Three Brothers Foundation, Marshall Frankel Foundation, New Frontiers Foundation The Comer Science and Education Foundation of the Chicago Community Trust and the Illinois Arts Council. But we need more support to continue its sustainable growth and outcomes.