Shadow Cycle #2
For my second shadow cycle, I had the opportunity to meet with the wonderful Karim Galal, the ISLAH site coordinator.
Keeping Students Motivated
The first topic we discussed was how Karim ensures students remain motivated to attend the program regularly. He emphasized that students often arrive at the program after a long school day, making it crucial to create an engaging and enjoyable environment. Since attendance is optional, the program must offer something students genuinely want to participate in.
Karim highlighted the importance of lesson planning that adapts to students' energy levels. If students are restless and full of energy, the lesson should accommodate that with interactive activities. If they seem disengaged or tired, facilitators should recognize this and adjust the approach accordingly. He also noted that volunteers play a key role in student retention. By building personal connections and fostering a welcoming atmosphere, volunteers encourage students to return—even when their friends are absent.
Retaining Volunteers
My second question focused on how Karim maintains a consistent group of volunteers. He explained that while occasional incentives like food outings can be helpful, volunteers keep coming back because of the impact they feel through their work. The relationships they develop with students make the experience fulfilling and meaningful.
Additionally, he mentioned that the long car rides to and from the sites—sometimes up to an hour—allow volunteers to bond through music, stories, and conversation. This sense of camaraderie, combined with the rewarding nature of the work, naturally encourages volunteers to stay committed to the program.
To contribute to the program, I presented an interactive game called Four Corners Trivia, designed to keep students engaged while reinforcing educational topics.
How It Works:
Setup:
Students form teams or pairs.
A Site Coordinator or volunteer stands in the center with their eyes closed.
Teams have 5 seconds to move to one of the four corners.
Gameplay:
The facilitator announces a subject (e.g., Islamic history, math, science, English).
A corner is randomly selected.
Teams in that corner must answer a trivia question.
Correct answers allow them to stay in the game, while incorrect answers result in elimination.
The game continues until only one team remains.
Why It Works:
✅ Encourages teamwork and collaboration.
✅ Keeps students active and engaged.
✅ Introduces an element of strategy.
✅ Reinforces learning through trivia.
✅ Develop volunteer facilitation skills.
Karim was receptive to the idea; it could be a fun and practical addition to the program. Overall, this meeting provided valuable insights into student and volunteer engagement and an opportunity to contribute to future site activities.
