Mentoring & Life Skills
The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D is an all-male life and skill enhancing program. Our aim is to explore the code of the “warrior” and learn together the functionality and character traits of today’s warrior (academic & administrative savvy, critical thinking, self-defense, tidiness & organization). Understanding the contemporary and systematic development of male training as “Brothers”. Young brothers will learn to share their thoughts and feelings of past and present events, discuss important social/political/emotional issues, analyze media delivered concepts, and explore nature during hiking and camping trips.
BUILD – Using the Restorative Justice Model, BUILD is a system that focuses on each individual student who is referred to the program. Daily communication is provided by referrals that employ a simplistic number system which generates merits to gauge student performance. Students with low merits are given focus in both individual and peer-to-peer group sessions. Once in the “red zone”, students make self-improvement plans. Students are then rewarded for their daily, weekly, and monthly achievements that are in alignment with their self-improvement plan.
Martial Arts is a key component of the Ujimaa culture. It instills a combination of discipline that mentally and physically stimulates and challenges children. Using formations, basic katas, a nd meditation, youth are able to focus their boundless energy to complete tasks. As the youth learn self-defense through various blocks, punches, kicks, and grapple holds; they also learn the importance of
Throughout the course of history, singing and dancing has always been a part of the human culture. It has been used to celebrate multiple faucets of life. Children have the opportunity to review the richness of dance and its history as they learn songs and dances that complement the culture of focus. As time progresses, students experience a boost in their self-esteem and kinetic intelligence.
Lights, camera, action! Children benefit from this theatrical experience in ways in which they will never forget. For starters, we begin to examine ground-breaking performances of film and poetry. They also learn about revolutionary performers from the past. Children are then encouraged to write their own skits and poems, while using improvisations to familiarize themselves with theatre dynamics. Live performances are offered at the end of each cycle, giving the children a sense of accomplishment that will forever benefit their confidence in public speaking and sense of completion.
Children learn to use basic shapes and color combinations to express their feelings and world views while being serenaded by the sounds of Jazz, Soul, and world music.
Sports and Team Ethics – In this age of processed fatty foods and video game recreation, it is critical that we encourage our children to become physically active and exercise daily. Starting with daily warm-up routines, we discuss the values and benefits of team cohesiveness that extend to all areas of social function. Youth choose the sport of the week and teams are formed to play and have fun. As competition stirs emotion, we debrief all unsportsmanlike occurrences and highlight significant strides of excellent sportsmanship at the end of each activity. non-violence and the harm that fighting causes our community.
Under the banner of 100 Black Men, our track team has proven to be recognized contenders in the league. Our aim is to increase the health and expose children, who show particular interest or have nothing more constructive to do, to the universal sport of Track and Field. After undergoing a series of workshops that focus on “Self Improvement”, youth are organized to practice twice a week and participate in biweekly track meets in schools and colleges throughout the Bay Area.
Not only will children have the opportunity to increase cardiovascular activity, but also re-connect with nature. During our nature walks, we teach about the eco systems that exist in the natural environment and how it relates to all principles of life. The outcome is experienced rigorous exercise and outdoor learning that children love!and sense of completion.
Ujimaa works in tandem with Norman Brooks and the Faith Network to create a fun and exciting experience in the world of science with emphasis on magnetism, compound elements, and the natural environment. Children benefit from hands-on learning activities as well as outdoor learning by the way of multiple field trips.
In order to be competitive in this information age, children must understand the dynamics of technology. We like to incorporate computer labs in our entire curriculum, having youth type poems, agendas, short essays and more. Children are expected to learn and master the basic functions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint (depending on students’ age group).
This series of curricula engages upper elementary students in explorations of science principles (animals, simple machines, properties of materials, and sound) through LEGO design projects. Students engage in multiple design projects learning about engineering and the engineering design process as they deepen their understanding of the underlying science principles in these topic areas
The universal language of math is an essential component for understanding the logical world. Basic math concepts are intertwined into various levels of all Ujimaa curricula to create a holistic approach towards concept mastery.
Rites of Passage
For children preparing to enter middle school, not much has been done historically to prepare them for the major transitions that certainly will have a great impact on their lives. Our solution is a mixture of ancient, traditional, and modern practices. We provide workshops relevant to the social emotional experience of urban living. We also facilitate a 3-day camping trip that tests the youth’s mastery of learned concepts, courage, and ethics. Workshop topics include:
- Introduction – Introduce the purpose and parameters of the program
- Self Improvement – Creating a map to success
- Self Improvement 2 – Coping with stress
- Word, Sound, Power – Understanding the significance of the words we speak
- Cooperative Economic – A look at financial planning
- 11 Misconceptions of Manhood/Womanhood – Identifying uncharacteristic traits of urban livelihood
- Proper Planning – Understanding and identifying steps for being properly prepared
- Purpose – Comparing history to the present day, and outline individual purpose for the future
- Camp Trip Review – Discussing do’s and don’ts for the ROP Camp trip
The gardening program is designed for students to leave with a greater appreciation of the wonders of nature, the knowledge and understanding of how to grow food, and an understanding of how to nourish their bodies and make healthy eating choices. The students have a fun time learning about how to be stewards and caretakers of their school garden. From sowing seeds, to planting, to watering, to monitoring plant health, to caring for the beds, to harvesting, and cooking, students experience the process from seed to mouth.
The program is a hands on learning experience including other experiential components like field trips. Through the program, students will gain confidence, build responsibility, and learn valuable life skills.
Students gain an in depth understanding of gardening, ecology, environmental issues, the food systems and nutrition, while pulling together lessons plans that cover state standards in language arts, math, history and science. All students, K-5, will meet with the Garden Teacher and dive into different topics using hands on activities, games, arts and crafts, class discussion, and journaling. The program is designed so that each grade level goes into varying subject matter at a deeper level so by the time a Kindergartener makes his/her way through school, he/she will leave with a much deeper understanding about the role he/she plays in the food system and also leave with a deeper love for the earth.
Homework Support – Creating a conducive environment for learning is a major component for academic success. At the beginning of each day, children are reminded of the importance of education before beginning their studies as they recite an affirmation. 1/3 of the academic day is allocated towards independent study, while the remaining 2/3 is dedicated for group study. This enables the children to learn from one another, while practicing team/group ethics that are highly required in today’s working environment.
Every component of Ujimaa’s programs and curriculum follow the same strategic teaching methods to attain the best possible concept retention with our students. While delivering lessons, we like to accommodate all four major learning modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactical) to be most effective in adhering to the youth’s individual needs. Short tests are given to students via oral, written, project, and expressive forms to challenge youth in innovative and exciting ways.