Resources

One of the best things about the Mars Hill Mentorship Program is knowing that you’re never alone. We’ll be right there with you, providing the resources and support you need to guide and support your student.

Looking for suggestions, materials, or additional research? The resources below should answer any questions you may have.

Mentor Hour Activities

Learn how you can use sales fliers as reading and math tools here.

Counting Up Dice Game

Elementary children need to know their basic math facts, but not too many children like to sit and practice flashcards. Make learning fun by playing the COUNTING UP game. All you need is 2 dice, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Ask your child to choose a number between 50-300. Take turns rolling the two dice and adding them together. Each time you roll the dice add the number to your total. The first person to the chosen number is the winner. It’s simple, it’s quick, and it’s fun.

Word Searches

Teachers love seeing kids engaged with language and encourage those of us working with them to do it whenever possible. Most kids enjoy the challenge of a good word-search puzzle. Easily turn it into a learning opportunity with one of the following strategies:

Early Elementary – have the student read the words to you one at a time, helping them sound it out if necessary. Once they correctly read the word to you, they can find it in the puzzle. Teach them how to find the words using the first letter of each word.
Middle Elementary – read the words to be found out loud, one at a time. Have the student spell the word to you, either verbally or on paper. When they correctly spell the word, they can find it in the word search puzzle.
Late Elementary – speak or write a sentence that contains the word to be found in it. Encourage creativity and ability-appropriate sentences. Once they create a satisfactory sentence, they can find the word in the puzzle.

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Make a walk together a little bit more exciting by turning it into a scavenger hunt.

Write up a list of 10-20 items that you want your child to find in the area that you will be walking…this can take place outdoors on the playground or indoors throughout the school. An outdoor list could include items such as….a swing, ball, trash, leaf that is NOT green, bug, flower, twig that is smaller than 5 cm, stick that is longer than 10 cm, something red, or something blue. An indoor list could include items such as a red pencil, an eraser, a specific book from the library, a locker number that is greater than 50, a jump rope, a person with glasses, or an empty milk carton. [Be careful not to interrupt other students if you do your hunt inside, though.]

To make this more fun, let your student take a picture of everything they find on their list. They will love using your camera and you can include these pictures in an end of the year memory album to remind them of the fun times you have spent together. If your child enjoys this, ask them to make a list of things for YOU to find during your next mentoring hour.

Bust Out of A Bad Attitude

Some days it is tough to have a good attitude. This simple exercise may help the children in your life let go of these bad attitudes so they can enjoy your time together.

Ask your child to write three things that give them a bad attitude on a paper lunch sack.
Let your child blow up the bag.
POP the lunch bag!

Talk to your child about this activity. Relate how popping the bag is like letting go of their bad attitudes. Move on with your time together with a smile and a great attitude!

Difficult Situations

Unsure of how to deal with difficult situations? The resources below should help. Plus, if you have another situation you aren’t sure how to handle, don’t hesitate to contact us at mentoring@marshill.org or 616.819.1901 [Mentor Center] or 616.406.3987 [Program Director].

Am I Making a Difference

Helping Children Cope With Loss, Death, and Grief

Helping Children Dealing with Bullying

Helping Children Dealing with Teasing

Gangs in Grand Rapids

Resources on Gangs

Mentoring Refugee Youth

Stealing

The Impact of Immigration Raids on Children

In need of more advice or additional resources? Here are some additional websites that may be helpful:

Kids Hope USA’s Mentor and Prayer Partner Website-Take a moment to create a log-in and you’ll be able to explore this secure site with a wealth of information just for mentors and prayer partners.

The National Mentoring Partnership-Resources for Mentors

Developmental Assets® for Children Grades K–3 (ages 5-9)

Contact our Mentoring Director, Laura Ward, lward@marshill.org or chat with other mentors on our secure discussion page.