Math Tips
 |
Institute a formal "Math Time," when kids can play with math-related activities.
|
 |
Get kids to come up with their own categories for Sort It Out.
|
 |
Use Pattern Play to create a beat, then get kids to recite multiplication tables and dance to the beat.
|
 |
Have teens teach Pattern Play to the younger kids.
|
 |
Get kids to join the Cyberchase Club.
|
 |
When a party is coming up, give kids a budget and guide them through the process of figuring out how much it will cost.
|
 |
Get kids to bake cookies, and have them figure out how many they need to make and how to multiply the recipe.
|
 |
Get kids to make 3-Dimensional shapes as part of an arts and crafts project.
|
 |
Use hands-on math activities in parent-child workshops.
|
 |
Have students sort types of numbers (eg: fractions, whole numbers, negative numbers) to identify misconceptions.
|
 |
Have students walk around to gather data about the afterschool facility; then, they can sort the data.
|
 |
Have kids clean-up by "sorting" objects into their proper places.
|
 |
Have older kids make their own "For Real" video to teach younger kids a math concept.
|
 |
Tie math to literacy by having students count beats in poetry.
|
 |
Start investment programs for kids.
|
 |
Use a pencil and paper instead of a calculator.
|
 |
Science Tips
 |
Create a service learning project dealing with environmental issues.
|
 |
Explore the connections between sports and nutrition using Plastic Fork Diaries.
|
 |
Create terrariums -- based on plant life in the neighborhood -- to use with Backyard Jungle/ Creature Feature
|
 |
Use Drops on a Penny, supported by the Web site, to help staff understand how to teach kids science.
|
 |
Literacy Tips
 |
Have kids work as a team to brainstorm ideas for the Super Me Commercial.
|
 |
Use the Super Me Commercial to bring shy kids out of their shells.
|
 |
Have kids choose a favorite product; then, ask them to create a new commercial for it.
|
 |
Have group discussions about current events; make sure kids aren't afraid to ask questions.
|
 |
Social Studies Tips
Video Tips
 |
Let the kids create their own endings to PBS videos.
|
 |
Show videos to parents to get them excited about the program.
|
 |
With little kids, ask them to explain what's going on while they watch.
|
 |
Coordinate your program with a TV schedule, so kids can take breaks with PBS.
|
 |
Computer Tips
 |
Have parent workshops with the Web sites to get buy-in.
|
 |
If you don't have computers, print out online activities and hand them out to kids.
|
 |
Take kids to the library -- it's a fun trip, and they'll have internet access.
|
 |
Classroom Strategies
 |
Get students to participate in teaching.
|
 |
Have students work in groups with kids they like, but ask them to decide up front what their group roles will be.
|
 |
Incorporate breaks in the activities.
|
 |
After students have gone through an activity, ask them to reflect on what was challenging about it.
|
 |
Keep parents informed about your activities; then, they can continue them at home.
|
 |
Take time to prepare; by previewing material, you can find connections to students' lives and current classes.
|
 |
Have the staff learn with the kids in a collaborative environment.
|
 |
Ask kids to explain what they're doing when they're playing with hands-on activities.
|
 |
Use students' interests to prompt learning (eg: an interest in baseball can help kids learn about statistics).
|
 |
After doing an activity, ask kids to decide together which strategies helped them complete their tasks -- and why.
|
 |
Use the community: going to the zoo or the park can be helpful for teaching science.
|
 |
After field trips, have kids draw or write about what they see; that way, they can incorporate art and literacy into their experience.
|
 |
Post the View-Read-Do triangle.
|
 |
Give the homework to parents, too.
|
 |
Teach kids that in order to get where they want to be, they must be respectful, responsible, and always keep on trying.
|
 |
Tips contributed by:
Jose Cruz, Phipps West Farms Beacon
Puiyan Ng, Greenbelt Environmental Education Department
Ehene Nuokeye, Friends of Island Academy
Kimberly Orcholski
Ruben Rangel
Kim Wilson, PS 86 Afterschool Enrichment Program
< Back to Afterschool Exchange Activities & Tips main
|