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Discover effective strategies to build thriving after-school programs that keep children engaged in reading and creative activities. Learn how to plan 6-8 week sessions throughout the school year, utilize a variety of fun themes, and engage parents in the process. This guide offers insights on marketing, scheduling, and crafting enjoyable programs that cater to both early and upper elementary students. By mixing reading with hands-on activities and competitions, you can foster a love of learning while meeting the needs of your community.
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Thrive After 3 Building successful after-school programs
Plan after-school sessions • You already have a storytime audience, keep them coming back once the children enter school. • Plan 6-8 week sessions just like storytime: • Fall session: Mid-September to mid-November • Winter session: January-February • Spring session: March-April • This will give you May/June open to plan summer reading and get your school visits in.
When? • It may take some time to figure out what days and times work for your patrons. • Directly after-school? After dinner? Saturdays? • Do an informal survey with regular patrons. • Ask the school what days/times there are no school sports. • The School Calendar is your friend. Plan programs on half-days, professional development, parent conferences.
Marketing • Create flyers or brochures to pass out to the schools. Sometimes you need Superintendent/ Principal permission to distribute through the schools. • Market to parents. They’re looking for activities to improve their child’s life. Give them a reason! Parents sign their child up for soccer to learn team work, they’ll sign up for your program if they know the benefits of reading. • Market to both genders and all abilities.
How to build a successful program • Read the books! • Don’t assign homework. Kids have enough. • Don’t make it a book club. Save that for the summer reading program. • Mix it up with crafts, activities, games, competitions. • Create a 45-minute program • 15 mins of reading • 30 mins of activity
Set-Up • Just like storytime, have everything ready for the children. Put items on plates/cups, or bag everything up in sandwich baggies. This will alleviate fighting over colors and numbers of items.
Early Elementary (K-2 or K-3) • After School Adventurers • Super Sleuth Scholars • Story Crafters • Creative Characters • Chapter Masters • Genre Gobblers
Upper Elementary (3-5 or 4-6) • Mystery Mavens • Page Turners • Thinking Cap Society • Series Starters • Nutmeg Novelists
Budget & Funding • Start out using storytime supplies: photocopied paper, scissors, glue, crayons, markers, colored pencils. • As attendance grows, request more funding. • Apply for grants from Women’s Clubs, Veteran Clubs, Friends of the Library. • Don’t waste money on snacks. If your program is right after school, encourage children to bring their own snack they can eat when you read aloud.
Ideas for Future Programming • Read aloud winter program (Books & Chocolate) • If you get extra funding, provide hot cocoa or smores (Honey maid graham and chocolate graham with fluff is a peanut-free snack). • Run a 6-8 week program and provide a paperback copy of the book. • Lego Programs • This would be a one-time expense.
Additional Resources • Connecticut State Standards: • http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=322592 • Common Core Standards: • http://www.corestandards.org/ • Lisa Shaia’s Series Programming for the School Aged Class offered by ALSC online: http://www.ala.org/alsc/edcareeers/profdevelopment/alscweb • Lisa’s blog: thriveafterthree.wordpress.com • Lisa’s forthcoming book: After-School Clubs to Encourage Reading ALA , September 2013
