| Out-of-School Time: A-Z Activity Brainstorm |
Context: |
| Quality out-of-school time programs offer children a wide range of activities. Not only do these activities empower children to direct their own learning, but they also address their multiple interests and learning styles. The challenge of continually generating ideas for new and exciting activities that incorporate both play and academics can stretch even the most creative program coordinator. This is a simple brainstorming activity for program staff with a fun twist. |
Goal: |
- To engage out-of-school program staff in generating activity ideas that incorporate both play and academics.
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Activity: |
| Begin the session with a mini-lecture on developing project-based learning and other activity ideas that are educational and fun (refer to the article "The Learning that Lies between Play and Academics in After-School Programs" at www.wellesley.edu/WCW/CRW/SAC/ for background). Ask participants to pair up, give each pair a copy of Incorporating Play and Academics in Out-of-School Time: A-Z and ask them to think of at least once activity for each letter of the alphabet. You may get responses like Q=Quilting, F=Frog Art, or M=Make pizza. If you wish, you can make the activity a competition and offer a prize to the team with the most ideas in a set time period. The activity is fairly self-explanatory but you will want to clarify certain rules before you begin. For example, can you come up with more than one activity per letter, how will you break a tie, will you vote on acceptable answers. After participants are finished, write an example for each letter on a flipchart or whiteboard. Use the list you generate together for future planning and activity development. |
Key Questions and Points to Remember: |
| Don't forget that this is a brainstorm. You will get a lot of wacky ideas, but it's a fun way to engage your staff in program planning and you'll definitely come up with a few winners. |
 Download Out-of-School Time: A to Z worksheet |
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Developed by LEARNS, a partnership of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (1-800-361-7890) and Bank Street College of Education (1-800-930-5664). For additional activities or assistance, please call. |
