May072012

Featured Posts: Fun with Frogs and Bugs!

Mar132012

Reading Club

Book Clipart ImagesIt’s Book Fair week at our school.  I always love seeing children get excited about reading books.  Adding a reading club to your after school program can help keep children motivated to read.  There are many ways a Reading Club can be added to an After School Program. Here are a few ideas you can try.

1) Plan a Club Theme that is inspired by children’s literature.

A few ideas have been outlined on this site, like Harry Potter Club or Fancy Nancy Club.  Children can enjoy reading and listening to the stories, while also making crafts or playing games that complement them.

2) Plan an Ongoing Reading Club

Set aside time in your daily schedule specifically dedicated to reading.  Younger children can be read to, while older children can read on their own if they wish.  Instruct the children that they will participate in the the club each day for at least 15-20 minutes.  Each time they complete a session they will earn a star on the incentive chart.  After earning a certain number they will earn an incentive.  This is a great way for children and parents to track their progress.

What ideas for leading a reading club do you have? What other ways do you integrate academics into the after-school setting?

Mar132012

I’ve joined Pinterest!

Top of Box

Decoupage Trinket Box Craft on Pinterest

I may be a little behind on this, but I’ve finally done it.  I’ve joined Pinterest.  It was kind of an exciting process.  First, you have to sign up to be on a waiting list.  Then, you have to be ‘invited’ to join.  I felt it added a mysterious flair to the whole process.

What a great resource this will be for planning after school clubs and activities for children! It’s the ultimate idea-sharing site.  As I browse around, I am eager to share what I find with you.

Inspiration.  It’s a beautiful thing! (And so are all the photos on pinterest.)  And if you’d like to follow my page, click on this link.

 

 

Fun Spring Time Craft Ideas:

Source: craftelf.com via Marie on Pinterest

Jan052012

Snowy Crafts!

Whether you live in a sunny or snowy climate, tis the season for some fun, snow-inspired crafts!

Here are a few ideas for your after school program!

1) Decorate a Snowman Cookie

Supplies Needed:

  • Sugar Cookies (in 2 to 3 diff. sizes- Nilla Wafers work great for the head)
  • White Frosting
  • Mini M&M’s, Skittles (for face and buttons)
  • Twizzlers (for scarf)
  • Black Licorice – cut into pieces (for top hat)
  • Spoons (for spreading frosting)
  • Paper Plates
  • Pretzel Sticks (for arms)

Place 2-3 cookies on a plate. Allow kids to ice using spoons. Decorate your snowman (or woman).

2) Edible Snowballs on a Stick

I’ve posted this one before…it’s one of my favorites!  A fun, winter food craft for your enjoyment that’s super simple too! 

Supplies needed:

  • white chocolate chips or Candiquik** (see below)
  • microwave safe bowls
  • large marshmallows
  • sprinkles
  • craft sticks
  • wax paper (for drying)

A work colleague of mine shared this with me! I tried it out with a group of five year olds and they had a blast!! Have an adult melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Allow the children to attach their marshmallow to a craft stick, dip in white chocolate, and sprinkles (if desired) and allow to dry.

Eat and enjoy!

 

**Log House Vanilla Candiquik, 16-ounce Package, Pack of oneAn alternative to using white choc. chips is a new product I found (well, new for me anyway) called candiquik. This stuff is awesome! It’s microwavable and comes with it’s own tray! Also, as an added bonus — you can dip up to 18-20 projects, and add the sprinkles — all without reheating! This is great because each time you reheat white choc chips they get lumpier and sometimes brown.  You can find this product online at amazon.com or at your local Target store.

3) 3D Paper Snowflakes

I’ve been making regular paper snowflakes all my life and have since passed on my love for making them to the kids at work.  One day while we were making them, one of the kid’s parents came in and said, “Have you ever made a 3D snowflake?” “No! I had not” I replied. (How cool does that sound?) She showed us how to make them, and from that day forward, we loved it.  It looks challenging…and for me the process was hard to remember at first.  But, follow this link to wikihow: How to make a 3D snowflake and you will end up with something that looks like this:

From www.wikihow.com: Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

I hope you all settle in with a cup of warm cocoa and enjoy this Winter season with your charges! What will you be up to this winter?


Jul282011

Game Show Club

Do you remember Family Feud, Jeopardy or Double Dare?

Ok, in the world of advanced video gaming systems, game shows may seem a little outdated, but kids will always enjoy engaging in fun group games. Game Show club can offer a new opportunity for friendly competition. In order to instill a spirit of healthy competition make sure to remind children about sportsmanship and teamwork. If you’d like, you can keep a supply of small prizes to handout at each week for good sportsmanship, as well as for winning games. Here are ideas for a four week club. Continue reading »

Jul122011

After School Club Ideas: A to Z

I have compiled a comprehensive after school club theme list using every letter of the alphabet. Stay tuned for upcoming reviews, strategies, and lesson plans for implementing these ideas! Just for fun I have placed an *asterisks next to clubs I have seen in action and **double-asterisks next to clubs that have been written about here at After School Club Ideas.

  • Art Club*
  • Balloon Club
  • Ceramics or Color Me Mine Club*
  • Dance Club*
  • Extraordinary Earth Club**
  • Fort Club
  • Game Show Club*
  • Hawaiian Club** or Homework Club**
  • Italian Club
  • Jewelry Making Club*
  • Kite Club
  • Lego Club*
  • Money Matters Club
  • Nickelodeon Club*
  • Ooey Gooey Club*
  • Pinata Club*
  • Quilting Club
  • Royalty Club*
  • Scrapbooking Club**
  • Taste of Mexico Club**
  • Unda da Sea Club
  • Viking Explorers Club
  • Woodworking Club
  • X-treme Sports & Games Club
  • Yo-Yo Club
  • Zoo Club

Aren’t those ideas fun? Feel free to use these ideas or even better — share your ideas in the comments section below.  I know there are many more out there!

Jun272011

Scrapbooking Club with Center Friendly Materials

Ever wanted to start a Scrapbooking Club with the kids at your center but worried that all the scrapbooking materials you need to buy would break your budget? Not to worry, you may be suprised that most materials needed you may already have on hand.

 

 

Continue reading »

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