Summer Learning Loss and Ideas to prevent it

By Marie on June 21, 2011

I have been reading several articles lately on the subject of Learning Loss in summer. According to several studies significant learning loss can take place in children during summer or out-of-school months. In a study conducted by Cooper et al [1] it has been found that summer learning loss can be the equivalent of a at least one month of instruction. That number is staggering! So what can us as educators and parents do to help with this statistic? There are many ideas out there that can help combat this problem. Continue reading »

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Magic Club

By Marie on April 30, 2011

Children love learning magic tricks. I can always tell when a new magic trick is being passed around at school because a handful of excited children will all show me the trick on the same day! Why not capture that magic and excitement by offering up a Magic Club?

Here are some ideas:

1) The Bubble Game, from Creative Kids at Home

What child would not want to be encased in a giant bubble? (ok even as an adult I would want to do this.) Really adorable idea!!! And very doable in the after school setting.

Supplies needed: bubble solution, hula hoop, small stool, & hula hoop

 

2) Learn Magic tricks- Here is a link to activity village with some great magic trick videos.

 

3) Magic Messages craft

  • Use the wax crayon to write secret messages on white paper.
  • Use watercolor paint to reveal the secret message ~ like magic!

Supplies needed: clear wax crayons from Easter Egg Kits, white paper, watercolors, paintbrushes.

 

4) Special Event- Have a special visitor “magician” put on a Magic Show or demonstration for the students.

Hope you have a bippity boppity magically teriffic time with your magic club!

 

 

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Where to find free printables online

By Marie on September 7, 2010

Hello everyone, and Happy School Year! Summertime has come and gone and the kids are back in school. I’m sure everyone is deep into their fall lesson planning! One of my favorite parts of my job is planning new and fun activities for the children in my program. In the past I used to devour my small supply of Resource Books just looking for some new, fresh content. I still use my trusty books but I also use the internet quite often. Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite sites for free printable activities, coloring pages, word searches, and puzzles that I have found over the years with all of you!

For Coloring Pages:

http://www.pudgybunny.com/color.html

~ Pudgy Bunny was the first Online Coloring Page Site I found many years ago! It is still my favorite go-to place to find coloring pages to this day. Maybe it is because it is called Pudgy-Bunny? I am a sucker for anything cute and bunny related!

http://coloringbookfun.com/

For word searches and crossword puzzles:

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/

~ Create your own personalized crossword puzzles and word searches!

For crafts and themed activity pages:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

Where is your favorite place to go online to find free printables?

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Breathing new life into your After-School Program: Introducing an Idea-Sharing Forum

By Marie on August 17, 2010

Each year as I am preparing for my return at the beginning of the school year I gear up for a great year. I think about all the new kids I am going to meet and what they are going to be like. Will there be more boys or girls? Will they like outside games or crafts more? What will their favorite books and hobbies be? Usually I am very well-prepared — I’ve laid out lesson plans and event ideas that are sure to keep everyone happy, safe and entertained. I have my magic sack of handy dandy, tried and true games and activity ideas that I just know the kids are going to love! Continue reading »

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Back to School: Icebreaker Games & Activities

By Marie on August 4, 2010

It’s almost that time again ~ Back to School for the kids! This is an exciting time of year for everyone but it can also be kind of an awkward one at the Child Care Center. New kids to school may feel anxious or apprehensive – not knowing what to expect or how to act. Old friends may stick together with those they already know to make themselves comfortable. Meanwhile, Staff may be feeling a bit rusty after coming back to work from a few months off. This is the time when Icebreaker Games and Activities are at their most essential. They will help loosen everyone up a bit, make them smile, and help break out of their shells and get to know one another. Here a few ideas to help get things started: Continue reading »

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Deep Space Sparkle: Great Resource for Art and Book Club Ideas

By Marie on July 13, 2010

I have loved art and reading from a very young age thanks very much in part to the adult role models I had in my life. They constantly exposed me to the Arts, Music, and Literature. As an adult I have been always advocated that children to be exposed to Literature and the Arts as much as possible so that they too can develop a love for them. Many times when I seek to plan an After School Club I like to incorporate Art and Reading into the overall theme.

I have recently stumbled a wonderfully rich blog called, “Deep Space Sparkle…Out of this World Art Lessons” created by Patty. If you are looking for ideas for clubs such as Art from Around the World, Children’s Picture books, Artists, and more you should check it out.

Continue reading »

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After School Clubs for Tweens

By Marie on July 2, 2010

You know the kids I mean. These are kids who have been at the program the longest. They’ve seen every craft, heard every attention getter, and played every game. Not only has it become repetitive to them but sometimes they feel they are too old for these activities. Often times they may feel like they don’t belong anymore. Boredom and apathy lead to discipline problems. So how do you reach out to these students? They’re not quite pre-teens but they are also not little kids anymore either. They are tweens (at my school this is the 5th and 6th grade group). Here are some tips and strategies for planning After School Activities and Clubs that will be entertaining and interesting to Tweens.

Continue reading »

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