AfterSchoolSelResource

afterschool selected resources

Grades 6 - 8

	1970s - 2000 Economy - Your Neighborhood In this activity from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, young people conduct research and answer questions about the impact of globalization in their own communities. Inviting program participants to think about these issues in their own local context makes the activities more immediate and meaningful. Young people use research skills to obtain historical data, analyze and make decisions, identify issues and problems from the past and connect the past to the present. There are various ways for educators to adapt the components of this lesson plan to suit their particular program, participants and goals.
	Analyzing Photos Youth examine works of art and learn methods for analyzing photography in this project-based learning experience shared by ArtsEdge. Following a series of in-class workshops-and, if possible, hands-on activities at a local museum, participants apply what they've learned by using cameras to document daily life in their communities. If they like, the young artists can supplement their photography by preparing personal statements about their work. This project introduces a simple, theoretical approach for viewing and analyzing works of art. In addition, the activities are easily adaptable to enhance learning in virtually any theme, topic or historical period, such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Vietnam War, women's roles, American presidents, etc.
	Be a Movie Director This resource from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History prompts young people in grades 4-12 to explore the museum's collections to create movies using images from an online image database. With this fun interactive that leverages young people's interest in movies and fast cars, learners build chronology skills, develop a better understanding of change over time and discover how transportation affected the growth of American pop culture, commerce, communities, landscapes and people. This activity requires a computer and Internet access.
	Believe it or not? This EconEdLink lesson provides resources that guide young people to think through the ways advertisers use words and images to make sales. To be savvy consumers, youth must learn how to separate factual claims from opinions and exaggerations. Educators can adapt the lesson's activities and questions, and interactives to promote critical thinking and analytical skills. As a culminating activity, participants might work together on a set of consumer tips that help individuals make smart choices. Building media literacy is empowering for young people, and afterschool settings are great venues for this kind of work.
	Celebrate Heroes Celebrate Heroes on ReadWriteThink encourages young people to spend a little time thinking and writing about what makes a hero and who their personal heroes might be. This lesson is ideal for afterschool because it can be easily broken down into short activities and is not dependant on technology resources.
	Design a Travel BrochureThis activity, from ReadWriteThink, invites young people to learn writing skills, history and geography through travel. After visiting some place new during the summer or learning about an interesting destination, young people create travel brochures with pictures, photographs, maps and details about what they saw or learned. Designed for grades 7-8, this hands-on, research-oriented activity can be used to explore issues of multicultural understanding in afterschool settings. The technology requirements suggested for this resource are optional.
	Extending Human Ability Through TechnologyThe resources and questions posed by this Science NetLinks lesson plan invite young people to think critically about technology tools and then design their own. A brief audio feature called "Barbie Legs" may spark discussion about the connection between a Barbie doll's legs and advances in prosthetics. Depending on the availability of computers with Internet access, and on the interests of the group, young people can research technology that helps people overcome limitations through books, articles, interviews, etc. This project culminates with a design challenge to participants to construct models of a technology that extends human abilities. They can use whatever materials are at hand, such as basic craft supplies or Lego bricks, or they can draw a picture of their inventions. The collaboration and hands-on learning promoted by this resource make it a great fit for afterschool.
	Language of Photography This how-to resource from ARTSEDGE offers tips for selecting and arranging visual elements to communicate ideas and create memorable photographs. Written in a concise format that educators may adapt for use with different age groups, The Language of Photography shares pointers on capturing images that tell a story. Sample photographs serve to illustrate the concepts under discussion.
	Make a Mystery Puzzle In this activity from ReadWriteThink, young people explore the different elements of a mystery story by making a puzzle about a favorite book. Then they invent and write their own mysteries using the online mystery cube tool. The puzzle activity, which can be incorporated into a book club or other reading and writing experience, promotes creativity and self-expression while helping learners understand how stories are put together.
	Moo-ving Experience This entertaining project for middleschool students introduces economic principles inherent in the management of a nonprofit business. The interactives and other resources from this EconEdLinklesson may be adapted in different ways to suit the needs and interests of the group. Participants also learn about a relatively new type of fundraising effort, known as CowParade©, that has been successful for non-profit organizations in cities around the world. After viewing cow sculptures online, young people brainstorm how to adapt CowParade for their own communities. These activities help youth gain an understanding about the role nonprofits play in our economy and encourage them to get involved locally.
	The Game of SKUNK In this activity from Illuminations, young people practice decision-making skills while playing a dice game called "SKUNK." The game about life choices helps young people make the connection between choice and chance-and build on their understanding of mathematical probability. The fact that this game lets kids move around a bit, but requires little beyond dice and paper, makes it perfect for an afterschool setting. It also works with a range of ages. As a fun extension of this activity, groups of young people can work on devising their own games of choice vs. chance.
	Write Sports Trivia Youth look at the way a collection of baseball trivia questions are written in this activity from ReadWriteThink. With help from a handy, question-writing tip sheet, they write their own questions and play a trivia game. Writing trivia questions builds skills in a fun way that will pay off later in other, more formal writing assignments. The inquiry nature of the activity can be adapted to any sport to engage most learners.