1. Created by Michael Bachman, M.A., IYD Center Director East Tenth United Methodist Children and Youth Center, Inc. Enriching Your Activities Copyright April 2009 All rights reserved. The reproduction or use of this information without written permission of the creator is strictly forbidden.

2. In today’s session… Enrichment What is it and why is it important? The INTENTIONS behind a great program. Theme How do you choose an appropriate theme? The importance of student-directed learning. Area of Focus In what area of education do you want to focus your students and staff. Build your own Lesson Background information Specific Objectives and links to academic standards Materials needed The Activity The importance of reflection

3. Why Enrichment? “We know that through enrichment, the brain will develop a thicker cortex, more dendritic branching, more growth spines, larger cell bodies, more support cells, more blood supply, more neural networks and more intricate connections between neurons. We know that the brain learns fastest and easiest in the early school years. We also know that interaction with other learners of different ages and abilities is an asset to brain development.” -Mike Ashcroft

4. Why Enrichment? The Stats: In the most recent ranking released by PISA (Program for International Student Assessment), American students ranked 17 th in the world and students from China 1 st. On average, American students attend school 6.3 hours a day, while their counterparts in China average a 12 hour day. Students in China undergo 8.6 hours of classroom instruction, and average a mandated 3.4 hours of academic enrichment and extracurricular activities everyday. Americans between the ages of 6 and 14 spend 80% of their time outside of school, with the number of after school programs and sport teams in great decline.

5. Why Enrichment? If 80% of our students’ time is outside of school hours, we need to ensure that a large percentage of that time is educational and FUN! This is why we need Educational Enrichment.

6. So what is Educational Enrichment? The Journal of Advanced Academics says Academic Enrichment offers: a greater diversity in subject matter more distinct links to the school day and academic standards positive experiences new, above grade-level concepts and/or very specific remediation interactive learning social support For me, its making an educational moment memorable.

7. Intention It is activities specifically created to educate in a non-traditional manner, usually needing an allotted amount of time. It all comes down to INTENTION!!! Enrichment is intentional. Enrichment makes a “good” program “GREAT”.

8. Intention What does this mean? As a youth worker, you must have a mindset that everything is or can be educational for your students. Such things as math, science, reading, and writing are hidden in everyday activities. We do them so often, we forget that to our younger counterparts these concepts may be very new.

9. How might you bring math, science, reading, and writing concepts and components into a game of basketball?

10. Intention Math Keeping score is addition by two’s and three’s. Size of court, ball, etc. is measurement. # of players is number recognition. Science Amount of energy is body functions. Sweating is body functions. How temperature effects play. Writing Have a scorekeeper. Write the rules for everyone to see. Reading The scoreboard Rules if they are written out

11. Intention All of these are concepts that can be brought out in a simple game of basketball. Now, imagine all the things you could teach or reinforce for your students if you were building an active volcano, making Play-doh, or even making a meal! You have to be intentional. You have to bring all these ideas to the forefront of your thinking and planning if you are going to succeed in turning these teachable moments into enrichment activities.

12. LET’S GET PRACTICAL AND START BUILDING SOME ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ACADEMIC AND FUN!

13. The Theme Themes are extremely important in academic enrichment. It creates focus and allows for students to make connections across subject areas. Themes also allow students to easily move from project to project using gained foundational knowledge to build on as more learning opportunities are offered. Themes should not be too broad because it will leave with too many options to sort through, but make sure it is large enough to encompass many different topics and projects.

14. The Theme The best way to engage students in any kind of activity is to involve them in the process of choosing. If students are interested in the subject matter, they are more likely to learn and retain new information.

15. The Theme How to go about this… Hold a focus group Do a written of survey This can be drawing for those students who are not able to read and write Give multiple activities using varying topics and observe which the students gravitate towards. Ask questions of students one-on-one during free or social times. Start a conversation at the table during snack or other meal times.

16. The Theme At your table, take a few minutes and discuss the topics in which you believe your students would be interested. Choose a theme that you would like to explore further.

17. Once your theme is chosen, think about what you will use as the vehicles for educating the students. CultureService Learning Dance Occupation and Education Culinary Arts STEM

18. Areas of Focus Now, we need to look at areas within the theme that are interesting and we want to use as our vehicles for exploring the students. Best practices tell us that all students should have access to activities in 10 areas…

19. Math Science Dramatic Play Art Music MathFine Motors Writing Blocks Library

20. Areas of Focus These are a great place to start. However, depending on your students interests, you can be more creative. We are currently using Culture, Sport, Culinary Arts, STEM, Storytelling, and Music. In what areas would you like to focus your students based on the themes you have chosen? Choose 3.

21. The Activity In each area, you would need to create an activity for the students. Now, this is where it becomes Academic Enrichment. The goal is to integrate as many academic subject areas into each activity. This means that while you are teaching the kids a practical skill like cooking, they are also READING a recipe, MEASURING ingredients, setting TEMPERATURES on the oven, and WRITING a review of their food. In doing one activity, we have reinforced or taught the students new concepts in reading, math, science, and writing. Let’s take a look at one…

22. The Activity In your groups, I would like you to create an activity for each Area of Focus and integrate into each activity math, science, reading, and writing. Be as creative as you can. Remember, if they are not in danger, why not do it!

23. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan Background Information Any knowledge necessary to complete the activity It can be written in paragraph or script form information that needs to be passed to the students the staff member’s comfort level It must be able to translate quickly from adult to student if necessary. Example: Read the paragraph and quickly explain it as if to a student

24. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan Objectives On what skills are you focusing With what do you want the students to walk away Link to the Academic Standards I attempt to link math, science, vocabulary, reading and writing skills to every plan Use the same standards for a month and assess in an effort to produce outcomes Remember, if you are working with a diverse set of ages, both new skills and remediation is important.

25. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan Let’s take a break and have a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.

26. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan The Activity Directions must be specific Is it fitting for your intended audience, be it grade level, group, etc. Can you connect this activity to the previous, then to one that comes next?

27. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan Materials Be sure to list all supplies that are necessary. Do not assume. It does not set your lesson plan up for success. If possible create a checklist for yourself or staff. This can only ensure that you have everything you need and will keep you from chaos.

28. Elements of an Effective Lesson Plan Reflection Finally, the most important part of the activity is reflection. Allow students the opportunity to discuss, write, or even draw about what they have learned or done. This is the most efficient way of reinforcing and bringing to the forefront of the students’ minds. Many of us do not realize all we have done until we have the opportunity to take a breath and reflect. This time allows us to take pride in our work and all we have accomplished. The same is true for our students.

29. Conclusion Theme Areas of Focus Create the Activity Integrate academic subject matter Take time to Reflect If its safe, why not do it?