Renfrewshire Libraries Homework Helpers Clubs

I am the LAW Library Activities Worker

Exploring OSL Homework Clubs and their role within the OSL project. Our other partners involved with the homework clubs. How we organize our clubs. The people involved with our clubs. The aims of the Homework clubs. Are we meeting those aims? Do homework clubs in libraries change lives

Winners of Renfrewshire Council’s Partnership Award 2003

Residential weekends at Inverclyde Sports Center 90 children from Friday to Sunday Sports Activities 45 min session Art Activities Creative Writing Disco Sports

Museums Starquest evenings at Paisley Observatory Time Box events where children document events in their community’s life Time Capsules.

Arts Drama Productions Fashion Shows Radio Shows Documentaries Dance Projects

Weekly Timetable MondayTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY Renfrew H Alison & FP Tom & SP Sheila & GA Tom & CE RWGerry & CE Alan & GLAlan & FX Sheila & GA Terry & LW Alison & LW RW Alan & FP Alison & GL Tom & Sheila FP RK & GL

Criteria for Referral to O.S.L. Pupils with low self confidence. interest in reading/ writing/ computers academic issues  behavioural issues  Pupils who are isolated/bullied from a low income household undergoing family problems in care/ with foster parents Pupils who receive Study Support at school Home School Support Social Work Support

12 Week Forward Planner using Teresa Breslin’s book Body parts 1 Introduction, Library tour, club name, membership badges, club rules. 2 Design homework club shirts. 3 Do you agree with genetic cloning? Discuss, Debate. Record/video. Talking about Experiences feelings and opinions level D 4 Who do you think caused the fire? Why? Personal writing level D 5 Sales pitches sell the public extra body parts. Include posters, illustrations. Creating and designing level C 6 What will happen if the mutants escape? Interview public, record, create newspaper reports. Imaginative writing level D 7 Descriptive drawing What do the mutants look like? Final page. Recording level C 8 Create your own comic book as a group. Creating and designing level C 9 Complete comic book. Creating and designing level C 10 Using clay create your own mutant creatures. Using media level C/D 11 Book review Personal writing Level D 12 Internet posting book review

Sample of evaluation sent of Head teacher after activity Gallowhill Library St Catherine’s Primary Date 20/01/03 Facilitator: Senga Munro Description of Activity Senga told the children some stories involving child participation. The children then had to identify why a younger child would enjoy hearing these stories and what they could do to keep an audience interested in what they were doing The children then started to create their own story boards. No. of childrenBoys 3 Girls 2 Skills usedSocial Writing Reading Discussion Planning IT Research Problem Solving Maths Drawing Others: Listening Predicting New / improved skillsIdentifying key themes that make a good storyteller e.g. stories should be short, funny, easy to remember, have repetition, movement, participation, scary. Story tellers should use variety of voices and keep eye contact with the audience BehaviourExcellent Good Poor Very Bad Other comment The children appear to be enjoying their workshops. They are excellent children who listen very well. They appear to be highly motivated and enthusiastic. Both Senga and myself are enjoying working with them.

Creative Ventures Creative Writing Reader Development Drama Workshops Storytelling Web Site Design Graphic Illustration Expressive Arts Author Visits Radio Shows

Before the Bell Clubs Ferguslie Primary Craigielea Primary St Paul's Primary Moorpark Primary These were introduced after requests from children on their evaluations

Meet the gang Sheila Tom Alison Karen With children from various Homework clubs

LIBRARIES CENTRAL FERGUSLIE FOXBAR GALLOWHILL GLENBURN LINWOOD RENFREW SPATESTON TODHOLM

Aims & Objectives It is the aim of the Homework Helpers Club to provide an informal, relaxed atmosphere where pupils will be supported in homework, learning activities, coursework, and exam revision, plus help in specific needs or topic research. The main outcome of the project is that the children’s confidence would be built, social skills enhanced, imaginations opened and the children will reach higher standards.

Targeted Children 88% of the children were targeted by the school to attend because of specific support was needed in the following areas:  Behaviour 13 %  Confidence 38%  Social skills 28%  Academic Progress 21%

Academic Changes 72% improved performance with homework club contribution

Behaviour 53% children improved 47% remained the same 72% improved interaction 75% more self confidence 25% remaining the same None of the children’s behaviour got worse.

Children’s point of view 93% said homework club helped them with their homework 80% felt it helped with other things : self confidence, computer skills or making friends 67% made new friends All the children wanted to come back next year.

What’s so different about our clubs The children are actively targeted. Activities are geared for the children’s needs Constant feedback to and from schools Partnership with external agencies Staff employed only to work with children

Do Homework Clubs Change Lives?

What they say about us “I would like to say how valuable the storytelling sessions are to the children taking part. The five pupils from Williamsburgh Primary all managed to tell their stories to the Primary 3 class with confident professionalism. I was delighted with David’s development. He showed himself to be a talented storyteller and very encouraging to the others in the group. Stephanie at first seemed very shy and self effacing but we discovered she had a wonderful way with words and was also a natural storyteller. Everyone in the group became more aware of what the members felt and how they could work well together Senga Munro, M.B.E. Storyteller “I like coming to the homework club because it helps me with my homework and reading. It helps me with my drawing. I can meet lots of new friends, I can get out of the house.” Ainsley Kidd, Craigielea Primary “It is the best thing in the world. We get to know Alison more and she is a great homework helper. Alison has lots of stories, games, and lots more and she is good for a laugh.” David Dawson, Williamsburgh Primary “It is good because you can make new friends, I also like to get more education and you can read more books.” Nicola Dockerty, Ferguslie Primary

School Reports “I have noted that our children have become enthusiastic about reading about their homework and working on the computer after their time spent in the library. We have found that the reputation of this club has resulted in children behaving well so that they are included in next year’s club.” Eileen Low, Head teacher, St. Catherine’s Primary “Trinity High School has been involved in a number of ventures with O.S.L. which have played a significant part in the development of the young people involved. The PACE group, provided by OSL, is providing another excellent opportunity for a group of young people to participate in a programme to develop self confidence and self esteem. The group is enthusiastic and it is a delight to witness how the shy, quiet student develops self-confidence - enough to stand up in front of an audience and perform.” J. Nellaney, Head teacher, Trinity High School

What we have looked at today Homework Clubs and their role within the OSL project. Our other partners involved with the homework clubs. How we organize our clubs. The people involved with our clubs. The aims of the Homework clubs. Are we meeting those aims? Do homework clubs in libraries change lives