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we believe learning can be fun
We believe learning can be fun. We believe it can be something kids look forward to, and that they should have a place to explore ideas and share their discoveries with each other. It's in that spirit that this curriculum was created.
The activities on this site cover a wide range of subjects including science, literacy, culture, art, health, math, and engineering in ways that support what's learned during the school day. Most importantly, by promoting critical "21st century" skills like problem solving, communication, and working collaboratively with peers, we believe the activities, teaching techniques and resources of this curriculum can help prepare kids for life.
KIDS Afterschool is being used in every state in the United States and in 30 countries (and counting!) around the world, by thousands of educators reaching hundreds of thousands of children. Such a broad community gives us all an opportunity to communicate, share and learn from each other. So click the "Sign-Up" link at the top of the screen, join the community and start sharing by posting comments, questions and ideas. And most importantly - have fun!
Learn more about the programSummer is coming....is it time for some PD?
Let us help you get set for SUMMER! May is always a busy month here in the afterschool arm of BCM, as we spend this month and much of June delivering fast-paced, hands-on workshops to old and new friends all over New England as they prepare for their summer programs. Some will serve as few as 10 students, others will serve... (read more)
Visit our bloghow to use the curriculum
KIDS Afterschool activities are based on the philosophy that teaching children to talk together about learning experiences is as important as actually engaging in them. When kids talk about what they've done, they make sense of the experience in a way that's very different from simply doing it, which is why our activities follow a basic format:
Opening Discussion
In order for children to understand why an experience matters to them, it is helpful to first present it in a real-world context. This is simply a 2–5 minute introduction to the topic to be covered. For instance, if you are trying the activity Raceways & Rollercoasters – Super Coasters, ask kids if they’ve ever been on a roller... (read more)
Doing the Activity
After you have set the context, present the challenge and materials and send the children off to engage in the activity for 10–20 minutes, usually in teams of 2–4 children. As the teacher, you should move from team to team, monitoring progress and asking them questions about what they are trying. See the Teaching Tips page for ideas on... (read more)
This is the key component to the KIDS Afterschool activities. It is at this moment, when many teams are just starting to have success but are not at the point of completion, that you should break to have children share their experiences so far.
It’s typically this part of the process that sees ideas flowing most freely, when there are many... (read more)
After sharing their process with their peers and gathering some new ideas for their own project, send children back to complete the challenge. Once the activity is near an end, if there is time and if it seems appropriate, you can gather all of the students together again to share their creations and observations with each other. This culminating... (read more)
Testimonials
“We run an afterschool program for K-6 grade students in Tunbridge, Vermont. We started using Kids Aftershool this fall, and it has become an integral part of our weekly curriculum. Our teachers love KIDS because it is easy to use, it requires very simple, inexpensive materials, and it helps our students build academic skills. Our students love it because the activities are hands-on and fun. KIDS activities encourage our students to be collaborative, creative, innovative, and communicative. We love it and intend to use it for the rest of the school year!”
“It's really a challenge for many programs to keep curriculum planning fresh. Quite often they do isolated activities they might find in a book or on a web site, but that don't really connect or engage youth. What I find very helpful with your curriculum are the 4 steps that really could help even a novice staff lead a very successful and meaningful learning experience. I love the connections and use of questions to help with "sense-making" that engage youth in thinking about what they are doing and learning - it's all about the process!”
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featured activities
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Popsicle Science - Invent Your Own
1 Hour
In this activity, your students will create their own popsicle recipes and try them out. (read more)
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A Touchy Subject
45 Minutes
In this activity, your students will measure how well different parts of their skin can sense touch. (read more)
Today’s highlight:
My Observation Journal
30 Minutes
What do you notice using all of your senses? So much of discovery relies on observation skills. By giving students an opportunity to really look at... (read more)