The Department of Afterschool Programming provides several enrichment initiatives to the District’s 96 elementary afterschool programs. These initiatives include Explore Literacy, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) and Give ‘em a Boost.
In addition to Department enrichment offerings, many programs provide enhancements through partners and other organizations. Some of these include Prime Time PBC, YMCA, Center for Creative Education, and Resource Depot. For a complete list of partners visit www.palmbeachschools.org/afterschoolprogramming/Partnerships.asp
Give ‘em a Boost is a personal enrichment and healthy living program provided through the Department of Afterschool Programming. It utilizes the SPARK Physical Education, Camp Boost, and Discover Art curricula. The SPARK program consists of inclusive physical activities that build social, fitness, and other health-related skills. Camp Boost, a program developed by Healthy Lifestyle Choices, focuses on empowering youth by developing the skills and attitudes needed to avoid participating in risky behaviors and lead healthier lives. Instructional units include life skills, conflict resolution, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, safety, and fitness. Discover Art is based on the Come Look with Me book series, which engages students in art appreciation and exploration activities. During the 2013-2014 school year, 11 District elementary afterschool programs participated in Give ‘em a Boost. These programs were given the opportunity to explore topics that encouraged nutrition, physical activity, and avoidance of risky behaviors including:
- Self-ImageStudents discussed their individual talents and strengths as a group, and then chose a superhero name for each student that reflected those talents and strengths. They created a cape for their superhero using a variety of art supplies. When they were finished, each student was given the opportunity to introduce their superhero to the group.
- TeamworkStudents were divided into small groups and given fifty straws and three feet of masking tape. They were tasked with building the tallest, free-standing structure possible using only the supplies given to them. Students had to work as a team to complete this task in three minutes. At the end of the three minutes, students discussed each team member’s contribution to the building process. This activity was followed up by two games from SPARK Physical Education called Houdini Hoops and Fitness Tag Team Traveling Challenges. These games rely on teamwork and cooperation to accomplish a series of tasks.
- Food BalanceStudents discussed the concept of food balance and completed a variety of activities to simulate the idea of balancing food consumption with physical activity. One activity involved making mobiles that had to show a balance between healthy foods and physical activity. Students used a variety of art materials to create their foods and physical activities, and then worked carefully to balance their mobiles.
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Explore Literacy is an academic initiative developed by the Department of Afterschool Programming’s instructional specialists. It focuses on building student fluency and comprehension in a fun filled learning environment. Students are engaged in highly entertaining read aloud books and participate in hands-on activities as well as community based projects. Plays are performed using a research based reading program called Readers' Theater, encouraging students to express their creativity. Explore Literacy promotes a life-long love of reading. During the 2013-2014 school year, 37 District elementary afterschool programs participated in Explore Literacy. In this program students were given the opportunity to explore books and topics that encouraged nutrition including:
- When I Grow Up by Al YankovicStudents participated in a team relay race called “My Plate Relay.” Each team was given a set of cards that depicted one healthy food and one active movement. When the race began, students read the food and movement on the card, and then completed that movement (jumping, for example) in relay style. Once they gently tagged the next player, that student took a turn. The purpose of this relay race was to enforce that healthy eating habits and exercise will help the students feel good and be the best they can be!
- Reason for a Flower by Ruth HellerStudents learned the importance of bees pollinating flowers, how honey is made by bees, and the health benefits of honey. They learned how honey can be used as a sweetener for their foods instead of processed sugars. At the end of the lesson, students got to taste honey by dipping sliced apples into it and discovering this yummy, healthy, sweet treat.
- Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. FordStudents learned about the holiday Kwanzaa by having a celebration consisting of Kwanzaa colors. Students feasted on red, green, and black foods such as green and red bell peppers, red and green apple slices and dark purple/black grapes and raisins.
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STEAM is an academic initiative developed by the Department of Afterschool Programming’s instructional specialists. It captures students' interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. This highly engaging, hands-on curriculum supports day time learning through the playing of educational games and conducting experiments in a safe and structured environment. Students are encouraged to ask questions and work in groups to find answers. STEAM engages students in an inquiry-based curriculum that emphasizes successful experiences rather than proficiency. During the 2013-2014 school year, 49 District elementary afterschool programs participated in STEAM. They were given the opportunity to explore books and topics that encouraged nutrition including:
- Farmers Market by Dawson J. HuntStudents created their own farmers market stands in their school cafeterias. They came up with names for their stands, used scales to weigh fresh food and had “play money” to use for currency. Healthy fruits and vegetables were provided and students had the opportunity to walk around the farmers market in their cafeteria and “purchase” healthy foods to eat with pretend money. “It was so much fun!” – Laurie Ostrow, Calusa Elementary Afterschool Site Director
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Students from Calusa Elementary Afterschool Program participating in the farmers market activity.
- Each Orange Had 8 Slices: A Counting Book by Paul Giganti Jr.Each student was given an orange to see, touch and peel. Students got to pull apart and count the juicy orange slices. To continue the sensory experience students shared their oranges with friends and enjoyed eating their delicious, nutritious, and sweet oranges.
- Eating the Alphabet by Lois EhlertStudents were provided a variety of fruits and vegetables and were encouraged to choose two fruits and three vegetables per day to stay healthy. Students were then given paper plates to construct faces using a variety of fruits and vegetables. This lesson gave students a visual reference that "they are what they eat."
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