Ideas for After School Counselor Activities
After school counselors are responsible for supervising and implementing after school recreational activities for children in a fun and safe environment. After school programs typically cater to elementary school children ages five to 12, so activities should be able to be modified to suit the children in that age range. After school counselors should plan activities that are not only exciting, but challenge the children as well.
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Create a Club
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Children love to be involved in a group that is doing something together, including an after school club. Some club ideas are; science clubs, chess clubs, book clubs, and art clubs. Whatever club you create, have a meeting once a week where the children can meet and do an activity that is specific to that club. The children will feel a sense of belonging and accomplishment.
Daily Health and Fitness
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In many schools today, recess has become shorter and shorter as academic requirements have become more pressing. A great way to address this issue is to have a 30-minute or more exercise portion of your afternoon. This can be a organized sport, changing the sport each week or month, or it could also be a general activity, such as a few laps around a track or aerobics-type class.Separate children by age, or even allow older children to demonstrate or help coach younger ones so that the entire age group is involved.
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Math and Reading Enrichment
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Many children do not have the time during a regular school day to get additional help in subjects that are difficult for them. After school programs become the only way to get extra enrichment to help them excel in school. Once to twice a week, have math and reading worksheets available for each child that are grade level appropriate. Take the time to work through the problems and help the children. Just the few hours spent doing this will make a difference, especially for children who are struggling. Make sure that work is available for all age groups in all grades.
Art and Music
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Art and music programs across the country are undergoing drastic cuts. Schools are often unable to offer instrument programs or art classes. This is a need that can be met in an after school program. Start an orchestra or a band after school. Perhaps you can also start an art class that focuses on famous artists and art history, subjects that are rarely touched upon in school. Groups can be put together based on ability and/or age.
Social Studies and Science
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In schools there is only a finite amount of time to learn a lot of information. As a result, students may lose out on-hands time. Fun science experiments are a great way to help students learn a concept. The younger students can watch and be interested while the older ones actually learn concepts that they can apply to other studies.
Social Studies also allows for projects, experiments, and additional research that can help students love learning. Pick a day that is reserved each week for doing research on history and social studies topics that interest the students.
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