SIG Webinar on the Benefits of Summer Learning for Gifted Students

Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs can draw upon the talents of teachers to do things they don’t get to do during their normal school day. If you’d like to start an afterschool program as your school, but don’t know where to start, there are many resources online to help start you on the right track:

• State Afterschool Profiles
  The Afterschool Investments project has profiles for state afterschool programs for every state. They list major state and local afterschool initiatives and include state-level contacts. For more information, visit their website at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/afterschool/statep.html.
  
  
• Afterschool Action Kit
  This is published by the Afterschool Alliance, and is a guide for parents.  The kit gives advice on finding or starting a program, identifying program needs and what resources you already have to tap for help. This is available online at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/ACTIONKT.PDF.

• Beyond the Bell: A Toolkit for Creating Effective After-School Programs.
  This publication provides tools and information in key areas of developing afterschool programs. Order a copy online at www.ncrel.org/after/bellkit.htm.

• Southeast Development Lab  (SEDL)
  SEDL publishes A Resource Guide for Planning and Operating After-School Programs.  It provides a resource list to support program development for school-aged children. Find this online at www.sedl.org/pubs/fam95.

• Afterschool.gov
  This federal web site provides a range of resources on funding sources, activities, and resources for programs.  Visit them at www.afterschool.gov.
  
  
• National AfterSchool Association (NAA)
  NAA promotes national standards of quality school-age care for children and youth 5 to 14 years old, and grants accreditation to programs meeting the standards. The web site, www.naaweb.org, includes links to various resources, including state affiliates’ web sites.

• Extended-Day Learning Opportunities (EDLO) Online Resource Center
  The National School Boards Association maintains this clearinghouse of resources to help school leaders implement policies and collaboration strategies to support afterschool programs. See www.nsba.org/edlo.

Creating Constructivist Learning Environments on the Web: The Challenge in Higher Education
A article designed to help teachers create a learning environment on the World Wide Web that is focused on constructivist principles. (This is a PDF file.)

Technologies for Education – Advances in Education
Presents several resources for using technology to enhance teaching and maximize student learning.

Some Thoughts about WebQuests
A paper describing defining WebQuests and how they can be used in teaching.

A Road Map for Designing WebQuests
A Power Point presentation about creating effective WebQuests.

Building Blocks of a WebQuest
How to construct an effective WebQuest.

Taxonomy of Tasks
What task to ask learners to do for an effective WebQuest.

Education Program for Gifted Youth
The Education Program for Gifted Youth offers computer-based multimedia distance learning with pre-college courses in Mathematics, Physics, English, and Computer Science. They are designed for highly able students. There are programs for individuals and schools with instructional support. These courses may lead to a Stanford University credit.

Helping Your Highly Gifted Child
This digest deals with some areas of concern and provides a few practical suggestions for helping highly gifted children.

Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth – Johns Hopkins University
The Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth is a comprehensive, university-based initiative that promotes the academic ability of children and youth throughout the world.

Prufrock Press
This website provides teachers and parents of gifted children with a comprehensive online education resource.

K12 Academics
An education Resource Center for K-12 Teachers, Students and Parents.