Discusses an activity in which students in an after-school art class drew one another on pieces of 2-by-4 scrap lumber in order to create a class portrait in three dimensions. Stresses that the portraits on the wood blocks were done in-the-round, or each side was covered. (CMK)

Describes an after-school program in which 54 youth mentors worked with 584 elementary and middle-school children in small groups over a two-year period. Focuses on bonding, prosocial norms, peer influence, participant characteristics, service features, and other factors. Outcomes suggest that the program benefitted both children and mentors. (RJM)

Two studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of an after-school tutoring program. Results indicated that at-risk junior high students and students with learning disabilities (n=14) who were failing classes could earn average or better grades on quizzes and tests if they had the support of trained adult tutors. (Contains references.)…

Science centers and children's museums, such as the New York Hall of Science and the Orlando (Florida) Science Center, offer rich programs linked to students' classroom learning and provide an informal, inquiry-based setting for exploring major concepts. School/museum partnerships can further teachers' and students' lifelong learning progress.…

In 1999, two schools in an impoverished border town in Texas received 3-year federal grants from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program to support varied after-hours activities: academic tutoring, computer literacy, "ballet folklorico," arts and crafts, guitar instruction, and service learning. Students and parents now have a safe…

Describes the Hands On Science Outreach (HOSO) program which aims to provide informal science experiences for preschool and elementary-age children. Discusses participants views of the program. (JRH)

A preliminary evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at four San Francisco middle schools found no significant statistical evidence on academic achievement. The program successfully implemented its first-year objectives: positive perceptions among parents and students and solid student participation. Influential factors…

Explores the social space of the "out of school club," an important environment of British childhood. Notes particularly how children construct and contest the meanings they attach to material and social environments they inhabit after school. Shows how the notion of place is linked with children's action and behavior in these spaces and…

A study examined whether beginning and prospective secondary school teachers benefitted from working with elementary students enrolled in an after-school literacy program. Most said the program benefitted both children and teachers; more collaboration between secondary and elementary teachers would be desirable. (Contains 20 references.) (JOW)

A 4-H skateboard club in Bozeman, Montana offers kids community service and educational opportunities as well as something to do after school. Adult and college-student volunteers teach a skateboarding curriculum and help kids fix boards and design ramps. Club members have learned public speaking, fundraising, city planning, and civic involvement…

Homework may boost academic achievement, involve parents in their children's schoolwork, and teach students to study independently. However, critics claim that homework increases family conflict, limits independent learning, and widens the achievement gap. After-school homework clubs help students whose home life doesn't support getting help from…

Juxtaposes research on school-age programs with studies of self-care and out-of-school activities, discussing what each type of after-care arrangement involves and how prevalent it is. Reviews research on how the arrangements contribute to children's development and examines program features especially related to outcomes for children. (SLD)

Provides a profile of after-school programs for low-income children, focusing on supply and demand, program emphases, and program sponsors and support organizations. Discusses the major challenges facing the field in the areas of facilities, staffing, and financing. Illustrates the discussion with examples from an after-school initiative in three…

Students from urban middle schools serving mostly economically disadvantaged, minority youth were asked how they spent their time after school and on weekends. Most students did not participate in after-school programs or lessons. They reported extensive time spent watching television and hanging out with friends. Weekends presented a similar…

This paper examines the presence of spontaneous imitation within the social interactions of young people with developmental delay and their adult carers. There have been only a handful of observational studies examining imitation in this population, despite the relevance of such work to contemporary theoretical debates about imitation and the…