The best afterschool programs do two things: they engage students in fun activities that create a desire to learn, and they build on what students are learning during the school day to extend the knowledge they already have. With large groups and varied ages, accomplishing both of these things is often easier said than done. This Afterschool Training Toolkit is designed to give afterschool program directors and instructors the resources they need to build fun, innovative, and academically enriching activities that not only engage students, but extend their knowledge in new ways and increase academic achievement.

Based on the five-year study completed by the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning, this toolkit has everything afterschool practitioners need to engage students in fun afterschool activities while extending content knowledge across the curriculum. Each subject area is filled with standards-based, multi-media resources including research-based practices, sample lessons, interactive activities, and video segments taken from afterschool programs across the country. Afterschool practitioners ranging from program directors to new volunteers will find a range of user-friendly practices and sample lessons, the research that explains promising practices, specific how-to instructions, and outcomes to look for.

The toolkit includes promising practices and sample lessons in:

• Arts
• Literacy
• Math
• Science
• Technology
• Homework Help