Presented by: Curriculum Review Team December 2012 Tallahassee, Florida

1. Special Interest Centers, • Clubs, and • Service Projects • Presented by: • Jenn Faber, • School Readiness • Regional Facilitator • 239-432-0051 • Jennifer.Faber@oel.myflorida.com Presented by: Curriculum Review Team December 2012 Tallahassee, Florida

2. Special Interest Centers, Clubs and Service Projects are designed to capture a child’s attention and encourage exploration of something new. Engagement in these activities often leads to future interests and/or Hobbies for many children. These activities can offer one specific ‘interest’, such as karate, macramé, recycling or tye-dyeing, or they can be a center of multiple activities relating to a particular interest or theme, such as space or weather. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

3. Special interest centers, clubs and service projects may be used to correspond with: the child’s classroom studies to develop personal interests and skills or to explore a completely new topic Centers and activities can last a few days or a few weeks, pending the children’s interest. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

4. When planning special interests it always wise to get the children involved in the selection of the topics. Interest Activities/Centers can be easily planned around the basic ‘center’ categories including: Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects • Field Trips • Table Games • Science & Discovery • Outdoor/Indoor Games • Computers • Etc. • Arts & Crafts • Music & Movement • Snacks & Cooking • Dramatics • Construction • Language

5. When planning interests, be sure to consider the Multiple Intelligences and how different children learn in different ways, so as to appeal to a variety of students. Verbal/Linguistic Logical/Mathematical Visual/Spatial Musical Bodily/Kinesthetic Intra-Personal Inter-Personal Naturalist Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

6. Miniatures, Newspaper Club, Photography, Cooking, Animals, Karate/Tae Kwon Do, Macramé/Sewing/Crocheting, Gardening, Kite-Making, Tye-Dye, Cheerleading, Dinosaurs, Flight, Modeling (Cars, Ships, Planes), Pottery/Clay, Era's, Leathercraft, Fitness & Nutrition, Spanish, Weather, Candle making, Astronomy/Space, Sea-life/Aquariums, Cosmetology, Woodworking, Recycling, Nature, Jewelry-Making, Collectors (Coins, Cards, etc). How many more clubs and special interests can you think of? Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

7. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

8. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Clubs are similar to special interest centers, but are offered to 'members' only and occur on specified dates and times. Children may choose to be part of a club. The benefits of clubs for school-age children include: • A sense of belonging • A sense of ownership • Social skills building • Life skills (i.e. cooking, sewing, etc.) • Understanding of leadership and member roles • Expansion of interests and knowledge • A way to share related interests and knowledge • Possible fundraising

9. Philosophies of Clubs: Encourage any appropriate ideas Be supportive of the children's requests Encourage advanced planning, but be flexible if the direction of the club changes Know when to be directive, but allow the children to be the leaders of the club -- the teacher is the child's assistant during club time Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

10. Survey and observe the children for Club interests: Ask questions such as "What activity do you like to do often?, What activities do you do at school or on weekends that you would like to do here?, What do you do well?, What do you wish you could do better?, What do you wish you could do that you do not know how to do already?" Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

11. Plan for a new Club: Create the theme or focus Ask yourself. . . What is the purpose of the club?, What activities will it include?, When will your club meet?, Who may be the leader of the club? What resources will you need? How might you involve the community?, Does the club activity plan address several different learning styles?" Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

12. Evaluate the Club: Did the children respond well to the activities? Did the club build on the interests of the members? What changes would you make in the original club plan? What would you do differently next time? How could you expand the club, if there was interest? Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects

13. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Club Plan of Action: • Focus or Theme • Children's Names & Ages • Purpose of the Club • Activities • Meeting Days and Times • Name of Club Leaders • Resources Needed • Community Resources/Involvement • Plan of Action

14. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Service Projects: demonstrate people taking responsibility for meeting community needs by giving their time and talents to help solve problems. It's the right thing to promote to our children and youth. Service projects can help children develop new talents and abilities -- leadership skills, organizational skills, public speaking skills and more! Plus, they'll feel great about they've done.

15. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects 10 Steps to Service Projects: • Research your project • Form a Club • Find a sponsor, if necessary • Make a plan • Consider the recipient • Establish location • Get permissions • Advertise • Fundraise • Evaluate

16. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Animals • Control Populations • Adopt a Zoo Animal Community Development & Beautification • Neighborhood Clean Ups • Clean vacant lot • Help an elderly neighbor with their yard • Make your community handicap accessible • Conduct a neighborhood furniture drive for low-income families Crime Fighting • Organize a self-defense workshop • Start a 'Do the Right Thing' program • Paint over graffiti • Plan a drug-free club/dance for your school

17. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects The Environment • Improve you schools environment • Plant Trees • Neighborhood Improvement Fund • Recycling Club Friendship • Make a New Kid Survival Kit • Host a New Kid Social Health • Health Fair • Start an anti-smoking campaign • Start a campaign against drugs • Promote Organ Donor Awareness

18. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Holidays • Make gift baskets for seniors • Visit hospitals Homeless People • Collect items for shelters Hunger • Hold a Food Drive • Deliver meals to those in need • Get restaurants to donate leftovers to shelters Literacy • Tutor younger children • Hold a Book Sale • Collect books for hospitals, shelters, nursing homes

19. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects People with Special Needs • Hold a special Olympics • Setup a buddy system at school for kids with needs • Volunteer at a rehabilitation center Politics & Government • Set up a voter's registration at your center • Take a tour of your city government offices Safety • Promote After-school Safety • Start a Safety Club • Make emergency kits • Offer a baby-sitting course

20. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Senior Citizens • Start a Senior Friends Club • Adopt a Grand-friend • Help with yards, groceries, etc. How many more service projects can you think of to offer at afterschool?

21. Special Interest Centers, Clubs & Service Projects Resources: • The Complete Learning Center Book • ISBN 0-87659-178-8 • Colossal Clubs • ISBN 0-917505-39-5 • The Kid's Guide to Service Projects • ISBN 0-915793-82-2