Hubbard&Wirth1

AfterSchoolSolarSystemClass
SarahHubbard&KatieWirth

CapstoneCBL
ErinWilder

Hubbard&Wirth2

Abstract
Wecreatedandconductedan11week,afterschoolprogramontheSolarSystematMRE
School;inourclasswehad20students,rangingfromthirdtofifthgrade.Webothfeltthiswasa
perfectopportunityforustobetteracquaintourselveswithteachingandbecominginvolved
withinthevalley.Thisposterpresentationwillgiveyouaninsidelookoftheclass,ourplanning
andtheoutcomesweexperiencedfromtheclassandstudents.

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Introduction/Background
Schoolconsumesaboutthirtyfivetofortyhoursaweekofchildrenslives.Teachersand
schoolfacultymembersworkdiligentlytomakesurestudentsaredevelopingatanacceptable
rate,learningthecorrectinformationtheyneedtoknowandalsohavingasmuchfunastheycan
whileinschool.Whathappenswhentheyleaveschool?Somekidsparticipateinseasonalsports,
someattendadaycareandsomegettogostraighthometoworkonhomeworkandplaywith
theirneighborhoodfriendsorsiblings.Anotheroptionparentsand/orguardiansconsiderwhen
thinkingaboutwhattheirstudentshoulddoafterschoolisanafterschoolprogram,liketheones
thatarecommonlyofferedatthelocalYMCA.Afterschoolprogramsofferparentsasafe,fun
andofteneducationalenvironmentfortheirchildrentogowhiletheyfinishupwiththeirwork
day.Additionally,afterschoolprogramshavetheopportunitytodivedeeperintoalternative
subjectslikeart,physicaleducationandmusic,whicharesometimesareasinschoolthatdont
takeasmuchprecedentsastheprimarysubjects.
Rationale
DuringFalltermaPTAmemberfromMaeRichardsonElementarycameintoour
ObservationandEvaluationofTeachingcourseandtalkedtoourclassabouttheirafterschool
programsandtheirneedformorevolunteerteachersandclassestobeoffered.Sheexplainedto
usthatMREreallytakesprideintheirabilitytohosttheseafterschoolprogramsandexpressed
howseveralfamiliesreallybenefittedfromthisadditionalservicetheyprovide.Wefeltas

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thoughthiswasanincredibleopportunityforusandagreatwaytohelpoutboththeschooland
thefamiliesatMRE.
Afterhearingaboutthisopportunityweweresoexcitedtoapplyandgetstarted.We
agreethatafterschoolprogramsaresoimportanttoofferfamilies.Familiesknowtheycantrust
schoolssohavinganafterschoolprogramavailabletothemtakesoffthestressoffiguringout
wheretheirkidswillgowhiletheyfinishupwiththeirjobresponsibilities.Additionally,we
believetheseprogramsreallyhavetheabilitytobuildoffofwhatkidsarealreadylearningin
schoolandputmoreofanemphasisonsubjectslikeart,physicaleducationandmusic.These
subjectsarenotnecessarilyprimarysubjectsinschool,buttheyareveryimportantforachildto
haveduringtheircrucialdevelopmentperiod.Therefore,combiningthesafeenvironmentafter
schoolprogramscreateandthetimewewouldbegiventopresentlessonsonscienceandart
reallyfeltlikeawinwinsituationforus.
ReviewofLiterature
1. An article from Clemson University titled Afterschool/ Out-of-School opportunities
discussed the positive effects afterschool programs have on the academic success, social
behavior, and provide opportunities for enrichment for at-risk students. A study done by
the Department of Education in 2002 found about 8 million children are left alone and
unsupervised. This is frightening because only 20% of a childs waking hours are spent at
school. Afterschool programs keep at-risk students from committing crime in a safe,
nurturing, enriching and character-building environment. Another study by Posner and
Vandell (1999) found that children who participate in quality afterschool programs were
better emotionally adjusted and had better peer relationships. Through our after school

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program we have seen our students relationships blossom with peers they didnt know.
The older students have taken a leadership position to influence the younger students in a
positive direction. Our after school program has captured our students attention and they
take learning into their own hands. They come up to us excited to show off the books
they rented at the library about the planet of the week. It is a very rewarding feeling.
2. PBS Parents published an article titled Importance of Art in Child Development. Schools
in the United States have shifted heavily toward common core subjects of reading and
math, leaving arts in the dust. Art benefits childrens motor skills, language development,
decision making, visual learning, inventiveness, cultural awareness, as well as improved
academic performance. According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education
strengthens critical thinking skills. One of the great aspects of our after school program is
the integration of art and science. We have seen our students self- esteem flourish as they
show their art work to the class with pride and smiles on their faces.
3. National Association of Independent Schools published an article titled Everybody, Stand
up! The power of Kinesthetic Teaching and Learning. According to researcher and
Harvard School professor Dr. John Ratey (2008), physical exercise provides an
unparalleled stimulus, creating an environment in which the brain is ready, willing, and
be able to learn. When students are moving together, they feel the energy and support of
the group, and a sense of community is built. Another benefit we found helpful is the fact
that kinesthetic teaching helps students transform their disruptive energy into focused
creative movement. We believe kinesthetic teaching should be a fundamental part of
teaching, especially in todays stressful educational climate.
DescriptionoftheProcess

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When starting this project, we had many goals in mind. Our main goal was to serve the
children and families in our community. We understand that not all families can afford child care
because it can be extremely costly, which is why we created this eleven week after school
program to lend a helping hand. We also felt it was important to give students the opportunity to
explore art and science in a kinesthetic environment. It was also a goal of ours to build a
community and relationships with our students, while becoming familiarized and comfortable
with our teaching philosophy.
Our plan was to teach about all the planets in our solar system, including the sun and
Pluto. This required a lot of planning and communications between the two of us. This also
meant communicating with parents and staff members of MRE. About four times a week we got
together and created the lesson for the week. Our lesson plans included community building
actives during the first few weeks, until everyone felt comfortable with each other. We did many
small group activities such as scavenger hunts, partner computer work, jeopardy, and ended our
class with some form of art. Our students had to opportunity to create models, water paint,
sculpt, draw, and paint. We even wrote explored writing poems and creative stories.
We both agree this has been such a great learning experience. Creating this program and
the curriculum took a lot of time, dedication, and flexibility from both of us. We agree it has been
a very rewarding process. We have seen our students build friendships and grow into their
strengths right in front of our eyes. Our shyest students are now always sharing in front of their
peers. Our students take pride in their art work and come to class eager to know what we are
learning about that week. The fifth graders in our class have taken on the role of a mentor to the
third graders and its just amazing to watch.

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With anything, there is always room for improvement. If we were able to redo anything
we both agree we would like to spend more time with our students. Once a week was wonderful
and we are thankful for the time given to us, however we truly believe two to three times a week
would benefit the children as well as their families. At times we felt as if we had to rush through
our lesson because seems to always be running out. Therefore, if we saw our students more often
we would be able to carry lessons over and plan for more in-depth lessons.
The children who participated greatly benefited from our program. They built friendships
that otherwise may not have taken place. They learned about our plants and solar systems
through explorations and cooperative learning. Children also were able to feed their souls
through creativity and music. The communitys benefit took place knowing children were safe,
protected, and involved in extracurricular activities. This free program was available to all MRE
students grades third through fifth in order for anyone who wanted to be involved could join.
Reflections
Overall,thiswasanamazingopportunity.Webothwereabletowalkawayknowingwe
enrichedourstudentslives,providedfamilieswithasafeandfreeplacefortheirkidstohangout
afterschoolandgotalotofexperiencewithteaching.DuringourtimeatMaeRichardson
Elementarywelearnedaboutwhatitmeanstobeteachers;wespentmanyhourspreparingand
planningourclasses,gatheringsuppliesandthenmakingsurewewerefocusedandreadytogo
onthedaywewouldteach.Inadditiontothesethings,welearnedallaboutourstudentsand
createdreallyamazingrelationshipswitheachofthem.Andfinally,wewereabletoreally
utilizeourcreativityandimplementfunandrelevantartprojectsaswenavigatedourway
throughthesolarsystem.

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Throughoutourteachingwereallybecameawareofhoworganizedweare.Weboth
workfulltimeandattendschoolfulltimesoweknewitwasimportantthatweprioritizeour
preparationforteachinginorderforourstudentstoreceivethebestlessons.Inadditionto
organizationwefoundoutthatwearecomfortableandconfidentstandinginfrontofagroupof
studentsandteachingthemaboutthetopicathand.Thiswasanicerealizationtohavebecause
originallywewerenervousabouthowthekidswouldrespondtous.Finally,wereallygotin
touchwithourcreativesidesastheweeksprogressed;withonlyanhourandtwentyfiveminutes
aweekwereallyhadtoefficientlysculptourplanssothatwecouldgetourstudentsadequate
informationandalsofacilitatetimeforthemtocompletetheirweeklyartproject.Lookingback
onourexperience,wewouldnotchangemuch;theoneaspectwewouldconsiderchangingisthe
processinwhichwechosetoplanourclasses.Wewantedtomakesurewewerecomingupwith
thebestlessonsthatwerenotrepetitiveordistractedbywhatthenextweekslessonmightbring,
howeverthisdidplaceamildamountofstressonusasresourcesstartedtobecomeslimfor
differentartprojects.Inthefuturewewoulddefinitelychoosetoplanafullprogramaheadof
timesothatwewouldntbeconcernedaboutnotbeingabletothinkoforfindafunprojectfor
eachclass.However,fornow,weareverycontentwithhowourclasswentandwearethankful
forthewonderfulopportunityweweregiven.