What's Taught

In the AfterSchool KidzLit program, leaders use powerful literature and activities to increase children’s enjoyment of reading, build their vocabulary, deepen their thinking, and foster their ability to work with others.

The program uses a five-part process to build and develop:

Literacy Skills

Children listen to read-aloud selections and develop literacy
skills by:
  • Learning to use new words
  • Identifying and discussing big ideas
  • Making predictions about text

Written Expression

Children Express their ideas by:
  • Keeping journals
  • Drawing pictures and talking before writing
  • Recording their ideas

Core Values

Children's books and activities develop and deepen core values, including:
  • Helpfulness
  • Fairness
  • Personal responsibility
  • Perseverance
  • Self-respect
  • Respect for others

Connections

Children explore big ideas in the books and make connections between the stories and their lives in a variety of ways, including:
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Drawing
  • Pantomime
  • Role-playing
  • Puppetry
  • Drama
  • Music

Thinking Skills

Leaders use a variety of strategies to stimulate ideas and collaboration, including:
  • Brainstorming
  • Visualizations
  • Group charts
  • Mind maps
  • Partner readings
  • Buddy chats