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Explore monthly highlights and get quick links to resources to help you plan after-school activities that are perfect for your group.
November STEM
Combine STEM, Maker Space, and literacy programming by creating a cipher wheel to decode secret messages. Encourage your group to combine their math and language skills to solve problems together!
Click on the image for a video showing how to make a cipher wheel. Click on the links below to explore the full programming Expansion Pack, get the quick guide, or download a set of printer-friendly cipher templates.
Ciphers and Secret Codes - page 1 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfCiphers and Secret Codes - page 2 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfCiphers and Secret Codes - page 3 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfCiphers and Secret Codes - page 4 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfNovember Book Club
This month, we're hearing powerful stories about Native American heritage, learning how language expresses experience, and showing gratitude.
Click HERE for a quick guide to the November Book Club and Activities.
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfWe Are Water ProtectorsA Squiggly Story - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfSee the CatChester Nez and the Unbreakable Code
recommended for 1st - 5th grade readers
Chester Nez learned English when he went to boarding school, but he kept his Navajo language and culture in his heart. How will he and his Navajo friends use their language to create a secret code that no one can break?
GOOD FOR - Native American Heritage, Ciphers & Secret Codes, The Power of Language
We Are Water Protectors
recommended for K - 5th grade readers
This book tells a Native American legend about a Black Snake that will poison the water and destroy the land. What can a young girl and her village do to fight for all the Earth's creatures, especially those who cannot stand up for themselves?
GOOD FOR - Native American Heritage, The Power of Language
A Squiggly Story
recommended for K - 4th grade readers
A boy begins writing his first story but doesn’t know how to finish it. He shares it with his classmates, who each have their own ideas for how it should end. Will he be able to become the boss of his own story and write his own ending?
GOOD FOR - The Power of Language, Ciphers & Secret Codes
See the Cat
recommended for PreK - 3rd grade readers
Max the Dog discovers that he is a character in a book, but he's not so sure that he likes where this story is headed. Will he be able to outsmart the narrator to get the ending he wants?
GOOD FOR - The Power of Language
Fall Sensory Poem
materials - paper; pencils, crayons, or markers
Write a poem about what you feel and experience in the fall.
Watch this short video to learn more!
good for - We Are Water Protectors, The Power of Language
November Activities
The activities below can be used throughout the month to support the November Book Club selections and encourage youth to explore the power of language.
Honor Native American heritage by writing a poem that reflects on your relationship with nature. Explore teaching resources from the Smithsonian Institute for additional program ideas to celebrate this month.
For information about how your group can participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) check out these educator resources.
Mood Check-in Wheel
materials - paper plate; construction paper; scissors; crayons or markers; metal fastener
Cut a circle that’s a little smaller than the plate using construction paper or a second plate.
Divide the plate into 8 equal pie pieces.
Mark and cut out one pie piece from the construction paper.
Write the names of 8 emotions around the edge of the paper plate, one per slice.
Draw pictures of how each emotion feels in that pie section.
Use the metal fastener to attach the small circle to the plate.
Turn the wheel to show how you feel. Share your pie slice with a friend.
Watch the video instructions or check out more ways to use this activity in your programming with the Reading Champs.
good for - Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code, The Power of Language
Silly Sentences
materials - index cards; markers or pencils; paper; crayons
As a group, come up with fun nouns (people, places or things) and exciting verbs (actions).
Write each word on a separate index card and place them into the noun pile or the verb pile.
Pick a card from each pile.
Draw and write the silliest sentence you can think of (that still makes sense) about the words.
good for - See the Cat, The Power of Language
No Peeking!
materials - pictures from books or magazines; paper; pencils or crayons
Find a picture.
Describe to a friend what you see.
Can you describe it with enough detail that they can draw the picture without looking at it?
good for - See the Cat, The Power of Language
Caption This!
materials - pictures from books or magazines; paper; pencils, markers, or crayons
Choose a picture or photo.
Write as many different captions as you can think of for it.
Share the photo and captions with your friends. Which ones do you like best? Why?
Watch this short video to learn more!
good for - A Squiggly Story, The Power of Language
Play and Make Word Games
What Am I - Writing Is Everywhere Guide.pdfCodenames - One Page Game Guide.pdfTelestrations - One Page Game Guide.pdfAdditional Resources
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