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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.
September STEM
Swing back into STEM programming by making paper helicopters. This activity is fun to do in groups. Experiment with different designs and observe what happens!
Click on the image for a video showing how to make paper helicopters. Click on the links below to explore the full programming Expansion Pack, get the quick guide, or download a printer-friendly template.
Paper Helicopter - Page 1 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfPaper Helicopter - Page 2 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfPaper Helicopter - Page 3 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfPaper Helicopter - Page 4 - Activity Expansion Pack.pdfSeptember Book Club
This month, we're getting to know one another, learning more about Hispanic heritage, and celebrating International Day of Peace on September 21.
Click HERE for a quick guide to the September Book Club and Activities.
Alma and How She Got Her Name
El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! - Expanded Read Aloud Guide (1).pdf
Islandborn - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdf
The Day You BeginAlma and How She Got Her Name
recommended for K - 3rd grade readers
Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks her name is too long, so her father tells her the story of her name and the five relatives who inspired it. Why do you think Alma's father wanted to tell her the story of her name?
GOOD FOR - GETTING TO KNOW YOU, HISPANIC HERITAGE
El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!
recommended for K - 3rd grade readers
When they move to a new city, Ramón confesses that he's no longer afraid of his monster, El Cucuy. El Cucuy shares that he's afraid of many of the same things. What can Ramón and El Cucuy do to help each other feel brave?
GOOD FOR - GETTING TO KNOW YOU, HISPANIC HERITAGE
Islandborn
recommended for 1st - 5th grade readers
Lola left the Island when she was just a baby. When her teacher asks the class to draw a picture of their first countries, Lola asks her neighbors for help. What does Lola discover about her faraway home? What does it mean to her?
GOOD FOR - GETTING TO KNOW YOU, HISPANIC HERITAGE, PEACE DAY
The Day You Begin
recommended for K - 5th grade readers
Being new isn’t easy. It isn’t easy to see how you can be friends with people who, at first, might only see all the ways you are different from them. What do you think the author feels about being different? Why?
GOOD FOR - GETTING TO KNOW YOU, PEACE DAY
materials - heavy paper; scissors; Elmer's glue or tape; push-pins; craft sticks or old pencils
September Activities
The activities below can be used throughout the month to support the September Book Club selections.
Click on the image to learn how to make a Peace Day Pinwheel. Explore the Philly Peace Day website to learn more about the day's origin and review materials for teachers and libraries.
For additional information and programming ideas related to National Hispanic Heritage month, consult teaching resources provided by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institute.
Simple Paper Puppets
materials - paper; pencils; crayons or markers; tape; straws or craft sticks
Draw pictures of your favorite characters and cut them out.
Attach straws or pencils to the backs.
Tell stories and act out your puppets' adventures.
good for - El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, Read Alouds, Getting To Know You
Monster Draw
materials - paper; pencils, crayons, or markers
Each artist, draw the head and neck of your favorite animal at the top of your paper.
Then, fold the paper down to hide your drawing, and pass it to the artist on your right.
Without peeking, add the chest or back to the new drawing, then fold and pass again.
Draw the torso and upper legs. Fold and pass.
Draw the bottom legs and feet.
Open all of your creations together and see what you’ve made!
Check out more ways to do this activity with the Reading Champs.
good for - El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, Islandborn, Getting to Know You
Blind Contour Drawing
materials - paper; pencils, crayons, or markers
Choose a starting point on a piece of paper.
Look at your friend.
Draw their portrait without looking at your paper or picking up your pen.
Watch this short video to learn how to turn this activity into a personal reflection project or get more ideas for drawing challenges.
good for - Alma and How She Got Her Name, Getting to Know You
Paper Plate Portraits
materials - paper plates; pencils; crayons or markers
Draw a portrait of yourself, based on how you think people see you.
On the back, write words about who you are and what's important to you that people couldn't know just by looking at you.
good for - The Day You Begin, Getting to Know You, Peace Day
Additional Resources
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