Behavior Management Institute

In collaboration with the Utah Afterschool Network and University of Utah, the Behavior Management Institute is designed to provide a system of support for attendees to understand students’ behavior, engagement strategies, and restorative practices as they apply to the crucial topic of behavior management. (more…)

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Creating Culture in a Cafeteria Classroom – Staying Positive and Negative during a Pandemic

Week 3

In our Summer Enrichment program, I chose to read a chapter of L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz to the children each day. During Chapter 1, the group was very interested in the cyclone. Several children had never heard of such a thing and were full of questions. This led to an afternoon full of Internet searches for pictures and videos. One insightful first grader commented that “it is scary that a cyclone can show up out of nowhere and ruin everything.” 

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Creating Culture in a Cafeteria Classroom – Staying Positive and Negative during a Pandemic

Week 1

There is no denying that the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected afterschool in a variety of ways; from scheduling and numbers to safety protocols to activities and interactions. It is very easy to focus on the negative effects, as COVID has seemingly thrown a big old virus-y wrench into the gears of the well-oiled machines that are our afterschool programs. Unfortunately, the coronavirus is here and it clearly doesn’t care if it makes things difficult for anyone, including afterschool educators. 

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STEM Beyond the School Day Series – Engineering Mindset 3

Engineering Mindset #3: Children investigate the properties and uses of materials Exploring the Properties and Uses of Materials Our lives are filled with all sorts of lovely inventions that meet…

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STEM Beyond the School Day Series – Engineering Mindset 2

How Do You Solve a Problem? Engineering Mindset #2: Children use a specific problem-solving process: Our lives are filled with all sorts of lovely inventions that meet our needs with…

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Creating Culture in a Cafeteria Classroom – A COVID19 Consideration

Mask Break Bags

As the 20/21 school year started, I reflected on our 2020 summer program. I am thankful that I made it through camp without showing any COVID19 symptoms. You could say it was a matter of luck because (unfortunately) several summer programs we heard about in the news were not as lucky, but I think it was much more than that.

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