Breakfast Club Blog
The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is a curated space where bloggers from around the world contribute content on a continual basis about a variety of topics relevant to in and out-of-school time. The BOOST Breakfast Club blog is at the heart of an ongoing dialogue where expanded learning and education professionals share their personal thoughts and stories from the in and out-of-school time field. They also tell us what they ate for breakfast!
The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is Brain Food for In and Out-of-School Time Leaders!
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Develop Emotional Intelligence with The +|- Code
The +|- Code is a school and after-school program to help students develop their Emotional Intelligence. It helps children and teenagers improve their discernment and better understand their emotions and environment. A unique tool to decode fake news, facial expressions, solve conflicts and make better choices. It is also a fun interactive and instructional game to enjoy with friends, educators, and parents! Read More
Drug-Free Kids! – Operation Prevention: A FREE Drug Prevention Curriculum
Learn about Operation Prevention, a no-cost drug-prevention curriculum for grades 3-12, jointly developed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Discovery Education, and includes free downloadable drug-prevention lesson plan bundles, virtual field trips, videos, a self-paced module, a parent toolkit, and lesson plans for Tribal audiences, plus a workplace module all available on OperationPrevention.com. Read More
Experiential Learning for Staff and Youth: Engaging the Brain by Doing
Experiential learning, or EL, engages the brain and body through play, team-building, and problem-solving. While so much of how we teach and learn tend to be didactic (words-based), the joy of OST is the ability to spend time in play, experimentation, and exploration. Join us to learn how EL can be a powerful tool for SEL and academic learning, with your youth AND with your staff – and walk away with a set of activities to try tomorrow! Read More
Exploring Engineering with The Tech Challenge
Join us to learn strategies for building problem-solving capacity and self-confidence in youth using design challenges. After gaining experience with the innovation design process (brainstorming, prototyping, and sharing solutions) and tools that support it (journaling, collaboration), you will walk away with activities you can lead with students right away. Read More
Coaching Leaders and Students to Embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
While understanding the topic of EDI is critical, not every leader has the expertise to foster a school culture that truly embraces culturally and socioeconomically inclusivity. Dr. Kim Brown Barber coaches educators and after school professionals to utilize their diversity and strengths to embody a campus or classroom that taps into diversity and inclusion through an equity-based lens. Read More
Changing the School Climate: Addressing the Unique Needs of LGBTQ Youth
Participants will learn ways to increase support for LGBTQ students, will be provided with opportunities to brainstorm issues on school campuses, and create action plans that uplift the needs and perspectives of LGBTQ youth. Effective adult allies can help youth gain a positive sense of self, preventing them from isolation, depression, and substance misuse. This interactive workshop will provide best practices that you can start using TOMORROW by creating safe spaces on campus. Read More
Building Back Stronger Using the Latest in Professional Development Solutions
Effective expanded learning programs correlate to well-trained, high-quality staff. Yet, with the many pressures and challenges of 2022, a comprehensive professional development program may feel out of reach. There is hope! Hear from expanded learning professionals who are successfully leveraging CypherWorx’s Learning Management System and CalSAC’s suite of online and virtual trainings to get results. Walk away with a PD planning tool and a free 30-day trial of the online platform! Read More
Building Harmonious Relationships and Creating Inclusive Environments
Learn how to easily implement Harmony SEL into your learning environment with Harmony Third Edition! Based on the latest research in SEL, our new unit structure centers on building harmonious relationships, creating inclusive environments where all students feel valued and heard, and developing a sense of agency within their educational experience. With Harmony Third Edition, you’ll be able to complete weekly lessons in just 15-20 minutes! Learn how to support teacher SEL with point of use acces... Read More
Cultivating Creativity and Design Thinking with Young Children
All young people deserve to engage in activities that ignite their imagination and creative development. LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program has developed new methods to engage elementary school-aged children in activities that leverage their passions to address real-life challenges. Come learn strategies for helping all kids imagine their ideal community while practicing critical thinking, communication, and other critical 21st Century skills. Read More
Breaking Down STEM Stereotypes in Afterschool
Afterschool programs offer a unique opportunity for youth to engage in and identify with STEM in diverse ways, which is especially important for young women who face multiple barriers to STEM participation. This session will focus on strengthening afterschool programs’ efforts to provide equitable STEM learning opportunities, including key strategies grounded in an Equity and Inclusion Framework and activities that aim to facilitate positive STEM identity development. Read More
Creating Safe and Equitable Spaces for Learning
Education is experiencing unprecedented burnout from educators & students. In a world of uncertainty, how can we ensure that ALL students, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status feel like they belong in our programs and communities and feel safe with us? How can we create safe spaces for youth to strive and thrive towards their educational goals? Participants will engage, reflect, rethink, and relearn previously held assumptions. Read More
Demystify STEM with Wonder Kits
Inspired by curiosity, Wonder Kits provide everything you need for a quality, hands-on STEM activity that anyone can facilitate. Partnering with organizations such as T-Mobile and Texas Instruments, Wonder Kits adds career exploration at any grade level. From designing your own wind-powered car to learning how to protect your brain, Wonder Kits bring creativity and fun to national standards. Learn the best tips and tricks in this engaging workshop to demystify STEM. Read More