NCJ Number
186607
Journal
Afterschool Matters Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: Summer 2000 Pages: 12-17
Date Published
2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes a program that combines sports and literature to improve students' reading, writing, comprehension, and social skills.
Abstract
The Sports PLUS After School Program was developed by Sports PLUS (Positive Learning Using Sports) located at the New Hampton School in New Hampton, NH. The program is designed for elementary school students and focuses on teamwork, respect, responsibility, fair play, and perseverance. It includes: (1) academic sessions featuring children's literature as an instructional medium; (2) reading workshops, where children choose what they want to read; (3) skill-building lessons, where children study communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, goal-setting, or anger management; (4) sports sessions, where teachers and students select one of six major sports to include in a theme module; and (5) health and nutrition breaks, addressing nutrition, exercise and fitness, health, safety, disease prevention, and drug abuse prevention. Support components designed to bolster the core program elements include family involvement, role models, field trips, and a student-coach program, where program graduates (7th-8th graders) are invited back to serve as student coaches or peer leaders. References