After-school time presents a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn literacy skills, but also to develop a life-long love of reading. During the school day, kids don’t always have opportunities to select pieces of literature or to spend time with their favorite books. Through TASC’s approach to literacy, all kids have access to a selection of reading materials that appeal to them and match their reading levels. Because after-school develops the whole child, socially and emotionally as well as cognitively, reading is approached not simply as an academic pursuit but also as recreation and relaxation.
TASC literacy programs compliment the school day curriculum by leading kids through a wide variety of activities that are challenging and fun, and that encourage choice and collaboration. Staff members blend literacy into arts, writing and performance projects, even intergenerational family activities including self-publishing families’ immigration sagas.
In support of New York State standards on English Language Arts - which call for kids to be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, listening and using grammar - TASC helps participating programs incorporate those practices into kids’ daily activities.
Many after-school programs choose to incorporate one or both or both of these time-tested and popular approaches to literacy: TASC Masters of Literacy and the Comic Book Project.
