Curricular Planning

Planning lessons in advance is essential to delivering effective instruction. Lesson planning helps instructors establish learning goals and objectives, while organizing content, linking it with the school day, devising instructional strategies and gathering materials. Activity leaders can also identify ways to incorporate social emotional learning and college and career readiness.

21st CCLC requires that programs and activities are:

Aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards, school and district goals.
Designed to improve student academic achievement as well as overall student success.
Based on successful existing models, research or other information.
Linked with the regular school day and school day teachers.
Preparing students for college and careers.
Incorporating social emotional learning as per NYS Guidelines for Social and Emotional Development and Learning.
Integrating hands-on experiences that make learning relevant and engaging.

Tools

Semester Outline

NYSED Lesson Plan Template

Lesson Plan Template

Link With the School Day

Link with the school day

CBOs can coordinate with school leaders on creative ways they can link with school day learning. At a teacher staff meeting, the site coordinator and / or activity leads can facilitate a discussion about any specific schoolwide or classroom themes that they would like after school programs to integrate.

If it’s difficult to get time during a teacher meeting, site coordinators can distribute this brief questionnaire with this introductory letter to teachers to learn more about their classroom priorities. For schools who leverage Google tools, the site coordinator can convert this to a Google Forms survey to send around to teachers as well.

Dear Teacher,

[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] is providing [TYPE OF ACTIVITY] in your school this semester. We’re reaching out to teachers to learn what they are teaching during the school day to see if we might be able to integrate some themes and materials in our after school activities.

Can you please take a few minutes to fill out this form and submit it by [DEADLINE]? Please place it [ROOM # / LOCATION] when complete. We will make our best effort to incorporate it into our after school lesson planning.

Thanks,
[Site Coordinator]
[ORGANIZATION]

Tools & Resources

The In-School and Afterschool Social and Emotional Learning Connection

Linking with the School Day - Class Questionnaire

Prepare Students for College & Career

Career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of the following competencies that prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. These competencies are:

The National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Readiness and Competencies

Critical Thinking/ Problem Solving

Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. The individual is able to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality and inventiveness.

Oral/Written Communications

Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization. The individual has public speaking skills; is able to express ideas to others; and can write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.

Teamwork/ Collaboration

Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. The individual is able to work within a team structure, and can negotiate and manage conflict.

Digital Technology

Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. The individual demonstrates effective adaptability to new and emerging technologies.

Leadership

Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others. The individual is able to assess and manage his/her emotions and those of others; use empathetic skills to guide and motivate; and organize, prioritize, and delegate work.

Professionalism/ Work Ethic

Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. The individual demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and is able to learn from his/her mistakes.

Career Management

Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth. The individual is able to navigate and explore job options, understands and can take the steps necessary to pursue opportunities, and understands how to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace.

Global/Intercultural Fluency

Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. The individual demonstrates, openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people and understand individuals’ differences.

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers

Resources

The 4Cs 21st Century Skills

College Career Readiness Questionnaire

College and Career Readiness Toolkit

Organize Field Trips

Field trips are a terrific way to enrich learning. Your CBO should have a written policy regarding its rules and regulations for program field trips. The policy should include guidelines such as parent consent requirements, student conduct, staffing and supervision, allowable times and locations for trips, and emergency procedures. Additionally, your CBO’s liability insurance should cover field trips.

What Regulation governs school trips?

Chancellor’s Regulation A-670 sets forth the rules and procedures governing all school trips, including international trips. The regulation provides guidance for planning and executing field trips for students, and outlines the responsibilities of superintendents, principals and staff. It also establishes required supervisory ratios and protocols for handling emergencies.

What is considered a DOE-sponsored school trip?

School trips organized by special programs within the school (e.g., clubs), trips that are planned by the school or school staff, and trips that will include school staff are DOE-sponsored school trips. When a trip is sponsored by a parent association or an outside group such as a community-based organization that has a relationship to the school, the principal should determine whether the trip is a DOE trip or whether it is an independently run trip. For example, if a community-based organization that works with the school during the day or after school is organizing a trip, the principal should look at the following factors in determining whether the trip is a DOE-sponsored trip: (a) the purpose of the trip and whether it supports the curriculum/purpose of the school or is simply a travel opportunity; (b) what involvement the DOE has in planning the trip; and (c) whether any DOE staff members are chaperoning the trip. If it is determined that the trip is not a DOE trip and is an independently run trip, parents must be advised in writing that the DOE is not sponsoring the trip, and therefore is not responsible and will not be providing supervision.

How do we secure transportation?

The following are considered appropriate means of transportation for field trips:

Student MetroCards – Schools distribute student MetroCards to eligible students at the beginning of each semester of the school year. Student MetroCards are distinct from MetroCards used by the general public. Student MetroCards are only for use by the student to whom it was issued and whose name is written on the card. Additional policies that apply are:
Good for travel to and from school and school-related activities between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., only on days when the student’s school is in session.
Good for three trips each school day. Three trips allow a student to travel to school, from school to an after school activity, and then from that activity to home. A special four-trip Student MetroCard is available on request for pupils whose trip to school requires multiple transfers.
Good for an entire school semester.
Intercity buses or transit systems (e.g., Amtrak, Greyhound); and/or
Registered commercial airlines;
Private authorized buses, including school buses.
To request a bus for a school trip from the Office of Pupil Transportation, contact the Field Trip Unit at 718-784-3313. This unit sends information to all schools prior to the start of each school year about the procedures for obtaining buses for trips. Please refer to these procedures when requesting bus service from the DOE Office of Pupil Transportation.

How many supervisors need to attend?

The chart below outlines the stipulations on supervision as per DOE policies.

Routine Day Trips within NYC

Elementary Schools
Middle Schools

For up to 30 students, at least 1 staff member and 2 additional adults are required. For each additional 10 students, an additional adult is required.

Middle Schools

For up to 30 students, at least 1 staff member and 2 additional adults are required. For each additional 10 students, an additional adult is required. For each 15 students participating, an additional adult is required.

High School

For up to 30 students at least 1 staff member and 1 additional adult are required.

One Day Out-of-the-City or Overnight Trips

Elementary Schools

For up to 30 students, at least 2 staff members and 1 adult are required. For each additional 10 students, an additional adult is required.

Middle Schools
High Schools

For up to 30 students, at least 2 staff members and 1 adult are required. For each additional 10 students, an additional adult is required. For each additional 15 students participating, an additional adult is required.

International Trips

For up to 15 students, At least 2 staff members and 1 other adult are required.

Special Education Students

For school trips involving Special Education students, the ratio of staff to students should be at least the same as the ratio mandated for their classes.

Additional Requirements for Swimming and Water Based Activities

Elementary Schools

At least 2 staff members and 2 adults are required for up to 30 students. For each additional 10 students, two adults are required.

Middle Schools

At least 2 staff members 2 adults are required for up to 30 students. For each additional 15 students, two additional adults are required.

High Schools

At least 2 staff members and 2 adults are required for up to 30 students. For each additional 15 students, two additional adults are required.

Notes

With respect to the staff member(s) and adult(s) noted above, the required staff member must be a teacher or a supervisor. The other adult(s) may be a parent volunteer or a member of the instructional staff (e.g., teacher, dean, guidance counselor, social worker) or a paraprofessional or school aide.

Tools

Field Trip Permission Form

Tools

Link With the School Day

Link with the school day

Tools & Resources

Prepare Students for College & Career

Prepare Students for College & Career

Resources

Organize Field Trips

Organize Field Trips

What Regulation governs school trips?

What is considered a DOE-sponsored school trip?

How do we secure transportation?

How many supervisors need to attend?

Routine Day Trips within NYC

One Day Out-of-the-City or Overnight Trips

Additional Requirements for Swimming and Water Based Activities

Tools

Getting Started

Program Development

Tools and Resources

Other Information