DC TRUST Guide 1023 - Children & Youth Investment Trust ...

help integrate them through the practical and engaging use of real-world skill
application and skill intersection. Such out-of-school time programming also works to build
young people’s skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork, reflection, perseverance,
resilience and conflict resolution.
1. Program activities include opportunities to expand comprehension, build skill
mastery, and also increase facility to analyze, synthesize and evaluate.
a. Activities are varied enough in their degree of challenge so that young people at different
skill levels and of different learning styles can participate, benefit and experience success.
b. Activities focus on developing critical thinking as well as subject mastery.
c. The steps in some activities are sequenced to help all young people move from basic
comprehension and understanding to using that knowledge to analyze, synthesize
and evaluate.
d. Program engages young people in thinking about how they learn and in forming an
understanding of which ways work best for them.
e. Program promotes and models problem solving and engages with young people in
discussing its value in academic, professional and personal situations.
f. Program promotes independent thinking and questioning within the media and messagerich
environments of contemporary life.
g. Program provides young people with opportunities to use their understanding of media
strategies to forward their own ideas and ideals.
2. Program staff intentionally aligns OST activities to DC Public Schools’
Learning Standards and connects OST skills to school and life.
a. Staff works intentionally to integrate educational opportunities into activities that
complement, support and enrich classroom-based instruction (e.g. interaction with teachers,
familiarization with DCPS website scope and sequence, navigating learning standards).
b. Staff selects program materials and teaching strategies that are sound, engaging and
intentional.
c. Staff actively assists young people with homework.
d. Staff actively engages young people in connecting skills and concepts used in OST
activities to life outside the program.
3. Program activities are relevant to the lives of its young people.
a. Young people can select from a variety of activities that are designed around their interests.
b Learning materials and resources reflect the culture of the young people in the program.
c. Learning materials and resources highlight a variety of practitioners, professionals and
role models.
d. Young people are able to discuss how programming has affected their lives.
e. Staff helps young people to find the connection between their interests and program
activities.
f. Program provides ample opportunity for discussion.
g. Program provides young people with the opportunity to explore their own interests
through reading and writing.
Field Guide to OST Best Practices / High-Interest, Hands-On Activities / 14