Long ago, in the last quarter of the 20th century, after-school programs often consisted of a snack, supervised playtime, and a table in the cafeteria for doing homework. In this, the 21st century, many lucky Arizona students get to participate in a new generation of out-of-school-time programs at truly impressive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC).
The 21st CCLC Movie Making and Drama Club at Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School in Tucson is a prime example of just such a program. As reported by Erika Hannemann of Sunnyside Unified School District panerai replica (parent district to Lauffer Middle), the club “brings together the perfect combination of both academic youth development and the magic of filmmaking. The students, working as a team, find popular stories, adapt them, create a script, and produce a video complete with props and a green screen. This project-based after-school activity not only promotes highly engaging academic learning, it also teaches students teamwork, creativity, social bonding and intricate communication skills. Not to mention, it’s really fun!”
These federal grant-funded centers offer a rich variety of classes and activities programs focused on helping students not only meet Arizona academic standards, but develop new interests, talents, and skills. Each 21st CCLC program is the product of close collaboration with the sponsoring school, community members, and family members of participating students.
Visit the ADE website to learn more about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, read about some fantastic achievements, and see what it takes for your school to take part.
The 21st CCLC Movie Making and Drama Club at Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School has turned into a full-fledged movie production company! Students applied their newly-developed skills in writing, acting, directing, video editing, and digital special effects to produce a truly unique dramatization of the classic story of Rapunzel.