PBS Kids has educational games and videos that engage students in fun and learning. Kids can play such games as Word Transformer for vocabulary enrichment, Character Leap to create stories, World of Sports for physical education enrichment, Germinator for science and biology, and Make a Character to create story characters. All games are free and engage students with interactive tutorials, challenge activities and live avatars.
Thinkfinity is another such site that focuses on literacy through storybook writing and student-to-student mentoring in its Children's Book Project for grades 9 to 12 and Explore Point of View in Fairy Tales for grades 5 to 8.
Creative writing provides kids with healthy and creative outlets for self-expression, something most kids who might otherwise get in trouble need. They're easy to start and require just a few important ingredients: a meeting place, pens, paper and someone to encourage and inspire them. Meetings can take place in an empty room at school or at the public library or bookstore. Students bring writing drafts to work on while giving and receiving feedback. It is an especially powerful activity when teachers train students how to coach one another through peer coaching. Once they reap the intrinsic rewards that come with self-expression and creation, they'll be hooked forever. The West Side YMCA Writer's Voice in New York City has a long tradition of providing writing programs for youth and adults with workshops in playwriting, screenwriting, non-fiction, fiction, memoir, poetry and other genres.
After-school book clubs are wonderful ways to engage students through the love of reading while reinforcing important skills. They're easy to set up, too. Most community newspapers will run a free ad to recruit members or fliers can be distributed throughout the school. The club can be housed at the school, the public library or a bookstore. The online Mother Daughter Book Club provides assistance and support for setting up after-school book clubs around the country through resources, books, reading lists, pen pals, newsletters, book reviews and author interviews.
Research confirms that when students engage in physical activity the opportunities for drinking, drug use, smoking and engaging in delinquent behavior decreases dramatically. Activities that reap the best results are those played with parents, who are powerful influences on their children. Sports teams and track and field are opportunities through schools, but they're not the only option. Most communities have after-school programs with basketball, Pop Warner and Little League baseball, as well as hockey and soccer. Skating rinks and roller rinks also are safe outlets for physical play.