Dog Ears Bookstore & Café will once again offer a free after school youth program for students in grades 3-8 beginning Feb. 6 and ending May 23. Three different days of programming will be offered by grade group. Tuesdays will feature programs for students in grades 3 and 4, Wednesdays will be targeted towards students in grades 5 and 6, and Thursdays will be reserved for students in grades 7 and 8.
All sessions will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and are limited to 20 students per day.
All sessions will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and are limited to 20 students per day. All sessions will be taught by literacy specialists and New York State Certified English Language Arts teachers.
Tuesday sessions will feature a guided book club where youth will learn tips and strategies on how to become better readers in a fun and interactive way.
On Wednesdays, students will take part in Reader & Writer Workshops where they will read different short stories and learn strategies on how to become a short story author themselves. Special presentations will also be scheduled.
Thursdays for 7th and 8th graders include STEM projects where students will get interactive experiences and do hands on experiments that broaden the scope of traditional learning.
All sessions include homework prep and will include ELA and language-based games and fun activities. All class materials will be provided, along with a small snack. There will be an opportunity to attend multiple days depending on capacity.
Sessions will be held upstairs of the bookstore (enter through the front entrance). Adults do not need to attend with their child but must be mindful of the drop-off and pick-up times. Parents are welcome to wait for their children in the café, which will be open for food and beverage purchases.
A nonprofit community bookstore, Dog Ears is located at 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, near Mercy Hospital. Pre-registration is required and youth are expected to attend each week. Parents can sign up their children by calling the bookstore at 823-2665. When signing up, please make sure to indicate which day your child will be attending.
The free after school program is made possible through funding from Erie County Youth Services and South District Councilman Christopher Scanlon.