How might we keep a love of learning alive in elementary school students during the current virtual learning and limited activity realities associated with the COVID pandemic?
Love of Learning was created as a free mentorship program designed to support young students in their educational and social-emotional growth during the unique challenges brought on by COVID-19. To help students safely engage with others while keeping the flame of curiosity alive, elementary students (K-6th) were paired with a high school student “guide” once a week after school for in-person, hands-on activities (science experiments, art projects and more), healthy snack, movement time, and personalized learning support.
““As a single mom, I went for a walk every time I dropped my child off. It provided me with a time to get exercise and just decompress.””
Once a week after school guides and buddies would pair up to do different activities like candy catapult building, stomp rockets, crafting, and chalk drawing. Guides also helped buddies with personalized learning support which looked like supporting students that came with homework. Guides and their buddies were also able to play educational games, use the provided practice materials, and review parent suggestions with their buddy to help make goals and plans on how they could get their school work done during the day.
An implementation of this was done at the Boys and Girls Club in Boise as well as JUMP. While the implementation done at JUMP was held after school, the one for the Boys and Girls Club was held during Lab51 hours. Lab51 students were taken over to the club four days a week to work with kids during the school day and help them with classes and homework.
““It was a positive experience and my kids would like to go back.””
Fast Facts
Year(s): Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
Focus: Tutoring and literacy opportunities
Recipients: Love of Learning’s elementary-aged participants
Community partner: JUMP
Number of recipients: 30
Number of One Stone members involved in planning: 15
Number of weeks of planning: 30
How many hours it took to prepare for implementation: 5
How many hours it took to implement: 50
Data:
100% of parents agreed that Love of Learning engaged their child’s curiosity and support their development.
100% of parents said their child enjoyed spending time with their buddy
100% of parents said they would recommend Love of Learning to another family
