Dog Ears Bookstore will be offering free after school youth programming during October, November and December. Three different days of programming will be offered by grade group. Tuesdays will feature programming for youth in 1st and 2nd grades, Wednesdays will be targeted towards youth in 3rd-5th grades, and 6th-8th graders will have the opportunity to attend programming on Thursdays.
All sessions will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and are limited to 20 students per day. Programming will start the week of Oct. 10 and conclude Thursday, Dec. 15.
All sessions will be taught by literacy specialists and New York State Certified English Language Arts teachers. Tuesday sessions for 1st and 2nd graders will be themed around the different fall holidays and will feature story time, read alouds, and activities that will focus on introducing youth to the love of reading. Wednesday sessions for 3rd-5th graders 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 Thursdays, 6th-8th graders 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. All class materials will be provided along with a small snack.
All sessions will be held at Dog Ears Bookstore, which is located at 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, near Mercy Hospital. 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.
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 by the Erie County Youth Bureau.
