After-school programs and tutoring centers are well placed to build writing skills through a book club format. A shared novel gives students a common topic, and regular short writing tasks build fluency without the pressure of a classroom grade. Callum McBride, with its fast pace and adventurous plot, can hold the attention of students who might not otherwise stay with a book.

Structure each session in three parts: a short reading or discussion, a focused writing task, and a few minutes of sharing. This predictable rhythm helps students settle in and makes planning easier for program staff. The writing task should be brief enough to finish in the session while still requiring thought.

Keep the tone supportive and low pressure. Students in these programs often have mixed experiences with school writing, and a welcoming environment encourages risk-taking. Celebrating effort and growth builds the confidence that carries over into the regular classroom.

Designing writing tasks for mixed groups

Groups in these programs often include students of different ages and skill levels. Tasks with multiple entry points allow everyone to participate, such as asking students to describe a character using a sentence frame or a free paragraph. Staff can then offer additional challenge to those who are ready.

• Write a three-sentence response predicting what happens next and why
• Describe a character's feelings in a scene using one quotation as support
• Create a short diary entry from Callum's or Emma's perspective
• Write a paragraph comparing two moments in the story
• Draft a persuasive note convincing a friend to read the book

Feedback with limited staff time

Many programs rely on volunteers or small teams, so feedback must be efficient. Provide volunteers with a simple feedback guide that includes one strength, one suggestion, and one question for each piece. This keeps comments consistent even when different people respond.

Training volunteers briefly on how to give useful feedback can make a large difference. Show examples of strong and weak comments and let them practice on sample paragraphs. Volunteers gain confidence and students receive more helpful guidance.

Tracking growth over time

Funders and school partners often want evidence that programs work. Collecting a short writing sample at the beginning, middle, and end of the program provides a simple record of growth. Scoring the samples against a consistent rubric allows you to report meaningful progress.

Keep the rubric short and easy to use, with rows for ideas, evidence, organization, and conventions. Consistency matters more than complexity, since the goal is to compare samples across time. Over a semester, the data can tell a clear story of improvement.

Using tools to extend capacity

Programs with limited staff can use AI feedback tools to extend capacity, providing students with timely comments between sessions. A tool aligned to the program's rubric can offer consistent guidance and flag students who may need extra support. Staff can then spend their time on conversation and encouragement.

Human oversight remains essential, especially with younger or more vulnerable students. Staff should review feedback before sharing and adjust the tone as needed. Used carefully, technology helps small programs deliver feedback at a scale that would otherwise be impossible.