Lourdes’ Master of Education department to host reading camp
 

This fall, the Lourdes College Master of Education program launches a reading camp to assist children who are behind in the literacy skills required through Ohio’s academic standards. Led by Director Dr. Michael French, graduate students in Lourdes’ EDU 644 Reading Practicum course will instruct students in first through ninth grades during the 10 session camp to be held on Saturday mornings.

Activities at the camp focus on  the major areas of reading such as phonetic awareness, word identification and phonics, vocabulary and background knowledge, fluency, comprehension strategies and general motivation.

“One of the unique components of Lourdes’ reading camp is the one-to-one student to teacher ratio,” notes Dr. French. “Additionally, our graduate students, who are all currently licensed teachers, use a variety of activities and techniques to assess the skill levels of each participating student. For example, they record students reading aloud on video, instuct the students on how to take tests using the computer and teach motivational skills through a variety of interactive and engaging activities.”

“Last spring, the M.Ed. program hosted a pilot version of the reading camp and response from students, instructors and parents was phenomenal,” offers Dr. French.  Up to 20 students can participate in each of the two sessions. 

Sessions will be held on the Lourdes College campus.  Session A runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and Session B runs from 10:30 a.m. to Noon, beginning September 26, 2009. The final camp day will be held on December 12.

Cost is $300 per camper and includes assessment of each student’s literacy skills, 15 hours of instruction, supplies and a camp T-shirt. A sliding scale is available as well as discounts for multiple children from the same family. 

To register contact Tara Hanna at 419-824-3517 or email [email protected].  Dr. French may be contacted at 419-824-3721.