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OGDEN — Some Weber State students are getting college credit to stay away from class on Fridays to help teach elementary students to read.
Their instructor has assigned students in English 1010 to go to a nearby elementary and read with students who need help. Their curriculum covers how education has helped well-known people in history.
"Frederick Douglas, Malcom X, Helen Keller, if they had not had education, we would not know who they are," Jan Hamer said.
College students, like David Richens, were admittedly taken aback by the assignment.
"I wasn't expecting it," Richens said.
Still, on the first day, Richens met with his two 5th grade students and they immediately hit it off.
"To be honest, I don't think I'm the best reader," said Aden Pernia. "So I think I'll be doing a lot better with this tutoring program."
"I look forward to the opportunity to help," responded his tutor.
They read one-on-one, ask comprehension questions and review target words. The extra help will improve students' reading. But the principal believes that this is just the start.
"When someone comes and spends that kind of quality time with a student, it not only makes them feel important, but builds their confidences as well," said Principal Julie Larson.
When someone comes and spends that kind of quality time with a student, it not only makes them feel important, but builds their confidence as well.
–Layton Elementary Principal Julie Larson
Layton Elementary takes part in KSL's Read Today tutoring program. Chopper 5 landed at the school to help launch the program. College students will come spend one hour a week with these students for the entire semester.
AmeriCorps Coordinator Bonnie Farnsworth also likes the fact that these college students are good role models for students.
"The children are able to see someone going to college, someone that not as much older as the other volunteers and that's a nice piece," Farnsworth said.
Before the end of the first tutoring session, students were already demonstrating that influence. When asked about his plans for the future, 5th grader David White said, "to go to college and do the same thing as my tutor is doing."
College students will get a grade on their tutoring experience, although their instructor admits it will be graded "generously." She wants to know what they got out of the experience.
"When it all comes down to it, people on an individual level can influence education by influencing the progress of one child," Hamer said.
Hamer is doing what Governor Herbert urged all Utahns to do, help kids in their neighborhood schools. For more information on how you can help, visit Readtoday.com.
