USM Helping Young People Improve Reading/Writing

A USM professor and his graduate students are spending five weeks this summer helping children become better readers and writers. USM Professor of Education Michael O’Donnell started the USM Summer Reading and Writing Workshop 30 years ago to give graduate students experience working with children in small groups to improve literacy skills. The 2001 program includes 28 graduate students, most of whom are classroom teachers, and 56 children from throughout southern Maine. The children, who are ESL (English as a Second Language) students, will represent more than a half-dozen languages. They are referred to the program by teachers and parents to improve their literacy skills. There are currently many children on a waiting list for the program.
Below is information to assist you with coverage:

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, June 27 through July 31.

LOCATION: Room 202 in Bailey Hall on USM’s Gorham campus. Children are then instructed in pairs in other rooms in Bailey Hall.

GRADUATION CEREMONY: A special ceremony will be held from 10 a.m. to about noon on Tuesday, July 31, in USM’s Russell Hall on the Gorham campus. Children will be asked to read stories they have written, or read excerpts from their favorite books.

MORE INFORMATION: USM Professor Michael O’Donnell can be reached at 780-5069 (O) or 854-2373 (H). For help arranging an interview please call Bob Caswell at the numbers shown at the top of this advisory.