Reading University gets back to basics for Grade 3s

Augustana Campus was approached two years ago by the Battle River Community Foundation to be a partner—along with the Camrose-based school division—as a host site for Reading University. The intense one-month program emphasizes literacy skills of all kinds—reading, writing, comprehension and mathematics—using a variety of educationally sound techniques. The program is designed to be interesting, engaging and fun, in order to help children not only enhance their skills but also become more excited about the process of learning.

Reading University organizers said they have been told by students and their parents that being “at university” provided additional inspiration and motivation, and gave the students a sense that, one day, they could return as post-secondary students.

"The connections for Augustana to the community are important,” said outgoing Augustana Campus dean Roger Epp, who was involved in the project from its inception to implemenation. “What strikes me most about Reading University is the impact on students and their families. We have participants who might have decided already that university is not for them, and then, after four weeks, the kids are touring parents around ‘my university.’”