Campbellsville University

CU School of Education students ‘Read for the Record’

CU School of Education students ‘Read for the Record’

11/01/2012

Campbellsville University’s School of Education students Kaela Vessels, left, of Vine Grove, Ky., and Robin Smith of Campbellsville read to students during the Jumpstart reading program. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ellie McKinley)

Campbellsville University’s School of Education students Kaela Vessels, left, of Vine Grove, Ky., and Robin Smith of Campbellsville read to students during the Jumpstart reading program. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ellie McKinley)  

Nov. 1, 2012
For Immediate Release

By Ellie McKinley, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — To promote reading for children, the School of Education's Children's Literature Class at Campbellsville University participated recently in the “Read for the Record” event for the fourth year.

Jumpstart is a national organization that desires to promote early literacy in young students. Each year, the organization promotes local communities holding an event in which students are read to in the classroom.

Jumpstart selected the book, “Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad” written by Jacky Davis and David Soman to be read to the children. After listening to the story, the children participated in learning activities. The teachers of the classrooms were allowed to keep a copy of the book.

Campbellsville University has become an official reading partner with Jumpstart and has their logo on the Jumpstart website. “This is a huge honor for Campbellsville University by receiving this national recognition,” Dr. Colleen Walker, assistant professor of education, said.

Walker said her goals for the program were to expand each year, help students who do not have the resources to read at home and to let each child receive a book to take home with them.

Walker said, “This is not only a positive experience for the children, but for the Campbellsville University students as well.”

Maribeth Milburn, a CU senior from Lawrenceburg, Ky., who read to children at Campbellsville Elementary School, said her favorite part about the experience was, “being able to see the kids excited about reading and giving them an opportunity to interact through the activities.”

This is the first year CU students were able to go into the local school systems during the school day and read to the children. Children were also invited to come with their families to Campbellsville University's campus and be read to by CU's education students. After finishing the story, they also engaged in an activity and enjoyed a snack.

Records are kept of the number of students who are read to and each year the numbers expand. The higher the number of students read to, the more funds schools receive for early literacy programs.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.