Western New England University and the Institute of Reading Development (IRD) have partnered to offer the Beginning Reading Program to 4-year olds and entering kindergartners, as well as first through fifth graders. Additional programs are also available for middle and high school students, and adults. Classes meet once each week for five weeks and tuition varies by program grade. Family discounts are available. Programs will be held on the campus of Western New England University throughout the summer of 2017.
IRD Director of Instruction John Boyd explains, “The Institute has two main goals for students. We teach skills that students need at their current developmental reading level while helping students develop a habit of reading for pleasure. This dual focus on skill development and a love of reading makes these programs distinctive.”
Research is clear that children who read regularly during elementary and middle school experience significant benefits in three areas: good character formation through exposure to the positive values embodied in great children’s literature; cognitive development as they learn how to handle increasingly complex vocabulary, sentence structures, and plot devices; and cultural literacy as they absorb basic knowledge about the world we live in.
Western New England University’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Richard S. Keating is excited about this opportunity and says, “The IRD’s program provides an extraordinary extracurricular activity to prepare students for the upcoming school year. It is very much in alignment with the University’s commitment to enrich educational opportunities in greater Springfield.”
Since 1970, the Institute of Reading Development, in collaboration with colleges, universities, and other non-profit organizations nationwide, has taught more than two million students and trained more than five thousand teachers to provide reading programs in their communities.
To register or for more information please call 800 978-9596, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. Those seeking to participate should enroll early, as class size is limited.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives at Western New England University makes classes possible with all classes taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development.
