Student volunteers spend 20 hours with the host teacher and become actively involved in the classroom. Carefully designed activities promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In science, students work in the areas of environmental, biological, life and earth sciences. Language arts focus on creative writing activities. SIUC faculty, graduate students and local teachers deliver instruction.
Experienced counselors supervise all activities.
These counties have high rates of public aid recipients, unemployment, adult illiteracy, social isolation, and an overall low socio-economic status. On the fifth day, teachers, participate in either home visits, other parent activities, or staff development opportunities. Articulation with kindergarten, primary grade levels, and Title I is ongoing. Collaborative efforts include training for area early childhood programs, child find screening activities, and parent involvement activities. The prekindergarten program served 425 children during the 1995-96 program year.