Dr. Joyce Killian, Professor, will enter her third year of working with Unity Point School on their Goals 2000 Preservice Grant. Last Spring and Summer she worked with 12 Unity Point teachers on strategies for improving the integration of technology into their classroom. 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.