Reading program at GW

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about this reading program at GW U from ages 4 and up? It seems to be an organization in partnership w/ GW and not really part of the university. It's not a summer camp but a once per week, 5 week program for reading. I was trying to get some feedback on it before I enroll my child.

http://cps.gwu.edu/reading/index.html

Or does anyone know of any other reading camps or programs they would recommend for elementary age kids?

[Anonymous]

Save your money and teach the kid to read yourself!

[Anonymous]

I attended the 4 year old camp with my daughter a few years ago. I thought it would be perfect for her as she had already started reading and I wasn't quite sure how to help her take it to the next level. We thought it sounded like a good fit.

However, the class basically consisted of the teacher reading books aloud, and the parents and kids following along in their "script." There were a couple times when the kids got to get up and make letter shapes with their body or act out a story.

The program, at that level, seemed to be more about developing an appreciation for reading and understanding letters, etc...rather than actually reading.

It wasn't what we had hoped for, and we haven't signed up for any of their other programs since.

[Anonymous]

"There were a couple times when the kids got to get up and make letter shapes with their body or act out a story. "

LOL!! These MUST be white people spending hundreds of dollars on this $hit! LOL!

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. My daughter did not gain anything out of this program. The only thing I liked is they moved her to her reading level. She was PK reading on 2nd grade level. Again, don't do it. Look for another program.

[Anonymous]

my rising 4th grader did the program last summer and really enjoyed it - he seemed to have a better appreciation of reading after the class and more able to engage in discussions. To the other comment on race - we primarily took the class in Vienna and the group was fairly white but we did do a make up class at UMD and it was a very diverse group. We liked the DVD he did at home - it showed kids his age having discussions on the readings - something a student in the lower reading groups in Arlington may not be getting. This summer we are doing additional reading re-inforcement within Sidwell's Explorer Program - reading skills, and some small group tutoring plus sports (they added an August program KISS - where I am hoping my son will also get his math packet done!!). I would recommend the GU program if it is more convenient to do once a week - as a working mom, I needed a camp all day.

[Anonymous]

The public library is free and most have summer reading quest programs for grades p-k and up.