Literacy for Democracy Summer 2007
May 22-June 27, 2007

The Literacy for Democracy Summer 2007 program was a unique opportunity for teacher education students at UNC Charlotte to earn up to 6 course credits and help students in grades 3-9 through service and learning. The program began May 22, 2007 during the first summer session and ended June 27. Nineteen UNC Charlotte teacher education candidates who enrolled in the Literacy for Democracy program and courses met on the UNC Charlotte campus for classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays to learn about literacy learning, tutoring, and to explore community and culturally relevant issues and utilize service learning and technology as tools for improving student achievement.  Then teacher education candidates worked with 47 elementary students at three CMS schools. UNC Charlotte tutors provided comprehension and vocabulary instruction to CMS students as they read and wrote about Seedfolks and other books about birds and the environment. Tutors and learners worked together at each site to enhance the habitat for birds by building and hanging bird houses and making stepping stones for pathways.

At the Seigle Avenue Partners Freedom School, UNC Charlotte graduate students in the Reading Education and Literacy programs worked with Freedom School Scholars (elementary and middle grades students) to tell the story of Freedom School through words, images, and digital texts (video and audio) on a website for the program. The site has information about Harambee!, the reading curriculum, and the specials Freedom School Scholars take part in. You can learn more about these programs at the following program sites:

LFD Summer Program Sites

Summer 2007 LFD Courses

School Partners for Summer 2007

• David Cox Road Elementary School

• University Meadows Elementary School

• Joseph W. Grier Academy

• Seigle Avenue Partners Summer Freedom School