Today at High Point University’s Stout School of Education, education majors gathered with their respective book buddies from Montlieu Academy and Fairview Elementary School to celebrate the conclusion of the HPU Book Buddy tutoring program this semester.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 20, 2019 – Today in High Point University’s Stout School of Education, HPU education majors gathered with their respective book buddies from Montlieu Academy and Fairview Elementary School to celebrate the conclusion of the HPU Book Buddy tutoring program this semester. During the celebration, the students read books together, made crafts, completed a scavenger hunt and sipped hot cocoa in the Stout School of Education.
As part of the program, the HPU students wrote lesson plans individualized towards each child’s needs and spent one hour a week reading and writing together, focusing on comprehension, fluency and the writing process.
“The Book Buddy program marks the first time we are assigned a student to mentor one-on-one,” said Maggie Brown, a junior elementary education major. “We are able to apply what we learn in class and figure out what works and what doesn’t.”
The HPU students presented their book buddy with three gifts, including a personalized book log capturing all the reading the child has completed during the semester; a published book they wrote and designed together throughout the semester; and a new special book tailored to the child’s unique interests.
“When the students arrived, I was jumping up and down,” said Faith Hemric, a junior majoring in special education. “I couldn’t wait to share the gifts and book we completed together with Mckenzi. These students really deserve this.”
Mckenzi, a kindergartner, discovered her favorite book with Hemric through the Book Buddy program.
“Pete the Cat was my favorite,” said Mckenzi. “I also got to write my own book about cookies. I had so much fun writing my book with Ms. Faith.”
Because Hemric knew this book was her favorite, she made sure Mckenzi left with her own personal copy as part of her gift.
“This event is really special,” said Nicole Pugh, a junior elementary education major. “Inviting the children here to see HPU makes an impact in their lives, but is also something I will always remember.”
Each fall, HPU students work with local elementary school children to encourage and facilitate reading in a one-on-one setting.
“Partnerships like this provide High Point University students an opportunity to serve the High Point community while supporting enthusiastic young readers and writers in their literacy development,” says Dr. Leslie Cavendish, associate professor of education at HPU. “Through the relationships and projects the HPU tutor and the elementary-aged child work on together, they help the child see themselves as an author and a reader.”