WSSU RaMS-C reading and math summer program helps local elementary school students thrive

Courtesy of Winston-Salem State University

The Winston-Salem State University Reading and Math Summer Camp (RaMS-C) program provides a low- to no-cost option for elementary school students to access high-quality instruction designed by WSSU faculty and certified classroom teachers. The programs, which have been available at WSSU for the past six years, serve as community assets to address the “summer slide” that many children face. This year the program was sponsored by United Way.

The 2022 RaMS-C program focused on reading, coding, dance, and mask-making. WSSU education majors have opportunities to teach as part of the program which gives them valuable hands-on experience and to apply educational theories to real-life practices.

Program chairs Drs. Denise Johnson and Kim Pemberton believe that the biggest takeaways from the programs are helping elementary school students catch up from the previous school year, have fun, and start thinking about future careers that may interest them.

Johnson said, “One highlight of this program is how well the kids made new friends with people they didn’t know. Not only were they open to new ideas and activities they have been very impressive in having to tackle the academic challenges that they face in their classroom.”

Pemberton, a reading expert, developed an engaging curriculum to teach children the fundamentals of reading and to emphasize that reading is enjoyable. “The excitement of the children coming in with their laptops and devices knowing they were going to do something exciting was my compelling ‘Why.’ One child got in the car after the first day and said, ‘This is a fun school!’, that too is my reason,” Pemberton said.