UK College of Education Welcomes Breckinridge Elementary Students

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 4, 2016) — University of Kentucky College of Education students stood in front of Dickey Hall last week holding signs welcoming 125 third graders from Breckinridge Elementary to the UK campus.

The elementary education majors had been preparing for Breckinridge’s visit since the beginning of the semester. UK literacy methods instructors Mary Shake and Joni Meade consulted with Breckinridge third-grade teachers and Principal Michael Price to determine the broad areas they would be addressing in science and social studies at the end of April. UK students then began planning literacy intense instructional units with either a science or social studies content focus that would align with instructional standards and ongoing classroom curricula.

As the project developed, mathematics methods instructors Cindy Jong and Lisa Amick became involved, working with the university students to also plan mathematics activities for the Breckinridge students.

“This type of partnership is beneficial to all parties,” said Mary Shake, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “We believe it is extremely important for elementary students to experience the university, as this helps set their goals toward higher education. This experience is also integral to our teacher candidates’ learning. It allows teacher candidates to bring to life a project that is in depth and multifaceted. This hand-on, minds-on experience could not happen without our elementary school partners.”

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu