The school’s English and Math summer program ran from June 14 to July 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. everyday, to help students who are slow English readers and need Math remedial.
“It is free for all elementary school students of Palau,” said Principal Alvino Kenty, Meyuns Elementary School Principal, in an interview. The school has been doing the program for three years now.
According to Rita Kuchad, 2nd grade Math teacher at Meyuns, they had approximately 50 students from different public schools who registered for the program. She herself handled 10 students in her class.
“The purpose of this summer camp is to encourage the students to read,” said Kuchad. “If they have fluency in reading, they can do anything.”
As for Math, Kuchad said they were teaching students the ‘Make a Ten’ technique, a Japanese computing technique.
“If students master this technique they do not need to count with their fingers anymore,” added Kuchad.
Kuchad said that after less than a month in the program, the kids showed amazing progress.
“They’re very good now. They can do five to 10 activities in 45 minutes without using their fingers in the computation and without errors,” Kuchad said.
During the last day of the program the kids were treated to some snacks.
