By Marci Izard
HOLYOKE, Mass. (abc40) School may be out, but that does not mean the learning stops for kids at one Holyoke summer program.
Girls Inc. has partnered with Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative to create a more educationally stimulating summer program. Hasbro adds funding, resources and curriculum to the Girls Inc. day camp.
One of the activities, "Hip Hop and Drumming," involves girls writing poems or lyrics and matching them to the beat of a drum.
"Children are very interested in hip hop music," says Sheila Petigny, Coordinator of Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative. "Here they are thinking about rhyme and meter ... that's supporting their literacy and they see it as something fun."
TThe Director of Girls Inc says says the collaboration between the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative and Girls Inc. has proven positive for the girl's grades and self confidence. Daisy Jimenez says after the Hip Hop Drumming program last summer, many of the girl's grades in reading and writing went up.
