June 9-13, 2008
Eight area students participated in Grenada’s second annual Young Writers’ Camp from June 9-13, 2008. With the theme, I am Mississippi, the students focused on writing about their hometown and state throughout the week. Each day the students worked on different styles of writing and read books written by children’s authors from our state.
On Monday, the students enjoyed the book Everywhere in Mississippi by Laurie Parker. The students created a Mississippi Acrostic poem and began working on a narrative piece with the theme summer in a small town. Students also wrote about a lost pickle to help with descriptive writing. Students also created a “Descriptive Kid” to represent themselves for the week.
Tuesday lead to more writing about Mississippi after the students listened to another book by Parker, Mississippi Alphabet. Using this book as a model the students then created an Alphabet for the town of Grenada. Looking at both past and present information the students worked hard to find great things to write about Grenada using all the letters of the alphabet. Students journaled about their three favorite places to go in Grenada. The students then picked on of their favorite places and wrote an article explaining their favorite place, what activities take place there, and why it is the best place to visit in Grenada. Students continued their personal narratives and ended the day playing action words charades.
On Wednesday, students learned more about Grenada as they scanned through a locally written book on the town’s history. Students were introduced to place based writing by listening to Paul Ott’s “I Am Mississippi” and teacher written piece “I Am a Farm”. Students then brainstormed and created their own “I Am Mississippi” poem. The students had to opportunity to journal on why they love Mississippi. Students continued working on their personal narratives and the alphabet of Grenada.
Thursday was filled with much anticipation as students peer edited and met with teachers for writing conferences. The students then published their works and shared with the group. Students journaled after the Fairy Godmother visited our camp. She granted each student two wishes. They were allowed to give one silly wish and one serious wish. The students then wrote about their wishes and what would happen if they really came true. During reflection of the week, the students were asked to write an entry for our time capsule. These entries included tips, ideas, and motivation for next year’s participants. The students ended the day writing thank you cards for the sponsors of the camp.
The second annual Grenada Young Writers’ Camp was very successful. The students’ writing was published into a book for each student and sponsor of the camp. A variety of their pieces were shared with other camps on Friday. The students Alphabet of Grenada was printed into posters which will be distributed around Grenada. Many of their pieces will also be highlighted in the local paper. The “I Am Mississippi” poems written throughout the week will also be submitted to Rural Voices Radio.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2009 Summer Institute for Teachers
April 18, June 1 - June 29, 2009
(Orientation Session in March)
