Raising Readers and Writers

This week is our first week of the Young Authors Writing Project. There are 8 teachers, all of whom participated in the Columbus Area Writing Project, working together to create a wonderful experience for 28 kids ranging in age from 4th grade to 11th grade. I think we are all in heaven working with a group of students who want to be at camp because they love to write. The teachers have partnered up and each duo takes one day to present a lesson. What I love about this is that we are all sharing our ideas with each other and we can adapt them for our own particular grade level. Both the kids and teachers are from around the Columbus area and the teachers have experience at different levels (from early elementary to high school).

On Day 1, Debbie and Sarah launched our summer camp. We read an excerpt from The House on Mango Street and then wrote about our names. After sharing with a partner, we introduced our partner to the rest of the group. It was a great ice breaker. Next, Sarah shared some metaphors about being a writer. Wow! The creativity was flowing after that. Here are some snippets from what the kids wrote…As a writer, I am…

• I am a train fueled by ideas.
• I am an explorer roaming through different worlds. Sometimes I escape, sometimes I am reborn.
• I am a flute, quietly following the director’s baton. I want people to appreciate my tune.
• I am a wholesome meal simmering in the crockpot. Writing ideas warm up in my mind. There are no artificial colors or flavorings. The ordinariness of my words is precisely the point.
• I am a fancy restaurant waitress who serves you the best.

Aren’t these great?  I was trying to scribble these gems furiously as the kids were sharing.

Deb closed with another way to illustrate who we are as writers.  She shared her Writing Journey Map with orange barrels (showing the detours) and all.  As you can see in the pictures below, the kids spread out and went to town.  It was amazing to walk from space to space and just listen to the conversations that were happening.  Everyone depicted in one way or another, the hesitancy in beginning a new piece of writing, the dips and turns that occur throughout the process, and finally, the light at the end of the tunnel.

We end each session with a read around (sometimes large groups, other times small groups) and then ask the kids to write a little note about their experience for that day.  We compile their notes and copy them all together for everyone to read the next day.  It’s what we lovingly call the “Inkshed” in CAWP.

I will be writing more about this amazing experience.  I am in awe each and every day!

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