RMWP Camp Day 1

7:45-3:45

My first day of camp was lots of fun! I feel like this is a bit like trial by fire. The connection between reading and writing is so strong, so I feel like this opportunity can only strengthen my ability and understanding as a reading teacher.

Schedule:
- Student introductions
- Quickwrite about what art and poetry have in common
- Emotions/Moments list (The students brainstormed emotions with partners and personally described moments to match the emotions.)
- Quickwrite about their favorite moment
- Lesson on imagery/figurative language
- Prezi about Rothco
- Painting outside
- Writing time to change the quickwrite into a poem

I also spent a little time working with one specific reluctant writer. During parts of the day, when asked guiding questions, he consistently responded with, "I don't know," and a shrug. The most effective strategy that seemed to motivate him to respond and to write was to identify his interest in tennis. I was extremely pleased with his quickwrite that described the experience of playing tennis with his dad. He struggled to change his writing into a poem and continued to dodge my questions about choosing line breaks. However, I was impressed by the content of his writing.

At the end of the day, I asked for a few suggestions about conferencing with students. Mrs. Peavy told me to focus on challenging the students to use their words to show, rather than to tell. I have not taught writing in three years, but I remember focusing on that with my fourth graders. She also suggested that I work with them to help remove excess words that do not really enhance their poetry.

I'm still a little uncomfortable with reading their writing. I feel like writing can be so incredibly personal. Because I do not know these students and do not have a relationship with them as I do in my own classroom, I feel like I am invading their privacy.

I know that I have a lot of learning and growing to do!