While standing in line for lunch today, I spoke with Joyce, the Head Teacher at Pine Mountain's Reading Camp. She gushed with good news from the mornings' centers.
Some background:
Yesterday we had a little boy named Sam in the centers who had trouble spelling some of the most common words. He had to ask for help on spelling "my" and had difficulty recalling how to spell question words like "who", "what", and "where". Several teachers were concerned and trying to brainstorm ways how best to help this boy. When Tracey, my mother and a Writing Center teacher, asked for advice this morning regarding this particular child, I said, "Just wait and see what happens. The forms his teacher sent us said that his reading level rose from 1.3 to 3.7 by the end of this school year. See how he does today."
And so....... the lunchline conversation with Joyce:
"Allison, such good news in the learning centers this morning. I was working with Sam and he is a completely different child from yesterday. I told the children about the activity for the morning and Sam took off writing a story and covered an entire page." I smiled in response.
"When the centers were over and I was telling your mother about, Elizabeth (Pleasure Reading teacher) came running out of the library, saying, "Sam was a new child today! He couldn't wait to read." Goosebumps. "And finally the Strategies teachers come bounding out and repeat the same story. Sam was right on topic, answering questions, reading, writing.... He came out of his shell."
And this is the brilliance of Reading Camp. Children realize that they're going to be lifted up and encouraged, and they just blossom in the Learning Centers. I spoke to almost every child in the line for lunch yesterday, and every single one said, "This is the best Reading Camp ever!"
"I had so much fun this morning."
"I read a book on horses/bugs/dogs and I have to go back and finish it this afternoon."
Reluctant readers suddenly become eager to learn and to improve, and they just take off.
-Allison Asay is a camp director and member of Christ Church, Lexington and serves on the Reading Camp Steering Commitee
This was a great entry. I love reading about how well the children are doing. My son Marcus is there and I know he must be having a great time. Keep up the good work teachers, counselors, and volunteers!
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