New summer camp promotes positive reading experiences
OXFORD, Miss. – School-aged children might not put reading
at the top of their lists of “cool” things to do this
summer, but the University of Mississippi’s Center for
Excellence in Literacy Instruction is trying to change that
attitude.
With support from the Hearin Foundation, the center held
its first Summer Reading Camp this week (June 9-13). The
goal was to promote positive reading experiences and
lifelong reading habits using literature circles, which
incorporate independent reading and cooperative learning
through small group discussions and projects.
Judging from student reactions, the camp was a success.
“It’s cool,” said 11-year-old Jacob Hall.
“It’s very cool,” agreed Kyla Malone, 10.
Hall and Malone, both of Oxford, were among about 50 local
fourth- and fifth-graders who gathered at Della Davidson
Elementary School for the weeklong camp. Organizers were
Angela Rutherford, director of the center and assistant
professor of elementary education, and LeAnn Carter, master
teacher in the center. The literature circle groups were
implemented by UM School of Education undergraduates.
Laura Beth Wilson of Macon, a senior education major, was
among the UM students who spent the past few weeks
preparing for the camp. During the camp, they worked with
the reading groups, guiding their discussions and projects.
The camp gave them classroom experience and counted toward
their observation hours, a requirement for graduation.
Wilson saw firsthand how literature circles help students
open up about the books they read. “They get into it,” she
said. “It’s been so fun.”
The campers each chose a book to read from a list of 15
titles, including “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” by Mildred
D. Taylor, “No Dogs Allowed” by Bill Wallace, “Bud, Not
Buddy” by Christopher Paul Curtis and “Rules” by Cynthia
Lord.
The campers were divided into small groups based on their
book choices to discuss with their classmates what they had
read and to work on projects related to the book. The
projects ranged from crafting story quilts and making story
hats to putting on plays and designing board games, and all
of the students wrote “I Am” poems in which they took on
the persona of a character from their book.
“I am a smack talker,” said Preston Phillips, 10, of
Oxford, reciting a line from his poem depicting
troublemaker T.J. from “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.”
As students shared their poems and other projects, they
discussed what they thought of their books. Ma’Kayla
Frieson, 11, of Oxford, who chose “Roll of Thunder,” said,
“It was very touching and sad, but it was good.” Her fellow
campers nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
For more information, visit http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/youth/summer-reading/.