![\"read?fpss.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/06-2008\/read?fpss.jpg\" "\\"read?fpss.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\nOXFORD, Miss. – School-aged children might not put reading \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nWith support from the Hearin Foundation, the center held \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n“It’s cool,” said 11-year-old Jacob Hall. \n“It’s very cool,” agreed Kyla Malone, 10. \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Hall and Malone, both of Oxford, were among about 50 local \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Laura Beth Wilson of Macon, a senior education major, was \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nWilson saw firsthand how literature circles help students \nThe campers each chose a book to read from a list of 15 \nThe campers were divided into small groups based on their \n“I am a smack talker,” said Preston Phillips, 10, of \nAs students shared their poems and other projects, they \nFor more information, visit http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.edu\/youth\/summer-reading\/.
\nat the top of their lists of “cool” things to do this
\nsummer, but the University of Mississippi’s Center for
\nExcellence in Literacy Instruction is trying to change that
\nattitude.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nits first Summer Reading Camp this week (June 9-13). The
\ngoal was to promote positive reading experiences and
\nlifelong reading habits using literature circles, which
\nincorporate independent reading and cooperative learning
\nthrough small group discussions and projects.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
Judging from student reactions, the camp was a success.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nfourth- and fifth-graders who gathered at Della Davidson
\nElementary School for the weeklong camp. Organizers were
\nAngela Rutherford, director of the center and assistant
\nprofessor of elementary education, and LeAnn Carter, master
\nteacher in the center. The literature circle groups were
\nimplemented by UM School of Education undergraduates.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"reading?02.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/06-2008\/reading?02.jpg\" "\\"reading?02.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\n
\namong the UM students who spent the past few weeks
\npreparing for the camp. During the camp, they worked with
\nthe reading groups, guiding their discussions and projects.
\nThe camp gave them classroom experience and counted toward
\ntheir observation hours, a requirement for graduation.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nopen up about the books they read. “They get into it,” she
\nsaid. “It’s been so fun.”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\ntitles, including “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” by Mildred
\nD. Taylor, “No Dogs Allowed” by Bill Wallace, “Bud, Not
\nBuddy” by Christopher Paul Curtis and “Rules” by Cynthia
\nLord.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nbook choices to discuss with their classmates what they had
\nread and to work on projects related to the book. The
\nprojects ranged from crafting story quilts and making story
\nhats to putting on plays and designing board games, and all
\nof the students wrote “I Am” poems in which they took on
\nthe persona of a character from their book.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nOxford, reciting a line from his poem depicting
\ntroublemaker T.J. from “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.”
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\ndiscussed what they thought of their books. Ma’Kayla
\nFrieson, 11, of Oxford, who chose “Roll of Thunder,” said,
\n“It was very touching and sad, but it was good.” Her fellow
\ncampers nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"