Cardiff YWC Newsletter 2014
1
San Diego Area Writing Project Young Writers’ Camp Newsletter July 25, 2014 Trish d’Entremont, Ann Zivotsky, Kira Elliott, and Cindy Cao Our campers have tried out a range of writing types this first week at YWC. They have tackled stories with descrip- tive language and strong dialogue. They were challenged to write stories with random characters, settings, and prob- lems. They’ve even created stories using just six words. (They are called Six-Word Memoirs and they are really fun. Ask your child to teach you how to create your own.) As we close out this week, campers are experimenting with argument/persua- sive writing. We’ve written arguments on whether women and children should still be evacuated first from a sinking ship, and we are preparing background information so we can write informed critiques of the donuts we’ll be tasting at VG Donut and Bakery next week. (Some of your children are definitely on the road to becoming lawyers and food critics.) Campers have shared their work in small writing response groups in order to get feedback that will help them improve their writing. Many campers thrive on writing poetry, and we’re not going to deny them. Next week, our TAs, Kira and Cindy, are going to help the campers prepare for a poetry slam. We’ll also give the campers a chance to write stories for a storytelling session. We’re not slowing down during the second week of camp. The deadline for submitting anthology pieces is Wednes- day at 9 a.m. We invite you to attend the YWC “open mic” reading at the Encinitas Barnes and Noble at 6:00 p.m. on Thurs- day—and we hope you’ll encourage your child to read a piece of their writing at the event. And next Friday is all about you—our par- ents and family members! On the last day of camp, your child will lead you in some of the activities we’ve done. Please join us as we celebrate our young writers. YWC campers enjoyed an enriching first week filled with a variety of engaging wring experiences. We know that you have already heard about many of the ac- vies in your own child’s classroom. We thought that you might also enjoy read- ing about the events happening through- out camp. This newsleer includes a few highlights from each group. Cherie Firmery, Scott Leonard and Katie Ward Fifth and sixth grade YWC kicked off successfully as Ms. Cherie, Mr. Scott, and Miss Katie guided their young writers to discover their passion for the craft of writing. We have used the San Diego Area Writing Project’s Sum- mer Institute for teachers as a model, and our campers have embraced the experience. We begin the morning with “sacred” writing time and end each day in our writing response groups, with the writer’s notebook being an ever- powerful tool. In between, we have shared a variety of mini lessons and have also included plenty of opportunities for campers to share and collaborate with peers. Field trips have been a highlight thanks to our amazing coastal location and have led us to the beach and to the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture—nicknamed the “Cardiff Kook” by locals. We look for- ward to continuing the process as the young writers take their own journeys, gaining confidence as they mature as writers. Lesly Easson, Lisa Madanat, Raquel Mason, and Arianna Young Amidst nervous smiles and thoughtful gazes, enthusiastic 3rd and 4th graders shared their personalities and prefer- ences with the class. Using the book Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, campers and teachers alike chose different artifacts to intro- duce themselves to our new writing community. Continuing in the personal narrative vein, students answered questions, cre- ated a heart map, and wrote a memoir. We studied and practiced using the craft of the repeated phrase as illus- trated in the books When I was Young in the Mountains and In My New Yellow Shirt. Later in the week, we delved into the information text type by visiting the garden, creating brain maps, and writ- ing nature metaphors as demonstrated in the book Water Dance. We rounded out the first week with guest speaker, storyteller Linda Whiteside and our fabulous TA’s Miss Ari and Miss Raquel teaching lessons on story development and dialogue. In our second week, we will tackle our final text type—opinion/argument. Us- ing the humorous books This is Not my Hat and Click Clack Moo, campers will learn how to craft a persuasive piece. We will also take a trip to the beach and prepare a chosen piece for the anthol- ogy. We are enjoying working with such a creative, diligent group of young writers.
-
Upload
san-diego-area-writing-project -
Category
Documents
-
view
15 -
download
0
description
Highlights from the San Diego Area Writing Project's Young Writers Camp at Cardiff School
Transcript of Cardiff YWC Newsletter 2014
San Diego Area Writing Project
Young Writers’ Camp Newsletter
July 25, 2014
Trish d’Entremont, Ann Zivotsky, Kira Elliott, and Cindy Cao
Our campers have tried out a range of writing types this first week at YWC. They have tackled stories with descrip-tive language and strong dialogue. They were challenged to write stories with random characters, settings, and prob-lems. They’ve even created stories using just six words. (They are called Six-Word Memoirs and they are really fun. Ask your child to teach you how to create your own.)
As we close out this week, campers are experimenting with argument/persua-sive writing. We’ve written arguments on whether women and children should still be evacuated first from a sinking ship, and we are preparing background information so we can write informed critiques of the donuts we’ll be tasting at VG Donut and Bakery next week. (Some of your children are definitely on the road to becoming lawyers and food critics.)
Campers have shared their work in small writing response groups in order to get feedback that will help them improve their writing. Many campers thrive on writing poetry, and we’re not going to deny them. Next week, our TAs, Kira and Cindy, are going to help the campers prepare for a poetry slam. We’ll also give the campers a chance to write stories for a storytelling session.
We’re not slowing down during the second week of camp. The deadline for submitting anthology pieces is Wednes-day at 9 a.m. We invite you to attend the YWC “open mic” reading at the Encinitas Barnes and Noble at 6:00 p.m. on Thurs-day—and we hope you’ll encourage your child to read a piece of their writing at the event.
And next Friday is all about you—our par-ents and family members! On the last day of camp, your child will lead you in some of the activities we’ve done. Please join us as we celebrate our young writers.
YWC campers enjoyed an enriching first week filled with a variety of engaging writing experiences. We know that you have already heard about many of the ac-tivities in your own child’s classroom. We thought that you might also enjoy read-ing about the events happening through-out camp. This newsletter includes a few highlights from each group.
Cherie Firmery, Scott Leonardand Katie Ward
Fifth and sixth grade YWC kicked off successfully as Ms. Cherie, Mr. Scott, and Miss Katie guided their young writers to discover their passion for the craft of writing. We have used the San Diego Area Writing Project’s Sum-mer Institute for teachers as a model, and our campers have embraced the experience. We begin the morning with “sacred” writing time and end each day in our writing response groups, with the writer’s notebook being an ever-powerful tool.
In between, we have shared a variety of mini lessons and have also included plenty of opportunities for campers to share and collaborate with peers. Field trips have been a highlight thanks to our amazing coastal location and have led us to the beach and to the Magic Carpet Ride sculpture—nicknamed the “Cardiff Kook” by locals. We look for-ward to continuing the process as the young writers take their own journeys, gaining confidence as they mature as writers.
Lesly Easson, Lisa Madanat, Raquel Mason, and Arianna Young
Amidst nervous smiles and thoughtful gazes, enthusiastic 3rd and 4th graders shared their personalities and prefer-ences with the class. Using the book Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, campers and teachers alike chose different artifacts to intro-duce themselves to our new writing community.
Continuing in the personal narrative vein, students answered questions, cre-ated a heart map, and wrote a memoir. We studied and practiced using the craft of the repeated phrase as illus-trated in the books When I was Young in the Mountains and In My New Yellow Shirt.
Later in the week, we delved into the information text type by visiting the garden, creating brain maps, and writ-ing nature metaphors as demonstrated in the book Water Dance. We rounded out the first week with guest speaker, storyteller Linda Whiteside and our fabulous TA’s Miss Ari and Miss Raquel teaching lessons on story development and dialogue.
In our second week, we will tackle our final text type—opinion/argument. Us-ing the humorous books This is Not my Hat and Click Clack Moo, campers will learn how to craft a persuasive piece. We will also take a trip to the beach and prepare a chosen piece for the anthol-ogy. We are enjoying working with such a creative, diligent group of young writers.
