On the Young Authors’ Camp

Leslie posted a comment about the Young Authors’ Camp, but it deserves its own post, so I am copying it here.

I want to post a reflection on this year’s Young Authors’ Camp – Filmmaking, but I can’t seem to figure out how to set up a new blog topic.  But here’s the reflection, abbreviated somewhat.  Cynthia Gustmantes and I decided to offer two summer camps on filmmaking, but sadly, one camp didn’t “make,” so we just had one, comprised of Cynthia’s former students and one of mine.  We used Chuck Jurich’s 5-shot plan and basically did what he did in my classroom and with the HPWP teachers.  The kids spent 5 mornings writing, planning, filming, and editing their films, and they really got into it.  We may not win any Palme D’ors, but there was certainly a lot of thinking, collaboration, and creativity going on.

And I have to say that working with Cynthia is a joy.  Actually, working isn’t the right word for what we did.  We had fun.  Lots of it.  I think that we are ready to take this show on the road and have a more open camp next summer for students who are interested in writing in its various forms.  In order to keep the class focused and fun (and not a substitute for childcare) perhaps each student should provide a recommendation from his or her teacher.  Well, anyway, that may be getting a little ahead of ourselves.

I am working on getting the films into formats that will play on most computers.  Once I perform that miracle, I will try to get it on a platform where you all can view it.

Have a great summer!

 

Young Authors’ Camp Anthology

The Young Authors’ Camp Anthology has now been posted to the e-zine.  Check it out!

 

Last Day-Boo Hoo

Okay, I knew it had to come to an end. Now what will I do? Our last day of the writing camp was at Spring River after a morning of sharing. Leslie already gave such great feedback on that -so I won’ repeat.

I will repeat that this was a wonderful group of students, Leslie is an awesome teacher, and this was a great week for me. I have a sense of loss that you feel when you know that the magic is over for us as a group. I know that these students will carry the tools they need to continue to be successful writers. As for those students that are leaving Sydney Gutierrez for high school, I hope that they are linked with the kind of teachers who will enrich and carry on the process of writing, reflection, and creativity that has been lit in them.

I will always carry special moments I had withLeslie  and each of the students, I will hoard those moments to take out and examine like  rare treasure. Was the week worth it? You bet! Should we do it again? I hope so. Anyone who wants to indulge their teacher senses with great anecdotes about writing and students just let Leslie and I know, we have a bunch to share.

 

Young Authors’ Camp

Leslie said it all! I have come to the conclusion that if I want to be energized and ready for the upcoming school year all I need is to be around writers. Writers of any age.  Last week I was surrounded by teachers with years of experience and some just starting out- all with a desire to learn and find their voice. This week the young writers who have already found their voice and the confidence to share, express,and experiment (they must have a great teacher!)are a delight to be around. Leslie is not exaggerating when she shared snippets of their thoughts. They are truly outstanding.

Leslie has shown what an outstanding teacher/facilitator she is as she gently guides these young apprentices in the writing craft. I am green with envy. Also, I am stealing all of her great ideas (that she has generously shared) to put to immediate use in my own classroom.

Those who are participating in ISI this summer really need to communicate with Leslie about starting a similar camp for young writers. It has been an awesome experience!

 

Young Authors’ Camp, Day 4

At the end of the day yesterday we asked the kids to think about what it would be like if we suddenly stopped managing the Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge and all the humans left.  This morning, boys in one group and girls in another, wrote out their scenarios.  The boys examined the effects of Salt Cedar repopulation, the financial savings to the government, and the impact of a water shortage that would result on farmers.  (If  Salt Cedars overpopulate, “the entire area would undergo a severe drought which would decrease the number of species that live in and around Bitter Lake , the endangered animals that live at Bitter Lake would become extinct which could topple the entire hierarchy of life because many of the animals at the refuge depend on each other for survival).  The girls noted that the certain animals and plants would overpopulate and others would disappear, concluding that “birds and animals would adapt to having no people at the park.”  There was some pretty deep writing for middle school kids.

Students worked some more on their individual pieces and then after break we introduced the “remix” concept.  I could have probably done a better job of having technology ready for them (just bringing Photoshop in its original store case didn’t quite cut it).  Some of the kids found existing software on the computers up to the task (Paint) and a couple of kids attempted to download Gimp, which is a free program similar to Photoshop.  One girl went old school, and use scissors and glue.  They seemed to have a lot of fun coming up with messages using only images, no words.  We had the dictator of North Korea in a clown suit with a Hitler mustache and a sympathetic version of Britney Spears surrounded by cameras and paparazzi.

I think Cynthia wants to adopt some of the kids.

Tomorrow we will go for a Writing Marathon at the Roswell Zoo.  As long as the weather holds, it should be great.

 

Young Authors’ Camp

Day 3-I am so energized! I cannot believe  how talented these young writers are.  Today we participated in Authors’ Chair where students could share some of their writing.  Photostory was used to share a poem by Adrian, his use of pictures, music, and artistic words made for a compelling share. Abbey shared the beginning of her flashback of the work being generated this week. Gus is working on composing the music to accompany her piece.

Leslie acting as gentle facilitator gave a thought provoking prompt of what if…Bitter Lake were to stop being managed by man-what scenarios could develop? Ahh…the think tanks began. Students spent an enjoyable amount of time debating the pros and cons of this what if.

What will day 4 bring? I can hardly wait!

 

Young Authors’ Camp

So far we have completed two days of writing. The young authors are full of ideas and have expressed those ideas in a wide array of writing.

Day 1 was a visit to Bitter Lake Refuge, a true oasis in this New Mexico high desert. A private tour included a visit to sinkholes not open to the public. We learned about the unique animals and plant life that are native to this ecosystem and the ways man has impacted the system as they monitor and care for it.

Leslie Lawner who is the facilitator of this weeks events provided the students with ample learning opportunities and gentle guidance in their writing expressions. The students have been enthusiastic and motivated. I have seen children stories, poetry and photo story all being utilized to produce one of a kind writing.

Day 3 awaits and I am eagerly looking forward to these young people as they explore their writing and creativity.

 

Young Authors’ Camp Journal

Day 1

Camp started at 8:30 at the new Visitors’ Center at Bitter Lake (and thanks to Dee for letting me know about Uma’s book about field trips and for Gretchen for getting me a copy), which is really a special place.  Noel Sivertson, a “friend” of Bitter Lake, writer, photographer, bird watcher, etc., was our guide.  Nine campers came, all SGMS students or former students, between grades 7 and 10.  Cynthia Gustamantes is my co-leader and she was there, full of enthusiasm and curiosity.

We watched a beautiful video about the Refuge, then we began our backlot tour.  Kids were armed with cameras, journal/sketch pads, and binoculars, and were asked to sketch, take notes and write down things that would provide them inspiration for later writing.   The Refuge is an oasis in the desert, and it truly is full of surprises:  green marshy grasses, great blue herons, clear springs bubbling out of the ground, sinkholes, white crusted alkali flats covering strangely green and damp subsoil.  And the names of things come out as poems already made:  damselflies and dragonflies, harvest and pocket mice, Roswell spring snails, Pecos pupfish and Pecos sunflowers, scaled quail, Hunter Marsh, oxbow lakes, phalaropes, gadwalls, snowy plovers, Lost River.

Halfway through the kids were already talking amongst themselves about what they would write:  poems, childrens’ books, stories.  And we had so much information to work with, that taking notes was essential.  There are so many strands we can follow as we write:  the beauty and diversity of the natural world, the importance of endangered species (8 species found at Bitter Lake are federally listed as endangered and 8 more are on the state list), how we can manage and protect the environment . . . it will be very interesting to see what the students come up with tomorrow.  Today was a success.