This past Tuesday Mary was participating in a VTS function in Georgia. This meant that I was to lead BWC by myself, with the help of Alex and Mr. Tilley. The day went pretty well, we had a great VTS session. The boys might have been a little sidetracked here and there, but in the end they came up with some great/interesting narratives to go along with the baseball scene.
After VTSing, Mary had me ask the boys to predict what happened after the scene we just discussed. One of the boys, I think Rowan, said that they went to Australia to cook and then went back to South Carolina to play baseball and be on the beach. Once Australia was brought up a couple other boys ran with the idea of cooking down under as well. Jameson believed that going to Australia after playing baseball was a little far fetched, someone even mentioned Mexico, he thought that the boys were able to clean up the field and play a descent game of baseball. He and I joked that maybe the boys went a played in Mexico, MO. (Just wanted to give you a range of ideas that were given)
Once we talked about the future possibilities, we had the boys draw out their ideas. Russell wasn't keen on drawing out his idea, so instead he drew a colorful landscape and wrote about that (at least he has drawing and writing), Other boys focused on the cooking aspect, maybe we have future chefs in our class? All in all I think the boys enjoyed drawing out their imagination, and they all wanted to take their drawings home (always good to hear!)
Having Alex was a great help, I think he really enjoyed getting to know the younger kids, and seeing how they work with the VTS. As always Mr. Tilley was a positive influence and great encouragement.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
BWC Is in full force!
I have been helping out the BWC for the past three weeks. And each week keeps getting even more awesome! The boys are getting more comfortable with VTS, which is fantastic! I really think that they are enjoying the writing and creative process as well.
A few of the boys are understanding advanced concepts and can write pretty well. I think this is great for the other boys to see, and they can get help from each other. I definitely believe that after a semester working with the shy boys that they will be confident and comfortable with their writing, creativity and talking about their ideas with the group.
A few of the boys are understanding advanced concepts and can write pretty well. I think this is great for the other boys to see, and they can get help from each other. I definitely believe that after a semester working with the shy boys that they will be confident and comfortable with their writing, creativity and talking about their ideas with the group.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Monster puppets
This past Thursday the boys started a new project, working on monster puppet from brown paper lunch bags. To start this new project, Dustin lead a great VTS and picked a great image. The boys were more impressed and excited about that image than any other. Each student had great input and thought into their analysis of what was happening in the image.
Continuing with the monster/beast theme, the boys began making puppets. They cut out different colored paper to make faces and bodies. They also combined crayons and markers to add more detail. Something that Dustin wanted the boys to try was to use different colors to create depth and detail. I noticed that they didn't really try this concept, but all were creative and different.
I only made it to a couple tables to ask this question, but I asked some of the boys if they did any of this at home. Like make puppets, draw, cut and paste or write stories. One table responded that they don't do anything creative at home. No drawing, or writing. So I followed up with asking if they enjoyed their time in the Boys Writers Club, and to have this outlet to be creative. They said that they enjoyed this a lot, and they liked the fact they could expand their ideas and put them on paper. The other table actually did some creative things at home, and enjoyed their time in the club.
I will continue to ask this question, and make sure that I talk to all the tables and hear what they have to say.
Continuing with the monster/beast theme, the boys began making puppets. They cut out different colored paper to make faces and bodies. They also combined crayons and markers to add more detail. Something that Dustin wanted the boys to try was to use different colors to create depth and detail. I noticed that they didn't really try this concept, but all were creative and different.
I only made it to a couple tables to ask this question, but I asked some of the boys if they did any of this at home. Like make puppets, draw, cut and paste or write stories. One table responded that they don't do anything creative at home. No drawing, or writing. So I followed up with asking if they enjoyed their time in the Boys Writers Club, and to have this outlet to be creative. They said that they enjoyed this a lot, and they liked the fact they could expand their ideas and put them on paper. The other table actually did some creative things at home, and enjoyed their time in the club.
I will continue to ask this question, and make sure that I talk to all the tables and hear what they have to say.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Monster Mash-Up!
It has been a few weeks since I have updated this blog. Sorry about that!
Over the past few weeks, the BWC have finished up describing themselves for their Wanted posters and started working on Dustin and Derrick's project of Bodacious Beasts. Dustin showed a great exemplar of his Beast, split to fit two sheets of paper. The head on one, and the body on the other. This took up a couple weeks to get the beasts/monsters ready. They really enjoyed creating and thinking about what their beasts/monsters looked like, and what powers they had. All of their ideas sparked a lot of excitement and a little rivalry. This rivalry was a good thing to have, Dustin had the boys split up their beasts/monsters with other students, they even had battles. Unfortunately I was not able to stay for the battles, so I will have to ask the boys how it went, and who won?
This past Thursday was over spring break, so I am excited for what is next!
Over the past few weeks, the BWC have finished up describing themselves for their Wanted posters and started working on Dustin and Derrick's project of Bodacious Beasts. Dustin showed a great exemplar of his Beast, split to fit two sheets of paper. The head on one, and the body on the other. This took up a couple weeks to get the beasts/monsters ready. They really enjoyed creating and thinking about what their beasts/monsters looked like, and what powers they had. All of their ideas sparked a lot of excitement and a little rivalry. This rivalry was a good thing to have, Dustin had the boys split up their beasts/monsters with other students, they even had battles. Unfortunately I was not able to stay for the battles, so I will have to ask the boys how it went, and who won?
This past Thursday was over spring break, so I am excited for what is next!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Good-bye to Medieval days and Hello to Wanted Boy Writers
February 9 was the last day for the boys to finish their Medieval board games. Mr. Tilley gave them modeling clay to create pieces for their games, this way people can actually play them. Not all of the boys were able to finish their games, and make pieces. Jacob was one of the few that actually got to play his game. He and I almost finished the game, but time was up. Jacob was about to beat me anyway. I did notice that some of the boys did not want to play with others. Made me wonder if there are certain groups within the Boy Writer's Club? I wonder if this is the case, why that it has come about? This is something that I will continue to watch for. Other than noticing some of the kids not wanting to play with others, they all had a great time.
February 16 was the start of Derrick and Dustin's Wanted posters. The premise is to have the boys make wanted posters of themselves, as if they were from the old west. I think this is such a great idea, and a good way to use their creativity.
To introduce them to the new unit, Dustin lead a VTS session. They were all very excited to describe what was going on in the image. They made the connection that a crime took place, or that the man on the poster committed crimes. This is where the pick came in. Some thought it was an ax used to murder someone, but was finally established that it was a pick not used for murder. Some thought that there was a pack of cigarettes in the image, but some disputed this thought and concluded that it was a book because there was a name at the bottom, where an author's name would be found. Another thought that there were rocks, being cast upon the sun which turned them into gold. The finally conclusion was that the sun cannot turn rocks into gold, so the rocks were in fact gold. One student noticed that the poster was ripped, and crumpled like it had been taken from somewhere and thrown on the grown. No one put the pieces together to make a connection between the wanted poster, and the gold.
After the VTS, Mr. Tilley gave an example of what his wanted poster looked like, and gave the expectations of the boys while they were in the computer lab. The boys were really excited, and I'm not sure that they were completely focused on what Mr. Tilley was saying.
To make these posters, Mr. Tilley had everyone go to the computer lab where a template was made with each of the boys' pictures ready. Once everyone was logged on, they went through and filled out the information for the poster. They needed to come up with two nicknames, a birthdate, where they were from, and identifying features. I worked with a few of the boys in the lab, they were too excited about the idea of a wanted poster that it was hard for them to focus. They needed a lot of help with spelling, and I did my best to help them sound out the words. I did notice that most of them helped each other, which makes me think about my previous observation about the board games and how maybe it was just that day? But the boys seemed to get along and enjoyed thinking of fun names and descriptions of themselves. It was hard not to laugh with them! Chance wanted to be known as "Killer of the Killers" which sparked some copying from a few others. I told him that he should take it as a compliment, that cheered him up.
We did not get to finishing up the posters, and some still needed to finish their descriptions. Thursday will be a full day, but exciting and eventful nonetheless.
February 16 was the start of Derrick and Dustin's Wanted posters. The premise is to have the boys make wanted posters of themselves, as if they were from the old west. I think this is such a great idea, and a good way to use their creativity.
To introduce them to the new unit, Dustin lead a VTS session. They were all very excited to describe what was going on in the image. They made the connection that a crime took place, or that the man on the poster committed crimes. This is where the pick came in. Some thought it was an ax used to murder someone, but was finally established that it was a pick not used for murder. Some thought that there was a pack of cigarettes in the image, but some disputed this thought and concluded that it was a book because there was a name at the bottom, where an author's name would be found. Another thought that there were rocks, being cast upon the sun which turned them into gold. The finally conclusion was that the sun cannot turn rocks into gold, so the rocks were in fact gold. One student noticed that the poster was ripped, and crumpled like it had been taken from somewhere and thrown on the grown. No one put the pieces together to make a connection between the wanted poster, and the gold.
After the VTS, Mr. Tilley gave an example of what his wanted poster looked like, and gave the expectations of the boys while they were in the computer lab. The boys were really excited, and I'm not sure that they were completely focused on what Mr. Tilley was saying.
To make these posters, Mr. Tilley had everyone go to the computer lab where a template was made with each of the boys' pictures ready. Once everyone was logged on, they went through and filled out the information for the poster. They needed to come up with two nicknames, a birthdate, where they were from, and identifying features. I worked with a few of the boys in the lab, they were too excited about the idea of a wanted poster that it was hard for them to focus. They needed a lot of help with spelling, and I did my best to help them sound out the words. I did notice that most of them helped each other, which makes me think about my previous observation about the board games and how maybe it was just that day? But the boys seemed to get along and enjoyed thinking of fun names and descriptions of themselves. It was hard not to laugh with them! Chance wanted to be known as "Killer of the Killers" which sparked some copying from a few others. I told him that he should take it as a compliment, that cheered him up.
We did not get to finishing up the posters, and some still needed to finish their descriptions. Thursday will be a full day, but exciting and eventful nonetheless.
Monday, February 6, 2012
New to BWC
January 26th was my first time meeting with the BWC. I was pleasantly surprised at how excited they were to gather around for the VTS section. Listening to their thoughts and descriptions of Duc de Berry's Tres Riches Heures was entertaining. I thought that Dustin did a great job facilitating the VTS discussion, and how he had the boys describe certain words they used for the rest of the group. I think that is it a great way to let students educate others with what they know. For example, one student described the scene as a feast. Dustin asked him to explain what a feast was for others who didn't know. Excellent way to encourage students!
This was also the first day for them to work on their medieval game boards. They were very enthusiastic to work on this exercise. Many of them wrote in each or in most of the squares, and they added drawings to illustrate what was happening in their game. Their was a lot of laughter and sharing of ideas, so much creativity! It was a lot of fun to help out, and let them have a chance to explain what they created.
February 2nd
Another great VTS discussion lead by Dustin. This painting was of a woman knighting a man. I was just as entertained this week as I was the week before. Many of the boys thought the woman was going to cut off the man's head. Other's believed that it was a knighting ceremony. As Dustin put it, the boys disagreed with each other in a respectful manor. It is was important to highlight that compliment because it is important for them to know that not everyone if going to agree on everything, but that it is ok to disagree and still be respectful of others thoughts and ideas.
The boys were finishing up their game boards, and were still excited to work on them. I think many of them took this day to put on the finishing touches. I noticed that only a handful of them used color on their boards. Many wanted to keep them black and white. But all of them had pictures and wonderful descriptions.
I'm excited to see how they do with playing their games this week!
This was also the first day for them to work on their medieval game boards. They were very enthusiastic to work on this exercise. Many of them wrote in each or in most of the squares, and they added drawings to illustrate what was happening in their game. Their was a lot of laughter and sharing of ideas, so much creativity! It was a lot of fun to help out, and let them have a chance to explain what they created.
February 2nd
Another great VTS discussion lead by Dustin. This painting was of a woman knighting a man. I was just as entertained this week as I was the week before. Many of the boys thought the woman was going to cut off the man's head. Other's believed that it was a knighting ceremony. As Dustin put it, the boys disagreed with each other in a respectful manor. It is was important to highlight that compliment because it is important for them to know that not everyone if going to agree on everything, but that it is ok to disagree and still be respectful of others thoughts and ideas.
The boys were finishing up their game boards, and were still excited to work on them. I think many of them took this day to put on the finishing touches. I noticed that only a handful of them used color on their boards. Many wanted to keep them black and white. But all of them had pictures and wonderful descriptions.
I'm excited to see how they do with playing their games this week!
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