MTR Camp 2015
I interned with MTR Camp (Memphis Teacher Residency Camp) during summer 2015 as a reading teacher. The goal of this six week camp was to reduce summer learning loss. I taught reading to rising 1st-3rd graders in a low-income, under resourced neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee.
As a reading teacher, I taught reading for two hours daily in addition to other camp duties. I facilitated guided reading groups and created additional activities to support both sight words and guided reading. I worked with students that were the highest readers in the camp. All of my students were at or above grade level. This allowed me to focus on reading comprehension, fluency, and application.
Guided REading Activities |
Literacy Tutor |
MTR Camp utilized the program Reading A to Z. Through this website, I chose leveled texts for my guided reading groups. I focused heavily on non-fiction texts because it helped me bring the world into my classroom. Building knowledge and experiences is especially important for students in under resourced areas who may not have the access to information or experiences that students of more affluent neighborhoods have.
One of the texts my students read focused on female athletes. After reading the text, I had my students write a letter to the athlete that inspired them. All of my students chose Bethany Hamilton. I tweeted these letters to Hamilton in order for my students to know that she would see them. I also chose a text on Kenya for my students in guided reading. Since I have been to Kenya, I was able to show them pictures and videos from my trips to build their knowledge of Kenya beyond the pages of the text. |
I have also served as a literacy tutor as part of the Team READ Initiative with the former Memphis City School System at South Park Elementary and through Agape Child & Family Services at Corning Achievement Elementary in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, TN. Both of these tutoring experiences focused on students reading below grade level. I worked with students on sight words as well as fluency. I assessed students' needs and chose appropriate reading materials and activities.
South Park Elementary Corning Achievement Elementary |