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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The Crown Jewels

I have this program I created for my second and third grade writing club kids called the Crown Jewels.  Participation is optional.  The gist of it is that the student earns a jewel each time they write in a different genre, thus encouraging a little risk-taking, a little try-out-something-new-for-a-bit.  There is no limit to the number of jewels a young writer can earn, but the program only runs for one semester.

Some kids are completely unmotivated by external rewards and are too busy writing their epic graphic novel, the next Harry Potter, poetry, or whatever that they collect a complimentary jewel with a smile and that's that.

But some students are really chomping at the bit to challenge themselves.

Third-grade Jairus wrote dilligently each week, trying out different genres, pushing himself harder and harder.

Writing Club had its last meeting today and Jairus took home twenty-two jewels.

Twenty-two.

Wow.

One of my parent voluteers asked him one time if he thought he'd be a writer when he grew up.
Jairus' answer?  "It's what I dream about every day."

My crown is off to you, Jairus.  I know you'll make your dreams come true.

hrh

16 comments:

Myrna Foster said...

That is super cool. With that kind of dedication, he'll make it. Thanks for sharing this.

Anna Staniszewski said...

What a fun way to get students to try out new things! Jairus sounds like a total writer-in-training. :-)

Hayley Lovell said...

Oh my gosh that kid sounds so adorable and I have no doubt that with the kind of determination he just presented he will, with no doubt, make it! Also I posted pics!!

Jessie Oliveros said...

That's amazing. What devotion from someone so young.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Awww, that is so awesome! One kid like that can make anything special and wonderful. Good for him! :-)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

What a wonderful idea! I did something like that with reading different genres, but writing them is way cooler! (My 14 year old came down and was reading your post over my shoulder and thought it would be such a fun challenge in school.)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

At this rate, he will fill his story treasure chest in no time. What a cool kid and what a cool teacher!

Corey Schwartz said...

Wow. I didn't even know there were 22 genres!

Jackee said...

Are there even 22 kid's book genres? LOL! And I thought I was eclectic, the kid definitely has me beat!

If I had a crown, mine would be off to him too. In the meantime I'm going to learn from him and not be afraid to dream everyday

AngelStar said...

i love your silvery hair, storyqueen

Kim said...

Where does that come from? To have such a passion so young? That's pretty fantastic. I'll look for J's books on shelves in the near future. :)

storyqueen said...

Myrna-he's just one of the many amazing kids that I get to work with. So lucky.

Ann-Well, a little bribery goes a long way....

Hayley-Your pictures are gorgeous!! What a great dress!

Jessie-It is pretty inspiring.

Shannon-I knew he was trying to beat his goal of 14 from last year, but he really outdid himself.

Sharon-You know, that just made my day!

Tricia-I think he keeps them in his pockets instead of a chest...so he can carry his talismans with him wherever he goes.

meyerprints-hey, thanks for stopping by!

Corey-Okay,well, there aren't actually 22 genres...we work with 6, but if you do them all once, you can do them again and receive bonus jewels..

Jackee-I learned a lot from him. And luckily, he's only a third grader.

Angel-Starr-Thank you! Some days it's more witchy than I like, but oh well...

Kim-I just think it's really cool to be so young and know who you are. I surely wasn't to focused!

Kelly H-Y said...

Wow ... that is so awesome. Good for him! And, good for you for creating such a fantastic program for the kids ... you're so inspiring!

Carrie Harris said...

How awesome is this? Very awesome.

Oh, and I got a real kick out of misreading that one of your students was writing "Happy Potter poetry."

Glare on the screen. That's my excuse and I'm sticking by it.

Nishant said...

That is super cool. With that kind of dedication, he'll make it. Thanks for sharing this.
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Nishant said...

Jairus sounds like a total writer-in-training. :
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