School of Education hosts second annual Tiger Tales Literacy Camp

07/29/15

The LSU School of Education hosted the second annual Tiger Tales Literacy Camp June 1-5, 2015 in Peabody Hall on the LSU campus. Through a unique collaboration between the School of Education and the LSU Writing Project (LSUWP), the camp hosted 27 local kindergarten-7th grade students.

Attendees participated in activities focused on developing and extending reading, writing, and illustrating skills.  Two themes guided camp activities, the Purple Camp for children ages 5-8 followed the theme, Oh the Places We'll Geaux with Books, while the Gold Camp, designed for children ages 9-11, adhered to the theme, Louisiana, What’s So Special about You?

The camp added another layer of collaboration by involving graduate students as “camp counselors” who are also local certified Louisiana teachers.  Master’s students in curriculum and instruction and Tiger Tales campers began their week by examining more than 30 Caldecott award-winning books and other mentor texts with strong use of illustrations.

Campers also toured the LSU campus, visiting sites such as the LSU Museum of Natural Science, the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum, the LSU book store, Middle Library’s Education Resource Center, the Bell Tower, Indian Mounds, and Mike the Tiger’s enclosure.  A highlight of the week was participating in a science experiment with Dr. Michael G. Benton, Associate Professor of Engineering.  Participants also visited Carver Public Library and culminated their week with a trip to the LSU Dairy Store.  The camp is directed by School of Education Associate Professor, Dr. Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell.

Individual and group activities with the LSU Writing Project Summer Invitational Institute participants provided campers with additional opportunities to enhance their literacy skills. Campers produced final projects showcasing their skills using animoto, book making, writing, and illustrating, which they shared with Writing Project participants.