|
"The students loved Susan's books. Reading is difficult
for many of them, and her visit was such an incentive."
Teri Delis, P.S. 78 Principal.
Susan Shreve
P.S. 78
June 9-13, 2003
All Photos : Maryann Jacob |
During the week of June 9, acclaimed
young adult author Susan
Shreve visited with the third, fourth, and fifth
graders at P.S. 78 in the Long Island City section of Queens.
In preparation for her visit, students read Ms. Shreve's books,
Jonah the Whale, The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates,
and Blister. P.S. 78 students enjoyed The Flunking
of Joshua T. Bates, so much that they begged for copies
of the next book in the series, Joshua T. Bates in Trouble
Again, which Susan generously provided.
Initial visits were introductory;
Susan answered students' questions and offered glimpses into
her childhood living at The Polio Foundation. It was clear
that her descriptions of solitude, isolation, and differences
from other children rang true with some students at P.S. 78
as well. Throughout the week, Susan explained that this loneliness
fueled her need to make up stories, and emphasized the importance
of story-telling. She told students, "the characters
were my friends."
 |
When meeting with students who hadn't
read the book, Susan read aloud sections of Blister,
and promised to send class copies. In her readings and writing
assignments, Susan tailored her presentations by catering
to each class's level, and dynamics. She thoroughly engaged
inclusion classes, who responded with great enthusiasm for
Susan's work, as well as her writing assignments. One young
man wrote courageously about his childhood paralysis, spending
much of that time in therapy, while suffering the taunts of
other children for his disability and difficulty walking.
His story ended happily, and was appropriately titled, The
Dancing Boy! Many of the students' stories resembled a
similar tone of anguish, mirrored by triumph, often involving
parents, difficulties at school, and fear of war. Towards
the end of the week, Susan offered to sign their books for
the second half of each class period.
 |
These are just a few examples of
the work that was created in Susan's workshops. Not only did
students enjoy her stories and listening to her read from
the books they loved, her patience and encouragement helped
them cultivate their own stories, and encouraged them to continue
telling them, beyond third, fourth, and fifth grade.
I'm writing to thank you
and the National Book Foundation for an absolutely wonderful,
enriching, exciting week working with students in the third,
fourth and fifth grade at PS 78 in Long Island City.
I have done many residencies
and my time at PS 78 was certainly the most valuable for me
as a writer and teacher. The students had been very well prepared,
reading my work with such care and curiosity and I must have
learned more from them than they did from me. As it should
be!
The teachers were impressive
not only in the work they did before I arrived but also during
the time I was there. And the students were a real joy, representing
as they do certainly the most diverse group culturally and
intellectually I've worked with. They worked hard on their
own writing, were interested in the work of their peers, and
were full of enthusiasm. I was especially impressed with their
writing and am glad to have in my bookcase at home a copy
of Blue Mascara written
by two girls in the fifth grade.
The National Book Foundation
did an impressive job organizing the program, making it so
easy for me and for the students and for the excellent coordinator
at PS 78 Rosemarie Flanagan.
.
Thank all of you. This was the highpoint of my teaching year.
Yours,
Susan Shreve
|
