Discover Me with Creativity:
Upcountry Summer Camp
Reading Comprehension through the ARTS
Inspire a love of reading and writing through drama, play, movement and music
Books give us ways to think about ourselves and create new worlds
We will explore:
- Mythology
- Folklore / Fables
- Science Fiction
- Chapter books / story books
- Personal Narrative
- Poetry
With:
- Theater / theater games
- Storytelling
- Songwriting / Music
- Movement
- Writing
- FUN!
The secret to better reading comprehension and recall is the ability to make PICTURES in one’s mind with what is being read. The secret to making better pictures is to ENGAGE the reader with his or her sense of imagination, wonder, play, and action.
This camp is not about teaching the mechanics of reading, but playing with story to find new meaning, to inspire interest, and to enliven and engage the student WITHin the text in creative ways.
This camp is about having FUN with what we read. It is about using imagination and a sense of play to picture the stories differently. Perhaps old stories can take on new meaning!
This camp is about developing comprehension skills by providing motivation with ART. We will be acting, moving, sharing, laughing and playing.
This camp is about providing multiple activities to engage attention and facilitate wonder, curiosity, and interest.
Outcomes from this camp 
Your child will:
- Connect personal experience to what is being read
- Experience an inspired sense of the written word and the magical places reading can take us
- Interact in unique ways with text
- Practice collaboration and communication with others
- Develop speaking and writing skills
- Increase self-confidence
- Comprehend character, plot, and settings through different art mediums
We hope reading will become a passion for our students as the arts play a significant role in encouraging them to become readers!
WHEN:
Session 1 July 6-10 : ages 5-7
9am – 1pm
Session 2 July 13 – 17 : ages 8-11
9am – 3pm
WHERE:
Upcountry location, TBA
COST:
Session 1: $220 + $20 materials fee
Sessions 2: $250 + $20 materials fee
WHO WE ARE:
Priscilla Sanders M.Ed., has a masters in elementary education from Vanderbilt University. She is a teaching artist for the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, is a certified teacher with the State of Hawaii, and has an extensive background in drama, music and songwriting. She runs a tutoring company, Arts & Academic Tutoring, offering arts integrated lessons in Reading and Math, as well as instruction in piano and songwriting. In addition, she is a practitioner of Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) which improves coordination, reading & processing through a multi-sensory program using fun activities & music.
Cristie Chamberland is a full time tutor specializing in a multi-sensory approach to reading. She has been an educator for over 15 years with experience in both special and general education. She brings humor and play to all that she does believing that we learn best when having fun. She has tutored in reading, writing, math, science, and SAT verbal. She has taught creative writing, communication, organizational skills, public speaking, sales skills, and English in Japan. Cristie has facilitated workshops on leadership for young people and executives, has studied comedy improv, storytelling, and has a background in movement and somatic leadership / coaching.
TO REGISTER:
Email us at [email protected] or call.
Priscilla 808-446-6124 or Cristie 415-465-2694
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What if my child doesn’t read as well as the other kids, will they be left behind?
This camp is NOT about the mechanics of reading. We will not be teaching kids HOW to read. Although, we are happy and fully trained to offer this service 1:1 outside of camp as Reading Tutors (talk to Cristie or Priscilla for fees and programs). This camp is about playing with stories and having fun with what we read. It is about using our imagination and sense of play to picture the stories differently. What we hope your child will get out of this camp is an inspired sense of the written word and the magical places reading can take us. This camp is about developing comprehension skills through the exploration of art through the element of story. We will be acting, moving, sharing, laughing and playing.
We will be setting up different way that stories are read: Either by volunteer, partner reading, read aloud by teachers, video, or group reading, etc. Reading is encouraged but not mandatory! Imagination, participation, play and fun are required!
- What does my child need to bring each day?:
Lunch
Snacks
Water!
We will be taking breaks, going outside, and moving, so hydration will be encouraged and supported.
- What if I can’t make all 5 days?
Although we prefer that your child/children attend the entire week as we will be building on skills learned on previous days, we do also offer a day rate of $70 with a supply fee of $4.00.
- What is the supply fee for?
The supply fee covers copies of reading materials and books, paper, pens, and any art supplies used.
- Will my child need to bring their own books or writing materials, etc?
All reading and writing materials will be supplied, although, we do/will welcome suggestions for reading materials / favorite books. We want to focus on the interests of who attends each session. Our registration includes a small questionnaire asking what kinds of books / titles your child loves to read. If your child has a favorite notebook or journal they are welcome to bring it to class to write in! And, if they are also inclined to also bring any favorite writing instruments, pens, etc.
- My child is 9 but reads at a higher level, should they be in the 10-12 age group?
As our focus is not based on reading ability, we do recommend staying within the age range. However, there may be cases where this makes sense.. i.e. siblings, etc. We are open to talking with you about it.
- Do you have a deposit to hold your space?
Yes! Deposit is $100 to hold space. One week before class, deposit becomes non-refundable. Remainder of balance due first day of class.
- What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel up to one week before class starts and get your full deposit returned. After that, the $100 deposit is non-refundable. We still have to pay to rent our space regardless of the enrollment at a late date.
- How do I register?
Please email us at [email protected] or call Cristie 415-465-2694 or Priscilla at 808-446-6124.
We will send you a registration form with questions about your child’s interests in reading, grade level, favorite reading materials, etc. We will also ask you to fill out a release/liability form before class begins.
THANK YOU!
