Last week, about a dozen PYB students got the chance to see what it's like to make a difference in someone else's life as they led writing workshops for a large group of younger students. The 60 pupils in this case were all residents of the Housing Authority of Portland, all 4th to 8th graders, who were attending a weeklong school readiness camp. Under the direction of PYB teacher Tom McKenna, our PYB students taught for three hours a day in small group settings, helping the younger ones with writing prompts, encouragement, and advice.
Teaching writing in small groups made our students think about the process of writing, which will inevitably help them improve their own writing skills. They also were terrific mentors, showing considerable patience, self-confidence, professionalism and compassion to the younger kids.
PYB staff member Kelsey Kavanagh accompanied the group one morning to teach some elementary bookbinding skills, which was a huge hit. Each Housing Authority student left the camp with a handmade booklet containing their own writings to take home.
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