Book Monster was the best dream I have had in the longest time. Yes, I conceived the idea in my dreams one night. The vividness of the dream lingered in my mind for days to come, and I was convinced that it had to be done. How? I wasn't too sure.
I had my share of jitters, thoughts, worries about running it as a summer program. After all, summer programs have to be power packed, full of learning and yet fun, too much fun. It is always difficult to design a program which pleases children, parents and satisfies my teaching soul at the same time. But Book Monster had to be like that. So I went on a reading spree. I read everything that came my way. Ahem, I didn't read books. I read about book writing, book review writing, book genres, book authors, platforms of writing, book enactment. (I even did few short term courses to understand books as a process, but that's a secret). The more I studied "books" the more nervous I became, yet more convinced that this had to be shared with the kids. How? I wasn't too sure.
And then I sat down with my materials. After few days of sleepless nights and blinkless days (pardon me for creating words), I had the planner of Book Monster ready.
And the sessions began. I had those butterflies in my tummy before the first session (I always get them, always). Someone was a Harry Potter fan, some a Tom Gates fan. Someone loved Maze Runner, someone loved to read articles on internet. And there was I, a non-fiction reader. (Well, that's another secret)
We connected instantly like some crazy puzzle pieces. We had one thing in common, we all loved books. It was so much fun that the butterflies had to go away. I was mighty pleased with myself to have rubbed my craze of 'process of books' onto the bunch of those voracious readers. They were mighty shocked to know that book reading was just a tiny part of this whole process.
We have talked about various genres (with experiments, yes that is so possible!), writing styles. We have tried our hands at being book critics, covering the daunting task of review writing, subjectively as well as objectively. We twisted recipe writing by adding adventure to it. We did a complete over-haul of travelogues by adding humor to it. We culminated the program by sharing our novels through Powerpoint presentations.
The last day was exciting, as we were eager to see everyone's novels. But as the clock struck 3, which meant time was up, everyone looked at each other. There was a sudden realisation that the summer program had come to an end. We all sulked for few minutes.
There was only one thing which I could tell my kids, that I didn't make them readers or writers. I didn't really teach them how to write. I merely pushed them to write. They were writers to begin with. The faces were bright again and saying bye was easier.
Watch out for this space, for here I will be putting up my kids' work :)
___________________________________________________________________________
Siddharth's Jack and Beanstalk: Siddharth has taken out the elements of magic from the popular fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk, and has re-written it in modern setting with current issues the world is facing, like poverty, terrorism. The beanstalk becomes the building, the giant becomes the terrorist. It is one write-up you shouldn't miss.
Aarav's Harry Potter : Aarav has written a brief on Harry Potter for anyone who has no idea what Potter is all about but wishes to know. It is an awesome piece of work, very simple, very crisp. It tells you all the elements you should know if you wish to start reading Rowling's wonderful piece of magic.
Saanvi's Percy Jackson: Saanvi has done a wonderful job of summarising Percy Jackson series for a new reader. She has given crisp, short and yet interesting description in a sequential way. It tells you which book to start with.
Adwita's Life-Skills Lessons: Adwita has written a non-fiction masterpiece. She has jotted down her views on what makes successful people succeed. It is deep and enriching. She has done justice to this genre of self-help.
Siddharth's Novel: Experience of adventure: Siddharth has written a novel. It is a story of a boy who loved adventures more than the rich ways of life. He has kept a good balance of emotions and thrill in the story.
Self-help book by Siddharth: Siddharth has written a non-fiction masterpiece on self-help. He has jotted down his views on good habits of successful people. It is enlightening. He has done justice to this genre of self-help
Adwita's novel: The adventure of lost girls: Adwita has beautifully written the adventure of few girls who get lost in a jungle. The series of events is pretty captivating. She has given a very creative bent to a simple story.
Sowmya's novel: The black mirror: Sowmya is an inventive soul. Her imaginations are very vivid and contagious. Her novel is based on horror, thrill, adventure, paranormal activities and is bound to make you hold your breath till you reach the end.
Saanvi's novel: The fabulous four: Saanvi is a thinker. Her appetite for books can put any voracious reader in awe. She doesn't read books. She thinks, breathes, eats, drinks books. Her first novel is the reflection of the same. The story thrills you and makes you wish to read more.
Miriam's novel: Meeting an alien: Miriam is a gentle soul with a creative bent. She likes fairies, princesses, fantasies and love. Her first book on aliens came as a very pleasant surprise, revealing the thriller side of her writing pen.
I had my share of jitters, thoughts, worries about running it as a summer program. After all, summer programs have to be power packed, full of learning and yet fun, too much fun. It is always difficult to design a program which pleases children, parents and satisfies my teaching soul at the same time. But Book Monster had to be like that. So I went on a reading spree. I read everything that came my way. Ahem, I didn't read books. I read about book writing, book review writing, book genres, book authors, platforms of writing, book enactment. (I even did few short term courses to understand books as a process, but that's a secret). The more I studied "books" the more nervous I became, yet more convinced that this had to be shared with the kids. How? I wasn't too sure.
And then I sat down with my materials. After few days of sleepless nights and blinkless days (pardon me for creating words), I had the planner of Book Monster ready.
And the sessions began. I had those butterflies in my tummy before the first session (I always get them, always). Someone was a Harry Potter fan, some a Tom Gates fan. Someone loved Maze Runner, someone loved to read articles on internet. And there was I, a non-fiction reader. (Well, that's another secret)
We connected instantly like some crazy puzzle pieces. We had one thing in common, we all loved books. It was so much fun that the butterflies had to go away. I was mighty pleased with myself to have rubbed my craze of 'process of books' onto the bunch of those voracious readers. They were mighty shocked to know that book reading was just a tiny part of this whole process.
We have talked about various genres (with experiments, yes that is so possible!), writing styles. We have tried our hands at being book critics, covering the daunting task of review writing, subjectively as well as objectively. We twisted recipe writing by adding adventure to it. We did a complete over-haul of travelogues by adding humor to it. We culminated the program by sharing our novels through Powerpoint presentations.
The last day was exciting, as we were eager to see everyone's novels. But as the clock struck 3, which meant time was up, everyone looked at each other. There was a sudden realisation that the summer program had come to an end. We all sulked for few minutes.
There was only one thing which I could tell my kids, that I didn't make them readers or writers. I didn't really teach them how to write. I merely pushed them to write. They were writers to begin with. The faces were bright again and saying bye was easier.
Watch out for this space, for here I will be putting up my kids' work :)
___________________________________________________________________________
Siddharth's Jack and Beanstalk: Siddharth has taken out the elements of magic from the popular fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk, and has re-written it in modern setting with current issues the world is facing, like poverty, terrorism. The beanstalk becomes the building, the giant becomes the terrorist. It is one write-up you shouldn't miss.
Aarav's Harry Potter : Aarav has written a brief on Harry Potter for anyone who has no idea what Potter is all about but wishes to know. It is an awesome piece of work, very simple, very crisp. It tells you all the elements you should know if you wish to start reading Rowling's wonderful piece of magic.
Saanvi's Percy Jackson: Saanvi has done a wonderful job of summarising Percy Jackson series for a new reader. She has given crisp, short and yet interesting description in a sequential way. It tells you which book to start with.
Adwita's Life-Skills Lessons: Adwita has written a non-fiction masterpiece. She has jotted down her views on what makes successful people succeed. It is deep and enriching. She has done justice to this genre of self-help.
Siddharth's Novel: Experience of adventure: Siddharth has written a novel. It is a story of a boy who loved adventures more than the rich ways of life. He has kept a good balance of emotions and thrill in the story.
Self-help book by Siddharth: Siddharth has written a non-fiction masterpiece on self-help. He has jotted down his views on good habits of successful people. It is enlightening. He has done justice to this genre of self-help
Adwita's novel: The adventure of lost girls: Adwita has beautifully written the adventure of few girls who get lost in a jungle. The series of events is pretty captivating. She has given a very creative bent to a simple story.
Sowmya's novel: The black mirror: Sowmya is an inventive soul. Her imaginations are very vivid and contagious. Her novel is based on horror, thrill, adventure, paranormal activities and is bound to make you hold your breath till you reach the end.
Saanvi's novel: The fabulous four: Saanvi is a thinker. Her appetite for books can put any voracious reader in awe. She doesn't read books. She thinks, breathes, eats, drinks books. Her first novel is the reflection of the same. The story thrills you and makes you wish to read more.
Miriam's novel: Meeting an alien: Miriam is a gentle soul with a creative bent. She likes fairies, princesses, fantasies and love. Her first book on aliens came as a very pleasant surprise, revealing the thriller side of her writing pen.
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