Students SLAM the Summer With Literacy Event and First-Ever Reading Clinic

Elmira, NY (08/01/2018) — Reading, writing, art, and music fused together last week during the Third Annual Literacy SLAM Showcase, and first-ever Elmira College Summer Reading Clinic Showcase for area middle and high school students. The events were hosted by students in the Elmira College Master of Science in Education: Literacy: Birth to 12 program.

SLAM is an acronym for Synthesis of Art, Literacy, and Music, all areas that students were involved in. During their time on campus, the group worked with current and former EC graduate students to explore art, music, and the ideas of self-expression. The Showcase then gave each student a chance to share their creations with family, friends, and the campus community. Zach Hamilton, former EC graduate student and current music teacher with Horseheads Central School District, worked with the students to create their pieces and provided piano accompaniment during the event.

"The participants get immersed in reading, writing, art, and music activities for up to four hours a day which culminates in a public display of literacy that includes original work in the form of conventional and digital collages, spoken narratives, and student-generated poetry, often read unconventionally. The intent is to invite students to engage in the many ways literacy is expressed in contemporary society," said Dr. James Nageldinger, assistant professor of literacy education.

Nageldinger also noted, "We have found that exposure to new forms of expression often leads to fresher and less alienating perspectives of reading and writing in their lives." Nageldinger recently presented on a similar concept of utilizing theatre scripts in improving reading comprehension, content learning, and critical thinking skills at the 20th European Conference on Literacy.

The Showcase began with a display of student artwork with their explanatory narrative in the foyer. Upon entering Peterson Chapel, the audience was met with a display of the students' digital collages with musical accompaniment. Next the students introduced themselves and briefly explained two additional pieces of art that were projected on screen.

The second portion of the Showcase highlighted student poetry through a "Poetry SLAM" featuring both secondary and graduate students performing pieces written by the secondary students. Although not a competition, the spoken-word portion gave students an opportunity to infuse emotions with their words and "perform" with the graduate students.

During this phase, students individually, and in groups, presented various forms of performance literacy which included original songs, found poetry, and student video productions. The performance culminated with an ensemble piece that expressed their collective beliefs.

According to Hamilton, an unintended consequence is the tight bond that develops among students who, prior to their involvement, were strangers to one another. He said: "For my part, being able to facilitate putting our extremely talented graduate students together with middle and high school students and seeing the magic that results is immensely satisfying."

Summer Reading Clinic

Friday, July 27 marked the first Elmira College Summer Reading Clinic Showcase at Parley Coburn School. The Showcase was the culminating event of three weeks of focused literacy instruction for children ages 6-12 that was based on motivation, engagement, and entertainment.

"Our intent is to give the students something different than what they get during the regular school year," said Dr. Deb Owens, department chair of the teacher education program at Elmira College. "We find that students are more willing to engage in activities in which they perceive as "non-school."

Small tents and artificial campfires in the rooms provide a more relaxed environment for individualized literacy instruction with unconventional literacy activities each student receives.

On the last day, the students performed poetry and readers theater that they had rehearsed as part of their literacy building activities. The Summer Reading Clinic was hosted by students in the Elmira College Master of Science in Education: Literacy: Birth to 12 program, and attracted over 30 participants from ages 6-12.

After the showcase, parents were invited back to their students room for refreshments and to help their children pick out a free award-winning children's book to take home.


Congratulations to all Literacy SLAM participants:

Elmira College Graduate Students:

A special thank you to music and artistic director: Zach Hamilton

Congratulations to this year's Summer Reading Clinic students:

Elmira College Graduate Students:

Media Attachments

The Summer Reading Clinic was hosted by students in the Elmira College Master of Science in Education: Literacy: Birth to 12 program. The first-year program attracted over 30 participants from ages 6-12.

Reading, writing, art, and music fused together last week during the Third Annual Literacy SLAM Showcase for area middle and high school students hosted by students in the Elmira College Master of Science in Education: Literacy: Birth to 12 program.