Spotlight on Literacy: Miami Book Fair, Hispanic Heritage, and Our New Phoenix Literary Society
By Nicole Calero, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
By Nicole Calero, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
In the midst of the Covid 19 Pandemic and online schooling many clubs have been forced to rethink the way they participate in school life. The National English Honor Society (NEHS) has committed to continuing the mission to promote exemplary character, and to serve society by fostering literacy.
This year the NEHS has already participated in two virtual events: the Teen Press Conference and Hispanic Heritage Month.
This year the NEHS has already participated in two virtual events: the Teen Press Conference and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Watch a clip from the event here! -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CVf_Qmzt4oItlwu66cBwZhrxoiun0Cav/view?usp=sharing
|
Teen Press Conference:
The Teen Press Conference is an event held every year by the National Book Foundation, hosted by the Miami Book Fair, that gives students the chance to read a National Book Award Finalist’s YA novel and then attend a Press Conference where the authors present and take questions. For the past few years, iPrep students have been invited to this activity. The Miami Book Fair donates the books to any student who would like to participate. After students read the book, they develop a list of questions for the authors. In the past, it is quite exciting to see the authors and be able to speak to them. |
However, due to the pandemic, this year the panel was different. It was set up in a virtual conference where students were able to join and listen as the authors answered some of the questions. One difference is that students from Miami Dade County Public schools and New York City Public Schools were invited to join the Conference.
|
The questions are varied. Junior, Derek Troung read We Not Free, about World War 2 and life in the Japanese Internment camps. His question to the author, Traci Chee, “Do you believe it [the fear and ignorance of average people toward the Japanese] is because people are more ignorant or because they are more fearful; and similarly, regarding today’s political climate, relating to Black Lives Matter, do you believe that people oppose that because they are more ignorant or because they are more fearful?” Sophomores Christina Ganem and Brooke Belinson illustrated their experience with the online conference: “it was like a virtual book fair.” Nahia Pino, senior, discussed the differences in the conference between the virtual setting of this year and physical settings of past panels and other online conferences that she has participated in. |
We are Not Free book Cover art
|
Wordpress, Duncan Tonatium
|
Hispanic Heritage Month:
Another event that the NEHS annually participates in is Hispanic Heritage Month. Every year NEHS students go into Lower Academy classrooms to read or teach about famous authors. This year the students went into the Zoom classes for the presentations. Derek Troung went into the 7th grade classroom to lecture about Paulo Coelho, author of the Alchemist. He said despite being on zoom the seventh graders were really engaged and eager to answer his questions and discuss the author. Nahia Pino went into the first grade class and read to them His World and Ours, Diego Rivera. |
Mag, 5 Types of Students...Library
|
Phoenix Literary Society
Ms. Pratt, Middle School Language Arts Teacher and Club Sponsor explained this new endeavor: What is the Phoenix Literary Society? The Phoenix Literary Society is a multicultural book club for middle schoolers. We meet once a month (during lunch) to discuss our book of the month and vote on our next book to read. The discussions are always led by the students. |
What is the purpose of the club?
The purpose of our organization is to cultivate a passion for books. We aim to create a friendly environment where students can discuss multicultural books to expand their literary horizons. This club is for anyone, whether you are an experienced reader or would like to get into books!
What was the inspiration for starting the club?
When I was in middle school, I hated reading because none of the authors or stories caught my attention. I felt as though the books I had to read didn't interest me. When I was introduced to authors who looked like me and talked about topics related to me, I fell in love with reading. I hope that at least one student sees themselves in another author, so much that it ignites a passion for literature.
What are some activities the club participated in or plans to participate in?
The purpose of our organization is to cultivate a passion for books. We aim to create a friendly environment where students can discuss multicultural books to expand their literary horizons. This club is for anyone, whether you are an experienced reader or would like to get into books!
What was the experience of the Teen Press Conference like for the club?
Recently, our book club was able to participate in the TEEN PRESS CONFERENCE. We read When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Many students were able to ask questions to the author (via real-time/virtual video). This was the first of many events we hope to be a part of. The students were excited to have their questions answered by the authors. It was overwhelming for me as the Teacher because I kept thinking, "How in the world am I going to top this?" I'm excited for what's in store for the Literary Society; it's always exciting to see children enthusiastic about reading.
The purpose of our organization is to cultivate a passion for books. We aim to create a friendly environment where students can discuss multicultural books to expand their literary horizons. This club is for anyone, whether you are an experienced reader or would like to get into books!
What was the inspiration for starting the club?
When I was in middle school, I hated reading because none of the authors or stories caught my attention. I felt as though the books I had to read didn't interest me. When I was introduced to authors who looked like me and talked about topics related to me, I fell in love with reading. I hope that at least one student sees themselves in another author, so much that it ignites a passion for literature.
What are some activities the club participated in or plans to participate in?
The purpose of our organization is to cultivate a passion for books. We aim to create a friendly environment where students can discuss multicultural books to expand their literary horizons. This club is for anyone, whether you are an experienced reader or would like to get into books!
What was the experience of the Teen Press Conference like for the club?
Recently, our book club was able to participate in the TEEN PRESS CONFERENCE. We read When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Many students were able to ask questions to the author (via real-time/virtual video). This was the first of many events we hope to be a part of. The students were excited to have their questions answered by the authors. It was overwhelming for me as the Teacher because I kept thinking, "How in the world am I going to top this?" I'm excited for what's in store for the Literary Society; it's always exciting to see children enthusiastic about reading.