I finished reading the book and WOW!
I happen to be a closet tree-lover and this book really struck a chord with me. But first let me explain how I found this book. I was looking for a book to help my daughter improve her writing skills. I wanted to find a sampling of essay topics for 7th graders so that I could give her mini-writing assignments. While cruising the library shelves on writing how-to’s, I saw the title, I Am a Pencil
I’m still not quite sure why the book was tucked in among the How-to books, but I’m glad it was. The book is more like an autobiography of a writer who signs up to give a teaching workshop at an elementary school. That writer is Mr. Sam Swope. In the book, Mr. Swope chronicles his journey from that initial workshop to a three year project where he serves as the writing coach for a group of students as they progress from third through fifth grades.
I have often thought that adults under estimate the capacity of children to learn and understand. I didn’t really count myself among the guilty, at least not until I went through Mr. Swope’s book. The stories that are told in the book give the students a depth and complexity that I had forgotten existed from the point-of-view of my own adulthood. Yet while reading, I was reminded of how it felt to be a third grader, fourth grader, and fifth grader. I was reminded of my own young consciousness of the world around me.
I now have a different understanding of young-at-heart. I think that Mr. Swope’s success in the classroom can be atributed to, at least in part, his ability to see the world through his student’s young eyes. Though an adult, he seemed to have been able to maintain or tap into that youthful point-of-view. Reading about the struggles, heart-aches, and joys of these budding writers, taught me a new appreciation for the young student that I teach and work with. I see them now with a higher level of respect and a greater sensitivity to their individual connects to the world around them.
Mr. Swope, as recounted in I Am A Pencil, poors all of his energy and his heart into bettering the lives of his students. I believe that his investment will reap fruit for years and years to come, benefiting not just his students, but also those who come into contact with these students as they have grown into adults.
But, what does this have to do with my love for trees? Well, one of the writing projects is centered on the theme of trees. Swope, who seems to be a naturalist at heart, engages his students with a series of lessons that do more than teach them to describe a tree. I did not realize there was so much I didn’t know about trees. My attraction was limited to their majestic beauty. Now I know that they are living examples of the miracle of God’s creation.
Your assignment, Dear Reader, look the next child that you meet directly in the eye, block out the rest of the word’s distractions, and focus on what that child has to say. You will be amazed! Next check out a copy of I Am A Pencil from your local library or favorite book seller.
Learn more about Mr. Swope and his other writings on his website at www.samswope.org.
I love this idea. I recall having a professor in college who made us read “Oranges” by Mckee?? think that was the author. The entire book centered around oranges and everything you wanted to know about them. He later went on to write a book about trees–can’t recall the title off the top of my head though. Anyhow this professor he urged us that everything can be interesting to write about!
I am a Pencil sounds like a great read and will try to look for it for my 8 year old daughter.
I believe the reference above is for
Oranges
by John McPhee
. After reading a bit from the book that I found on the Eco Books website (www.ecobooks.com/books/oranges.htm), I was transported back to my Grandfather’s house in Sacramento, California. Oh how I loved to eat the oranges from his orange trees. I could always identify my Christmas stocking when we spent the holiday at his house…mine was the one with the orange in it (from one of his trees, of course)!