The Write on Sports 10th Anniversary Gala is set for October 14, 2015.
Write on Sports Founder Byron Yake, WoS curriculum expert Dr. Erik Jacobson of MSU and WoS camper Elan Lakes join SportsJam host Doug Doyle to talk about Write on Sports program and how it gets kids excited about writing and researching.
WoS is a literacy/journalism program for at-risk middle school students that teaches youth how to write about sports as a way to inspire and help them to write.
During a two-week summer camp, guest sports journalists model and conduct interviews with specially-selected athletes. Students then become the journalists – they stand up, announce their name and affiliation and ask a question.
That exercise is repeated with guests at least three times during the camp and also when students interview each other as they develop articles and scripts for videos.
Students and teachers prepare for interviews by reviewing bios and player statistics, then developing a series of questions. Campers build on their research capabilities, their critical thinking and their self-confidence through the work.
WoS teachers and interns work closely with each student on blogs, feature stories and videos they produce on computers. A 4:1 or 5:1 student/teacher ratio provides individual attention so beneficial to youth … and so different from their classroom experiences.
SportsJam host Doug Doyle has been interviewing guests at the camps since the program's inception, making appearances at Prudential Center, Montclair State University, St. Benedict's Prep and other venues including several middle schools.
WoS founder Byron Yake was a also a guest on SportsJam with Doug Doyle in 2009. On that show, both shared their love for Pittsburgh sports teams. Yake covered the Steelers during their amazing Super Bowl dominance in the 1970's.
Click above to hear the entire show regarding the 10th anniversary gala.
