Eighth Graders Present Outside in the “Memoir Story Slam”

In their English classes, eighth graders at North Shore Middle School were asked to focus on a particularly meaningful moment in their lives. Through countless brainstorming, drafting, conferences, and applied memoir writing lessons, their memoirs were able to display the depth and importance that was initially just in each student's mind.

On October 18, the students assembled outside the middle school to participate in the outdoor “Memoir Story Slam” where each student had the opportunity to read a portion or their entire memoir to their peers, faculty and staff.

“The Memoir Story Slam is a great way to give these burgeoning writers an authentic audience that can appreciate not only the life experiences and memories, but what it took to develop their memoirs into something that could be proudly shared, ” said English Teacher Elliot Touretz.

Bravo to all of the students for engaging in this important writing and public speaking opportunity. The memoirs captured various personal experiences including getting a new puppy, a loss of a loved one, and a trip to the hospital – to name a few! These authentic memoirs not only demonstrated each child’s writing ability and collaboration skills as committed individuals, but also better prepared our eighth graders for future writing assignments as they move up to high school.
Thank you to all of the English teachers including Noel Beccarino, Samantha Boniberger, Jessica Donovan, Elliot Touretz, and Diane Vestuto who worked tirelessly on this successful writing experience for our students of North Shore Middle School.

Article written with direction from Mr. Elliot Touretz Photos by Shelly Newman