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ONEKAMA SCHOOL HOSTS YOUNG
AUTHOR’S NIGHT
Students clutched their books with nervous
excitement, as they waited for their turn to take the seat of honor. In
their hands were original masterpieces – books they had authored
themselves – and now it was time to share these works of art with their
families and schoolmates.
On Thursday, April 7 in the Onekama School
media center, students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade participated
in Young Author’s Night. The annual event gives students an opportunity
to share their writing in a public and celebrated way.
Working in mixed-age groups, students took
turns sitting in the author’s chair and reading their stories aloud.
Stories ranged from non-fiction books about animals to imaginative short
stories and touching memoirs.
This year, some classes used Student
Publishing to create their books online. Students in Mrs. Lyman, Mrs.
Catanese, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Bromley’s classes piloted
the new web-based program, and their students received
professionally-bound and published paperback books. Other classes used
traditional bare books to write and illustrate their stories.
“Young Author’s Night is more than just an
opportunity for students to show off their writing, though that’s
important, too,” explained Onekama Title I teacher Shantel Niederstadt.
“Teachers prepare their students by practicing public speaking skills,
as well as learning to be comfortable in front of an audience. We are
working to create confident and capable students, and experiences like
Young Author’s Night help move us towards this goal.”
Added Niederstadt: “Throughout March is
Reading Month, we tried to impart the lessons that reading is important,
that writing is valuable, and that our students’ imaginations are
endless. Young Author’s Night celebrates these lessons, and it
celebrates our students and their hard work.” |
