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Eighth-graders write and illustrate custom children’s books for second-graders in long-running program
Summary
District teachers described a longstanding eighth-grade project in which students create illustrated books for elementary second-graders; the project includes student interviews, authentic writing processes and cross-grade interactions.
Teachers from the district’s middle grades described a long-running, interdisciplinary project in which eighth-grade teams produce custom children’s books for second-grade students.
Presenters Jamie Levy and Tom Burger outlined the multi-step sequence: students collect interest sheets from second graders, develop a story map, draft and illustrate the book, and then deliver wrapped copies at a classroom visit. Levy described the work as authentic writing practice: “They start with the beginning, their creations…we then give them to elementary kids.”
Levy said students learn the whole authoring process, from story mapping and drafting through creating original illustrations (students may ask family members to illustrate but may not copy images from the internet). Classes take time to read sample children’s books and to plan and peer-review drafts. The eighth graders visit Long Point Elementary to interview their assigned second grader before creating the custom book character.
The presenters and Superintendent Tom Larkin emphasized the program’s long-term impact: some students who received books later returned as book creators. The district showed photos of past exchanges and said most second graders receive two books; the project is often scheduled around the holiday season.
Board members praised the program and asked no substantive questions. The item was presented as an informational update; no formal vote was required.
