Two third-grade classes from LeTort Elementary School collaborated on a book project and saw the final printed version of their class book on April 15.
Joyce Wright, a third-grade teacher at LeTort wrote a grant to the Penn Manor Education Foundation for the book to be published and distributed to every third-grade student. The books were printed by the company Student Treasures. Wright emphasized the importance in allowing students to have a keepsake such as this book so they can celebrate their hard work.
Wright said, “As I considered launching our new science curriculum, it seemed it would be exciting for third graders to become experts on an animal of their choice while mastering the science concepts of life cycle, traits, habitat, and adaptations in the biology grant.”
During the first unit of the science curriculum, a teacher-directed writing project was given to the students. Once they understood the expectations from the project, each student had the freedom to choose any animal they wanted to research and write about for their past in the published book.
The opportunity to research their favorite animal and have it published, motivated the students to do their best.
When crafting their stories on their chosen animal, students were given required information for their report and the ideas they wanted to include if they had space on their page. The students enjoyed the freedom to personalize their writing by choosing their introduction, conclusion, and certain details.
The writing process was truly collaborative. Sixth-grade students partnered with their third-grade buddies to help them write, revise, and polish their final drafts. This experience allowed the older students to hone their own writing and leadership skills. Wright also reviewed every draft personally, but noted that the support from the sixth-grade buddies was instrumental in moving the project forward efficiently.
Congratulations on your hard work, students! Thank you to the Penn Manor Education Foundation for the generous grant.