Creating Picture Books with Kids: Final Chapter, Author Visits to Little Buddy Classrooms

This is my final post on the topic of "Writing Fractions Stories for First Graders," a series I originally introduced in March. This week's post celebrates the completed student projects and summarizes the culminating event: Students making an author visit to their first grade buddy classroom.





The student authors were extremely proud of their work and they were eager to share it with others. Here are some photos of their book covers and one interior page of each book:

 

 

 

 



I wish I could show photos of the students holding their books and reading to the first graders in their buddy classroom. There are too many waivers to manage, to show students' pictures, but suffice it to say that the young authors beamed with pride, and the young listeners listened attentively and asked great questions! It was as good of an experience for the first graders as it was for the student authors.


After the author visits, the plan was to put the books in the school library through the end of the school year. However, several of the student authors seemed a little bit nervous about potential damage/loss to their books (which was a definite risk). The plan was revised and students were told they could decide between one of three options:

1) Take the book home.
2) Have the book go into the school library until the end of the school year.
3) Have the book go into the first grade buddy classroom for a few weeks, and then go home.

Each of the options were exercised by one or more students.

This was a fun, interactive and educational project for students. It's definitely something I'll repeat in the future. If you'd like me to visit your school or community-based program (in person or via Skype) to lead a similar activity with your students, or, if you'd like to lead the project yourself, but have additional questions, please get in touch.

Congratulations, student authors! Well done!

10/2013 Update: I now offer an inservice workshop based on this project. Please contact me if you would like to schedule this workshop at your location, or if you would like to access the PowerPoint slides.