By Kathy Feist
At a school library crowded with children and adults, Javante Davis, a senior from Center Academy for Success, exchanged a fist bump with third grader Ayden Finner for a job well done. Finner beamed with pride.
The occasion was Center Elementary School’s first Winter Writing Showcase held the morning of December 13.
Invited parents, school district personnel, and community guests viewed student writing projects displayed throughout the school. The young writers stood nearby, eager to provide reading services and commentary. Guests were encouraged to give students praise on creativity, penmanship or grammar.
The event replaced the school’s annual game night, but its objective was the same: engage family and community with the students. The turnout was unexpected.
“I was blown away by how many people came to support the students,” says Center Elementary School Principal Christina Cozad. “People are really interested in what the children are learning. It shows that academics are as important as the fun things.”
All 350 students had their hard work displayed in three different areas of the school.
In the library, second and third grade students displayed opinion pieces on snow.
I love when it snows. I can make a snowman. I can go sledding and I can have hot coco. This is why I love the snow! – Ira Hawkins, 8
Another student expressed a different experience.
Two reasons why I don’t like snow. Reason one, I don’t like getting sick because I would feel dizzy. Reason two, I don’t like not being able to feel my hands because when I want to watch TV the remote would be in my hands but I wouldn’t feel it! That’s why I don’t like the snow. – Gadiel Valadez Valiagran, 8
Down the hall in the gymnasium, Kindergartners and fourth graders showcased illustrated stories.
One young novelist wrote “If My Best Friend Was a Snowgirl” telling how she and “Snowy” went to the park to play hide and seek with her friend. She concluded:
“We walked home and it took 3 hours. We opened the door and put on our unicorn pj’s and turned on Netflix and watched the minions.” – Kallie Webster, 10
Kindergartners did most of their storytelling with free-hand art.
Finally, projects by the fifth and first grade classes were displayed downstairs in the cafeteria. First graders were given the topic “What My Snowman Does at Night.”
One night my snowmen had a party. They got dressed up. Next they made a piñata. Last they did back flips to hit the piñata. – Lyric, 7
The fifth grade assignment was more complex. Students wrote autobiographical poems and research articles on the women’s suffrage movement and the treatment of zoo animals.
Storyboards exhibited art and various knick knacks along with typed stories. Ellie Brickky attached a copy of a letter she wrote to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman. “You’re the biggest Girl Boss I know! I have really looked up to you,” she wrote.
The showcase lasted an hour and a half, hardly enough time to read all 350 pieces of literature. But a sequel is in the works. Organizers plan to have another writers showcase in the spring to show the children’s progress.
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