A Grade One and Senior Kindergarten Class at Pleasant Corners Public School near Vankleek Hill has proven they are quite good at writing, publishing, and helping others.
The 37-student class, under the direction of teachers Stacy Schwendemann and Kim Noble, wrote, illustrated, and published Fall, A Season of Gratitude/Automne, Une Saison de Gratitude, a bilingual book about what they appreciate during the fall season. They dedicated the book to the patients at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, and the families who use the Ottawa location of Ronald McDonald House.
The students wrote the text and made the illustrations. They learned the desktop publishing process by using the Canva computer program. The Review provided technical assistance and printing for the book. The book incorporated many aspects of what Grade One and Senior Kindergarten students learn in the classroom, including how to form sentences. The class held a special book launch party on January 24. They invited The Review Publisher James Morgan and Production Coordinator Dorothy Hodge in appreciation for The Review’s assistance.
During the party, the students shared what they enjoyed about writing and publishing the book.
“I like spelling out words,” was one of the comments. Others said they enjoyed using the computers, learning how to form paragraphs and sentences, and just being all together.
As the newly printed books were distributed to the class, the students happily sat down and read together, excitedly noticing the pages they had written and illustrated.
In addition to each student receiving a copy of the book, copies have been donated to the Champlain Public Library in Vankleek Hill and the Hawkesbury Public Library. On Friday, February 7, the class officially announced it was making a donation of $637 to the CHEO Foundation from the sale of the books. The class is also providing copies of the book for CHEO patients, and families at the nearby location of Ronald McDonald House.
“We talked about different organizations that help children and families, and the students were excited to support CHEO because they knew how important it is to kids in our area,” said Schwendemann.
A copy of Fall, A Season of Gratitude/Automne, Une Saison de Gratitude has been deposited at the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa, and the Upper Canada District School Board has purchased a copy for every Grade One class in its territory.
“We are so proud of our students for combining their literacy learning with a project that gives back to the community,” said PCPS Principal Laura Kirby. “Their hard work, creativity, and compassion are inspiring, and I know their contribution will bring smiles to many children.”
The class plans to write and illustrate two sequels to the book—a winter and a spring/summer version—before the end of the current school year.
Photos: James Morgan
