West Orange 3rd Graders Write, Illustrate Own Books

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

Students in Paul Stefanelli’s third grade class at Redwood Elementary School in West Orange had the opportunity to write and design their own books, presenting their work to family and friends at their Jan. 19 Writing Celebration.

“After several weeks of reviewing fiction pieces and continuing to implement the writing process effectively, I challenged my class to write their own fiction books,” Stefanelli said.

Several weeks were spent researching, creating storyboards, prewriting, writing a rough draft, revising, editing and publishing. Blank bound books were purchased for each student to use in designing their masterpiece.

Students made the decision to target their books for a selected audience, whether “Easy, Just Right, or Difficult.” In addition to the writing process, students also illustrated their books.

Professional author and Redwood parent Ana Tourian visited 3-S to provide her expertise and knowledge on how to write fiction books.

“She went over every step from beginning to end on how to successfully implement what was being taught in class,” Stefanelli said.

As students read their stories into a microphone, classmates commented on their Chrome Books. In addition to parents and family members, Interim Principal Heather Carr and ELA Supervisor K-5 Denise DeMartinis stopped by to see and hear the results of the students’ hard work.

“They had a tremendous experience and also developed public speaking skills as well at the writing celebration,” Stefanelli said.

“The students are currently reading their books to K-2 grades at Redwood and they feel such a sense of success and accomplishment after this particular project. In my opinion, they are up there with the Judy Blumes, Dan Gutmans, and Mike Lupicas of the world,” Stefanelli concluded.

See all the photos from the Writing Celebration here.

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Photos: West Orange Public Schools

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