Marybeth and Helene's Class Notes

Earlier this winter each child browsed their writing folder and selected their favorite piece of original fiction, or non-fiction, to publish. The children have been working hard to revise, edit, and type their work, and are nearly ready to submit their books to the Hampton Library for their annual “Budding Authors” event. Some of the titles include: The Adventures of the Mixed Up Twins, The Three Dark Mermaids, Icy Fang, and My Favorite Activists, to name a few.

The children will present their wonderful writing in handbound books of their own making. Based on their preference, each student is learning how to make a “Chinatown Accordian” book, or to bind their book using a five hole “pamphlet stitch”. Throughout the process they have been using traditional bookbinding tools such as bone folders, awls, and drafting triangles. Books will be submitted to the library this Friday, the 22nd - celebration to follow.

In addition to our bookmaking, the children have been putting their finishing touches on their activist portraits, which will be included in an end-of-year class publication. The next, and final phase of our activist project will be what we are calling the “application phase”, whereby the children will identify issues of concern to them, and consider how we can use our own lives to bring about positive change in our community.