Dozens of elementary school students became published authors Monday as J.L. Everhart Magnet Academy of Cultural Studies released its first book written by kids for kids.
The achievement also made Longview the first school in the state's International Baccalaureate program to publish an elementary-aged student-written book, according to Karen Phillips, executive director of Texas IB schools.
Scott Brunner/News-Journal Photo |
J.L. Everhart third-grader Jahayra Mojica, center, reacts Monday as illustrator Trevor Romain tells a story during an announcement for the publication of a book by Everhart students. The book, 'Who Cares? I Do' includes sentences by Everhart students about helping their friends and was illustrated by Romain.
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"This is the first time that I know of — and certainly in Texas — where a primary years program has done a project like this," Phillips said. "You sometimes hear of older students doing something like this, but to have this at the primary level is truly remarkable. These students have some big ideas that they're sharing with the world."
The book "Who Cares? I Do!" is a project J.L. Everhart started a year ago as part of its International Baccalaureate curriculum, IB Director Margaret Davis said. The district held a book release Monday.
"We hope that other schools will join us in becoming more caring," said Key'yon'tae Shaw, a third-grader who helped write the book.
The IB curriculum states there are 10 traits to a good learner: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, risk-takers, balanced, reflective and caring. After studying the learner profile throughout the year, teachers asked students to write a sentence about what it means to be a caring person, Key'yon'tae said.
"Our teachers helped us decide which ideas were the most powerful," he said.
Each class turned in one sentence. The school compiled those statements and decided to pursue book publication with artist and educational publisher Trevor Romain creating an illustration to correspond to each idea.
"These children haven't been tainted by the world yet. They're pure," Romain said. "Their thoughts on caring were sincere and pure and honest."
The district didn't pay anything to have the book published, and Longview plans to split the profits with Romain's company with 60 percent going to Romain and 40 percent to the district, Davis said.
In February 2008, St. Mary's Catholic School students participated in a similar project. Students wrote and illustrated books that were printed by Student Treasures as part of the Nationwide Learning National Book Challenge.
Davis said she hopes other IB schools will use Longview's book in their classrooms to reinforce the learner profile.
The district is developing a coalition of caring schools to go along with the project, Davis added. Ideas being circulated include setting up an online blog for students in various districts to share their thoughts on how they can demonstrate caring, she said.
"We want to prevent kids from being bullies, but we have to teach them what they should do instead," Davis said. "It's not just about what they shouldn't do. It's about how they can replace that behavior and interact with their peers in a loving way."
J.L. Everhart Principal Yvonne Johnson said she believes the book and its ideas will help students make a conscious effort to put their ideas into action.
"We can't wait for adults to change the world," Romain told students. "It takes too long. They have too many meetings. Caring about the people in front of you, beside you, behind you — that's how you can rock the world."
The book will be available to buy on Romain's Web site, www.trevorromain.com, and at Barron's in Longview.
