By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Typical of all writers, students in Allison Kail’s ELA classes left their work for other generations to enjoy.
Children at Union City Elementary School were the immediate beneficiaries.
An 8th-grade class project for Union City Middle Schoolers actually served dual purposes – learning about what authors do and why and passing on their work to educate and entertain younger students in the UC School System.
Kail’s classes produced between 20 and 25 children’s books during the course of the project. Teachers at Tiny Tornado Academy and in the lower grades at UCES were consulted as to what topics would be beneficial to students.
They took their finished products — which included numerous illustrations — to UC Elementary, where younger students listened intently to the books being read and their themes and life lessons.
The student-authors also read their works to a handful of UC Middle School and special education classes.
One particular story that was a collaboration of several students was entitled “But I Can” and focused on the life challenges of UC High School junior Ada Rogers. Rogers has battled cystic fibrosis since she was five months old and was diagnosed as diabetic in kindergarten but has nonetheless excelled as a student-athlete in the Union City School System.
“I wanted them to learn about what authors really do and to apply those to an elementary level,” Kail said. “I thought it was an excellent opportunity as well to use the artistic talents of some of our students as part of the process.
“It’s something I’ve done before with my classes, and the students thought it was fun. They enjoyed learning from each other.”