JK Authors Share their Stories

Shorecrest Junior Kindergarteners in Ms. Merry’s and Mrs. Holliday’s class just completed an exciting and engaging book study in their classroom. 

Their journey began with the magic of fairy tales. Hearing common tales in the classroom sparked an incredible enthusiasm for reading within the students. Their love for stories blossomed, and the teachers decided to nurture that passion by encouraging them to become authors themselves! 

“The creativity flowed as our students embarked on a variety of book-making projects,” shared Mrs. Holliday. “We saw the birth of imaginative, wordless books; a collaborative ABC book that showcased teamwork and letter recognition; a heartfelt "Love" book filled with warmth and affection; and numerous original story books brimming with their unique ideas. They even created a mini book to read and play with.” 

To further deepen their understanding of the world of books, a special guest visited the class - local children's bookstore owner and former Shorecrest teacher, Megan Kotsko. She shared her inspiring journey of opening and running The Story Garden Bookstore, giving the children a real-world perspective on the importance and joy of books. 

Beyond the classroom walls the students toured local bookstore Tombolo Books. There the children explored the diverse world of literature, discovering different genres and formats. They enjoyed two captivating read-aloud sessions and participated in a thrilling scavenger hunt that made learning about books an interactive adventure. 

To culminate their book study, the class hosted a Book Celebration Family Event. It was a heartwarming experience as the children proudly shared their self-created books with their families. This event allowed them to showcase their hard work and celebrate their accomplishments. 

“Throughout this book study, we observed that the students' engagement with various books and creating their own stories enhanced their literacy skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness,” the teachers shared. “Listening to and creating stories expanded their vocabulary and improved their ability to express themselves verbally and in writing. The process of writing and illustrating their own books fostered their writing skills, including sentence structure, storytelling, and creative expression. Exposure to diverse books and engaging in read-alouds strengthened their reading comprehension and fostered a love for reading.

“We are incredibly proud of the creativity and dedication our students demonstrated throughout this book study. It was a wonderful experience that fostered a lifelong love for books and learning.”