Time Capsule: Student authors and illustrators
In April 2008, Mars Area Middle School students were asked to write children's stories as part of their studies, and some presented their tales at primary schools, preschools and the Mars Area Public Library.
Middle school teacher Katy Kasten and two of her peers decided to offer writing opportunities by integrating creative writing into the eighth-grade short story curriculum.
As a result of that exercise, 39 eighth-graders read the stories aloud to young children, then hosted craft activities to compliment their stories’ themes.
Three of those students, Garrett White, Ivy Kuhrman and Kaley Kuntz, were featured at the Mars library during an afternoon storytime, where 3-year-old Victoria Richard was one of many toddlers who listened intently.
Garrett's book, “Off the Bed,” told the story of a dust bunny named Puffy.
Ivy's story, “Tip,” recounted a young girl's reluctance to part with a stuffed bear before she entered kindergarten.
“Squirrels Don't Swim,” authored and read aloud by Kaley, showed how Sammy the squirrel realized he possessed special talents, even though he could not compete at swimming with his friend, a turtle.
“When they got back on the bus (to return to school) they were so excited. They said ‘I want to do it again,’” said Kasten of all the student readers. “For the kids that got to go, it helped their public speaking; it helped their presentation. They got to be teacher for a day.”
