The work was done. Well, almost. High schoolers wrote their stories, turned it into a book, and I returned to listen to them read their stories. After all, they would be reading the story they wrote about the kindergartner they interviewed – to the kindergartener. Yes, big deal.
Can you imagine being young and having a high schooler write a book about you, the story you told, and then read it aloud to you? Wow!
My work with the high schoolers was more than listening and helping them read aloud (emotion, slowing down, that sort of thing), it was fine tuning the words they wrote and the photos they chose.
I’d like to introduce you to two high school students, and the story behind the book they wrote for their kindergartener:
When Lily interviewed her student, he drew her a picture and told her he wanted to go to The Art Museum. I saw the picture he drew. Clearly, this child is very talented. Lily asked me, “Where is The Art Museum?” I told her this isn’t a title for a specific art museum. We looked at his art, and it was abstract, and well done.
“Lily, what if the museum in your story focuses on abstract or modern art? There’s a museum in New York, MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), that might work.”
Lily jumped at the idea, but then there was more. In her book, every page has a famous painting in the upper left hand corner.
Her book is wonderful.
I love how Lily wrote the story of Logan at MoMA, and his art piece being discovered there. Congratulations, Lily!
David connected with Justin. They both loved firefighters, so this was a match (or a book) made in heaven. Justin wants to be a firefighter. His favorite character is Squirtle, from Pokemon. I helped David understand that Squirtle can certainly be in Justin’s book. Justin the firefighter can rescue Squirtle.
When all was finished, words polished, and books made, I visited the kindergarten and watched the high schoolers read their books to their kindergarten student.
Everyone was happy and smiling, very engaged. I may have been the only one with a lump in my throat.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This is such a wonderful experience for everyone involved, Jennie. Thank you for sharing this.
My pleasure, Dan. Many thanks!
That is brilliant Jennie… the storytellers of the future sharing their talent. ♥
Thank you, Sally! 💕
ooh, I’ve been waiting to read more about this, thank you, these are brilliant
So glad you enjoyed this, Beth! Wish you could have been a fly on the wall.
I would have loved it!
Yes, indeed!
Such a great assignment for the high schoolers, something they’ll always remember. The two books look very well done. You certainly used your teaching skills with this group, Jennie. The results are testament to it.
Thanks, Steve. I think it was a great assignment for the high schoolers, and I was so glad I could help them along their path. Teaching skills were essential, and their books were really good.
Such a wonderful idea, and they both completely nailed the project!
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes on both counts, Pete. Thank you!
Impressive!
Yes, they did a great job. I love the books.
What a great project, Jennie. These books look terrific and I’ll bet they will be loved for years.
I think they will. Yes, what a great project!
😊
I love this Jennie what a wonderful way to get interaction between students of different age groups. The students are lovely rounded people already and so talented. Were they ever Aquaroomers?
I love that you were there to advise them 💜💜💜
No, they were never Aqua Roomers. The project started with our local prep school, and connecting with the kindergarteners is truly wonderful on both ends. I was so honored to be asked to work with the students and help them write their books. Win-win for everyone.
Yes indeed it a great learning curve for everyone 💜💜💜
❤️
Hi Jennie, thank you for another wonderful post!
Thank you< Charles!
Great post, Jennie.
Thank you, Anneli!
What a fabulous payoff for both ages, not to mention preschool teachers. Have you done this project before, Jennie? I am convinced that cross-age projects are one of the best things we can provide for our students.
Yes, the payoff for both ages is fabulous. Like you, I love cross-age projects. My favorite is connecting children with seniors. Remember Millie the quilter? Last year I told stories to the high schoolers to get them started, as it was a similar project to this year. The difference is I was invited to work with the high schoolers to help them develop their stories this year.
Oh, yes. I know how special Millie was to you and the children. She left a legacy behind with her quilts.
She did! Big time! I was thinking of posting her story from beginning to end (I think it is 10 blog posts) over the summer. It feels like a long time since her story. What do you think?
I certainly remember all about Millie, but some stories are just worth repeating. I’d say hers is one of them.
Thank you, Pete. I so appreciate your input, and I feel the same way.
This post put a big smile on my face. The Aqua Roomers must have been thrilled with the books they inspired. What a memory to carry through childhood and into adulthood!!
Hi Liz, I wish I could say the Aqua Roomers had a hand in this, but no. This was a wonderful collaboration between high schoolers at our local prep school and kindergarteners at our school. I’m glad I was invited to help the students write their books, and thrilled to watch them read their stories to the kindergarteners. Win-win for everyone.
🥰
This is such a fantastic project, Jennie! It’s good for both the high schoolers and the kindergarten students they interviewed and wrote about. I bet those high schoolers are so inpsired that some of them wil become authors and write more books in the furture. The kinder kids must be excited to hear the stories about themselves.
You are right, Miriam. Win-win. I think a few of the high schoolers just might get the ‘writing bug’. Yes, those kindergarteners were SO excited to hear stories about themselves! Many thanks!
Love, love, love, love, love THIS! Generational goodness, right here! 💝😊💝
“Generational goodness”- perfect words!!! Thanks so much, Vicki! ❤️
How sweet. Must’ve been a great experience for everyone involved.
Thank you, Karma. It was!
What an awesome experience for the teenagers and the aquaroomers. Win win for all. I love it.
Yes, win-win, and multigenerational. 😀
I don’t know who thought of this project but it would make everyone’s heart happy. I love this idea. So creative on both ends.
Lily and David have both produced beautiful books. The stories sound wonderful. I learned about people attempting to write from the What Katy did books by Susan Coolidge and the Emily at New moon series by Lin Montgomery.