By Raizel Ochoa
Courier Staff Reporter
Many young students don’t have a great experience with literature because they cannot relate to the stories that have been told to them by famous children’s books.
This affects their development growing up, just like a voice of wide vocabulary projected to babies can improve their learning.
Years ago, the James Logan ethnic studies department created a way for these young students to have similar benefits as the students who can relate to standard little children’s books.
The ethnic studies department organized high school students to create children’s books for students from Emanuele Elementary and Searles Elementary School. Each author has his or her own child whom they learn about from a survey. These high school students write a story that relates to their buddies experience. After the books are finished, the author & child meet face to face at the elementary school where they bond together with their personalized book.
The children appreciate and cherish this kind deed. Most keep their book for as long as they can.
One of the high school students wrote a story for a child who moved right when the book was finished. He spent his own time working on this, coming in during lunch and after school. Although he did not get to meet his buddy, the book was mailed to the child. Some time later a photo of the student holding his book with a huge smile was sent back.
Letters have been sent from fourth grade teachers saying that these children still carry their books around. Feedback and thank you’s have also been sent from the children’s teachers. Here are a few words from the elementary school teachers:
¨That’s the most excited my kids have been all year, and they read the books by themselves and to each other the rest of the day. We will definitely do this again next year if you’re willing!¨ – Kelsey Moran
¨The positive message in each of the books truly were grand mirrors for each student. They could see themselves and have a glimpse into how others may see them and their bright futures.¨ – Emanuele Elementary teacher
¨I literally had to hold back some tears of happiness when I was watching how engaged my students were on the lawn, and just how totally excited they were.¨ – Adrienne (Emanuele Elementary School)
¨Thanks again for putting this all together. My students really appreciated the books. They were so juiced to have a book of their own and make some Logan friends! It was great seeing the older students mix it up with the youngsters. Some of them even took pictures with my students haha.¨ – Luke (Emanuele Elementary School)
These stories are personalized especially for diverse children. Ordinary children’s books do not relate to these kids, so it is exciting to them to have a book just about their own experience. The books are just what the model wants it to be whether it´s about a Lady Gaga concert or a family of monkeys.
Ms Bobadilla received an award of $100 from the Alameda County Reading Association to continue this mind changing project. This project has been up and running for 5 years and everyone is excited for it to continue to help the start of more lives of the next generation.
