Members of the third-grade class of Sara Ireland at Clarke Elementary School have had a book published featuring their writings and illustrations.
Ireland’s students studied for a few weeks about outer space and our solar system. She used her students’ studies as the basis for the book entitled, “If I Were An Astronaut That Landed On . . .,” with each student selecting a planet, real or imaginary, they would like to visit.
The results were 20 different stories, each with illustrations, written by the students in the class. The book has brightly colored drawings that correspond with each student’s story. The stories are handwritten on the book’s pages, with the student author’s name on the bottom on each page.
Ireland said her students voted on what drawing to place on the book’s cover. The students whose art work is on the cover are Jasir Gamble and Kendall West. The illustration on the title page of the book was done by Xya’Riaha Best and Jaylen Jones, also voted on by class members. A different illustration is on the dedication page and was done by Mariana Hernandez-Ancona and Jaylen Jones.
All of the illustrations feature planets surrounded by the darkness of space and lots of stars. Many of the illustrations with the stories depict what the students believe their selected planets would look like.
Ireland said her students worked on their stories and illustrations for several weeks in writing, reading and science classes. They had to choose their topic, do research on it and create several drafts before the final draft for publication. The book was published through the company Schoolmate. Each student received a certificate as a “published author” and a bookmark. Students and their families could purchase a copy of the book for $20. Several students did purchase copies and the school received a copy to be placed in the media center.
Students who had their works published include: Alexia Alvarado, Xya’Riah Best, Jasmin Bullock, Ke’Mya Campbell, Jarett Diaz-Guzman, Iratze Duran-Ruiz, Shaniya Everett, Jasir Gamble, Alysia Harris, Barry Henderson, Kristopher Herbster, Mariana Hernandez-Ancona, Awnya Johnson, Jaylen Jones, Fabiola Lopez-Villa, Jose Rivera, Makala Roberson, Aviana Terry, Kendall West and Danielle Wilson.
“The students were so excited when we received copies of the book,” Ireland said. “They are amazed now that they can see their work published in a book. The whole experience was very positive. They’re really proud of their work and the finished product.”
Principal Crystal Richardson is shown in the cover photo as she reads one of the stories in the book.
(VCS Press Release)