Thanks to our STARS (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists, and Scholars) residency grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the world renowned photographer and author Richard Sobol worked with students in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 this winter and spring. Mr. Sobol mentored students as they took pictures and assembled a group of images to create an informative and entertaining story.

This project turned the typical writing process on its head. Since students were challenged to begin with photographs, they needed to be thoughtful about the photographs they took, the images they chose and how they arranged the images sequentially.

Project steps:
1. Students met Richard Sobol; he encouraged them to look for stories around them.
2. Students took photographs.
3. Students thought about possible stories.
4. Students selected photographs and arranged them sequentially.
5. Students wrote, revised, re-wrote, reviewed, and re-ordered their photographed to complement the story.
6. Students peer-edited one another’s work.
7. Students completed a final edit.

This was a big undertaking and it couldn’t have happened without the dedication and flexibility of Ms. Wells, Ms. Regan, Tracey, Ms. Paglia Baker, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Stewart, and Ms. Gravina!

Grade 2’s Books:

Horses by Francesca

Waiting for a Boy by Hayden

My Grandmother’s Life by Isabel

My Vacation at Cape Cod by Henry

Super Beluga by Jackson A.

Pets by Jameson

The Secrets in Fun by Jackson B.

Awesome Tag by Levi

The Uno Game by Liam

The Walk by Maddie

Wet Feet by Magdalene

The Adventure by Max

Legos by Noel

No Boys Allowed by Sarah

Winter Fun by Nathan

My Dream Day by Sebastian

The Missing Chickens by Zoe

Traveler, Bailey, Maxine, Momo, and Bruneig at the Farm

Thanks to our STARS (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists, and Scholars) residency grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the world renowned photographer and author Richard Sobol worked with students in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 this winter and spring. Mr. Sobol mentored students as they took pictures and assembled a group of images to create an informative and entertaining story.

This project turned the typical writing process on its head. Since students were challenged to begin with photographs, they needed to be thoughtful about the photographs they took, the images they chose and how they arranged the images sequentially.

Project steps:
1. Students met Richard Sobol; he encouraged them to look for stories around them.
2. Students took photographs.
3. Students thought about possible stories.
4. Students selected photographs and arranged them sequentially.
5. Students wrote, revised, re-wrote, reviewed, and re-ordered their photographed to complement the story.
6. Students peer-edited one another’s work.
7. Students completed a final edit.

This was a big undertaking and it couldn’t have happened without the dedication and flexibility of Ms. Wells, Ms. Regan, Tracey, Ms. Paglia Baker, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Stewart, and Ms. Gravina!

The Heart-Shaped Stump by Ashirah

Open Season by Addy

Mishaps by Ethan

The Tunnel at Recess by Emily O.

The Art Club by Emily C.

The Superbowl Halftime Show! by Grant

Life in School by Maeve

Beloved Ballet by Maddie

How to Make Juggling Balls by Noah

Woah, Ashi! by Ocea

Clown by Ruby

Lost in the Woods by Tatiana

Will He? by Will

The Snow Fort by Zach

Thanks to our STARS (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists, and Scholars) residency grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the world renowned photographer and author Richard Sobol worked with students in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 this winter and spring. Mr. Sobol mentored students as they took pictures and assembled a group of images to create an informative and entertaining story.

This project turned the typical writing process on its head. Since students were challenged to begin with photographs, they needed to be thoughtful about the photographs they took, the images they chose and how they arranged the images sequentially.

Project steps:
1. Students met Richard Sobol; he encouraged them to look for stories around them.
2. Students took photographs.
3. Students thought about possible stories.
4. Students selected photographs and arranged them sequentially.
5. Students wrote, revised, re-wrote, reviewed, and re-ordered their photographed to complement the story.
6. Students peer-edited one another’s work.
7. Students completed a final edit.

This was a big undertaking and it couldn’t have happened without the dedication and flexibility of Ms. Wells, Ms. Regan, Tracey, Ms. Paglia Baker, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Stewart, and Ms. Gravina!

The Story of the Library Murals by Veda, Linden and Tessa

The Letter Tiles by Ella, Geir and Devon

The Secret of the Cafeteria Mural by Emma, Tanner and Ben F.

Stained Class Window by Ava, Jillian and Griffin

Discovering the Susan Boss Print by Shehim and Ben C.

Thanks to our STARS (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists, and Scholars) residency grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the world renowned photographer and author Richard Sobol worked with students in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 this winter and spring. Mr. Sobol mentored students as they took pictures and assembled a group of images to create an informative and entertaining story.

This project turned the typical writing process on its head. Since students were challenged to begin with photographs, they needed to be thoughtful about the photographs they took, the images they chose and how they arranged the images sequentially.

Project steps:
1. Students met Richard Sobol; he encouraged them to look for stories around them.
2. Students took photographs.
3. Students thought about possible stories.
4. Students selected photographs and arranged them sequentially.
5. Students wrote, revised, re-wrote, reviewed, and re-ordered their photographed to complement the story.
6. Students peer-edited one another’s work.
7. Students completed a final edit.

This was a big undertaking and it couldn’t have happened without the dedication and flexibility of Ms. Wells, Ms. Regan, Tracey, Ms. Paglia Baker, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Stewart, and Ms. Gravina!

Cooking Lunch by Alysia

One Time for Twice the Work of French Fries by Aurelia

Gym Class Problem by Bobby

The Day with the Second Graders in the Gym by Ben

Time to Clean Up by Ezekiel

The Snow Tunnel by Gavin

The Gym by Grace

The Lava Game by James

The Sugar Shack by Japhet

Marilyn Tries to Find Ms. Ross by Jay

Gym by Kelslyn

The Slide by Maria

Recess by Matthew

The Story of French Fries by Myles

The Soccer Game by Yahsiel

First graders in Alissa Alteri Shea’s class are learning how to make “Teaching Books.” Teaching books are non-fiction books that teach the reader about a topic the student knows a lot about. After first graders come up with a topic, they break their topic up into smaller pieces and create a table of contents that has at least four chapter titles. They then get busy writing each chapter, making sure to include an introduction and a conclusion for their books.

Using iPads, the students took pictures of their topics, or with a teacher’s help, downloaded pictures from the internet. The students had to consider which pictures would help them illustrate their books. Working in teams, the students planned out each page, added pictures and text, and recorded their voices talking about their topic. The iPad StoryKit is a fabulous free app that students can easily learn and create books for sharing.

Click on each image to hear the students reading their stories.

All About Sharks by Logan and Disaya

How To Make Someone Happy by Sophia and Tirzah

How To Build A Castle by Zuri and Maiya

All About Hamsters by Hannah, Kaylee and Abdi

Leverett Playground by Nick and Matthew

How To Build a Snowman by Amardas and Collin
(Editor’s note: The boys had a great idea but sadly the snow was not perfect for making a snowman but they persevered and attempted to show how one can make a snowman!)
)

Students in Alyson Bull’s class were challenged to create earth science books for a third grade audience. Working in teams, the students researched their topics, created original illustrations and designed books using Comic Life to appeal to their third grade audience. Before their books could be published, each group had to present their books to experts in the publishing field: Heather Rush, Lead Graphic Designer at Pioneer Valley Press and Craig Cohen, Executive Publisher at PowerHouse Books. Their final books are available below the photo gallery.

Click on each image to see it fully.

Eruption Zone by Callie, Ella, Brook and Miles

Eddie’s Earthquake Adventure by Cole, Thomas, Jhonathon, and Ethan

Danny’s Adventures Through the Water Cycle by Karta, Veronica and Rebecca

Layers Underneath Your Feet by Dan, Rosie, Alex and Georgia

Severe Weather by Rheannon, Amelia and Mosiayah

Alyssia Alteri Shea’s first graders have been studying America by learning about maps and symbols of our country. As part of their study, they learned about how people contribute to our communities either through their jobs or by volunteering. The students interviewed the community members and with their iPad, took pictures. Below is their final project. Excellent job, Grade 1!

Community Grade 1 from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.