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