Walden was fortunate to have received a grant from The Kentucky Arts Council.  It gave the 5th and 6th grade students the opportunity to work with Judy Sizemore, a published author, freelance writer and poet. She is the author of several resource guides for integrating creative writing resources across the curriculum. 
     For one week, in their Language Arts classrooms, the students worked on a Community Heritage Writing Project. They were able to research their own families and communities, write in diverse genres and publish a book on community heritage.  This tied in with Walden's theme this year, Walden Explores a Diverse and Changing World.
     The project was a success. The students gained insight into aspects of their own family heritages through talking with parents, and in many cases, conducting interviews with out-of-town relatives. Judy Sizemore walked them through the process of conducting an interview and then organizing the information for the purpose of composing an essay.  The students brought in family pictures, recipes, and newspaper articles, as well as objects that had been passed down in their families. They learned how to insert pictures into the text and feature quotations and excerpts for effect.  The students were engaged for the entire period of time. The project culminated with a published book that contains writing from each student.  The students will each receive a copy of their published book, which will give them the opportunity to enjoy their peers' heritage writing and to reflect on the process.
     We feel very fortunate to have met and worked with Judy Sizemore, our Artist in Residence.

 

Thank you to:  Janice Brennan, Sheila Haney, Jennifer Lichtefeld, and Charlotte Sorensson for all of their long hard work binding the books for the students!!