Visiting author, Ms. Candace Fleming generously hand-tailored her writing workshops to specifically support ASIJ’s curriculum. Grade four students fast and furiously put their pencils to paper describing a humorous historical fiction scenario: “You and a friend are invited to lunch with Ben Franklin…” Rewriting several scenarios from different points of view provided grade five students with a unique writing challenge. Students pushed themselves as writers to write from the perspective of a mouse, an old man, and a vampire. Most importantly, students in grades four and five were inspired and encouraged to value his or her own ideas and to share with confidence and without fear of failure. Ms. Fleming provided elementary students with an interactive writing experience that left them wanting to write more.

During Mr. Eric Rohmann’s classroom visits with Grades K-2 he used his Caldecott Award-winning books, Timeflies and My Friend Rabbit, to demonstrate how to purposely advance a story using simple text and illustrations. He delighted children by drawing animals, characters, and other creatures on the spot. Students were intrigued that illustrations could come alive using simple lines and shapes. As a guest in the Grade 3 art classes, Mr. Rohmann guided students through the illustration and revision process with a hands-on story sequencing activity.

The week culminated with an authors’ book signing. Many thanks to the PTA for sponsoring another successful authors’ week with acclaimed authors.