Thursday afternoon at the Hilltown Charter School was a celebration of completed book projects – projects that were three months in the making.
King joined the children and the readings commenced. Each student had the opportunity to read his and her favorite part of their book to the entire group gathered for the Publishing Party.
When the entire class finished, the students were paired with a Party guest who was treated to a reading of the student’s entire book. King got to move around the room and join each of the groups.
Classroom teachers Nancy Childs and Paula Yolles took their students through the entire writing process from start to finish. Beginning in March, the first lesson was on interviewing and note taking. Since the theme of their writing was dogs, King was invited to each of the 2nd/3rd grade classes for an interview where pairs of students asked King a prepared question. All took careful notes to use in their writing.
Special sessions were held in the artelier where the art teacher taught the students how to draw illustrations of a dog for their books. King was asked to serve as the model. He took to this role rather well!
King was included in The Writing Group where students gathered together to share portions of their writing with the whole class, and positive comments were solicited.
King enjoyed peer editing sessions, too.
King and the students learned that it takes a lot of hard work to produce a finished book project. King enjoyed being inspiration for the boys and girls as they worked over the three months to complete their books. It certainly was reason to celebrate with a special party.
At the end of the Party, King received lots of hugs and farewells from those moving up to the 4th grade next year. And, from the many who will remain in the 2nd/3rd grade groups, he got kisses and promises to read lots of books this summer to read to him next fall.
King received a huge THANK YOU card, a giant dog bone, and a bag of Greenies from the boys and girls and their teachers. King was pretty tired after the excitement of this special event.
This has been a great first year for King as a Bright Spot Therapy Dog and a Reading Buddy for the children at the Hilltown Charter School. He will miss is bi-weekly visits over the summer. We plan to use this time to work on King’s Bright Spot Reading Buddy book, Meet King. It will be ready to read to the boys and girls when school starts up again in September.