SHARE

Pocantico Hills Fifth-Graders Celebrate Writing 'Gallery-Style'

MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. --  Pocantico Hills fifth-graders in Mount Pleasant proved they are budding authors during a recent writing gallery-style showcase of the student's recent masterpieces. 

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Photo Credit: Provided
Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Photo Credit: Provided
Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Photo Credit: Provided
Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Photo Credit: Provided
Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Pocantico Hills fifth graders learned how to write gallery-style.

Photo Credit: Provided

The students used the "gallery" format, which typically brings to mind visual art, to display the writing they have been developing since October in order to offer a full display of their efforts.

 Families were invited to the interactive event and, along with the students, strolled quietly through the classrooms, reading each work and offering feedback via post-it notes. 

Teachers Mario Suarez and Marina Lombardo were on hand to welcome families and answer any questions.

“We are honoring the writing process and the journey the students are on,” said Lombardo, who explained that the students wrote two narratives, one a memoir and one science fiction. 

During the process, the students first researched published works in the genres and learned how to brainstorm and collect ideas for a “seed.” Then they drafted, revised and edited to craft two original pieces. The finished pieces, as well as the writing notebook, drafts, and other materials were displayed for peers and parents to review during the event.

Besides the writing process, the students also honed their tech savviness skills by teachers weaving technology lessons within their academic periods to support the students who each received a laptop this year to assist in their learning. 

In this case, memoirs were digitally published using Microsoft Sway and science fiction “teasers” were designed using Microsoft Publisher.

 “The kids have really taken off with their devices. They work through the bumps in the road and that itself is an invaluable skill,” Suarez shared.

When it comes down to it, the community is at the heart of a writing celebration. Lombardo remarked. “A writing celebration demonstrates the communities' desire to share and the value of being heard. That is why it is so very important for us to come together and celebrate.”

to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE