Mantua – Each and every day, faculty and staff at Crestwood Primary School go to great lengths to bring learning to life for their students at CPS. As an example, each year, they choose one special book to share as a school. During a week or so during the winter months, teachers share the chosen story with students, reading the book aloud in class and augmenting the learning with special lessons that reinforce ideas or concepts from the book through art, music, language arts, and math.
And this year, as a part of their ‘One Book, One School’ program, they used technology to meet this year’s book author Trudy Ludwigvia Google Hangout, and ask her questions about her book, The Invisible Boy. Every student, from preschool through second grade, attended an assembly to see and hear Ms. Ludwig as she read her story live. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to ask questions about the author and her book, which relays the story of a boy named Brian, who feels invisible until a simple act of kindness colors his world. The book was illustrated by Patrice Barton, and is available online and in stores.
In her discussion with students, students learned why throughout the first half of the story, Brian was rendered in gray and white to show how sad and alone the character felt. But when a new student arrives in class, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome, transforming the story little-by-little into a tale filled with glorious color. Ms. Ludwig shared that experiences in her childhood, as well as those in her son’s life, inspired her to write this story, that shows how even small acts of kindness can help kids feel included and allow them to flourish.
The story fueled some creative class assignments. For example, second-graders in Ms. Yusko and Ms. Jones classes brainstormed ways to make others feel included. During language arts class, they wrote about their best ideas. Mrs. Cavanaugh’s first graders learned about how color can be used to portray feelings and emotions, as shown in the story. After Miss Marlow’s second graders learned that authors and illustrators don’t always meet, they wrote about a time they felt invisible, then had a classmate illustrate their story. Ms Mannarino’s first-graders wrote thank you notes to Brian, the main character in the book who taught them the importance of being kind. In Mrs. Gilles’s music class, students learned songs and activities that highlighted the topic of friendship.
After the school-wide Google Hangout, CPS Principal Cindy Ducca tweeted, “Thank you Trudy!! I sure am lucky to have such an amazing staff and school community! One of my second graders was so excited because he said that you might write an Invisible Girl Book…and he can’t wait to read it!”
It didn’t take long for the tech-savvy author to reply. “I’m so very glad and honored that The Invisible Boy has made such a positive impact in your school community, Cindy.” author Trudy Ludwig responded. “But I also think it has more to do with you & your caring staff who really ran with the book to make it even more special!”
To culminate the experience, CPS held an evening event where families gathered to experience the book through a variety of activities. Pick up a Villager next week for more details.
