8th grade language arts students are now authors
PORT CLINTON – Not many people can say they have their own published book, but 160 students at Port Clinton Middle School can — at the ripe ages of 14 and 15.
Students in the Fleet 8 language arts classes researched, wrote and published their own books for half of their final exam grade over the last four months.
On Wednesday afternoon, they showcased the hard work they've endured with the "Build a Book, Share a Book" event in the Extended Learning center, open to family and friends.
Books ranged from children's literature, biographies, autobiographies, nonfiction, cookbooks, informational, photography, sports, and magic. Each student began in the pre-writing stage and worked toward publishing their book by the mid-April deadline.
The project is in its second year and will be language arts teacher Jane Taylor's last, as she is retiring at the end of the school year.
"It's a lot of work. They worked very hard," Taylor said. "If they didn't meet the deadline, they didn't get a book."
Whether they took their own photos or found art online, each student designed the cover and layout of the stories and printed their books through the photo company Shutterfly.
The extended learning center was packed with eager parents, relatives and peers reading over their stories and admiring their creativity.
Kyla Aimmet chose to write an original story based on her favorite fairytale, "Alice in Wonderland."
Alaina Schultz wrote an autobiography about her record-breaking diving season on Port Clinton's swim team this winter.
"I took first place in all my meets but two," Schultz said. It was only her second year in the diving program.
CinAra Hicks focused on the legendary actress, model, singer, and film producer Marilyn Monroe in her book, "Life as Marilyn Monroe."
The 1950s starlet became famous in a short amount of time and died in 1962. She's become an icon for many women around the world, including young Hicks.
"I'm just in love with her," she said. "My friends say I have an obsession with her.
"My grandma started buying me little [Monroe] knickknacks when I was younger; now my whole room is in Marilyn."
"I liked that she was different and didn't care what people thought of her," she said.
Tristan Yoh wrote his book about aviation history and parts, a passion he became interested in last year after attendeding junior flight camp at Erie-Ottawa International Airport and Liberty Aviation Museum.
Yoh highlighted the Wright Brothers' first plane, using materials from a bicycle shop; the Ford Tri-Motor; how aviation has changed earth's ecosystem; important milestones and tragedies, and the future of aviation — including drones and space flight.
Yoh said he will be taking flying lessons this summer, continuing his new-found passion.
Josiah Klein took a more creative approach to his book, publishing a book of five original poems called "Observations of My World."
Klein said he didn't plan on pursuing writing professionally, but wanted to become a professor.
"I think my poems are pretty good. A lot of my classmates liked them," Klein said. "I think 'The Seed" is the best."
Port Clinton football coach and teacher Beau Carmon attended Wednesday's event and took a look at the students' books.
"It's very impressive. I know I couldn't do it. The imagination and artistry the students have is amazing," Carmon said.
"I think it says a lot about how they were raised and about the teachers and school environment here."
"The language arts program and teachers are phenomenal here," Carmon added. "I've never seen anything like it."
The project was made possible by funding from the Ottawa County Community Foundation, Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, and Port Clinton Academic Boosters — who donated about $4,000 for the students to publish their hardcover books.
Parents were able to also order duplicate books from Shutterfly to display their child's work at home.
jdenton@gannett.com
419-734-7506
Twitter: @jessicadentonNH
