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Ninth graders at STEAM write and read children's books for kindergarteners at NMHZ

Two students looking at teacher instructing.
Ninth graders at STEAM write and read children's books for kindergarteners at NMHZ

Ninth graders at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy presented short stories that they wrote in class to kindergarteners at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School. This project-based learning assignment is titled “Little Readers, Big Authors” and is a part of a trilogy of events that allowed STEAM students the opportunity to interview younger students, learn about their likes and interests, and write children’s books tailored to what they’ve learned. 

High schoolers reading to kindergarteners.

On May 22, ninth graders in Ashley Wallace’s Honors ELA and Courtne Comrie’s ELA classes will showcase presentations detailing the writing process, their experiences visiting NMHZ and how they incorporated the feedback they received into their finished works. This will take place during an expo event that families, students, and staff are invited to attend. 

This project started with the scholars taking a field trip to NMHZ to meet with students in Ms. Fernandez and Ms. Paratore’s kindergarten classes. Here, the ninth graders read picture books to the younger students and conducted interviews, learning their reading preferences and interests. 

 “We’re writing a story on something interesting that we know the younger students enjoy reading about,” said Dylan Avelino, a ninth grader at STEAM. “I want the kids to enjoy the books we write. I know that if I were their age, I would love to have a book with lots of art and images that pop out and show colors.” 

Four kindergarteners sitting on a bench.

They then entered a brainstorming period where they assembled storylines, characters and ideas for what their stories would be about. Each story must have a conflict that is overcome by the end of the narrative. Students then wrote drafts, engaged in peer reviews and completed the final version of their books that would be read to the kindergarteners. 

“When we were coming up with our ideas, everyone was doing animals, spaceships and other magical things. I was thinking maybe I could teach the kids about atoms and science,” said Mariam Abdallah Rababah, a ninth grader at STEAM. “My book is about Ellie the Electron, who is looking for atoms to bond with, and she’s looking for a home.” 

The younger students were delighted when the high schoolers visited the NMHZ media center again to read the finished works out loud. Kindergartners listened to stories about magical teachers and evil scientists, mice going through hurdles to win the biggest piece of cheese and many more interesting concepts. 

Titles include “Danny’s Surprise Adventure,” “Sir Cheesy in Cheeseville: The Battle for the Big Cheese” and “The Mysteries of the Mystic Mountain.”

 

Teacher giving instructions to students.
Student showing book on tablet.

 

Student posing with mother and showing off several awards.
Scholars celebrated for academic and extracurricular merit at the STEAM Senior Awards Convocation

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View the full gallery here!

Students doing aromatherapy.
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Two students posing with flower pots
STEAM kicks off Mental Health Awareness Week with therapeutic clay work and flower planting

During the week of Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30, the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy is hosting a Student Mental Health Spirit Week, offering students the opportunity to decompress from schoolwork by participating in fun activities and dressing up. This week, students will create clay spring gardens, plant zinnias and marigolds, and participate in mindful yoga, culminating in a Zenbrary event on Friday.

Two students showing off certificates with the mayor.
STEAM Mock Trial Team recognized for going the distance in NYS Mock Trial Tournament

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Mock Trial Team received certificates from the City of Mount Vernon and the Commitee on Law, Youth and Citizenship from the New York Bar Association, presented by Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. These certificates recognized the team for their success in going four rounds into the New York State High School Mock Trial tournament, which is held by the Westchester Bar Association and the New York Bar Association.

Two students looking at teacher instructing.
Ninth graders at STEAM write and read children's books for kindergarteners at NMHZ

Ninth graders at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy presented short stories that they wrote in class to kindergarteners at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School. This project-based learning assignment is titled “Little Readers, Big Authors” and is a part of a trilogy of events that allowed STEAM students the opportunity to interview younger students, learn about their likes and interests, and write children’s books tailored to what they’ve learned.