After reading the book, Poppy by Avi, students at Royal View, Albion, and Valley Vista Elementary Schools had the opportunity to engage in a Skype session with the author himself. Avi is an award-winning author who has written more than 75 books, many aimed at young adults. His accomplishments include the Newbery Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
Due to a generous grant from the North Royalton Educational Foundation, a Skype session between Avi and the students took place on Tuesday, November 21. The students had finished reading the second book in a six-book series called Poppy. This story is about the unlikely interaction between a harsh owl and simple door mice. Gifted Intervention Specialist/Enriched Language Arts Teacher Samantha Lumpkin had her students read this story and prepare questions for Avi.
In addition to preparing questions, students created a project based upon a theme seen in Avi’s book. Three students from the other North Royalton elementary schools read the remaining books in the series and used Google Classroom to chat about the second book in the series that everyone had read. The project is called, “Avi Pick One” and had questions under the themes of “The World of Fantasy,” “What Makes a Hero,” “Being True to Yourself,” and “Love and Friendship.” Students had to answer these questions using either an auditory, visual, or tactile-kinesthetic method. These methods included activities like creating song lyrics, a comic strip, or acting out a TV broadcast. The teacher then filled out a rubric examining the grammar, answers and references that were put into the project.
During the Skype session, students from all North Royalton elementary schools met at Albion to speak with Avi. They took turns going in front of the computer camera to introduce themselves, ask a question, and show their project. Avi was personable and explained that he rewrites his stories many times before he is finished. When asked what makes a good book to him, he responded by saying: a story and characters that make you care. Students will be using their spelling words in the coming week to write thank you letters to Avi.
“This was one of the most satisfying and exciting moments of my career as a teacher. I loved having such an established author speak with my students,” said Lumpkin.