GRADE 5 students at Moorooduc Primary School are getting the opportunity to write, illustrate and publish their own book with the help of a published author.
The students’ brief is to create and publish a children’s story that inspires others to make the world a better place.
Mornington-based writer Jane Ting, author of the Zac’s Happy Planet children’s picture books, will help guide students through the creative writing process.
“I want to give students an insight into the whole publishing process, so they have a real insight into children’s picture book publishing,” she said.
“Their goal is to create a book that seeks to make the world a better place – which is exactly the same motivation behind my children’s picture books, Zac’s Happy Planet, which introduces sustainable ideas to children to take simple steps to help the environment, so I’m very excited to see what they come up with.”
Ting said children usually had fantastic ideas and did not overcomplicate things.
“It’s crucial to introduce and educate sustainable ideas to young children to gain an understanding in their early years,” she said.
The students will use “project-based learning” – a hands-on learning strategy – to become authors and create stories to “help change the world”.
Teacher Michelle Dunn said project-based learning was a “dynamic and hands-on learning strategy that empowered students to explore real-world problems, challenges and meaningful projects”.
The system encouraged active engagement, critical thinking and collaboration.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 February 2024
