On the Write Path: John Cline Teacher Turns Passion to Print

DECORAH -- Mrs. Katie Casterton's second grade class at John Cline Elementary School recently published their own book about animals. With support provided by the McElroy Excellence in Education Enrichment Grant through Keystone AEA, each student was able to take home their own hardcover copy published by School Mate Publishing. Casterton, an Upper Iowa University grad and Decorah native, has a history of creating young published authors. "I had this idea when I previously taught third grade," she said. "School Mate Publishing creates a book out of student work and provides one free copy per classroom. After that, it's $25 per copy. My current second grade class is very into writing and drawing and telling stories, so I thought that we had to make a book of their own happen and find funding for them all to take one home." Funding came in the form of the McElroy Excellence in Education Enrichment Grant through Keystone AEA. It provides funding for a small but important idea a teacher may have to provide enrichment to the curriculum. It includes innovative, educational experiences for students and demonstrates excellence in education. "This was my first time utilizing this grant." Casterton explained. "I receive emails from Keystone monthly and [applied] for the grant. It was a smooth process. It's fairly competitive but we were successfully awarded $525 toward our project." Mrs. Casterson's second graders had already published a book previously entitled "When We Grow Up." This book was an exploration of where they might live, what jobs they might have, and other pressing life matters. The school's library also holds one published copy. The topic this time around: Animals. "We normally do an animal research project which ends up just being your typical piece of paper," Casterton explained. "This seemed like the perfect project to make into a book for the students." The students spent time researching an animal of their choice, creating a rough draft, revising with a peer and adult, and then turning their polished writing into a page of the book. Students Caleb Farley and Nova Sadler are enthusiastic advocates for learning new things and publishing your own book. "I learned about hawks and how they can see mice from 300 feet away!" Caleb announced. "I told Mrs. Casterton that she should get a hawk since she doesn't like mice." "I'm excited to read our book to my siblings, look at the pictures, and remember everyone and Mrs. Casterton," Nova said. "You don't have to make it perfect, you can draw what you want!" Looking to the future, Casterton considers whether publishing will be a recurring goal. "We won't do more this year, but maybe next year," she said. "I could see this being a recurring project, at least one copy every year for the classroom would be fun."