||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL |||
Orcas Christian School English students in Mrs. McCutcheon’s class recently worked together with Ms. Debbie’s kindergartners to compose an essay about pets. The collaborative project allowed older students to mentor younger ones while exploring the topic in a fun, engaging way.
“Students find meaning and purpose when they share with others,” Mrs. McCutcheon states. Students in both the 6th and 7th-8th grade classrooms were tasked with writing a five-paragraph essay with the thesis sentence: “Pets can be expensive.”
“Writing can be very challenging for students who do not naturally possess that talent,” McCutcheon says. “Our job as teachers is to practice the skill of writing and combine it with a fun topic, like pets.”
Following the assignment, students were asked to reflect on their experience. Robbie, a 6th grader, admits, “My younger partner kept interrupting me, which was frustrating.” However, other students were observed in lively conversations, sharing funny and sometimes touching stories about their pets.
McCutcheon emphasized the importance of patience in the writing process. “Good writing takes time!” she exclaims with a wink and a smile.
The project was an opportunity for students to not only develop their writing skills but also to work together across grade levels, fostering a sense of community and creativity.
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