Students at Tecler Elementary recently completed a months-long classroom project that combined reading, writing, science and agriculture into the publication of their own book.
The project began at the start of the school year when Mrs. Soto and Mrs. Rosato’s class adopted a calf named Eva through Discover Dairy’s “Adopt a Cow” program. In October, students were introduced to Eva virtually and received regular updates about her growth throughout the year. The class tracked Eva’s measurements, discussed observed changes, and even compared their own heights to hers using a growth chart posted in the classroom.
This connection to Eva helped spark student interest in one of their knowledge-building units on farming. Later in the school year, during a lesson on phonics and sound recognition, students expressed a desire to become authors. That idea became the foundation for the class’s collaborative book project. With support from Mrs. Soto, Mrs. Rosato and Ms. Jessica, students created the book from start to finish. They selected the title, wrote the content, contributed illustrations, and finalized the layout in line with the publishing company’s criteria.
To celebrate their work, the class will hold a book launch event on June 20 to recognize the students’ efforts and provide an authentic author experience.
“This project was a great example of how student engagement and cross-curricular learning can come together in meaningful ways,” Principal John Miller said. “Our staff found a way to combine curiosity, creativity and core academic skills, and the students should be proud of what they accomplished.”