One of our goals at Grundy Center Elementary is to love and cheer for books. Today, I saw the rewards of hard work from many staff members and many kids' dreams come true. Author and Illustrator Joseph Kuefler (KEE fler) spent the day at Grundy Center Elementary talking with students about being creative and writing books.
Here is a little run down on how things went.
In February, we announced that Mr. Kuefler would be coming to Grundy Center Elementary to visit students. The students were familiar with his book, Beyond the Pond because it was chosen for our mock Caldecott awards as one of the best picture books of the year.
Here is a little run down on how things went.
In February, we announced that Mr. Kuefler would be coming to Grundy Center Elementary to visit students. The students were familiar with his book, Beyond the Pond because it was chosen for our mock Caldecott awards as one of the best picture books of the year.
Many weeks before the visit, teachers worked together to make the day special for everyone. Plans were made for decorating the library as "the other side of the pond," along with decorating the lunchroom, staff lounge, entry way, display case, and the entrance garden. It took several people and LOTS of time to create or find just the right items.
Before Mr. Kuefler arrived, students had the opportunity to win a chance to eat lunch with the special guest on the day of his visit. The students went throughout the school on a scavenger hunt for all of the items Ernest D. used in the story. Some of the items included an anchor, a pencil, a deep sea diving helmet, a dog bone, a flashlight, and swim fins. There were 18 items in all. One week before the visit, the Mr. Sammons collected all of the finished scavenger hunt sheets and randomly drew one from each class.
Here is a picture of all the items after they were found and placed in the display case.
Here is a picture of all the items after they were found and placed in the display case.
As the special day approached, decorations were added around the building.
The entrance garden was turned into the pond with Ernest D. and his dog (we know his name!) looking down into the water where it is blue with fish silhouettes. Mr. Sammons and his dad cut the shapes, but Mrs. Leverton painted Ernest and his dog! Amazing, right?
The teachers' lounge was decorated, too!
The front entry was decorated with painted windows, fishing nets, different colors of blue balloons, cattails in the fountain along with a stuffed animal, sea animals, and a fishing pole. Blue dots also lined the walls changing color from dark blue on the ground level of the school and light blue upstairs.
The IMC was decorated as "the other side of the pond." It included hanging clouds, a large flying bird, a more than 10 feet rainbow with mountains, plants, a waterfall, and even Ernest D. climbing into the clouds!
The lunchroom was decorated with underwater plants, dots and fish, blue streamers, a treasure chest, cattails, and many other decorations that made the presentation stage come alive!
Mr. Kuefler presented from the stage while students sat on the floor.
Students and teachers prepared artwork for the hallways.
When Mr. Kuefler arrived, he took the stage and talked with the kindergarten through second grade students.
Mr. Kuefler talked about his life growing up in Minnesota. He also talked about his book, Beyond the Pond and what it is like being a picture book maker. He said you can't give up because sometimes it takes writing and rewriting or drawing and redrawing over and over before it becomes just right. He also talked to the students about how THEY could be picture book makers.
He also talked about how you don't have to draw perfect pictures to be an artist. You really just have to use your creativity and trying seeing things in different ways.
One of the neatest parts of the presentation was a sneak peek at his new book. I don't want to give out too much information... but it's GOING TO BE AMAZING! I may never look at recess the same way again!
He also talked about how you don't have to draw perfect pictures to be an artist. You really just have to use your creativity and trying seeing things in different ways.
One of the neatest parts of the presentation was a sneak peek at his new book. I don't want to give out too much information... but it's GOING TO BE AMAZING! I may never look at recess the same way again!
After the presentation, Mr. Kuefler signed books and posters for the students.
Then came lunch! The cooks prepared a special lunch with Beyond the Pond themed food. The lucky students whose names were drawn went to the IMC to have lunch with Mr. Kuefler.
Then came lunch! The cooks prepared a special lunch with Beyond the Pond themed food. The lucky students whose names were drawn went to the IMC to have lunch with Mr. Kuefler.
Some special treats were served along with some great conversations!
Then, the third and fourth graders got a turn at listening to the presentation as well. What a great time!
Time for autographs!
Mr. Kuefler then spent 15 minutes with each pair of classes to talk about using creativity to create a story. "Blob" drawings were created by Mrs. Leverton, and Mr. Kuefler had the students help him change the blob into a character within a story. Some of the groups had some pretty CRAZY stories!
We thank Mr. Kuefler for coming to our school and sharing his love of creating picture books. We are so excited for his next book!
Thank you to the students and staff for showing Mr. Kuefler how much Grundy Center Elementary students LOVE books and how well they treat others.
Thank you to the students and staff for showing Mr. Kuefler how much Grundy Center Elementary students LOVE books and how well they treat others.