Second graders get published

Waynesboro Primary's published authors are from left, front row: Alexandria Philo, Ashleigh Jaquess and Whitney Mack; second row: Jeremiah Skinner, Elizabeth McKinney, Kiana McPherson, Zachary Cobb and J. B. Henshall; third row: Alliyah Habersham, Te-naj Turner, Jessica Daley, Emoja Levines and Brandon Crumbley; and back row: Roniyah Cooper, Faye Peterson, Roddrick Williams, Jamael Roundtree and Cameron Thomas. Not pictured is Tyrese Proctor.

Leslie Hathcoat's second grade students at Waynesboro Primary School are published authors and illustrators. Their book "WPS from A to Z" is being read up and down the halls and in the students' homes.

The project taught the students the entire publishing process from book conception to publication. "We brainstormed ideas for about an hour in deciding to write an alphabet book about Waynesboro Primary," stated Hathcoat. The students also came up with ideas about what to use to represent each letter and how to illustrate each page.

When asked what in the school started with a "U," JB Henshall piped, "Uranus, seventh planet from the sun."

Each student wrote and illustrated one page by themselves and then collaborated with other students on another page. Kiana McPherson said, "I liked learning to become an illustrator and practicing our drawings."

According to Hathcoat, the pictures had to be drawn and colored on special paper with markers, so the students worked on several drafts of their illustrations prior to drawing the final picture.

In addition to improving their writing and vocabulary skills, the students are reading their books to anyone who will listen. "One parent came and hugged my neck. She said her child didn't usually like to read but she made her parents sit down so that she could read the book to them. One of my goals as a teacher is to get my students excited about reading. I think they are excited!" Hathcoat said.

Each student and the school library received copies of the hardback book.