This Spring, students in Cheryl Durso’s sixth grade English class undertook a multidisciplinary project – Picture Book Unit – which blended classic story telling with elements of design thinking. The sixth graders were paired with younger counterparts in K – 1, whom they interviewed for inspiration. Based on their findings, Durso’s students wrote and illustrated customized books that reflected the interests and personalities of their reading buddies. Through this exercise, the sixth graders developed a deeper understanding of book publishing, cultivated empathy and reflected on the impact of their work on others. The best part: the look of joy on the faces of the younger students when they opened their personalized books!
