Dularge students unveil book

Parents and officials sat in awe last Friday as inserts from books written by Dularge Elementary School students were read aloud.

Each class of students in kindergarten through second grade published their own books on topics ranging from transportation to animals, according to grant writer and Dularge first grade teacher Andrea Rodrigue.

“It is extremely important because the students got to enjoy what they had been working on in class. They got a chance to see the finished product. Some of the first graders come from kindergarten not being able to recite the alphabet and now they are writing a whole paragraph,” Rodrigue said.

In all, 10 homerooms, comprised of 180 students total, participated.

Through a Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence/BESE Award of Excellence School Impact grant project, the elementary school was able to provide each class with a copy of their own published book, which cost $17.90 to print.

“Anytime we can afford the opportunity to learn something new it gives us great pleasure. And what the teachers have done here at Dularge is amazing. They have given the students a chance to be a part of something special, something they put together,” said TFAE Executive Director Yolanda Trahan.

Rodrigue said all the contents are student-written. She said the exercise was done in class to teach the students about writing, publishing and copywriting.

“The students became authors. They were able to write a story, illustrate their story, get it copyrighted and published,” said Trahan.

Superintendent Ed Richard said one of the most important skills a child should possess is the ability to write. He said the students at Dularge Elementary have showcased that they have the ability to put words together, and to make sentences and paragraphs.

“At an early age, when students learn that reading can be fun, they want to do it more and more, which leads them on a healthy path to success, and that’s what we want for our students in Terrebonne Parish,” Richard said.

Every Friday, Richard makes special trips to schools throughout the parish. Through the writing process, he frequented one class at Dularge Elementary. And to show their appreciation the students presented the superintendent with his very own copy of their book.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA