MaST students
are authors

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

It was pinkies out for third-graders at MaST Community Charter School last week, as the students celebrated publication of their very own books with a tea party.
Third-grade teacher Sandy Brown described the books as a way to make writing seem more purposeful for the class. She hopes her students learned that some things are not instantaneous, but are worth the effort and hard work.
Students not only wrote the text but illustrated the books as well, a process that at times was tedious for the boys and girls.
"I’m so proud to say they hung in there and stuck with it," Brown said, bedecked in a straw hat with ribbons.
The young authors’ book topics covered a wide range, including mermaids, ladybugs, aliens, skateboard stars and telling the truth.
In fact, student David Sanford dedicated his book on the truth topic to his family, who "always get happy when I tell the truth," he explained.
Some book plots were simple, and some, such as Amanda Domian’s, were more detailed. But all were enjoyable.
Amanda, who’s 9, created Dana’s Gymnastic Secret, the story of a young gymnast who couldn’t quite get the hang of a back handspring. The little girl was so discouraged because of the taunting of mean-spirited gymnasts that she quit. After some "boring" weeks passed, the little girl decided to give it another try and made a friend and learned a secret to the back handspring along the way.
"I didn’t learn how to do a back handspring yet, but I will," said Amanda, who loves to read Goosebumps books.
William Wolfenden, 8, wrote a science-fiction story called Sara Meets the Alien. While the third-grader doesn’t know any aliens, he does know a Sara — his sister. In his book, Sara comes upon an alien while hiking near a volcano.
The students’ parents also were on hand to support the imaginative authors and enjoy the sweets and finger sandwiches during the tea.
"I’m very proud of her. She’s really creative with her writing,’ said Patty Domian, Amanda’s mom.
Elise Behm’s and Terri Pendergast’s third-graders also participated in the literary festivities.
The book project is an annual event at MaST, which recently was named as the school of the year in a national competition for charter schools.
"I think it’s an incredibly good self-esteem booster for the kids to share their stories," Patty Domian said. ••