At 8:15 a.m. yesterday morning, the sixth-grade hallway at Beach Middle School was buzzing with energy as about 180 sixth-graders awaited the arrival of about 160 kindergarteners from North Creek Elementary School.
Tuesday, March 25, was a day that both grades had been excitedly awaiting because it was “K-Story Day,” when the sixth-graders were paired with kindergarten counterparts. After they met, the sixth-graders interviewed their younger new friends and will soon begin creating a story book about them.
The kindergarteners will become a character in the book, said Ryann Skrypec, a sixth-grade teacher. She said that the student authors learned about plot, conflict, vocabulary during the year. The older students would ask the kindergarteners a series of open-ended questions, which would help them create their final project — as story book for each kindergartener.
In fact, many of the sixth-graders said they remembered when they were the kindergarteners and had a story written about them. Some said they still had their personal storybook at home. It’s a tradition that’s been part of the Chelsea District Schools for many years.
Kiersten said she was the character Cinderella in the book she was given. Other sixth-graders remembered being action figures, and of course, having snacks with their older counterparts.
“I got one and it was pretty cool,” one sixth-grader said, adding he planned to make one for his younger counterpart that was “really cool.”
For Ben, his experience was a bit different than that of his peers. He was paired with a kindergartener who has autism and doesn’t speak. However, thanks to technology, the two were able to communicate through a special iPad devise.
“He’s very interesting,” Ben said. “His uncle was a football coach at LSU and now coaches at Maryland and his father’s a teacher.”
Plus, the sixth-grader said, they both like sports. “I’m really excited to get started on his project for him. It seems like this will be a great story.”
For both Beach Principal Nick Angel and North Principal Marcus Kaemming, this year’s K-Day held special significance as well. Angel’s daughter is a kindergartener this year and Kaemming’s son is a sixth-grader.
“We should have paired them up,” Kaemming said.
They both agreed, “This year is especially fun for us. It’s a proud moment for us as both principals and parents.”
And, in about six weeks, the children will get together at North Creek when all the stories will be revealed.
Please enjoy the large photo gallery below capturing this special day.
