June 28, 2011 > Writing: Creativity in Action Writing: Creativity in Action By Suzanne Ortt, Photo courtesy of New Haven Unified School District Nineteen students took the stage at James Logan Performing Arts Center on the evening of June 1 for "A Celebration of Writing." Participants, from New Haven Unified School District elementary and middle schools took part in the district's Writers Workshop and shared a sample of his/her work. Started in 2007, this collaboration with Columbia University offers Writers Workshop as a research-based approach to writing instruction with the belief that excellence in writing (the highest form of literacy) creates improvement in all academic areas. Students "publish" a new piece of writing in a specific genre every four to six weeks. The first year began with grades K - 2, during 2007/2008. In 2008/2009, grades 3 - 5 joined the workshop and the next year, 2009/2010, the program expanded to middle schools. Poise, creativity and writing skills were evident on the stage. Irvin Garnica, a fourth grader from Hillview Crest, entertained the crowd with "My Day with Tom Brady" and Richard Pabalate, an Alvarado Elementary fifth grader, read a clever piece, "Less Homework," a reasoned argument. Hanna Sprotte, in the third grade at Eastin Elementary, shared her thoughts on "Climbing Trees" and Chiara De Los Reyes, a kindergartener from Alvarado Elementary delighted the audience with instructions on "How to Plant an Apple Tree." Continuing the instructional mode, Gabrielle Lim, a kindergartener from Cabello Student Support Center, read "How to Make a Recycled Robot." Writing samples shared during the hour illustrated the worth of the Writers Workshop. Additional creations of varied genres covered topics ranging from plants, animals, families and personal reflections, among others. Writings not read during the performance were posted in the entry. The principal of each school introduced the talented young writers representing his/her school and Superintendent Kari McVeigh awarded a certificate to each writer. Young authors and their respective schools: Alvarado Elementary - Chiara De Los Reyes and Richard Pabalate Cabello Student Support Center - Gabrielle Lim Eastin Elementary - Rahul Sharma and Hannah Sprotte Emanuele Elementary - Megan Le and Jasiah Vargas Hillview Crest Elementary - Ethen Freeman and Irvin Garnica Kitayama Elementary - Diego Camacho and Poojita Kundur Pioneer Elementary - Nikiole Morales and Andrea Dan Searles Elementary - Luz Martinez and Ally Lemaster Alvarado Middle School - Nina Pamintuan and Nicole Williams Cesar Chavez Middle School - Madeline Zamora and Crisly Macaraeg