CCS elementary student Aubrey Pacher was recently selected as a nationwide winner of a Storyworks Magazine graphic novel contest. Pacher is one of five individuals to receive this recognition.
In the spring, Pacher read the story Nat Good Enough in Mrs. Smith’s 4th grade ELA class. The story is part of a series and based on a graphic novel by the same author, Maria Scrivan. The story focuses on someone’s “doubt gremlins” (i.e. bad thoughts). Students then took the story and wrote about their own “doubt gremlins”, asking Nat for help solving them, changing bad thoughts to positive thoughts.
Students created their own graphic novel page. Pacher’s graphic novel page included illustrations of her with Nat where she talked to her about her thoughts and insecurities.
The award letter stated the following:
Aubrey’s submission showed a strong understanding of the text along with the ability to illustrate a well-organized and engaging response. We receive hundreds of entries for each of our magazine’s contests. Winning entries require students to demonstrate critical reading skills and apply these skills to a rigorous writing activity.
“Aubrey took the project and really put in a lot of thought and insight into thinking about negative thoughts (doubt gremlins) and how to turn those nefarious thoughts around in a positive way – especially when thinking about ourselves and the good we all have within us,” said Aimee Smith, 4th grade ELA teacher. “I never felt like I had a group be as successful as they were with this project, in grasping the concept of writing dialogue. Using a graphic novel format was very helpful.”
Nat’s story and the graphic novel page project taught Pacher and her classmates some important lessons.
“Nat talked about thinking differently to push those negative thoughts away and just loving yourself and who you are,” said Pacher.