Budding little authors
Ivybrook Academy preschool teachers Kasey Lewis and Colleen Jurin share in the excitement of their 2- and 3-year-old students’ handmade Book of Shapes.
Ivybrook Academy in Castle Rock is a half-day preschool that encourages physical environment as a resource for exploration, inquiry and thought. Every March, to align with National Book Month, children participate in Young Authors Week, a project that allows them to create their own stories in a book format.
The four- to five-year-olds share their creative narrative with their teacher. The teacher writes the story verbatim that the kids then illustrate. Even the youngest of the children create a book based on themes of shapes and textiles. All of the kids illustrate their books in their own imaginative way and then read them to the class (some with teacher assistance).
“It’s a very fun and rewarding week for both teachers and students,” said teacher and Serena resident Colleen Jurin. “We let their imagination run wild and they come up with some very fun and exciting stories. They feel empowered reading their books.”
Ivybrook opened its doors in 2020 and follows a blended curriculum of Montessori and the Reggio Emilia approach. Through the principles of play-based projects, the kids are active participants in their own learning and are encouraged to explore their independence by expressing ideas and establishing relationships through small-group learning.
“We want to meet students where they are and keep the kids moving forward,” said Mark Arbitrio, owner of Ivybrook.
“We love Ivybrook; it’s a kind, child-focused learning environment. Mary (2) is thriving and runs out of the door to school every morning. She made a textiles book and loves it,” said Kate and Will Hague, who live on Buffalo Ridge Road.
For more information, visit ivybrookacademy.com. The school also has Highlands Ranch and Parker locations.
With the help of teacher Rachelle Ouradnik, a student shares her creative book with illustrations with her 4- and 5-year-old preschool class.
During Ivybrook Academy’s Young Authors Week, students from all classrooms, toddler to 4- and 5-year-olds, created personalized story books. The younger students created books that focused on shapes, colors and textiles, while older students created illustrations to match their creative narratives.
By Julie Matuszewski
