Leesburg Elementary Principal Nathan Polston (L), Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert (C) and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dani Barkey (R) talk to third-grade Dual Language Immersion students during a celebration for the classes’ publication of “Mi Animal Favorito Y Su Ecosistema.” Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
Leesburg Elementary Principal Nathan Polston (L), Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert (C) and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dani Barkey (R) talk to third-grade Dual Language Immersion students during a celebration for the classes’ publication of “Mi Animal Favorito Y Su Ecosistema.” Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
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LEESBURG – Third-grade students in the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Leesburg Elementary celebrated the publication of a book they wrote as a class.

The book, “Mi Animal Favorito Y Su Ecosistema,” was published Friday and the process of completing the book was started in November, said DLI teacher Clara Borda. The writing part started in January and students were able to use the Spanish vocabulary they had learned in the book.

The students wrote about the animals they chose and their ecosystems in Spanish and their book was published through Studentreasures Publishing. People can order copies through the Studentreasures’ website at studentreasure.com, said Borda.  

Abby Humbarger, Borda’s partner teacher in the DLI program, said one of the benefits of writing the book was learning more about science and using Spanish to communicate what they learned.

Borda said she hopes the students learned how to make different drafts and how to develop an idea when writing.

Krystal Kreider, instructional coach, said she has never heard so much content-rich coming out students, which in a content area is a big deal. She hopes the students were able to write a lot and see they were able to do so, as well as learn about science along the way.

Borda said she plans on doing the project with students next year as well.

During Friday’s celebration, students were asked questions about the book in Spanish by Borda and the students answered in Spanish. Adults attending, such as administrators and at least one school board member, were able to ask students about the animal they wrote about.