Believing students should be challenged beyond academics, last year Clearview Elementary second grade teacher Nikki Gerdes started a writing workshop in her classroom. There students use their imagination while they learn, creating stories based on the standards for their grade levels.

The idea came from her time at Oak Hill Elementary, where the school celebrated their young authors in the spring with an event called “Author’s Tea.” Parents and guardians came into the school to listen to their children read the stories they authored while enjoying tea (juice) and cookies.

“The students are extremely proud of the work they have done and see themselves as real authors,” said Gerdes. “The joy on their faces when they get to share their books makes all the drafts, tears, and hard work worth every second.”

She understands learning isn’t always easy and believes teachers (and parents) need to challenge children emotionally and physically as well as academically.

“Academics is part of what we do but educating and supporting the whole child is what school is all about,” said Gerdes. “These young authors get to feel proud of their hard work, and it creates a solid foundation in writing for years to come.”

Gerdes’ students were disappointed they wouldn’t be able to hold an Author’s Tea this year due to the necessity of distance learning. Gerdes was disappointed as well, but when she found out teachers were able to go into the school and pack up students’ belongings, an idea came to her.

“I thought, ‘What a perfect opportunity to pack up an Author’s Tea bag,’” she said. “I purchased small cookie packs and juice boxes that I put into a Ziploc bag along with their published books.”

On the bag, Gerdes included a label that read, “Dear ________ (student’s name). Please save the juice and cookies for your own, at home Author’s Tea on Thursday, May 14.”

She posted an online activity for the students to host their own Author’s Tea and gave them the directive to share photos of their author events with her so she could enjoy watching them read their stories to their loved ones.

The activity was a hit with the students, who were excited to share their written creations with their families, some of whom dressed in their finest.