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This fall, our 10th-grade English students have been diving deep into both informational writing and poetry, exploring the power of words and creativity in two unique ways.

As part of their informational writing unit, students became authors and illustrators of their own nonfiction picture books. To ensure their stories truly connected with readers, students met with 1st and 2nd graders at our elementary school to learn about their interests and reading preferences. These conversations guided every creative decision—from word choice and tone to illustrations and page layout. Once completed, the books will be printed by Supreme Graphic and shared with the elementary students, giving the project an authentic purpose and a real audience.

In addition, 10th graders had the special opportunity to work with Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas during their poetry unit in September. Cárdenas shared her journey as a poet and discussed how language, identity, and lived experience can shape creative expression. Students then took part in a hands-on poetry workshop, experimenting with imagery, rhythm, and bilingual elements to craft original pieces of their own.

Together, these projects are inspiring students to see themselves as writers, artists, and communicators, connecting their classroom learning to the real world and discovering new ways to express their voices.