Dynamic Duo Project Unites High School Students with Fourth Graders for Collaboration
After he and his partner read their book, “Minions Meet the Moon,” Liam, a fourth-grade student at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School, was asked what he liked most about the Dynamic Duo project. He quickly pointed to his partner, Carmen, the high school student he had been paired with.
Students from the two schools had an opportunity to forge a bond and collaborate on the Dynamic Duo project, where one or two fourth-grade ENL students came together with a high school student to create a digital children’s book. On Friday, April 11, the finished products were on display during a Gallery Walk in the Hendrick Hudson High School library.
The project was the result of a partnership between the ENL Department, the school’s Library Media Specialist and the district’s Instructional Technology Facilitator. It required students to not only collaborate with other teachers and students, but to rely on technology while also honing their leadership and presentation skills.
“This was an incredible opportunity to take advantage of the proximity of the two buildings,” said Nicole Stabell, Hendrick Hudson’s Instructional Technology Facilitator. “I hope we can continue to leverage the technology tools to collaborate, and teach our students leadership skills and how to work together.”
The high school students met on four occasions with the fourth graders, helping to generate the story idea for each group. The older students then developed the story and created illustrations using AI technology. With technological assistance from Stabell, the images were created in Canva Dream Lab and the books were produced using Book Creator, a simple app that allows students to create digital books.
“All of the students are new language learners, so it was great to see them take this on,” said Dan Burke, an ENL teacher at the high school.
During the Gallery Walk, the five books were shown on digital displays in different corners of the library. The students introduced themselves and read the books aloud while flipping through the pages. The stories center around soccer and the character Sonic, the Minions, a ninja and more. The students were asked to create the narrative arc, and describe the setting and theme of their stories.
Teachers and building and district administrators were in attendance to observe the students’ impressive work and ask questions.
“This gave our high school students the opportunity to be the teacher, to be a leader, and to help guide the younger students,” said Mary Beth DeGennaro, the Library Media Specialist at Hendrick Hudson High School. “This really was a great experience for them.”
