Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • May 22, 2011
  • 386
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
Authors of tomorrow use emerging technology to compose and illustrate books at the annual Young Authors’ Conference, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of East Central Ohio
                        
Summary: The writers of the future are the elementary students of today. With that in mind, a Young Author’s Conference is sponsored in the region each spring. The 2011 conference inspired dozens of students to expand their storytelling and illustrative art skills. Shayla Douglas and Olivia Young, fourth grade students from the Garaway School District, chatted quietly and exchanged broad smiles as they partnered to compose and illustrate a story together at the 2011 Young Authors’ Conference, presented by the Educational Service Center (ESC) of East Central Ohio’s Department of Gifted Services. The conference, which was held at J.I.M.’s Place in New Philadelphia on May 20, was attended by fourth and fifth grade students from New Philadelphia, Dover, Tuscarawas Valley, Immaculate Conception, STAR Alternative School, Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary, Indian Valley, Malvern, Garaway, Strasburg – Franklin, Newcomerstown, Harrison Hills, and Carrollton schools. Douglas and Young were working on the old fashioned craft of storytelling in a thoroughly up to date way. The girls were using IPad computers, provided by the ESC, to do all phases of their story electronically. Staff members from the ESC Technology department assisted the students, all of whom caught on quickly. “This is a unique opportunity for the students,” commented Melanie Yoder, a Ragersville Elementary teacher who chaperoned the students. “I am really impressed with all of the opportunities here today.” Half of the students attended an AM session, with the other half attending the PM session. All enjoyed a shared lunch hour that featured magician and comedian, Billy Motts, of Northeast Ohio. Motts, who has been on the popular Ellen talk show, kept up an entertaining, running chatter with the students, and mesmerized them with his sleight of hand and sight gag tricks, as well as juggling fire while standing on a rolling platform, and balancing a full length table on his head. “I enjoy working with kids,” said Mott. “I started out just juggling balls in elementary school, and did that for years and years, and then I suddenly just started adding on tricks.” Mott showed his young audience how to juggle three balls, and then encouraged them to try new things themselves. “Find something you are good at, that you love to do,” said the young entertainer. “And then keep practicing! There is something out there that you are good at.” Guest author Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton, author of numerous children’s books, conducted sessions about the process involved in writing a book, from inspiration to publication. She, too, encouraged the students in her audience. “There are many different ways to make a living by writing, if that is what you love to do,” stated Knowlton. She encouraged the students not to give up. “I have received many, many more rejection slips than I have acceptance slips. But if you don’t keep on trying, you will not be published. You have to keep at it until you find a publisher who wants to buy your work.” Sessions provided by Tuscarawas County’s own, illustrator and artist Greg Scott, were a hit with the young students. Scott demonstrated how to draw all types of figures, and his protégés diligently followed along with his step by step instructions with their own pencils and sketch paper. During the lunch hour, Scott’s completed pieces were sought after as coveted door prizes. Scott, a New Philadelphia High School alumnus, has done all types of artistic work, including the illustration of several books and public art such as the mural on the New Philadelphia square. “I would have to say I have been doing this forever,” admitted Scott. “I was the kid who doodled in all of the margins of my school papers.” ESC educator Sharon Reynolds, who organizes the program, noted that, in order to attend the Young Authors’ Conference, students completed books earlier in the year, and then educators chose the authors of the best books at each elementary building. The books were completely written and illustrated by the children. “This day is always very popular with our young writers,” said Reynolds of the program, which has been a yearly event for well over a decade. “It is a wonderful way to nurture our future writers.”


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