Lakeview Elementary School recently celebrated the culmination of its fifth grade writing curriculum with a special event showcasing students’ research and historical writing projects. The event highlighted the intersection of social studies and literacy, as students explored the lives and journeys of European explorers through in-depth research and essay writing.
Organized by teachers Jackie Gunther, Aida Malevic, Lauren Mitchell and Nick Zopp, the celebration invited parents to the Lakeview auditorium, where students proudly shared their work. Using Chromebooks, students presented virtual books they created through Book Creator, demonstrating their research, writing and digital publishing skills.
As part of the interactive experience, teachers developed a bingo activity for families, encouraging them to listen for key terms and concepts embedded in the students’ essays. The activity helped deepen engagement and highlighted the knowledge students gained throughout the unit.
Mahopac literacy coach Vanessa Staviski emphasized the value of providing authentic audiences for student writing.
“It was wonderful to see adults listening to students read their books and to witness how engaged the students were with their topics,” Staviski said. “You could really see how much they learned and how proud they were to share their work.”
The event reflects the Mahopac Literacy Committee’s ongoing efforts to create meaningful opportunities for students to share their writing beyond the classroom and celebrate academic growth with the broader school community.
Parents expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in their children’s learning.
“Thank you for inviting parents to the writing celebration,” Lakeview parent Allyson Fallman said. “There are so few opportunities today to come to school and share in your children’s academic success, but this celebration was truly an opportunity to do that. Our son was so excited to share his project with us, and to do it alongside his friends made it even more meaningful.”
