UEHS Child Development students recently partnered with kindergarten classrooms at CFJ Elementary School for two engaging literacy projects that combined creativity, learning, and relationship-building.
As part of the Read Aloud Using Props Project, students selected children's books and created interactive presentations using handmade props designed to follow each story's plot. During their visit to CFJ, the high school students brought the stories to life, encouraging kindergarteners to actively participate, make connections, and engage with the characters and events in meaningful ways.
The Child Development students also completed a Children's Book Final Project, becoming authors and 
illustrators of original books created specifically for young readers. After planning, writing, revising, and illustrating their stories, students shared their books with kindergarten classes. Each kindergartener received a copy of the book along with a stuffed animal connected to the story's main characters.
The collaboration provided valuable hands-on experience for the high school students while fostering literacy, imagination, and a love of reading among the younger students. These authentic learning experiences highlighted the strong connections between schools across the district and the benefits of learning together.
