The City of Armadale has 28 new young authors after a class of children printed their own professional quality magazine in a project their teacher said had long-term education benefits.
Forrestdale Primary School’s year three and four students researched and wrote Pocket Pets magazine, a 60-page professionally produced glossy paper containing tips on the upkeep and maintenance of pet mice.
The magazine was unveiled to students and parents at a school event on June 26 where students read in front of the group and gave out signed copies.
The students can now lay claim to the fact they have produced the only mice-focused magazine in Australia.
The project was the brainchild of teacher Anna Fletcher who said she wanted to create a class project for the semester that engaged the students more than regular textbook work.
“It’s hard for kids sometimes when they come to school and go through the regular motions,” she said.
“Now there’s a purpose – they have seen why we are trying to learn to read, write and research.”
Students were required to learn a range of writing styles including report and persuasive writing, ‘how to’ articles and reviews to fill the magazine.
Mrs Fletcher said the skills learnt during the experience could help when completing school projects, through NAPLAN testing and into high school.
As part of the project each student had to create at least one article of their own including taking their own photographs.
Year four student Amelia Imhof wrote questions and conducted an interview for her piece.
She said learning through real world experiences was much more enjoyable than traditional schoolwork.
“We had to gather around and think of something that would be awesome for the magazine,” she said.
“It got us all together.
“Instead of doing ordinary work like writing stories and writing boring sentences we wanted to do something real.”
The children said they learnt a wide range of topics while putting together the magazine including mice biology, diet, how to maintain a mouse cage and costs associated with having pet mice.
They also wrote book and film reviews, a diary of a mouse and suggestions on how to create DIY mouse homes.
Year four student Brianna Heath said the experience had spurred her love of writing.
“My mum said it was amazing and she couldn’t wait to read it,” she said.
Cayden McCarrol is in year three and said the project had earnt the class star status around the school.
“My sister said the class is famous,” he said.
The school was selling the magazines for $18 each but nine-year-old Amelia said the class could be more ambitious with its sales targets.
“We could make a fortune out of it,” she said.
