(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – February 10, 2025) – First graders at Herrera Elementary School are proving that creativity has no age limit. Through an engaging classroom project, students combined art and storytelling to create their very own published book—an accomplishment that showcases the power of early literacy and imagination.
The project, led by teachers Sandie Lenhart, Evelyn Ortiz and Leslie Rangel, encouraged students to develop their writing skills by constructing simple sentences and pairing them with colorful illustrations. Ortiz, who is passionate about fostering confidence in young writers, took the project a step further by reaching out to a publishing company that helped turn the students’ work into a real book.
“I love this project because I want our students to know they can do and be whatever they want, even at a young age,” Ortiz said. “I hope this experience encourages them to keep writing and become more confident in their abilities.”
Throughout the lesson, students learned key sentence structure concepts, including identifying the “who,” “what,” and “where” of a sentence—a skill emphasized by the team of teachers. The exercise not only helped the students form complete thoughts but also allowed them to visualize their ideas through artwork.
“They would pick words from cards, put them in order, and then write out their sentences while practicing capitalization, punctuation, and comprehension,” Lenhart explained. “They demonstrated their understanding by drawing pictures to match the silly sentences they created.”
Lenhart, a dedicated educator, believes that every child deserves the opportunity to develop essential literacy skills in a supportive and creative environment.
"Every teacher here gives 110%, and everything we do, we do it for the kids,” she said.
Research has consistently shown that developing writing skills at an early age fosters critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills that benefit students throughout their academic journey and beyond. Writing also helps children organize their thoughts, express themselves, and build confidence in their ability to share ideas.
By transforming their sentences and illustrations into a published book, these Herrera Elementary students have taken a major step in their learning journey—one that will leave a lasting impression. The project not only reinforces literacy skills but also inspires a love for storytelling and self-expression, proving that even the youngest students have powerful voices to share.