AISL Gr10 Students Collaborate With Published Author Kayla Cagan

Kids Need Mentors is a new program created by author Ann Braden to connect students with published authors to help inspire students as creators and to promote literacy. The authors who participate in this program volunteer their time for free and even send stacks of books to the school with which they partner- all with the goal of fostering a love of reading & writing with young adults. AISL is fortunate to be part of this program (as far more schools wanted to participate than there are authors available) and to have young adult fiction writer Kayla Cagan as our partnering author. Ms. Cagan is the author of well-reviewed young adult books Piper Perish (2017) and its companion novel, Art Boss (2018). Ms. Cagan is working with our Grade 10 MYP Design students to explore how publishing relates to the design cycle and how to present one's ideas effectively as a way to help Grade 10 students prepare for their Personal Project Expos. Students in Grade 10 MYP Design recently introduced themselves to Ms. Cagan via the electronic sharing platform Padlet and asked her questions about her process and shared their favorite books with her. Ms. Cagan wrote personalized messages right back to our students. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Ms. Cagan including a Skype session with her in March 2019.