When asked what she’d be if she could be anything, third-grader Sadie Preece wasn’t sure—until she thought of her favorite animal.

“I was surprised my teacher said that,” she said. “I didn’t know what to write until I thought of my favorite animal—a fox—and then I knew I’d write about that.”

Her teacher, Brooke McCurdy, challenged students to go beyond surface answers.

“I researched and found they help the environment by killing small rodents and that prevents diseases from spreading,” she said.

McCurdy’s class spent the year imagining who they’d be—superheroes, animals, doctors, artists, hockey players—and how they’d make the world better. Their work was compiled into a published class book released shortly before the end of the school year.

“I was surprised there were so many students wanting to be cats, dogs, animals of all kinds,” McCurdy said. “I told them I don't care what you are, but you have to explain the why and how it's going to better the world.”

Nadine Elbadry, who wrote about becoming a dog, explained: “Dogs make people happy; I love that.”

Students followed a structured writing process—brainstorming, drafting with graphic organizers, editing, and publishing through Student Treasures. The project ended in a celebration with copies of the book. 

McCurdy said giving students a finished product added value.

“When I was a kid, some of the material seemed so foreign and I questioned, why am I learning this? This is a real, tangible product they can see and understand. It also gives them goals and steps toward those ambitions,” she said.

Third-grader Archer Burtis connected the project to his dream.

“I just want to go out and be the fastest runner in the world, but this got me realizing there’s more to it,” he said. “It starts with writing my goals and the whys and hows of them.”

His mother, Laura, saw the change in her son: “He was proud to be part of writing an actual book; he talked about it all year and was more driven.” 

Classmate Penelope Campbell shared her dream of being a doctor.

“I wash my hands all the time and want to be able to figure out what sicknesses people have so I can give them medicine to make them better,” she said. “I liked writing the book so we could see how we’re going to do good in the world.”

Her mother, Tiffany, said: “This helped them all grow up a little; they took the initiative to take on writing the book and learned about the process and themselves.”

Students had favorite parts of the experience: Madison Roe liked writing, Caleb Goodrich learned to edit, Savannah Johansen enjoyed being creative and Jonathan Olguin Eisenring said it “feels good” to be a published author.

In her 12th year at Willow Springs, McCurdy said the book project is a highlight.

“It’s been fun; it’s not something required, but it's worth it, I would not trade this project for any other project I do,” she said. “This brings a love for learning and freedom in their creative process. That's important for kids and this book is what they'll remember and treasure.” λ