Write on; Pacelli students get pointers from visiting author Jason Glaser
Published 10:46 am Tuesday, February 28, 2017
- Author Jason Glaser speaks to a point during a writing exercise with Pacelii Catholic Schools middle school students. Deb NIcklay/deb.nicklay@austindailyherald
Author Jason Glaser had no trouble pitting one student against another at Pacelli Middle School on Monday.
After all, isn’t conflict at the heart of a good story?
Well, that is just what Glaser was trying to demonstrate — among other things — during his visit to the school. Elementary through high school students spent time with Glaser, who lives in Mankato.
His visit was timed with “I Love To Read” month, which celebrates reading, and the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
Glaser worked to help students push the boundaries of their imaginations.
Sixth graders, from left, Winston Walkup, Buoy Koak, Anthoni Garcia and Adan Lagunas talk about who they believed was the most evil person during an hour of writing with author Jason Glaser at Pacelli Catholic Schools on Monday.
One challenge, called the “Battle of the Bads,” asked students to think of who was the most evil person they could think of — and then offer support for why they believed so. The winner got dark — get it, dark? — chocolate as a prize.
“You are ‘tweens and you’re upset and you just hate everyone,” Glaser joked to a round of laughter. “Go to it — there is sugar on the line.”
The students did not disappoint. They came up with the likes of Adolph Hitler, Osama bin Laden, Satan, Barney the Dinosaur, Kevin Durant, step-parents, and — well, no one and everyone.
Sixth graers Anthoni Garcia and Adan Lagunas check out a piece of writing during author Jason Glaser’s visit to Pacelli Catholic Schools.
“Anyone could be evil, could be that person,” said one student. “Someone we don’t even know could want that power.”
Teachers gave the students, who worked in groups of four to six, high marks for both creativity and for supporting their choice.
But not all was dark; students were asked to write about their heroes. The person brave enough to read his item aloud earned a box of Chuckles.
“My hero is my mom,” wrote the student. “She works hard every day, but always has time for me and my siblings.”
The teachers said they appreciated the exercise. Having a published author speak to the kids meant a lot.
“The students can see the creativity [exhibited by Glaser] that we try to pull out of them every day,” said literature instructor Chelsea Brolsma, adding that having a male author was a plus, since she has some male students “who just aren’t too excited about writing.” Having Glaser on hand showed them that it was OK to be male and still enjoy writing.
Glaser has honed his art over and over again. He is the author of over 70 children’s and young adult books. He has spoken about writing and literacy in schools, universities, and children’s programs across the U.S., according to his website, http://www.jasonglaser.com
