Steward seventh graders recently packed their virtual bags for a multi-disciplinary project that began with reading “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart. The book and its author are loved by countless readers, and Mr. Gemeinhart thrilled our seventh graders when he visited Steward on May 1. 

“Coyote Sunrise” tells a road trip tale written in the voice of a 12-year-old girl who crisscrosses the country with her father in a converted school bus. Middle School English Teacher Mary Hopkins, who assigned the book, collaborated with Middle/Upper School Librarian Crystal Hamlin, Middle School Teachers Wallace Inge (social studies), Betsy Orgain (science), and Jacqueline Tuck (mathematics), and Anne Maury Haapala (director of dining services) to create a project around the story. 

Students were tasked with researching a state, designing a vehicle for a “trip” that they would take there, and creating an itinerary. After they each were assigned a state, students mapped out all the trip details, which they illustrated and attached to cardboard displays. The vehicles they designed ran the gamut, from a 1970s Volkswagon van to a gleaming tractor-trailer. One student’s mode of transportation was a gargantuan vehicle in the shape of a banana! 

“The purpose of the project is to make the book come alive for the students. In addition, it was a great opportunity for them to explore U.S. geography,” explained Ms. Hopkins. Students could bring four items from home, plus three of their favorite books (just as the main character in “Coyote Sunrise” did), on their trip. Starting in their state capital, they had seven days to complete the journey. Travelers were required to reach four destinations, one of which had to be a historical site; in addition, they had to stay within the borders of their state and could not drive more than 500 miles a day. Sojourners also had to create a map, images of the places they visited, a bumper sticker, and a scale drawing of something they saw during their travels. 

Rose Harbach ’29, who researched North Carolina, brought along her dog, Peppermint, her phone, a speaker, and some favorite clothing, plus three treasured books, including “The Lemonade War.” She said, “The most interesting fact I found out about North Carolina is that its state bird is a red cardinal.”  

State Fair
To cap off the assignment, the seventh graders participated in a State Fair on May 1. In the Bryan Innovation Lab, they proudly displayed their colorful projects and walked through the exhibit, “visiting” each state. Under the guidance of Ms. Haapala, travelers baked cookies in the shape of their state, and in an adjacent classroom, they lined up to sample slushie drinks made by Ms.Orgain. “The lead character in the book is crazy about slushies!” explained Ms. Hopkins.

In conjunction with the project, Mr. Gemeinhart visited Steward on the morning of May 1 to talk about the creative writing process. In the Middle/Upper School Library, Mr. Gemeinhart led students through a writing exercise and talked about the benefits and challenges of writing. 

“There are no bad ideas,” he shared. “Give it your best effort, have fun, and write the story that you want to read!” He then pitched some writing prompts (What was the best day of your life? What was the worst? What would you fight hardest for? What makes you happiest?) and students got to work, writing non-stop for an hour. Mr. Gemeinhart acknowledged that the writing process can sometimes be frustrating. “But I’m still excited with what I’m working on,” he said. “Your story is just for you … keep writing!” 

Rose, who hopes to be a professional writer one day, said, “I had never been that close to an author before. Mr. Gemeinhart’s activity was fun for me … it helped me see what it is like behind the scenes in an [author’s life].” 

Ms. Hamlin, who organized the visit, said, “During his chat, Mr. Gemeinhart challenged us all to take an oath: ‘I do solemnly swear that no matter what my goal is, I will be terrible at giving up!’” She added, “He made us laugh, made us think, and left us inspired. It is an experience that our students will not forget.” 

Mr. Gemeinhart also attended the State Fair, taking time to look at each student's project. “Students were thrilled to talk him through their projects and what they learned,” said Ms. Hamlin. “He was impressed by their work!”

Like all Spartans, these adventurous readers were inspired by topics that encourage critical thought and meaningful connections. 

Ms. Hopkins said, "Projects like this help students think creatively and make choices, all while learning important information. Traditionally, geography facts would be learned through memorization and drill. With a project like this, students can interact with facts and internalize the information more thoroughly.”