Creating Generations of Published Authors
From the time Dr. Kimberly Regan was in elementary school, she knew she wanted to be a published author. Thanks to her inspiring Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Schimp, Dr. Regan went on to not only publish a book, but to open the first ever Public Charter School in the state of Nevada known as SNACS, inspiring generations of future authors to come.
The Publishing Process
This month, SNACS students will kick off their book writing unit in ELA, and will culminate with an Author’s Debut at Barnes and Noble that doubles as a book drive. From brainstorming to web organizations, SNACS encourages their students to think freely and not be held back by their ideas.
Our older students go through many rounds of self-edits, peer-edits, and finally teacher-edits, culminating with an Author’s Debut at Barnes and Noble that doubles as a book drive. From brainstorming to web organizations, SNACS encourages these edits before their individual books are ready for illustrations. Our younger students prepare a themed classbook together, where every student contributes to a page in the book through illustrations and writing. From fiction to how-to’s, our students tap into their inner writer, and let their creativity soar!
By the end of December, their ideas will come to life as their writings and illustrations are sent to a publisher. In 6 weeks’ time, the books arrive back at Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School, bound with a beautiful front and back cover, dedication page, and credits to anyone the child would like to thank for helping along with the process. At SNACS, we celebrate the hard work all our students put into their books, and hand out class and individual awards, including our prestigious “SNACS Award” (similar to a Caldecott Award!)
Changing Lives and Building a Culture of Literacy
The SNACS Published Authors Unit enriches the educational experience by building school culture, promoting a love of learning, and celebrating our students’ diligent work. Our students are empowered, having the opportunity to see their ideas come to life and gain a deeper understanding of the writing process.
This special experience extends beyond the classroom and wraps up with an expeditionary learning day at Barnes and Noble during the Author’s Debut. Not only do our confident young authors feel pride when they get to showcase their work to the community, but the benefits of this unit build an array of other skills that will be carried with them for years to come, including:
- Building Confidence
- Developing Critical Thinking Skills
- Improving Writing Skills
- Encouraging Creative Expression
- Enhancing abstract thinking skills
At Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School, we go beyond the basics to ignite children’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our published authors unit has been embedded into our school for over two decades. SNACS provides a hands-on, engaging and enriching educational experience through interactive play-based and expeditionary learning. By joining our tuition-free charter school, we roll out the red carpet and give your child the head start they deserve.
About SNACS
Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School (SNACS) is a Tuition-Free Public K-8 Charter School with free preschool options. As Nevada’s first charter school, we have served our community for 25 years as a standout school of choice and personalized learning. We nurture self-directed learners through choice, prioritizing expeditionary learning and offering a unique, proprietary, hands-on P.L.A.Y. model (Promoting Learning and Accountability in Youth). Now in a new location, 10 miles north of Reno, SNACS brings the small school experience back to the neighborhood. Education – with a choice! We’re enrolling for Fall 2024-2025.