On 9th May 2013, Joanna left a comment under my page about Josh Rader’s book ‘Detective Stephy Wephy Holmes in: The Missing Cake’, saying the following:
“I am a fourth grade teacher in Honduras.
This year students selected books for their reading fair. The book Detective Stephy Wephy Holmes in: The Missing Cake, was selected by two fourth graders. They loved the book, got inspired to give their best. They reached out to Josh Rader, author of the book and the class had an interview with him via skype. After the interview kids in the classroom are reading and writing with passion. Highly recommend the book!!”
In subsequent correspondance with Josh, I found out that not only had these kids interviewed him, but also his Brother Jared, who is an author as well, plus, to add to the excitement, Josh and Jared are twins and it was Twins Day in Honduras!
I was intrigued about these enterprising kids and their teacher, so I asked Josh to contact them and ask if they would contact me (after all, wouldn’t YOU be surprised if I contacted you before you knew anything about me?)
They were happy to let me know all about themselves, so without further ado, allow me to introduce them and their Teacher and Teacher’s Aid
Submitted by Joanna Mojica (Teacher)
Our school, located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, is a catholic, bilingual school, which believes in an integral education with high moral values.
This year in particular has been full of wonderful experiences, for me as a teacher and for my students as well. I actually have 20 students (my fourth graders are nine and ten years old) and I teach them Language Arts, Science and Social Studies classes.
I have always believed that you learn more by doing, which is why I create, with my students, many projects which enrich their learning process.
This year, the students homework for the whole year has been reading and filling their homework log worksheet. Doing a reading log consists of reading a book or short story and doing a summary of what they read. It has been such a success that the kids are even reading during weekends and doing summaries.
Every Friday we select a story from the independent reading list and we read, discuss and do other activities.
We are blessed to have internet in the classroom, plus smartboards and iPads, which have given me as a teacher, the opportunity to create a whole different experience for the kids in the classroom. (The students have their own iPads from the third grade and up.)
The use of this technology in the classroom helps both teachers and students to access a variety of resources and vast opportunities for creating great classes.
We download books in iBooks, so that every day the students have the opportunity to read and explore videos and many other educational apps.
After their interview with Josh and Jared Rader, my students got inspired to read and write more! We are currently doing a comic project, in which the kids have, as a central theme, “No Gossip”. They have been creating their comic strips and stories in pairs and I am really impressed with their creativity and improvement in writing.
Along with the comic project, my students have been writing their own inspirational poems, each student is making their own personal e-poetry booklet, and this week each student will select one poem and video record it.
Parents feel very excited about the experience my fourth graders had in interviewing the authors Josh and Jared Rader; it was an event, as they said, they will never forget.
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Hello, I’m one of the students of the experience.
I agree with all of you, and when we were on the interview I couldn’t open my mouth because, I was so surprised of how kids from Honduras can communicate with authors from Kansas like Mr. Rader.
I want to write more, and I already got inspired with this experience we had.
Thank you for showing our comments!
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I’m glad you are inspired Ana 🙂
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Hi, Mr.Chris
I’m a student of Mrs Joanna
Thank you for putting us in your blog
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Hi Ana, it was my pleasure 🙂
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What a wonderful story and an exceptional teacher!
She will reach more children with her methods.
I worked in a school system as an administrative secretary and my husband was a principal.
We saw many good teachers in the system who extended themselves to reach each child with great results.
I love to hear stories about how children learn to love reading!
My husband illustrates my children’s books and that is our goal to foster a love of reading in children.
I hope soon to publish my first book, I will let you know when on my blog.
Stay tuned!!
Love your blog, Chris!!
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This teacher sound superb.
The children there seem more motivated than thos at school here.
The idea of a skype interview with an author is wonderful since it’s going to encourage the children not just to read but to write as well giving us our next crop of new authors.
More schools should try it.
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I agree, now, if we could only get Mr. Gove and the Government on our side …. 🙂
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Young minds need shaping and the direct approach is the best way to accomplish this.
Our world needs more dedicated people like you!
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What children REALLY need are:
Parents and Teachers who take time to teach them how to read, cook, clean, make things, do things and use their imagination to the full 🙂
They ALSO need to be given a chance in life …
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Hello Mr. Chris,
I just wanted to tell you that we’ve been writing our own Poetry Booklet,
We are very excited, and I think I have improved a lot in my writing.
Thank you for reading my comment.
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Don’t forget to send me a copy of your book, Mrs Joanna knows my email address 🙂
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Such a wonderful memory for the students.
Thanks, too, for visiting my blog.
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I hope they DO have good memories of their fame 🙂
I enjoy visiting your blog and regret not being able to spend as much time as I’d like there 🙂
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Thank you.
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Hello Mr. Chris.
I am a student from Mrs. Joanna’s class and I am happy about this expirience.
I enjoy reading this blog and reading all what you and other people post.
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Thank you Carla,
I’m glad you enjoy reading and that you like this blog.
You are always welcome here 🙂
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Mr. Chris,
I really enjoy reading this blog and that you post our story.
I am really excited for this and by this experience I got inspired to write books
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Don’t forget to let me read your books when you’ve done them Carla 🙂
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Hello Mr. Chris,
I am a student from Mrs. Joanna.
I just wanted to tell you that we are very thankful because, you have posted our pictures in your blog. T
Thank you so much.
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Hello Ana,
Thank YOU for helping make the post about Fourth Grade possible 🙂
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Hey! I’m a student of Mrs.Joanna, too.
I really like your blog!
I’m very inspired with Josh and Jared, to read and write!
We already recieved Josh and Jared’s books here in school!! 🙂
We are very excited!
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Hey there Vale,
Glad you like the blog, I hope you like the pages about everyone in fourth grade 🙂
I see you are now one of my blog followers … Thank You 🙂
I’m following YOUR blog too 😛
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