Students Learn of
Teacher’s Love of Literature
BY STEPHEN LAUSO, THIRD GRADE TEACHER, GILL HALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
est Jefferson Hills
WE ST J E FFE RS ON H IL L S S C HO OL D I ST RIC T NE WS — G ILL HA LL E LE M E N TA RY SC HOOL
A
s a teacher in the West Jefferson Hills School
District, I frequently reflect on my own educational
experiences. I fondly remember discovering new
authors, and their work, for the very first time. Looking
back, I remember my favorite teachers at McClellan
Elementary School sharing the work of Roald Dahl.
These stories, with their tremendous use of humor,
suspense, and wit have entertained and enlightened
students for decades.
With all of the aforementioned considered, I attempt
to incorporate Dahl’s work in my classroom whenever
possible. The elements mentioned above are a perfect
fit for enhancing reading skills throughout the year.
Most recently, students in Room 15 at Gill Hall
Elementary School completed a condensed author
study on Dahl. This was done while simultaneously
reading one of his most popular works, Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory. During this time, students
learned about Dahl’s life and work while diving into
the fantasy world of Willy Wonka and his factory.
Following completion of the text, students participated
in a culminating activity where they developed a
business plan for their own product. Students were
tasked with inventing and marketing a product in a
manner similar to Willy Wonka’s development of various
products in the novel. Once work had been completed
in developing, producing, and marketing the product,
students presented their work to their peers using our
digital classroom document projector.
I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to
share the gift of Roald Dahl’s writing with a new group
of students every year. His books, and the creative
applications that are possible because of them, are a
cherished gift. The same cherished gift given to me as a
child, and the same cherished gift that I intend to pass
on for years to come.
Book Club students, bottom
of the circle, clockwise
Hayden Krupp, Angelina
Buckiso, Megan O’dea,
Olivia Supp, Nathan Everly,
Shane Hoffman, Camryn
Dailey, Ava Snee, Jacob
Christian, Enzo Napolitano
46 West Jefferson Hills