The Publish It!
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For Community Organizations

Community members and organizations also have much to gain from using the Publish It resource. Dr. Jane Baskwill, originator of the Publish It concept writes, “When a community writes together, they help encourage children to write, which in turn sends a strong signal to children that writing is valued.” She goes on to state that when writing is shared, “it helps to preserve traditions, pass on information, and spark interest in the people, activities, and events in a community. It becomes a treasure trove of family and community life.”

The following items are a few ideas to get you started:

·         Fire fighters: Write a series of books to take into elementary schools to help teach about fire safety. Book Topics may include:

-          Fire safety and what to do incase of a fire

-          Fire Fighters: What they look like and how they do their jobs

-          Write a story or a series of stories about local fire fighter heroes

·         Police/ Canadian Mounted Police: Write books about the police force and take them into schools to help students understand the role of the police in society.  Some students may feel intimidated by police and books such as these may help to alleviate any anxiety students have. Book topics may include:

-          Police dogs

-          Police, what they look like, police cars, sirens, police training, and their different roles within society

-          Write a story or a series of true stories about local police heroes

·         Doctors and Nurses:  When the Public Health Nurse comes to visit, a Publish It book may be exactly what is needed to teach a group of students about a particular Health related topic. Book topics may include:

-          Getting a needle

-          Common classroom medications such as inhalers, epi-pens, insulin shots

-          Germs, cleanliness and hand washing

-          Reproduction, gender roles, and/or bullying

-          Procedural books such as getting stitches, getting a cast put on/ taken off using crutches, blood tests, a check up, etc.

·         Dentists: Dentists can benefit from using the Publish It books to teach students about dental hygiene. Book topics may include:

-          Brushing our teeth and flossing.

-          The effects of sugar on our teeth, plaque, and the importance of eating nutritious food

-          What to expect when visiting the dentist

·         Environmentalist/ Ecologist /Conservationist: Write a book about the state of the environment to teach students how to become more aware of their responsibility towards the Earth. Book topics may include:

-          Positive and negative human impact on the Environment

-          Littering and the importance of cleaning up the community

-          Animals and pollution

-          What it means to be responsible

-          Clean Water

-          All the ways a child can do their part to take care of the Earth.

-          How to become an Earth Warrior

·         Historical Societies: Write an information booklet about local historic sites and figures, explaining the importance of preserving history.

·         Veterinarians: A book about veterinarians may be informative and interesting to students. Book topics may include:

-          What to expect during your pet’s check up

-          Vaccinating your pet

-          Pet care

-          Animal shelters

·         Tourist Bureau: Write a ‘Doers and Dreamers’ guide to the community, town, or city for families use. Include descriptions of off-lease dog parks, supervised lakes, and hiking trails, local restaurants, shops, historical sites and other attractions.

·         Authors: An author visiting a school as a guest speaker may want to write and bring a Publish It book as a resource to demonstrate how to write a story.

·         Puppeteers/ Theater Troupe: Write a shortened version of the play you will perform to send to schools before visiting. Teachers can read through the play with students beforehand so that students have a better understanding of what is happening on stage and will pay closer attention.

·         Librarians: Write a book to inform students about the role of a librarian. A book such as this might be able to help a student better understand how a librarian can be of service to them next time they visit a library.

·         Grandparents: Write stories about the past and what life used to be like. What kind of work did people do? What was it like without computers, video games, and cell phones? What kinds of games did children play? How much did candy cost? Send your stories with students to be read and discussed in class. Remember to add old photographs if possible.

·         CNIB: Write a book about people who are visually/hearing impaired. Describe what it’s like to have lost the ability to see or hear as well as some of the tools available for persons with such disabilities such as working dogs, canes, hearing aids, sign-language interpreters, etc.

·         Red Cross: Write a book to explain to students all that the Red Cross has to offer. Include a short history, a brief listing of the different departments, information about receiving first aid training, emergency response, international affairs, and free resources such as wheelchairs, and crutches.

·         Local Entrepreneurs: Local Entrepreneurs, Agriculturists, and tradesmen can write any number of “How to…” books such as, “How to make maple syrup.  How to make Clay pots. How to fix an engine. How to make pizza. How to grow a garden. How to carve wood. How to make a basket.

·         Tutors can use the Publish It website to help students who are on IPPs, struggling readers and writers, and students with behavioral and/or emotional disorders as well by writing books with students that target their specific needs.