Young Authors Take Flight at Holy Family School
In a Transitional Kindergarten classroom at Holy Family School, curiosity recently took center stage as students launched a penguin-themed learning adventure. After selecting penguins as their topic of interest, the young learners collaborated to write and illustrate their own nonfiction book, transforming their ideas into a meaningful, student-driven literacy experience grounded in exploration and teamwork.
Interactive Writing in Action
Through this engaging project, students:
• Shared penguin facts they already knew
• Helped compose class sentences
• Identified beginning sounds
• Practiced high-frequency (sight) words
• Observed spacing and punctuation
• Took turns contributing letters and words to the text
Each child painted a penguin to add to a classroom “rookery” and proudly shared one learned fact. The final product — a class-created nonfiction book written entirely by the students — celebrated their knowledge, creativity, and growing confidence as authors.
Skills We’re Building
This meaningful work strengthens:
• Early phonics and writing confidence
• Oral language and vocabulary development
• Collaboration and listening skills
• Pride in authorship
Strengthening Literacy Skills
To reinforce foundational reading skills, teachers incorporate hands-on, high-energy strategies during whole-group literacy time. Students use a cut-out fly swatter to “swat” sight words, helping them:
• Isolate and recognize high-frequency words
• Strengthen visual tracking
• Build quick word recognition
• Stay actively engaged
At Holy Family School, every experience is thoughtfully designed to nurture growth, inspire creativity, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning — ensuring even the youngest students see themselves as capable readers, writers, and thinkers.
“At Holy Family, we are committed to forming students in the Catholic faith, grounding them in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Our core values—FAITH, COMMUNITY, SERVICE, and EXCELLENCE—shape every classroom, every relationship, and every experience. These principles are the foundation of who we are and the mission we joyfully live each day. If you’re ready to discover all that Holy Family Catholic School has to offer, we invite you to join us for one of our two remaining school tours this January 2026. Come experience our vibrant community, meet our dedicated faculty, and see firsthand what makes Holy Family a place where students grow in faith, community, service, and excellence.”
Holy Family School, 1301 Rollin St., South Pasadena, (626) 799-4354 or visit school.holyfamily.org.
