Seventh-grade honors students in Melissa Prendys’ class at Crispell Middle School just proved that nonfiction is anything but boring. The group recently wrapped a multimedia deep-dive into gripping titles like The Red Bandana and Rising Water, transforming their reading assignments into professional-grade websites and podcasts.

 

With guidance from our tech coach Hope Schaumburg, the students mastered Canva to build their digital platforms. They didn’t just read; they stepped into the story—taking on roles as videographers, hosts, and even the book’s subjects. They worked collaboratively, making sure everything was just right.
The project ended with a “gallery walk” where students made their way around the class in their podcast groups, listening to the podcast and celebrating each other’s work.