Kids Make the Grade

By Jessica Myer

A fourth grade reading class from Norristown, Pa., accepted an assignment from Funworld magazine last spring: research and write about their favorite amusement park to win a trip for five to the park.

When I told them I worked for a magazine that focused on amusement parks, roller coasters, zoos, aquariums, and museums, their eyes widened, and they snickered at each other. A once calm reading class became a gaggle. “So you get to ride all the roller coasters and write about it?” asked a freckle-faced child from the back of the room. It had happened—I had impressed them. But when I told them about the contest, that they could win a trip to their favorite amusement park, museum, zoo, or aquarium, they were beside themselves with glee.

The staff of Funworld challenged 29 fourth graders from Mrs. Sandi Myer’s reading class at Paul V. Elementary School in Norristown, Pa., to complete a research project on the park of their choice. They had to learn about the history, the rides, the atmosphere, and the food options, and write an essay about why they wanted to visit. The winner, I explained, would win a trip to the park with his or her family, and the essay would be published in the magazine.

Mrs. Myer coordinated efforts with the librarian to include books and web sites in their research. The students visited the library several times a week to do their reports. “As I began teaching the required skills for the class, I decided a key factor to successful research was to find a topic that would motivate my students,” Myer says. “What could be more motivating than learning about amusement parks? I explained to them about putting personality into their story, and they did a great job.”

The criteria for choosing the winners were based on the thoroughness of their research, the quality of the story, and the enthusiasm that showed through their work. The two finalists were Liana Daywalt, who wrote about Hersheypark, and Chloe Sierka, who chose to report on Kennywood. Ultimately, Liana’s story, “Help! I Have to Have a Hershey Holiday,” was the winner. Daywalt had a chance to visit Hershey in September with her family, including her brother, who broke his arm in July (which postponed their trip).

Myer says the project was a huge success with the kids—not something you expect to hear about a research project. “They loved learning about their favorite places to visit. This was a research project they couldn’t wait to work on.”

To download the images of the children's papers, click here for a PDF.