Student Teacher Blends Upper and Lower Grade Literacy in the Digital Age
FELTWELL, United Kingdom — Feltwell Elementary School is embracing the digital age in a way that honors tradition while preparing students for the future. This month, student teacher Mrs. Chesna Wilson, completing her placement in both fourth and first grade, partnered with mentor teacher Mrs. Cassandra Guerin and kindergarten teacher Mrs. Jolene DuBose to design a cross-grade literacy experience that blended writing, technology and leadership through the use of artificial intelligence.
With guidance from her mentor, Mrs. Wilson designed a lesson that challenged fourth graders to transform informational science texts into engaging narrative stories. Students explored how AI can strengthen their writing when used with clear, intentional input. To support high-quality narrative development, they practiced using vivid adjectives, descriptive details and strong sequencing to craft well-structured stories based on their research. Mrs. Wilson also created a rubric and success criteria to help students understand what strong writing looks and sounds like.
Collaboration across grade levels played a key role in the project’s success. Mrs. Wilson worked with teachers to ensure the lesson aligned with literacy and writing standards, along with environmental science standards for both fourth grade and kindergarten. This intentional planning supported a cohesive learning experience across classrooms.
After drafting their stories, students moved through each stage of the writing process—editing, peer editing and publishing—receiving meaningful feedback along the way. Their final pieces were printed as keepsake storybooks to share with their reading buddies and families. As a meaningful extension, each fourth grader read their published book to a kindergarten reading buddy in Mrs. DuBose’s class.
Mrs. DuBose shared, “The love for reading and writing shown by each fourth grader inspires my kindergartners to want to read and publish their own writing. Imagine an author coming to read their own book to your class—that’s what my kinders got to experience!”
The impact extended into first grade as well. First grade teacher Ms. Casey Doremus remarked, “I’ve taken note of Mrs. Wilson’s thoughtful student teaching experience and the ways it supports early literacy development across grade levels. It’s been such a unique experience to mentor a student teacher and watch her understanding of technology grow across multiple grades.”
Mentorship: Building Confidence and Long-Term Commitment
This project also highlighted the importance of strong teacher mentorship and professional collaboration. By working closely with experienced educators, Mrs. Wilson gained insight into curriculum design, cross-grade alignment and the responsible use of technology in the classroom. Such support helps new teachers feel confident, connected and committed—key factors in encouraging long-term dedication to the teaching profession within military-connected communities.
Reflecting on the experience, Mrs. Wilson said, “Using AI required students to be precise and intentional with their language, building real digital literacy as they brought their ideas to life. It was such a unique experience during my student teaching practicum, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in my own classroom.”
This project demonstrated how digital-age tools can enhance creativity, strengthen literacy skills and deepen cross-grade connections—showing that even as technology evolves, storytelling and peer collaboration remain at the heart of learning.
