Dream Big Grants in Action: Brenda Vandament’s Final Chapter

Bringing Rooney Students to the Author’s Table

In her final year of teacher, Brenda Vandament used a Dream Big grant to help Rooney first graders explore beloved children’s authors, strengthen literacy skills and building home libraries of their own.

By: Maddie Hill ’21

As Brenda Vandament reflects on 33 years of teaching first and fourth grade, she hopes her students leave her classroom with more than just reading and writing skills. She hopes they develop a lifelong love of learning and carry with them one simple piece of advice:

“Enjoy the moment you are in and learn as much as you can!”

As she prepares to retire, Brenda is grateful for one of her final classroom projects, the Author’s Table grant, which gave her students the opportunity to explore the stories behind popular authors while building libraries of their own.

“The grant was written to introduce my students to five different authors so they could learn how each author became a writer and the purpose behind their books,” Brenda said.

Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, Rooney first graders studied the works of five celebrated children’s authors: Don Freeman, Cynthia Rylant, Jan Brett, Gail Gibbons, and Eric Carle. Students read their books, completed writing activities, and discovered how illustrations help tell a story and enhance the reader’s understanding.

But the learning didn’t stop once the books were closed.

Each time the class completed an author study, they celebrated with a themed “Author’s Table” decorated with the author’s books, student projects, and activities inspired by the stories. Students enjoyed themed snacks, discussed what they had learned, and reflected on the author’s work together.

One memorable celebration centered around November by Cynthia Rylant, where students enjoyed apples while discussing the autumn moments described throughout the story. These activities helped students make connections between the books they read and their own experiences.

Through each author study, students strengthened their reading and comprehension skills while developing a deeper understanding of what it takes to become a writer and the inspiration behind the stories they enjoy.

Brenda also shared that she hopes the lessons from these authors will stay with her students long after they leave her classroom. For example, students learned about Don Freeman’s journey to becoming a children’s author, including how leaving his trumpet on a New York City subway train while drawing inspired him to pursue a career in children’s literature.

The most memorable part of the project came at the end of each author’s study. Every student received a book by that featured author to take home, allowing each child to build a personal library of five books by the end of the year.

“Students appreciated the books to take home, and they loved the writing and language opportunities that the lessons covered,” Brenda said.

The project concluded with a special celebration where each student invited a family member or special guest to explore their binder of writing activities, share their favorite author, and celebrate everything they had learned throughout the year. Treats and activities were provided as students reflected on the authors and books that made an impact on them.

“I appreciate QPSF for considering my idea and then providing me with the grant money to support my idea of the Author’s Table,” Brenda said. “Thank you to all the donors for this grant! You made a difference by giving a book from each author to every child in my classroom. Your money provided author activities so children could learn more about these children’s book authors.”

As Brenda closes the chapter on her 33-year teaching career, she hopes her students remember her classroom as a place where they were encouraged to be creative, learn from mistakes, and always do their best.

“I always told my students to Shine their Light and just try to give their best,” Brenda shared. “I hope my students take away the importance of reading from a book and how much books can take the reader on an adventure.”