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MARQUETTE -- Three thousand students this week from Marquette and Alger Counties are sharing their own books they've made with their peers.  It's all a part of the Young Authors program in Marquette.

And writing has never been more important for schools.  Recent MEAP scores showed, in several grades and schools, only half of students met or exceeded the state's writing standards.

"Teachers and schools are really looking at the MEAPS,” said Aspen Ridge teacher Holly Muscoe.  “The results are always disturbing to all of us, especially those who commit a lot of our time to reading and writing within the classroom, writing in particular."

Educators say they need to spend more time teaching how to write.

"Because there aren't straight forward rules,” said Aspen Ridge teacher Victoria Hawley.  “You can't just say, 'This is how you do it.'  There is no true recipe; they need to practice to get good at it."

Not only does Young Authors encourage kids to read and write, it's also designed to improve their writing skills.  Students spent some of the day in the woods working on their observation and creative writing skills.

This year's children's author, April Sayre, is also giving students tips on how to write.

"We're going to be sharing information about using delicious words and not just having non-fiction that's quiet,” said Sayre, “but making it bumpy and lumpy and joyous and going for specific details."

The teachers hope that the sharing of stories will spark a love of writing for these children.  It's a skill they'll need for the rest of their lives.