As the students in Oxford have proven time and time again, reading can be fun.
After all, the five elementary schools read over one million minutes this past March.
But for students in Darlene Harsant’s second grade class at Daniel Axford Elementary, writing seems to be their forte.
And now their love of writing will be known across the Atlantic.
Through the international Books of Hope program, student-created books made by Harsant’s class will be shipped to refugee camps, schools, orphanages and hospitals in the African country of Uganda for children to enjoy.
Books of Hope is conducted in collaboration with the Association of Volunteers of International Service, which is an organization that supports human development in developing countries, with special attention paid to the education of children.
The student’s books, which were bound together with color printed, high-end paper thanks to classroom volunteer Jean Dickman and her husband, are a compilation of stories, poems and educational facts they’ve learned throughout the school year.
‘They worked really, really, hard,? said Harsant, noting that the project made the children motivated and excited to write.
The Books of Hope project was not only focusing on the student’s writing skills, but integrated reading, social studies and technology.
Each student typed their stories themselves and used creative word art when putting their books together.
Harsant said giving students the opportunity to write something knowing someone will eventually read it was what kept them driven.
‘Our focus was on writing for an authentic purpose,? she said.
Harsant said she hopes the Books of Hope program will be a schoolwide venture next year.