"Books of Hope" Service Learning Project
Books of Hope is a cross-curricular, service learning project in which SHS students write and illustrate books for children in Uganda. SHS partners with the Books of Hope Organization that provides teaching resources and delivers the books. Language Arts students apply basic concepts of poetry to write the books. Business Education students apply knowledge of the Microsoft Publisher program to add artwork and publish the books.  Additionally, it connects the Seckman campus together with the participation of students in the elementary, middle, and high school. Middle school students edit and send revisions back electronically to the high school.  High school students read their books to elementary students to receive constructive criticism from a younger audience before they are sent off to Uganda.  Reluctant learners have had positive shifts in attitude and performance. Course level expectations are being mastered at high levels as evident in the high grades students are earning and by fewer missing assignments seen.  School culture has changed so that compassion, respect, and communication are more evident in student and staff relationships.  It has taken learning from its immediacy to a world beyond the classroom in which students can apply what they’ve learned to help others.