Professor teaches service learning through project to send books to Costa Rica

Two skinny and rugged dark brown bookcases containing a thinning number of books constitute a Costa Rican elementary school’s library. \nA book, for many children around the world, is taken for granted. The students at Atenas Elementary School in Costa Rica seldom have the chance to embrace what could be a thrilling adventure – the tale within a book.\nLeana McClain, an education professor at IU, began a service-learning project with her class a few semesters ago to help thicken the elementary school library.\nMcClain said a book is a vital possession in a child’s life and one of the most powerful tools a teacher can have.\n“It’s the key in getting children to become lifelong learners, not just readers,” McClain said.\nEach of her students was instructed to buy a plain canvas bag. One children’s book, written in Spanish, goes into his or her bag. The student decorates the bag coinciding with the theme of the book that he or she chose. Buttons, stickers and colorful markers are some of the materials used.\nMallorie Moore, a senior majoring in education, chose the book “Where the Wild Things Are.” In her bag, she included construction paper, crayons and markers, among other creative supplies. These supplies will go along with the activity sheet that Moore and the rest of her classmates created. Moore’s activity is to “create your own monster,” or for the student to pretend like he or she is the character in the book, and “create your own adventure.” The activity sheet is written in both English and Spanish.\n“I just think being able to give them something to read and do for fun is wonderful,” Moore said. Other common props in the bags include stuffed animals, memory games and puzzles.\nAfter visiting the elementary school, McClain said they are very deserving of the gifts.\n“The school is so warm and welcoming,” she said. \nKaitlyn Pelsor, a senior majoring in education, also participated in the project. Her bag theme was based around the book, “The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday.” She included party hats and favors to illuminate the party feeling.\n“It really helps to know you are helping to improve literacy for the kids,” Pelsor said.\nBefore starting the project, McClain shows her students an array of pictures from the elementary school. She has pictures with the students opening the bags from past classes and pictures of the unfortunate library. This helps in giving her students more insight into the great cause they are \ncontributing to. \n“I wanted to cry when I saw the library,” Moore said. “It was eye-opening.”\nMoore said she and her classmates were very excited to be able to help the children in Costa Rica throughout the project. \nMcClain enjoys the spirit that comes out of her students during the semester. “It’s inspirational watching how creative they get,” she said.\nWith each semester, McClain and her students add about 24 more books to the Atenas Elementary School library, broadening the variety and number. McClain plans to continue this project, and possibly others, depending on proper funding. \n“We are doing something for the school that they need,” McClain said.