Augusta State University’s Block II, Section B, Early Childhood Education students who made book bags include (front row, l-r) Kim Rohde, Amanda Lowe, Lieghton Huffman, Whitney Richards, Shanice Gaynia, (back) Tabitha Orander, Shalondra Shifflette, Nikita Herrington, Lee McFatridge, Sarah Kenrick, Felicia Monfort, Assistant Professor Cindy Beatty, Torre Minter, (not pictured) Stephanie Nelson, Kerri Ogletree, and Catherine Smith. Whitney Richards of Washington, along with her fellow Augusta State University (ASU) Early Childhood Education classmates, did her part in helping the world learn to read.

As a requirement for a literacy course, students were asked to create “book bags.” Books were purchased and donated by the Study Abroad and Dean of Education offices for this project. Early Childhood Education students received books written in Spanish or English/Spanish and were asked to decorate canvas bags accordingly. Also, students created educational and fun activities that correlated with each book.

The “book bags” will be taken to Ecuador in April during an ASU Study Abroad trip for Teacher Education. The bags will be used with children from ages 5-12 who attend a center for underprivileged families during non-school hours. The center provides children with hot meals, homework help, and a safe place to be during the day. They learn about health, hygiene, and good manners to prepare them for a better future and adulthood.

The “book bags” will be used by the ASU students that will be working with the children during the trip. The bags will then be donated so children can continue to use them in the center or as take-home family resources.

“ASU Teacher Education students found this to be a very meaningful assignment that extended far beyond a grade,” said Cindy Beatty, Assistant Professor of Basic Literacy for Early Childhood Education and fac- ulty sponsor for the Study Abroad trip for Teacher Education. “They put a lot of their own time, money, and love into making the book bags because they understand how much they are needed for the center and will be appreciated and used by the children who receive them.”