Carmel Students Write Bilingual Books

Fifth grade students at  wrote bilingual books for children living in an orphanage in Peru, approximately 3500 miles away. The fifth grade students in Maria Tucker's language arts classes participated in this activity as one of the Learn and Serve projects for the school year.  

Carmel has received national recognition and awards for its Character Education program which, in part, includes the Learn & Serve activities. All students at Carmel participate in service projects, relating to their academics, during the school year. Each grade level collaborates to decide what projects they want to undertake. 

Assistant Principal Dr. Pam Green oversees the Character Education at Carmel and said, “We are so proud of our students and staff for all that they do for others. The faculty and staff provide the guidance and direction, but it is the students’ hearts and actions that make great things happen. We know that these experiences will stay with them and look forward to seeing all the good they will do in the future.” 

The students worked hard in their language arts classes to write and illustrate the books for the children in the orphanage. Since most of the children there speak and read Spanish, these hard-back books were written in English and Spanish and were edited by students such as Daniela Miranda (pictured).

The students did not stop with just writing and illustrating the books, they actually used a book binder to bind them and put laminated covers on them--quite a process for the fifth graders. Carmel Elementary School has earned the State School of Character award from 2011-2013 and our students are proud and happy to serve their communities, both locally and around the world.

The books will be hand-delivered to the Cachora Orphanage in Peru by the The Village of the Children, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Canton. 

Bob Reece from The Village of the Children said, ”Thank you so much. We will be going down to Peru on March 1, and I know the children at the orphanage will be thrilled. Thank you, and please tell all of your students a BIG THANK YOU!”

The Village of the Children, a faith-based ministry, was founded in 2008 with a vision to care for orphaned, abandoned and severely impoverished children. 

The students pictured helped with the book production by utilizing the book binding machine, laminating the cover sheets and sticking them on the books.