Sandra D. Makielski and Rufo de Leon

Makielski’s and de Leon’s innovative teaching idea, “Global Literacy Project,” focuses on connecting seventh-grade students in Rhode Island with Filipino students by reading young adult books written by Filipino authors, collecting and shipping books to the Philippines, and registering student book reviews on Bookcrossing.com. Local students will learn about the Filipino culture through literacy exchange and the sharing of book reviews. Filipino students will receive approximately 400 pounds of books and make connections with local students by reading the shared them. The goal is for students on both sides of the planet to gain perspective through literacy. This partnership between Davisville and a Filipino junior high school will provide all students with a global perspective they otherwise could not have had. This project will directly impact 100 students in the United States and 100 in the Philippines.