Hastings College’s Intercultural Communication class is preparing children’s books that will be read to third graders at Lincoln Elementary. Students taking the class were asked to create a book with storylines and illustrations featuring a multicultural focus. Students started by researching their topic and continued with storyboarding. 

After these books are written, students from the class will go to a local elementary school to read them following with a short discussion about the multicultural message from the book. 

Dr. Jessica Henry, a Professor of Communication Studies, said “My favorite part is seeing the sense of accomplishment and happiness that the college students have once the books are done. They get a chance to have fun with the books by reading them aloud.” 

Henry has assigned this project around 10 times throughout the years, with 8-10 books expected to be read this year. Students taking the Intercultural Communication class were also introduced to children’s literature before completing their books, specifying how important it is for children to be exposed to diversity. 

Langley Riha, a Sophmore from Gretna, Neb., said “I hope we can help teach the children more about different cultures. There will be many books read to the kids so I hope we can open up their minds to the outside world as they hear different stories about different cultural traditions, beliefs and backgrounds.” 

Riha is a student in the class and is writing about treasures from around the world. The books created by Riha and her classmates will be read in mid-December before the end of the semester. 

Henry is in contact with multiple teachers, including some HC alumni, from local schools around Hastings to complete this project. Scheduling plays a key role in which schools and classes are read to. 

Henry also said “I am personally a strong believer in getting our college students out into the community and engaging with people around them. They need to understand that what they do affects other people (and that they can have a positive impact on their community). This is one reason that I often try to include service-learning projects in my classes.”

Through the collaboration between HC college students and local elementary schools, college students can share books created by themselves while highlighting cultural diversity. With the success of this project year after year, teachers and students are excited to see the continuation of this assignment.