Fostering a Love for Reading and Supporting Education: The Annual Elementary School Read-a-Thon

The Read-a-Thon is not just a competition; it's a celebration of literature and the joy of reading. With the goal of fostering a lifelong love for books, students are encouraged to explore diverse genres and learn through this meaningful competition. The event provides an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills, expand their vocabulary, and enhance their comprehension abilities.

As students participate in the Read-a-Thon, they are encouraged to set personal reading goals. Whether it's completing a certain number of books, exploring new genres, or conquering more challenging texts, the competition becomes a catalyst for literary growth. Through the process, students learn the value of goal-setting and perseverance, skills that extend beyond the realm of reading and into various aspects of their academic and personal lives.

The Read-a-Thon goes beyond the individual act of reading; it becomes a communal effort to support our school. Families, friends, and community members are invited to sponsor students in the read-a-thon. During the Read-a-Thon weeks, classroom corners become cozy reading nooks, teachers organize reading challenges, book discussions, and literary-themed activities to spark excitement and curiosity.

As the Read-a-Thon concludes, winners of the most minutes read and most funds raised as individuals and classes will be recognized at our school assembly in February. Will you join us in supporting our young readers? The videos below have been made by our students to share with other classes to promote enthusiasm surrounding the read-a-thon. We hope you’ll join in the fun and competition. Thank you for supporting our school!

Our Read-a-thon is Coming!

Read-a-thons actually get students excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Our Read-a-thon will run from Monday, February 13 through Friday, February 24, 2023. We’d love to see 100% participation from our elementary students. There will be prizes for each reader based on their participation. We will even be offering more opportunities to read to gain Read-a-thon minutes while at school!

In the United States, 14 percent of the adult population—a staggering 32 million adults—cannot read.  “What’s more shocking is that we haven’t moved that needle in 10 years.  We know that literacy helps people escape the bonds of poverty and live longer.  We know that people who are literate are more inclined to vote, take part in their community, and seek medical help for themselves and their families. They’re also better equipped to take advantage of knowledge jobs, which are growing at explosive rates.”  – Marcie Craig Post, Executive Director of International Literacy Association, in a panel discussion at the Institute of International Education in New York City, April 2015.

Academy parents, please see your parent email to help get your reader registered and reading! This Read-a-thon will promote a beneficial skill for all students while raising funds for our school. Teaching students to read books is only the beginning. As they grow, their ability to critically think and put into play the literacy skills they’ve learned at a young age will bless their family and community. We hope you’ll join us in this exciting fundraiser!

Readers play a more active and involved role in their communities. The decline in reading, therefore, parallels a larger retreat from participation in civic and cultural life. The long-term implication of this study not only affects literature but all the arts – as well as social activities such as volunteerism, philanthropy, and even political engagement. – Dana Gioia, Chairman, NEA, “Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America,” June 2004.