The best way to inspire kids to read... is to read. The entire school can read together in celebration of Children's Book Week. While this can be done in classrooms, it's really more effective when the entire school gathers in the auditorium, gym, or cafeteria. Each student, teacher, and staff member should bring a book, magazine, comic book, newspaper, or other reading material to an all-school assembly. Everyone should read together silently.
It's really a great idea to include non-academic staff in this event. Watching custodians, physical education instructors, secretaries, bus drivers, and other school personnel reading for fun is wonderful motivation for kids.
You should also invite local officials, school board members, and other people from the community to the Read-In. Handwritten invitations are always nice, but a faxed or emailed invitation will work as well. Be sure to include date, time, and location, and instruct them to bring their own favorite reading material.
- A suggested schedule:
- 8:50 a.m. Gather in auditorium, gymnasium, or cafeteria
- 9:00 a.m. Opening remarks by principal and/or librarian
- 9:10 a.m. Read aloud story by principal or other staff member
- 9:15 a.m. Silent reading time
- 9:45 a.m. Read aloud story by librarian or other staff member
- 9:50 a.m. Closing remarks by principal and/or librarian
- 9:55 a.m. Return to class
Be sure to take pictures for the school newspaper and website. You might also want to send pictures to the local paper. Here is a sample press release to send after the event.
The ultimate purpose of this event is to encourage kids to read by showing them that "everybody does it." After all, peer pressure can be used to achieve positive goals. Oh…and remember to have fun.