Last week Donalyn Miller shared the critical importance of reading aloud to children. From building a sense of community to supporting developing readers, reading aloud is the gift that keeps on giving. Research has shown that kids enjoy reading aloud! According to the Kids & Family Reading Report™ found that 83% of kids ages 6–17 say they love or loved being read aloud to.
To continue the conversation around the importance of reading aloud and to help gear up for World Read Aloud Day, Donalyn Miller (@donalynbooks) and Pam Allyn (@pamallyn), Executive Director of LitWorld, are hosting a Twitter chat tomorrow (February 18 at 3:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. PST) to engage directly with parents and teachers about best practices for empowering all children as readers. Join the conversation using #WRAD16.
In addition to the Twitter chat, Scholastic, LitWorld and other partnering organizations will be supporting World Read Aloud Day with specially curated resources and opportunities for educators, families and children to experience the joy of reading aloud and to advocate for more access to books and quality literacy learning that will “Open a World of Possible” for children worldwide.
World Read Aloud Day 2016 Activities and Resources Include:
- Free downloadable resources: World Read Aloud Day 2016 resources are available for free download on the LitWorld website and can be used by individuals or organizations to plan World Read Aloud Day celebrations. The resources provide tools for scheduling virtual read aloud connections with published authors and other classrooms across the globe. Teachers can schedule Skype connections with authors and classrooms across six continents for World Read Aloud Day.
- Scholastic Book Fairs World Read Aloud Kit: Throughout the month of February, the kit will be distributed to more than 1,000 school book fairs that will be held on or around World Read Aloud Day. The Scholastic Book Fairs kit is also available for free download for families and teachers to host their own World Read Aloud Day party.The kit provides ideas for hosting a read aloud event and includes read aloud program materials, printable bookmarks, tips for facilitators and more!
- Skype in the Classroom: through Microsoft’s Skype in the Classroom, educators nationwide can schedule a class visit with a Scholastic author via Skype on World Read Aloud Day.
- Reading Aloud on Broadway with School of Rock—The Musical: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical is celebrating World Read Aloud Day on February 24 with a special reading event after the 2:00 p.m. matinee in New York City. Cast members will read aloud to children in the audience and give out free books provided by Scholastic. In addition, together with Scholastic and Polo Ralph Lauren Kids, School of Rock—The Musical is supporting World Read Aloud Day by donating 10% of the proceeds from School of Rock—The Musical tickets sold from February 24–March 31 to support LitWorld. Purchasers must use code SCRLN126 when reserving tickets by phone, at the box office or at telechargeoffers.com.
- “100 Best Books to Read Aloud” List: LitWorld, Scholastic and Orajel™, a family sponsor of World Read Aloud Day, have curated a “100 Best Books to Read Aloud” list to unveil in conjunction with World Read Aloud Day and the launch of the Orajel™ Read2Me Tonight campaign, which encourages families to include reading aloud as part of a child’s healthy nighttime routine. The list was created by parents and experts including Pam Allyn, founder of LitWorld. Visit http://www.scholastic.com/read2me/ to access the “100 Best Books to Read Aloud” list along with a brand new downloadable book from Orajel™ called The Three Bees, all about starting great bedtime routines, created with the help of Scholastic. "
