“The read aloud is an absolutely magical and profound tool for inspiring, motivating and engaging readers of all ages.” – Pam Allyn, Founder, Lit World
Wednesday, February 24, is World Read Aloud Day – an annual awareness day for literacy that brings global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. It is a day to advocate for literacy as a fundamental right, and to celebrate “human connection through story.”
The WRAD Story – Sadly, a staggering number of children around the world and in our own country have little or no access to books, and grow up without knowing the joy of the read aloud. Renowned literacy educator and author, Pam Allyn, Founder of the non-profit, Lit World, explains below her encounter with a child who faced such challenges and his idea to change the world.
I was reading aloud a picture book to a small child in a classroom. His life, so far,
had not been easy. His childhood was troubled by poverty and loneliness. In that
moment, in the joy of the read aloud, he had an idea that started something big.
With an eager, glowing smile he said, “Mrs. Allyn, let’s make sure everyone knows
how good this feels. Let’s have a holiday for the read aloud.” Since the day he shared
that good idea with us, World Read Aloud Day has become a worldwide event
reaching over one million people in more than 65 countries around the world.
When students “read it forward” on WRAD by simply sharing a book with a younger classmate, they are learning that even the smallest efforts can effect great change for someone else; and they are linking their voices with a global community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people. When we take the time to read aloud to our students, readers and non-readers alike, we show them that we value reading, and support their right to read, to write and to share their words to change the world.
Look here for ideas to make the most of World Read Aloud Day in your classroom:
For more information on WRAD, past and present; plus classroom kits see Lit World.org/WRAD
For a list of volunteer authors who will Skype with your students on WRAD see Skype with an author on World Read Aloud Day-2016