Sacred Heart Catholic School had two key events during Read Across America Week that encouraged reading and promoted literacy.
Sacred Heart’s 4-year-old kindergarten class wrapped up Read Across America Week on March 6 with a celebration that transformed reading into a full‑room adventure. Students arrived in their pajamas, flashlights in hand, ready for a day of stories and creativity.
To mark the final day of the weeklong literacy celebration, teacher Jessica Cumberland and her students turned their entire classroom into a giant reading fort. Blankets draped over tables, soft corners tucked into every space and bins of books created an inviting environment where young readers could curl up and explore stories in a new and exciting way.
The flashlight reading experience encouraged students to slow down, get comfortable and enjoy books in a unique setting. The combination of pajamas, forts and flashlights made reading feel like an adventure — one that sparked imagination and deepened their love for books.
Sacred Heart students also took part in the Read Across the Rooms Buddy Reading adventure March 5. Throughout the afternoon, classes paired up and rotated through themed classrooms filled with books and cozy reading spaces designed to spark imagination and a love of reading.
The Buddy Reading experience remains a highlight for students and staff, because it brings together learners of all ages in a meaningful way, according to Autumne Gee, Sacred Heart’s director of admissions and development.
Older students step into leadership, reading aloud with confidence and helping younger students discover new stories. Younger students light up as they read alongside their “big kid” buddies, feeling supported, encouraged, and excited about books.
Read Across America Week is designed to cultivate a lifelong passion for reading.
Sacred Heart Catholic School students James Alexander, left, and Alex Flowers read together March 5 as part of Read Across the Rooms Buddy Reading. (Contributed)
