All the Latest All District Reads News
More than 20,000 families in Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Northampton have shared the joy of reading this fall together through the All District Reads program. Some programs have concluded, others are still underway.
Students Rally to Answer Comprehension Questions
The fall All Norfolk Reads program closed with a bang on October 11th as students at W. H. Taylor Elementary School participated in a Reading Rally. Fourth and fifth-grade students excitedly answered comprehension questions about the books they had read using an app on their tablets. This fall marked Norfolk’s third time doing the program, and questions covered all three books—Frindle, Ways to Make Sunshine, and School Days According to Humphrey.
Staff member Celeste Arrington summed up the All Norfolk Reads experience this way: “I really love the idea of this reading/literacy program. I truly believe that reading is one of the most fundamental skills a child can have.”
More Fall ADR Programs Launch
As Norfolk and Northampton wound down their successful fall programs, Portsmouth and Suffolk began theirs.
Launch Date: 10/28/2024
Program: All Portsmouth Reads
Number of Students: 7,000
Book Title: School Days According to Humphrey
Author: Betty G. Birney
Launch Date: 11/1/2024
Program: All Suffolk Reads
Number of Students: 7,000
Book Title: The World According to Humphrey
Author: Betty G. Birney
Best wishes for joyful reading!
Research Supports Reading Aloud and Reading for Pleasure
All District Reads is built upon the belief that encouraging families to read aloud together can enhance family engagement with schools, support children’s language and comprehension skills, and help children develop a love of reading. Specifically, ADR’s programs are based upon ideas from Jim Trelease’s classic book, The Read-Aloud Handbook.
“The more you read, the better you get, the better you get, the more you like it; and the more you like it, the more you do it,” wrote Trelease in the Handbook. This principle underlies ADR’s programs to help children develop the love of reading. Furthermore, dozens of research studies support the importance of both reading aloud and reading for pleasure. To learn more, read this All District Reads blog post.
ADR Connects Local Students to National Authors
All District Reads programs represent a win-win for students and authors. Students get to read great books with their families. Authors see their work reaching wide audiences. Here’s how two authors have interacted with ADR programs.
In October, Betty G. Birney sent a letter to All District Reads expressing her delight that students were enjoying the adventures of Humphrey. The letter read, in part: Humphrey and I are unsqueakably happy to hear that you have all been reading SCHOOL DAYS ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY. I hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
Previously, Sundee Frazier, author of Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire, did a video featuring her character Fortune Davies for Suffolk Public School students. See the video here.
We look forward to continuing to develop relationships with authors!
Rotary Clubs Lead Local Labeling Events
Members of the following Rotary Clubs recently gathered for a labeling events in support of the fall All District Reads programs.
Rotary Club of Norfolk
Rotary Club of Cape Charles
Rotary Club of Churchland
Rotary Club of Portsmouth
Rotary Club of Suffolk
North Suffolk Rotary Club
To learn how to get YOUR Rotary club involved with All District Reads, contact founder and fellow Rotarian, Gary Anderson, at gary.anderson@alldistrictreads.org.
Empowering Young Readers Through Your IRA
Consider making a lasting impact on young readers through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). If you’re over 70 and have an IRA, you can use a QCD to donate directly to All District Reads. There are often significant tax benefits, but you should contact your tax professional to understand how these apply to your specific situation. It’s a simple way to support our mission, connecting our community to local elementary students through the All District Reads program. Your gift can help foster a love for reading in the next generation. For details, please contact ADR board member Annette Wilson at Annette.Wilson@townebank.net.
Meanwhile, ADR continues to appreciate gifts of any size from individuals and organizations. Consider supporting our work by making a monthly donation or by giving a one-time gift. Visit the ADR Donations page to learn more.
