World Read Aloud Day on February 24th is a time to celebrate the extraordinary power of reading and sharing stories aloud to create community between readers.
We excited to share that the Skype in the Classroom community is rallying authors and classrooms for World Read Aloud Day. To schedule a read aloud connection visit the Skype in the Classroom site, where you will have access to 1.5 million educators and classrooms worldwide. After creating an account, you will be able to add your availability for video chat connections during the week of World Read Aloud Day and educators from around the world can contact you to request virtual read aloud sessions.
Adding to this excitement, our wonderful WRADvocates (World Read Aloud Day advocates) have created more easy ways for educators and community program leaders to schedule video chat read alouds with one another and with published authors.
To schedule a read aloud connection for with another classroom or community group, check out an open access Google doc created by Shannon Miller and Andy Plemmons. In the doc you will be able to add your schedule and availability for video chat connections during the week of World Read Aloud Day, and you will also be able to search the schedules of others. When adding to the Google doc, remember to include the following information: your name, contact info (such as social media handles, Skype username, and/or email), your role, location, school name and grade levels, location, time zone and dates and times that you are available for a virtual read aloud session.
A read aloud over video chat with an author or illustrator is another way to add magic and delight to World Read Aloud Day. Author Kate Messner has put out an open call for traditionally published authors to volunteer as guest readers for World Read Aloud Day and has posted author availability on her blog.
Wherever and however you will celebrate World Read Aloud Day, reach out to the ones you love to schedule time for a special read aloud on February 24th.