Heroic Acts of Reading Aloud

World Read Aloud Day is a day to connect with another person through the joy of reading together. A time for the entire community to get involved and make reading visible. Here are some of the exciting ways our network of international LitClubs and WRADvocate Partners and Ambassadors plan to Read It Forward on World Read Aloud Day.

The elders of a LitClub community in Kisumu, Kenya, received a free eye care clinic in preparation for World Read Aloud Day, so that all community members can see and share words on March 6. The LitClubs, which run through the Golden Girls Foundation, were on hand to read aloud to the elders of their community while they waited in line.

Our partners in Monterrey Mexico are gathering outside City Hall to read aloud their favorite books in English and Spanish for all community members to enjoy.

Classrooms from all over the world will connect and read aloud to each other thanks to this incredible Skype in the Classroom event!

There are many, many, more celebrations happening around the world. Share your plans with us, tweet to @litworldsays and post on our Facebook timeline. We thank our extraordinary, outstanding community of literacy activists for reminding communities everywhere that reading aloud is joyful and that stories truly, truly matter.

Andrew Schrage of Money Crashers Personal Finance on the Importance of Reading Aloud

We are so pleased to share this World Read Aloud Day guest blog from Andrew Schrage, Co-Owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance. 

What do you think is special about reading aloud?

Reading aloud allows adults to strengthen their relationship with their children and can make for a stronger bond. Another reason reading aloud is special is because it allows children to learn how to pronounce new words and to understand their meanings. Children are exposed to a different sort of vocabulary by listening to books being read aloud, because they contain phrases and sentences that aren't typically part of everyday conversations. Also, children can develop a greater interest in reading when they are read to.

When reading aloud to children, you don't have to limit yourself to traditional bedtime stories. For example, reading a book that contains interesting facts can spark great interaction. You can read aloud to the child and then discuss what was just read. It's quite a fulfilling experience.

How will you celebrate WRAD on March 6? Who will you celebrate with?

I will celebrate WRAD with some of my nieces and nephews, as I realize what a crucial life skill it is for kids to learn how to read at as young of an age as possible. The celebration will be held at my house and virtually, wherever I end up with children young enough to benefit from the joys of reading aloud!

Will this be your first time celebrating WRAD? Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?

I just found out about WRAD recently, so this will be my first time celebrating. I have several books that I can read on that day, and some of the day will be spent with my relatives reading aloud. The ability to read is truly one of the most priceless gifts you can give your child, and it will lead to the confidence and knowledge that will continue to support them as they grow older.

On a more personal level, reading is an awesome way to help children begin to understand the basics of personal finance in a way that they can avoid many of the money trouble most of Americans run into at some point in their lives.

Money Crashers Personal Finance aims to develop a community of people who try to make financially sound decisions about credit and debt, investing, education, real estate, insurance, spending, and more. Learn more at http://www.moneycrashers.com/.

My Favorite Read Aloud Memory: Susannah Rosenfield

The next member of the LitWorld team to share her favorite read aloud memory is Susannah Rosenfield, one of LitWorld's phenomenal interns.

"While trying to remember a specific favorite read aloud moment, I realized my fondest memory could not be condensed into one story. Instead, cherished memories are a whirlwind of shared stories all forming the reading culture that percolated throughout my household. In the Rosenfield home, literacy was always a collaborative and well-supported pursuit. My two older sisters helped me stumble through my first picture books, my father and I discussed what we are reading, and my mother fell asleep with the New York Times in her lap. Recounting these wonderful reading memories made me realize that my family has always been engaged in a dialogue of reading it forward."

--Susannah Rosenfield

Meet Social Media WRADvocate Jennifer Vincent!

Jen Vincent is a teacher leader in her district supporting new teachers through their Teacher Mentor Program. She is a National Board Certified teacher in early/middle childhood literacy and taught as a hearing itinerant teacher for the past ten years. She blogs at www.teachmentortexts.com and can be found on Twitter as @mentortexts.

On March 6 Jen will be traveling to classrooms at her school to read aloud. She plans to continue the festivities at home with a Dragons Love Tacos book party!

Jen is also leading the way in our World Read Aloud Day Blogging Challenge. Check out her post from week 1 here, and read on for an excerpt from her week 2 post.

Week 2: Now & Then

Answer the following questions twice. First, from your ten-year-old self's perspective and then from your current perspective.

1. I think everyone in the world should read...

When I was 10: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks. The author visited my school and I love how the main character can bring his toys to life.

Now: Wonder by RJ Palacio. As I read Wonder, I kept thinking of people I wanted to recommend it to...by the end, I wanted to give it to everyone I know. I have recommended it to so many people, from neighbors and friends to colleagues, I even recommended it to my doctor. It is such an important book about how we treat each other. The world would be a kinder place if everyone read Wonder.

Read the rest of Jen's beautiful answers at Teach Mentor Texts. Thank you Jen for spreading the Read It Forward movement far and wide!

Meet Regional WRADvocate Alison Burrows

Alison Burrows is from New York City and has been in the field of education since 2004.  She has taught in both public and private schools in New York City, Scarsdale NY, Abu Dhabi and Dubai United Arab Emirates. Besides being a full time teacher, Alison works as education consultant across the UAE.  Her favorite roll in consulting is to train teachers in all aspects of literacy. Alison is also the co-founder of Edcamp Dubai and Edcamp Abu Dhabi. Edcamps are self-organized "un-conferences" where forward-thinking educators network, share ideas, and teach one another.  Alison is looking forward to working with Litworld.org and celebrating World Read Aloud Day 2013.

We asked Alison why she celebrates World Read Aloud Day, and why the right to literacy is such an urgent issue for our generation.

"I celebrate World Read Aloud Day because the ability to read is a right, not an entitlement. Reading takes us places and provides us with opportunities to travel the world, meet new people, have diverse experiences, and know what it is like to be in another person's shoes.

World Read Aloud is important because it is a call to action to mobilize people to help end the inordinately high illiteracy rate around the world. When children or illiterate adults learn how to read, their life changes drastically, their ability to communicate is enhanced, and opportunities to become successful in this international world become abundant. If you are fortunate enough to know how to read, read it forward, share your skills, and promote literacy!"

--Alison Burrows