Spirit of the Lake Community School

2023 Read-a-Thon

Let's READ!

Getting lost in a book. Isn’t it a lovely feeling? At SLCS, we hope that all children will experience this feeling at some point, and building the capacities for “getting lost in a book” starts in the preschool, Kindergarten, and early grades when we tell the children many stories. Storytelling is a huge gift for children. It connects them to human experiences, builds memory and comprehension, and the imagination. When the imagination is strengthened, the ability to live into stories and books is possible, and the enjoyment of reading is tenfold. Before a child can read independently, telling stories at home, reading to your child, and having books for your child to look through on their own are all great ways to build literacy. Once children are in first grade and begin learning letters and short words, reading will start to unfold. In later elementary, middle school, and beyond, guide your child to developmentally appropriate books that they enjoy. Reading for pleasure helps to build skill in reading, vocabulary, and imaginative capacities.

HOW IT WORKS: Children receive pledge forms and bookmarks to track minutes read. The Read-a-Thon will run from Monday, January 30th through Friday, February 10th. Every student (with support from parents as needed) will set a goal for a total number of minutes they will read (or be read to) per day over the course of the two weeks. This is above and beyond the reading that they do in the classroom. Then, students and families will reach out to their friends, neighbors and extended family inviting them to support their reading and in turn their school.  

Children can track their minutes read in 10-minute increments on their tracking bookmarks–and invite friends and neighbors to pledge a dollar amount for each minute they read. You can ask for a specific amount per minute read (i.e. $0.50/minute = $30 for an hour of reading) or just ask for a flat donation. Any donation, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated!  

Book Swap on January 27th will kick-off our Read-a-Thon, and will wrap up with a community event with local author Gary Boelhower reading A Common Thirst

OUR GOAL:  Our goal to just get people reading!!  We are aiming for  100% participation in the student body, and to raise $5,000. 

A huge thanks to our Corporate Sponsor -Bell Bank- for sponsoring our 2023 Read-a-Thon!