World Read Aloud Day is a global initiative that celebrates the power of stories. Held on the first Wednesday of February each year, the event encourages families, educators and children to come together to read aloud. In the SJS Junior School, it’s an opportunity for faculty and staff to come together for a special storytime.
The event is organized by PYP Teacher Librarian and FNMI Curriculum Leader, Ms. Chang-Gardecki. In her words, “This event is a worldwide celebration of literacy and its importance in our lives. All students benefit from hearing stories read aloud to them.”
Research shows that reading aloud helps children build neural pathways that contribute to their emotional wellbeing and success. And no one can underestimate the power of being transported to a world of possibility, joy and magic, which books uniquely provide.
The Junior School students were visited by guest readers from across faculty and staff, including Senior School teachers, Learning Strategists and Mr. Addley, Head of School.
Additionally, the Grade 2 and 3 classes were visited by professional authors Nidhi Chanani, Megan Wagner Lloyd, Dustin Brady and Carole Lindstrom, via Zoom, to hear their stories. Nidhi Chanani even led the Grade 2s through a drawing demonstration to bring the story to life in an interactive way.
Thank you to Ms. Gardecki and all of our guest readers for making World Read Aloud Day special again this year. Below are some of our highlights from storytime:
