The American International School Jeddah (AISJ) observed World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) on March 7 with outdoor and classroom read-ins throughout the day. Christine Bender El-Jerby, literacy coach at AISJ, said that observance of WRAD was held to instill in children that “literacy is a gift — it opens up the world for you.” The day started at 8 a.m., with El-Jerby reading a brief poem and asking students to think about how their world would be like if they didn't know how to read. Carrying books of their choice and beach towels, students from Pre-K3 through Grade 12 trooped to the football field where they read their books under the morning sun for at least 30 minutes. They returned to their classrooms where various read-ins were held, led by AISJ superintendent Dr. Mark English. Dr. English visited at least nine classrooms to read titles such as “A Fine, Fine School” by Sharon Creech, “Goldilocks,” and Dr. Seuss' “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” among others. “I really love seeing you read. I hope you read in your spare time,” Dr. English said while reading to students. In an interview, Dr. English said that WRAD at AISJ was not a one-time event but rather an annual activity. He also said that at least a fourth of the school day at AISJ is dedicated to literacy programs — “the foundation of what our school is about,” he said, adding: “The more we can get them to read, the better students they will be.” Dr. English also said AISJ is exploring the possibility of introducing the use of tablet devices to integrate technology into their literacy programs. “Any way we can get them to read is time well spent,” he said.About 900 AISJ students, teachers and staff took part in WRAD, an advocacy of LitWorld.org, a non-profit organization working to create and develop sustainable literacy practices across the globe. __
