Did you know that our Guinness World Record attempt for the ‘Most Books Donated to Charity in Seven Days‘ starts on the first day of Child Month (May 1), and takes place during the first week of education week?  It does!  And right in the middle is the long-standing Read Across Jamaica Day!

The Rotary Race to Literacy Book Drive Project is encouraging EVERYONE to participate and support our schools, teachers and students in Read Across Jamaica Day.  We have made it clear that our number one objective is the support of literacy and obtaining materials for reading programs, and we have heavily emphasized children and students.  We also have our school challenge ongoing below (see flier)

So here’s some more about Read Across Jamaica Day:

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)  has declared Tuesday May 4, 2010 as Read Across Jamaica Day.

What is Read Across Jamaica Day?

Read Across Jamaica Day is being celebrated during Education Week 2010. The JTA appeals to the nation to focus on the importance of reading and the need to motivate children to read.

Why Read Across Jamaica Day?

• To encourage students to be active readers.
• To promote reading and “literacy as the gateway to knowledge which opens the possibilities for future success”.

What can YOU and I do to participate?

Go into schools and read.  Contact one of your old schools, or a school close to where you work, or a school where you volunteer and make arrangements to read to students during that day.  Doesn’t have to be long.  You can do a short story.  Work it out with the school.  I remember reading a book to Grade 1 students and it was lots of fun – and a very short book – and very rewarding.  They really followed the story and could answer all my quizzes after – now, you don’t have to do that but it is amazing to see how riveted these children are to you reading…..try it!   It’s fun too when you take your favourite book.  I’ve done it and it’s great!  Anybody can go so make sure you volunteer!

And remember our school challenge!