Mrs. Dieringer’s preschool class. (Submitted photo)

Emilia Benitz, kindergarten. (Submitted photo)

Kyler Metsch, preschool. (Submitted photo)

Throughout the week, classrooms were filled with engaging literacy activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for books. Students explored both fiction and informational texts, participated in read-alouds, and engaged in meaningful discussions about stories and characters. The goal was not only to celebrate reading, but to reinforce the critical role that strong literacy skills play in a child’s academic success and future opportunities.

This work is deeply rooted in Garfield Elementary’s ongoing commitment to the Science of Reading (SOR). SOR is an evidence-based approach to literacy instruction that has been a focus in our building for several years. Garfield Elementary teachers went through on-going training through the LETRS program, spearheaded by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center in 2019 before partnering with ReadOhio.

Through Ohio’s ReadOhio initiative, Garfield has also partnered with a dedicated literacy coach to support high-quality instruction aligned to research-based practices. This effort also reflects the statewide priority championed by Gov. Mike DeWine to ensure all students receive strong, effective reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. Read Across America Week served as a natural extension of this work, allowing students to apply and celebrate the skills they build every day in the classroom.

One of the highlights of the week was the “March Madness: Books Edition” initiative. Garfield staff and teachers recorded themselves reading a variety of books, and students listened to two stories each day before voting on their favorites. This friendly competition created excitement around reading while also exposing students to different voices, genres, and storytelling styles.

In addition, students were recognized for demonstrating strong literacy skills in the classroom through our “Tiger Reading Tickets.” These tickets were connected to our spring ELA goals and were awarded to students who exhibited key reading behaviors and skills. Students then entered their tickets into drawings for books, bookmarks, and other literacy-themed prizes — further reinforcing that reading is both important and rewarding.

Another highlight of the week was “Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day,” where students proudly shared their favorite stories and connected with peers through a shared love of reading. The preschool students especially enjoyed showcasing their books and costumes, bringing their favorite characters to life in a joyful and memorable way.

At Garfield Elementary, literacy is a priority every day, but Read Across America Week provided a special opportunity to elevate that focus and celebrate the joy that reading brings to our school community. By exposing students to a variety of texts and encouraging meaningful engagement with literature, we continue to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.