TAL Academy hosted its first-ever Literacy Week, February 10-14, bringing excitement, creativity, and a love for reading into every classroom. From surprise guest readers to visits from renowned authors, students were immersed in a variety of engaging activities designed to foster a lifelong passion for books.
The week kicked off with Mystery Reader Day, where special guests visited classrooms to read aloud to students. The twist? Students had to guess who their reader was by asking yes/no questions! Laughter and curiosity filled the air as each class worked to solve the mystery before enjoying a captivating story.
Midweek, students had the incredible opportunity to meet Isaac Rudansky, author of Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot. Mr. Rudansky shared insights into his writing process, and he guided students in brainstorming their own creative stories. His visit left young writers inspired and eager to put their ideas on paper.
Literacy Week also featured the Great Book Swap, where students exchanged new and gently used books with their classmates. Each student went home with a “new” book to add to their collection, reinforcing the joy of reading and sharing stories with friends.
As if the week wasn’t exciting enough, Friday brought a special visit from Ann Koffsky, beloved author and illustrator. Students not only listened to her share the story behind her latest book, Ping Pong Shabbat, but also learned how to draw one of her book characters! Leading up to her visit, students worked with TAL Academy’s language pathologists to prepare thoughtful questions, making for a meaningful and interactive discussion.
To wrap up this memorable week, every student received a bag of popcorn and was encouraged to “pop” open a good book, reinforcing the importance of reading in a fun and engaging way.
Beyond the excitement, Literacy Week at TAL Academy offered students significant academic and cognitive benefits. Engaging in read-alouds, storytelling, and book discussions strengthened students’ listening comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Meeting real authors and creating their own stories encouraged oral language development, narrative skills, and creativity, essential components of literacy success.
TAL Academy’s commitment to direct, explicit, multisensory instruction was evident throughout the week. Literacy Week at TAL Academy was a great success, bringing books to life through hands-on, immersive experiences. More than just a celebration, the week served as a powerful reminder that reading is not just a skill, it’s a gateway to knowledge and lifelong learning.
