Twain Elementary celebrates a love of reading and community with Dog Man Reading Challenge

 

Reading is fundamental to student success, and reading aloud is a great way to practice reading: even reading with your dog at home.

In January, Twain Elementary School students participated in a reading challenge based on the popular book series, "Dog Man." The Dog Man Series are the most popular books in Twain's school library, and when the movie was coming out, librarian Cammie Hunsaker came up with an idea: a reading challenge to coincide with the release of the movie, with students able to earn movie tickets to see Dog Man if they participated in the reading challenge.

The Dog Man Reading Challenge had students do one of three things: read a book with a dog in it, read to others or with others, or read a graphic novel or picture book. Then, students or their parents would email a photo of them completing the challenge to be eligible to score movie tickets.

In all, 75 students completed the Dog Man Reading Challenge, earning a chance to see "Dog Man" at an exclusive screening at College Station Movie Theater. The owners of the theater donated tickets and gift certificates as prizes for the reading challenge and to encourage students to keep reading.

Because at Twain Elementary, the focus on reading never stops, says principal Blaine Broderick.

"We have fully embraced the Read to Succeed initiative at Twain this year," says Blaine. "While Drop Everything and Read times are beneficial, that's just the beginning. The Ugly Holiday Sweater Challenge this year encouraged students to get caught reading at times when they wouldn't normally open a book and get lost in a story. Everywhere in our school, you will find students finding joy in reading."