Radical, extreme, drastic.
Radical Readers was created by the Maryland State Education Association to encourage middle school students to become extreme about the joy of reading.
Since 2007, MSEA has given away laptops, $500 gift cards, video game systems, and lots and lots of pizza--all to inspire middle school students to see reading for the exciting journey it really is.
This year, we have chosen Greenbelt Middle School in Prince George's County as a pilot location to see what happens when an entire school competes to read thirty minutes for thirty straight days.
How many will keep the pace? How many will stay the course? How many will start to see reading in a different way? What kind of readers will we see at Greenbelt Middle School at the end of thirty days?
Sixth graders will have access to a "reading buddy," a library, or high school reading volunteer who will help select books and spend time reading with the students. A sixth grader who consistently reads 30 minutes for 30 days will have the opportunity to be chosen to receive a Barnes & Noble Nook or a Barnes & Noble gift card. A Nook winner will also be chosen from the seventh and eighth grade participants.
As Greenbelt Middle School students take the challenge and get ready to be radical readers, other middle school students may join the reading community of Read Across Maryland and enter to win through www.readacrossmaryland.org. Radical readers become excellent leaders!
Photos of the Radical Readers Kickoff Event
