522,092,646.
That’s how many words Rocky Mountain Prep students have read since the school year began. It’s also the equivalent of reading the entire Harry Potter series — all seven books — more than 480 times.Schools have started the year off strong, building a culture around literacy. According to Sarah Beth Bliss, RMP Westwood’s assistant principal of instruction, students are filling their free time with reading. “If a student is done with their classwork early, they are reading. If a student is waiting in the office, they are reading. We have students reading in all places and spaces.” The result, she said, is a palpable energy around reading.It’s that energy that has lit the fire for students working toward their reading goals. So, since October is National Book Month, let’s celebrate how literacy has taken off at RMP in the first quarter of the school year!The Elephants at RMP Ruby Hill have created a culture of friendly competition around reading. In their Battle of the Books, third- through fifth-grade classes vie for bragging rights by out-reading the other classes in their grade. Each Friday, students get an update on the data: which classes are winning, which need to pick up the pace, and who receives shoutouts for a particularly excellent week of reading.Not to be outdone, Principal McKee has led by example. He recorded a read-aloud for students to watch at home on ClassDojo to encourage listening comprehension in addition to visual reading.