Last year, Machias Elementary School introduced a new program to our families: Family Read-Aloud. The program was met with a great degree of success and enthusiasm from our families. Many parents and students requested that we continue the program in the future. Sponsored by a variety of donors, including our PTG, individuals, and community donors, Machias teachers selected a chapter book appropriate for read-aloud for ages 5-12. About 400 copies of the book were purchased and kept in secret until distribution in January.

January 2009 will be our second annual “Family Read-Aloud Month.” Every Machias family will receive a children’s chapter book as a gift on January 5 to read aloud together during the month. We are certain that this year’s book, a classic story supporting our year-long theme, “How the West Was Fun,” will be a popular story for our families to follow during the month.

Using a reading timeline printed on the bookmark distributed with the book, families will read together at home. All Machias families will read the same selection each night throughout the month. Discussion questions are provided for parents to guide children’s comprehension and make connections to their own lives.

 According to research, children are most likely to be successful, literate readers when:

Parents play a vital role in helping their children develop literacy!

At Machias, our hope is that Family Read-Aloud Month will help parents set aside time for the good habit of reading with their children—and we sincerely hope your family has fun reading together!

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