World Read Aloud Day: Raising Our Voices Blogging Challenge

I am joining in this blog challenge initiated by Matthew Winner for World Read ALoud Day 2014 (WRAD 2014). The theme for WRAD 2014 is Raising Our Voices. As librarian and literacy advocate, I will use this blog as platform to raise the voice for books, reading and literacy.

I have lifted this post on WRAD 2014 Raising Our Voices Blogging Challenge from Matthew Winner, The Busy Librarian.

The World Read Aloud Day "Raising Our Voices" Blogging Challenge begins February 10 and runs through March 9. If you choose to take the challenge, each week you will be asked to write a post in response to a prompt or question (outlined below), for a total of 4 posts counting down to World Read Aloud Day. 

Each of the prompts addresses the WRAD theme "Raising Our Voices." Raising Our Voices encapsulates that simple yet effective way we show the world's children we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world. 

WRAD Raising Our Voices Blogging Challenge: Weekly Outline 

Week 1: February 10 - 16
What is your earliest or fondest memory in which someone read aloud to you?
Your first mission is to answer this question. We are using this prompt to bring awareness to the impact reading aloud and the act of being read to has on readers of all ages. Consider it an opportunity to connect with others through the shared experience of hearing stories read aloud. 

After answering the prompt, share a short description of how you plan to celebrate WRAD on March 5. Who will you celebrate with? Where will you be? If you have celebrated WRAD in the past, what activities brought you and those you celebrated with the most joy? If you haven't finalized plans, of if this will be your first WRAD celebration, use this space to share your brainstorming process, and direct your readers to litworld.org/worldreadaloudday for activities and recommendations.

Week 2: February 17 - 23
Adult & Child
Answering the following questions with a child. The child can be a student or your own. Age does not matter. Make sure to exchange and enjoy answers with one another before sharing them with us.
1. I think everyone in the world should read…
Me:
Child:
(repeat this format for the remaining questions)
2. If I could listen to anyone in the world read aloud to me it would be…
3. When I read aloud, my favorite character to impersonate is…
4. The genre or author that takes up the most room on my bookshelf (or e-reader) is…
5. My favorite part about reading aloud or being read to is... 

Week 3: February 24 - March 2
A Snapshot of My Reading Life
Post a photo that gives readers a glimpse into your reading life. This could be your favorite place to read, your bookshelf, your library, your classroom, a book from childhood that you still re-read today, your favorite person to read with. Anything that brings joy to your reading life will work!
Below the photo share a short narrative explaining why this picture is meaningful to you. 

Week 4: March 3 - 9
Raising Our Voices
It's time to read aloud! Select a favorite text, or a personal story that you love to share out loud, and make a video. If you don't have a webcam, are having technical difficulties, or prefer not to be on camera, you can also translate this challenge into a written post. Share what you will be reading on World Read Aloud Day, and why you chose this particular piece to read aloud.

If you choose to take up the WRAD Raising Our Voices blogging challenge, make sure to tweet your weekly posts to @litworldsays and use the hashtag #WRAD14 so that we can retweet your wonderful read aloud stories! Happy blogging!