Students at Lawrence Primary School traded their desks for passport stamps as the school hosted its annual Literacy Night under the exciting theme, "Reading Can Take You Places." The gymnasium was transformed into an international terminal, where students and their families "boarded their plane" to kick off a night of global exploration and hands-on learning. The goal of the evening was to demonstrate that opening a book is the first step on any great journey. As families received their travel passports, they were instructed to visit three interactive continent stations: Africa (Nigeria), South America (Peru), and Antarctica. Each station offered a new cultural experience tied directly to foundational literacy skills.
Traveling the World, One Book at a Time
At each destination, students engaged with a carefully selected read-aloud story focusing on that region's culture or history. The first stop was the vibrant "Night Market in Africa, where students listened to a story about the region and immediately applied their learning by playing Mancala, an indigenous strategy game, before writing a postcard to their families describing their favorite part of the country.
Next, the journey landed in Peru, South America. After listening to the rhythmic story "Maria Had a Little Llama," students practiced their listening comprehension and fine motor skills as they learned about traditional textiles by creating woven crafts using yarn.
The final, chilly destination was Antarctica, where students listened to the story "If I could go to Antarctica" and engaged in a high-energy "vocabulary snowball fight" before concluding their knowledge test with a fast-paced round of Jeopardy focused on facts from their reading.
Every stop included a corresponding writing task, craft, or game, ensuring that students were actively applying their skills—from creative writing to testing content knowledge. Teachers and parent volunteers guided the young travelers, reinforcing the idea that reading helps us understand new perspectives and cultures.
During the night, we were also proud to present one of our own students who recently took their inspiration to write their own book! A great showcase of how reading can take you places!
