Reading Under the Stars

Dragon Drop Stories October 7, 2022

Yesterday was a glorious fall day on the TCIS campus, and it was a beautiful evening on which to bring back the annual "Reading Under the Stars" night.

It was a great turnout of elementary and middle school students and parents on the sports field. Picnic blankets, lanterns, and jackets dotted the field as families spent the evening playing, socializing, and reading together.

Teaching the 'mechanics' of reading is important, but equally so is helping students to develop a love of reading. Literacy comes with practice, and practice comes most naturally when it is an enjoyable activity for children. The TCIS Library and Literacy specialists plan events throughout the year to help build a culture of reading fun and involvement among the students. Events that help to promote reading in families are another way that supports student literacy by broadening the culture of reading to other parts of student lives beyond the classroom.

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A family reads outside in the dark around a flashlight during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A family reads outside in the dark around a flashlight and lantern during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A woman and child read outside in the dark around a flashlight during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A mother and daughter read outside in the dark around a flashlight during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

Two young boys read outside in the dark around a flashlight during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A group of mothers sit talking outside in the dark around a lantern during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

Faculty volunteers had the campfire going and they roasted marshmallows for s'mores. Both the cocoa and popcorn tables were also much-visited throughout the evening. Grade 3 students contributed original poetry reading, and middle school drama students performed "exaggerated stories" for the crowd.

It was at full dark, however, that the main event started. The field lights turned off, and families and friends read together under the night sky. It was such a fun and memorable time for all, and it was great to see so many smiling faces.

Long-time staff commented, "This is so much more like the TCIS we know." Families spending time together on campus, children running around, and everyone having a nice time together are a part of the TCIS history – and it was a wonderful evening for enjoying just that.

Thank you, parents, for joining us on campus to help build a love of reading culture in our students. Also, thank you to all the volunteers who helped to set up and facilitate such a fun and enjoyable time.

A small group of boys read outside in a tent with flashlights during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A multi-cultural group of teachers sit around a campfire toasting marshmallows at a school event

A multi cultural group of teachers roast marshmallows around a campfire at a school event

Parents and students register for an event at a table

A close up photo of a s'more, being held by a young girl

A young girl in a group reads into a microphone

A young girl reads into a microphone beside her teacher

Three teachers pose together and smile for a photo

Two women pass out cups of cocoa to a group of students at the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event

A group of children line up for popcorn at a school event

A group of middle school girls sit outside at night and pose for a photo

A group of young boys pose for a photo outdoors at night

A group of middle school students pose at night, outdoors for a photo

A group of mothers and children sit outside on a blanket at night posing for a photo

A family smiles for a photo outdoors at night on a picnic blanket

A family sits on a mat on the ground, and the son feeds popcorn to his father

A teacher and student perform a dramatic reading to an outdoor crowd

Two middle school girls perform a dramatic reading to a crowd of children and parents outdoors

Young students laugh as they watch older students perform a funny dramatic reading

A group of elementary students play soccer at night under the soccer field lights at TCIS

A young girl reads outside in the dark around a unicorn lamp during the TCIS Reading Under the Stars event