I love to read

Could any student complain about a chance to read at school wearing pajamas and slippers on a cold winter’s day?

No one was groaning about reading during “Lounge Around and Read Day” Wednesday at Cloquet’s Churchill Elementary. In fact, no one in Jen Owens’ class was talking at all in the Rock and Roll lounge during a 40-minute break for reading. They were simply too busy reading.

Perched on stools, rocking chairs and lots of huge exercise balls, it was a time to get lost in the pages of a book and a way for the elementary school to make something special for “I Love to Read” month.

“It makes reading fun,” Owens said. “I think our kids get more enthusiasm for reading, especially because we have a big celebration at the end of the month and they have a chance to be the VIP reader for their class.”

VIP readers get special seating at the “rock concert” celebration, put on by the elementary school teachers and staff.

At Washington Elementary in Cloquet, they held an entire spirit week for “I Love to Read” month. Wednesday was “Crazy Hair Day,” while Thursday was that school’s “Lounge and Read Day,” when students and staff were invited to wear their favorite warm pajamas. Washington Principal Randy Thudin was planning a twist on the day, warning students that whenever he announced “D.E.A.R Time” over the PA, they’d better be prepared to “Drop Everything And Read (DEAR).”

“I told my kids to bring their books everywhere they go,” third-grade teacher Heather Johnson said, “ – and their

pillow pets.”

Barnum Elementary School marked the month with a different activity every Wednesday, from a book exchange to a “Read What I’m Wearing Day” to a “Mismatched Sock Day.”

Tags: news, education, cloquet, books