Did you realize that kids today are more likely to choose video games or television over reading? Unfortunately, this will clearly affect their ability and academic success. Did you know that the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a division of the US Department of Education that provides results on student achievement, has directly linked reading for fun with academic success? Did you know that, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, the Department of Education kicked off Let’s Read! in July 2011?

That’s a lot of questions, I know, but the tons of statistics out there all point to one BIG answer: All children benefit from learning to read; reading more; and reading for enjoyment.

We need to lure children away from video games, social media, and television and show that them that reading can be just as incredible and engaging as the Wii or the iPod. In Connecticut, students scored slightly above the national average in the Reading Assessment as recorded in The Nation’s Report Card by the NAEP. 42% of 4^th grade students scored Proficient or Advanced, and 57% scored Basic or Below Basic. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer those statistics be reversed. In fact, I would prefer ALL students perform at Proficient or Advanced! We need to motivate these kids to read more. Reading more = better comprehension = better scores = more life success. That’s an equation to live by.

One key to inspiring children to read more for fun is to present reading in an entertaining way. If a student sees reading as a chore, they will resist it. This makes total sense. Nobody considers chores to be fun, do they? Reading Assembly Programs for elementary, primary and intermediate schools can keep our students interested in reading and maybe even encourage them to read more! In Connecticut, PTA and PTO organizations are searching for assemblies that support PARP (Parents as Reading Partners) and that are interesting, fun, and good additions to their curriculums.

This is where I work my magic. My Read to Succeed program is a perfect accompaniment to book fairs, Turn Off TV Week, National Library Week, Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration, and of course Let’s Read!

In my programs, I introduce popular children’s books to get kids excited about them with my magic. I talk about how life inside of books is like finding a treasure. I stress the importance of taking good care of books – especially library books. My show will not only motivate students to read; teachers and administrators will have renewed ideas and interests as well… After all, who doesn’t like magic?

Why not offer your students some life lessons about reading in an entertaining, engaging, and totally unique way? Read to Succeed will illuminate the magic of reading for your elementary students!

Reading School Assembly Program Reviews

Laura S., School Counselor, School 16 - Troy, NY

Amazing Magic Tricks:  You find me a student who doesn’t like magic… Go ahead. I’ll wait. … None, right? That’s why magic is the perfect way to whet their appetite for taking in the content hidden within the program!

Age-Appropriate Humor:  Let’s face it, kids LOVE jokes. I use humor to motivate your students’ interest in books and reading. There won’t be any getting bored and poking each other and talking or disruption during the program – they’ll be too busy laughing!