Archway Arete Celebrates an Immersive Read-A-Thon

Celebrating literature is a cornerstone for all of our Great Hearts academies, but for the elementary scholars at Archway Arete, the school hosts a read-a-thon, a quarterly event that brings literature to life and encourages a love for reading within the school community.

“Throughout the quarter, our students work very diligently practicing their math, their reading, their writing, and once a quarter, we like to take some time off to celebrate that great learning to interact with our learning in a different way,” said Shannon Dawson, Dean of Students K-2.

Dawson added that the read-a-thon is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the stories they read, dress as their favorite literary characters, interact with stories in a meaningful way, and celebrate the joy of literature. This year’s event featured assemblies, classroom activities, and a school-wide reading challenge to encourage students to continue their literary exploration over spring break.

The celebration began with a special kindergarten through second-grade assembly, where Headmaster Cassie Mason read a beloved childhood book and wove in the virtue of responsibility, helping students understand the deeper moral lessons found in literature. The assembly concluded with Dean Dawson introducing the Read-a-thon challenge, encouraging students to log reading minutes during spring break.

For third through fifth graders, the assembly followed a similar structure but with a book selection more suited to their age group. Mrs. Mason highlighted the theme of making better choices, demonstrating how literature teaches valuable life lessons. Amber Dill, the Dean of Students for the upper elementary grades, led an engaging reading game where students had to guess characters based on challenging clues.

Beyond the assemblies, classrooms buzzed with literary-inspired activities. Each grade level celebrated in unique ways. Second graders, having just finished Little House in the Big Woods, enjoyed a themed celebration. One classroom practiced square dancing, another engaged in hands-on activities like butter making and learning about daily chores from the book, while a third created maple leaf rubbings. Throughout the day, other grade levels also participated in similar immersive literary experiences.

A long-standing tradition of the read-a-thon is buddy reading, where older students pair up with younger peers to share books and strengthen the school’s sense of community. This meaningful interaction encourages mentorship and reinforces the joy of reading across different grade levels. It is the heart of the entire event.

Parents also play a vital role in the Read-a-thon, making the event possible through their support and involvement. Moms in the hallway prepared buttered bread for the Little House festivities, while other parents read to classrooms, set up activities, and provided snacks. Their dedication shows the strong partnership between families and the school, which is central to the mission of Great Hearts.

“Read-a-thon presents our students with the opportunity to engage in their literature in a new and different way,” explained Dawson. “That is why we think it’s important to have a day like today to celebrate the good works, to enhance that sense of wonder, and see our Truth, Goodness, and Beauty and in a way that expands their wonder and curiosity.”

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.