Participants gathered in the school Media Center to play board games which required reading the rules. Most of the games also required students to read as they progressed through the game.

Out on the playground, students were required to put together a word puzzle on how to construct S’Mores. Following completion of that task, grill master and Second Grade teacher Emily Sletten gave each student a roasted marshmallow to enjoy on a graham cracker and chocolate bar.

Students could also select a book and then read it on any of the playground equipment or retire to one of several tents set up for a relaxing reading retreat.

The event offers students and parents a chance to read together, said Mary Battazzi, NEH Title I reading teacher.

— Daily Freeman-Journal photos by Teresa Wood
Carsten Keane enjoys a story read to him by his mother Alison during the Northeast Hamilton Family Reading Night on Monday.

“Our goal is to present activities that they can do at home and to pick a book and read it together,” said Battazzi.

In addition, reading night is designed to give parents ideas for summer reading activities that will keep their children reading throughout the vacation months, she said.