Literacy Initiatives at W.A.Perry

Literacy Initiatives

At W.A. Perry Middle School, our reading initiatives are guided by one core belief: reading programs should foster a lifelong love of reading. Our comprehensive literacy efforts include school-wide reading activities, independent reading logs, and author visits. Notable visiting authors have included Kwame Alexander, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Ibi Zoboi, Sharon Draper, Varian Johnson, Darion McCloud, Jim, Perez, Tim Bowers, Duane Kyles, and Chris Singleton.

Each February, we celebrate “Love of Literacy Month” with special events like our “Read a Book in a Day” initiative. Students hear a shared read-aloud, engage in diverse group discussions, and participate in meaningful projects. We also take part in the National African American Read-In, honoring Black authors and literature as part of Black History Month.

Students are encouraged to join the Read with the Gamecocks and Fireflies Reading programs, where they can earn tickets to games and events as rewards for their reading achievements. Moreover, our students are provided summer reading resources and each grade level participates in summer reading book project.

Our media center supports personalized reading by offering custom book lists based on students’ Lexile scores from the Reading Inventory. We also promote participation in the South Carolina Junior Book Awards by making nominated titles available and encouraging student voting.

At W.A. Perry, every student carries a book of their choice in their backpack—because student choice matters. What they read is less important than the fact that they are reading. Daily independent reading is embedded into our school day, with access to rich classroom libraries and a well-stocked media center. Teachers collaborate regularly through professional learning communities focused on best practices in reading instruction.

Since 2018, our Project Lit Book Club has connected students with culturally relevant books. Part of a national literacy movement in over 500 schools across 40 states, the club meets monthly in the media center and welcomes all students to participate or check out featured books.

At W.A. Perry, we empower our Eagles to Read, Read, Read Their Way to New Heights! The impact of reading is lifelong—and life-changing.