Canutillo Middle School STEAM Academy students joined the ranks of the millionaires club when they completed the 2020 Million Words Read Challenge.
Between September and April, 97 Students in a Mrs. Gamboa’s 7th Grade ELAR class collectively read 1 million words using Read to Lead, a digital learning program that empowers students to “be the boss,” of a virtual workplace.
While playing Read to Lead, students develop reading, writing, and 21st-century skills that benefit them in school today and prepare them for a successful transition to high school and beyond.
In its second year, the Million Words Read Challenge motivates students in middle school classrooms and afterschool programs across the country to collectively read over one million words in Read to Lead.
Canutillo Middle School STEAM Academy students started using the program in September of 2020 and earned digital achievement badges along the way to encourage them to keep progressing towards their goal.
“This challenge has really helped our students during the Pandemic in staying engaged and they are actually enjoying reading,” said Mrs. Erika Gamboa.
“Due to this, their reading Lexile’s are increasing and they feel accomplished each time they complete one of the activities.”
District officials share that while literacy is critical for success in and beyond high school, students often aren’t rewarded for their efforts to read.
The Million Words Read Challenge gives educators a new tool to motivate students to read by rewarding them for reaching milestones like their number of words read, and collectively reading one million words as a class.
Learn more about the Million Words Read Challenge here.
