Midland School Celebrates 25 Years of the Great Read Aloud with a Schoolwide Magic of Reading Assembly

In honor of Read Across America and a milestone anniversary, Midland School brought students together for literary celebrations, highlighted by the 25th Annual Great Midland Read Aloud and a PTO sponsored Magic of Reading assembly. 

On February 27, Midland continued its beloved tradition of reconnecting students with their classroom teachers from the previous year. To begin the day, students in first grade through fifth grade returned to last year’s classrooms for a special read-aloud and visit. Kindergarten classes participated in designated classrooms with Midland teachers, and students who were new to the school gathered in the multi-purpose room for their own shared reading experience. 

Classrooms were filled with stories, laughter, and meaningful reconnections. When the closing announcement was made, students returned to their current classrooms, carrying with them both the joy of a shared story and the reminder that reading builds lasting bonds across grade levels. 

The celebration continued on March 2, when the Midland PTO sponsored a dynamic assembly featuring magician and literacy advocate Brian Richards and his program, The Magic of Reading. Blending magic, comedy, and storytelling, Mr. Richards read Pete Seeger’s “Abiyoyo” and invited students to participate in interactive magic tricks that reinforced the themes of the story. Throughout the high-energy performance, he emphasized the importance of reading every day and encouraged students to visit the library regularly to explore a wide range of genres, from fantasy and adventure to mysteries and nonfiction. 

By reminding students that reading is like exercise for the brain, the assembly underscored Midland’s ongoing commitment to literacy while inspiring students to open a book and discover something new. 

Together, the Great Midland Read Aloud and the Magic of Reading assembly created a unified celebration of literacy at Midland, honoring a cherished tradition while motivating the next generation of readers.