Rhode Islanders Encouraged to 'Share Your Favorites' December 2-8

Published on Wednesday, November 20, 2019

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green are encouraging educators, students, families, and community members to participate in the third annual “Share Your Favorites” social media campaign throughout the week of December 2. Over the past two years, hundreds of Rhode Islanders have participated in this initiative to promote literacy.

In order to participate, just post on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram about the books you love, the books you’re currently reading, and the books that helped shape your childhood. RIDE encourages participants to share books about different cultures, and post in multiple languages. Tag @RIDeptEd in your posts, and use the hashtag, #RIReads.

“Early literacy is part of the foundation of a child’s academic and lifelong success. We need to prepare all children to be strong readers, and also instill in them a love of reading. It doesn’t matter what topic they’re reading about, or what language they’re reading in – it all contributes to stronger literacy skills. That’s what ‘Share Your Favorites’ is all about,” said Commissioner Infante-Green. “I invite all Rhode Islanders to join us on social media next week to help us to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy, and get our students and families excited about reading in school and at home.”

The Share Your Favorites campaign started in 2017 through RIDE and the Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet. The Cabinet was reconvened by Governor Gina Raimondo, who charged the cross-agency group with increasing the number of Rhode Island students reading on grade level by third grade to 75 percent by 2025.

Reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a crucial indicator of a child’s future success. Students who read well by third grade are more likely to perform well in other subjects, and students who do not are at greater risk of dropping out of high school.

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