National Reading Week Celebration at Pearl School, Al Dafna

Pearl School, Al Dafna, enthusiastically celebrated National Reading Week from June 26 to July 1, 2025, with a series of vibrant and engaging activities across multiple languages. The celebration aimed to instill a lifelong love for reading among students from Grades 1 to 8, fostering literary curiosity, imagination, and cultural appreciation through well-planned and creative events.

As part of the celebration, the English Department conducted special Reading Week activities from June 29 to July 1 for students of Grades 1 to 8. The three-day programme aimed to promote reading habits, enhance literary skills, and encourage creative expression.

On Day 1, themed Fiction & Classics, students participated in activities like story mapping, vocabulary hunts, book trailers, and scene rewrites, using titles such as Matilda, Charlotte’s Web, and Anne of Green Gables. Day 2, focused on Fantasy, Adventure & History, featured character sketches, group reading, book-versus-movie comparisons, and drama scenes inspired by books like Percy Jackson and The Magic Tree House. Day 3, themed Mystery & Modern Tales, included the much-anticipated Character Parade, where students dressed as book characters and performed iconic lines. Parental support in preparing costumes added a special touch to the event.

A key highlight for Grades 1 and 2 was the “Story Circles with Parent” activity, where parents read stories aloud with expressive narration. The session captivated students and created a joyful reading environment, strengthening the connection between home and school.

In addition to English, the Tamil Department organized a meaningful library activity to promote reading habits in the mother tongue. Students visited the library to explore a diverse collection of Tamil storybooks. The session was enriched by Tamil Department teachers who shared insights about famous Tamil writers, explained the importance of classic works, and read stories aloud. Their expressive storytelling brought characters to life and made the literary experience memorable. The session helped students connect with Tamil literature and sparked their interest in exploring more books in their native language.

The Hindi Department encouraged students to read a variety of literary genres, thereby enhancing their language skills and expanding their literary exposure. Through guided reading sessions and discussions, students engaged meaningfully with Hindi literature, developing deeper comprehension and appreciation.

The French Department held an exciting Rapid Fire Round for Grades 7 and 8, centered around reading-themed questions. This fast-paced quiz encouraged spontaneous thinking and made language learning fun and interactive. Students thoroughly enjoyed the competitive yet supportive atmosphere while strengthening their vocabulary and literary knowledge in French.

The Malayalam Department organized a vibrant Book Exhibition, which was inaugurated by the School Headmistress. Students brought books from home, resulting in an impressive display of both old and new works by a variety of authors. Books were thoughtfully arranged in the Block A hall, with simple storybooks for primary students and more advanced titles for older students. The exhibition offered students a unique opportunity to discover different authors and experience the depth of Malayalam literature.

Meanwhile, the Arabic Department conducted several engaging reading sessions. Students brought their favourite books to class, read them aloud, and exchanged books with peers. A book review activity followed, where students shared their reflections and opinions on the books they had read. These sessions not only strengthened reading comprehension but also deepened students’ appreciation for the richness of Arabic literature.

The collective efforts of all language departments created a vibrant and enriching literary atmosphere across the school. The National Reading Week celebration at Pearl School, Al Dafna, was a memorable and impactful event that not only promoted literacy across languages but also nurtured creativity, cultural pride, and a shared love for reading.