Love of Reading Takes Center Stage in March Reading Madness at INDLS

March is here, and at Indiana Digital Learning School (INDLS), that means one thing—it’s time to celebrate National Reading Month with an exciting, school-wide event designed to ignite our students’ love of reading! 

This year, our March Reading Madness challenge is taking center stage. It is a fun, bracket-style competition that encourages students to explore new books and develop a lifelong passion for reading. 

Building the Bracket: How March Reading Madness Works 

Modeled after the excitement of March basketball tournaments, INDLS hosts a reading showdown in which books compete in a friendly competition. Every two days, students receive two book selections online, vote for their favorite, and watch as the tournament unfolds. The winning books advance in the bracket until we crown the ultimate INDLS favorite read! 

This activity offers a fun break from testing season and provides a structured way for students to stay engaged with reading. With so many distractions in today’s digital world, creating interactive and engaging ways for kids to connect with books is more important than ever. 

Why Reading Still Matters in a Digital World 

In today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world, students often consume content in short bursts—TikTok videos, Instagram stories, and YouTube shorts. But as INDLS literacy coach Elizabeth Williams explains, reading remains a crucial life skill. 

“You don’t have to love reading, but you do need to read to navigate the world. Whether you’re a welder, a pipefitter, or a business owner, being able to comprehend what you read is an essential life skill, and we hope through March Reading Madness that our students discover reading—while important—can also be fun,” says Williams. 

Beyond employment, literacy plays a major role in critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal protection. When students develop strong reading skills, they become more independent and capable of advocating for themselves—from understanding contracts to navigating healthcare information. 

How INDLS Supports a Love of Reading Year-Round 

At INDLS, reading isn’t just a one-month celebration—it’s a year-round priority. Our literacy programs ensure that students receive targeted instruction based on the science of reading and engaging experiences that help them improve their skills while making reading enjoyable. 

One example is our Magic Treehouse Reading Initiative, where students in a reading intervention class, in second and third grade, receive physical copies of the beloved book series to read along with their teachers. By putting books directly in students’ hands, INDLS creates opportunities for kids to read for fun, not just for school. 

Our intervention team also gamifies literacy to keep students motivated. One recent initiative, a snowman-building contest, rewarded students with fun incentives as they completed reading challenges. At INDLS, we believe that making reading enjoyable is the key to developing lifelong learners. 

How Families Can Encourage a Love of Reading at Home 

Parents and guardians play a vital role in fostering a love of reading outside the classroom. Williams encourages families to: 

📖 Read together – Spend time practicing and building reading skills, but also set aside time to read together as a family for enjoyment.  

📖 Encourage active engagement – Ask questions, discuss the story, and model curiosity and excitement about books. 

📖 Make reading a habit – Treat books as a daily necessity rather than a chore. Creating positive reading rituals helps students look forward to their next adventure in a book. 

📖 Reach out for support – INDLS reading team provide personalized reading resources to help each student grow. 

The Final Chapter: Why Reading Matters 

At INDLS, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to develop a love of reading. Our March Reading Madness initiative, combined with our ongoing literacy efforts, helps students discover the joy, adventure, and lifelong benefits from becoming a strong reader! 

No matter where the competition leads, the real champion is the student who falls in love with reading. 

Follow along as we reveal the winning book of March Reading Madness! Which book will claim the title? Follow INDLS on Facebook to see the results!  

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