Teaching every child to read is the foundation of Direct Instruction (DI), the proven, research-backed classroom instructional program Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) piloted almost 30 years ago in Maryland. Now widely used by the Baltimore City Public Schools, BCP’s educational partner, DI continues to inspire BCP readers.
Recently, two of our schools were recognized for their love of reading.
City Springs’ 4th Grade Homeroom
In February, 2025, Mr. Henshaw’s homeroom, the Temple University homeroom, competed in the READ Bowl, a free, international competition run by former NFL player Malcom Mitchell. This competition of scholars from across the globe is used to see which class can amass the most reading minutes in a four-week competition.
The Temple University scholars competed against more than 800,000 other scholars in the Elementary division and placed 1st overall for Maryland! Congratulations!
To achieve this amazing feat, City Springs’ scholars have been completing their normal academics during the school day while also completing novel studies as homework to continue to push their independent reading skills. They read titles such as The Wizard of Oz, The City of Ember, Dear Mr. Henshaw, The Odyssey, and Holes this year as they continue to grow their reading skills.
City Springs’ matches each homeroom with a college and university to encourage students to set their sights on attending college.
Govans Elementary School Reads Across America
WJZ-TV captured Govans Elementary School’s weeklong Read Across America celebration, held the week of March 3rd. This national program sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA) coincides with Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2.
Govans celebrated the week with events every day:
- Monday, March 3: “Reading makes your future bright” with everyone wearing bright colors and enjoying a school-wide and enjoying a Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R) session.
- Tuesday, March 5: “Reading is write on!” Students and staff wore t-shirts with positive slogans and WJZ-TV livestreamed Govans’ read aloud event.
- Wednesday: March 6: “Hats ‘on’ for reading” with everyone wearing a favorite hat
- Thursday, March 7: “Reading takes us on adventures” with everyone wearing a t-shirt with their favorite place to go and a bookmark-making event in the Library.
- Friday, March 8: “Readers are future leaders!” with everyone dressing for their future job and a Book Buddies reading session with 4th and 5th grade reading to the PreK and Kindergarten classes.
