Read 3 million words

Starting on the National Read Across America Day, students up to 5th Grade are being challenged to read three million words in an effort to win one of five Amazon Kindle devices.

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez, as part of the ongoing Literacy by 5th Grade Initiative, issued the challenge that will coincide with the annual National Read Across America activities.

To participate, students will utilize the free Footsteps2Brilliance literacy apps that are available to all students in Riverside County from transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade. The top five readers in the Footsteps2Brilliance program will receive an Amazon Kindle. Additional prizes will also be awarded by individual school districts. The challenge will run until April 30.

The Footsteps2Brilliance bilingual literacy apps are available free of charge to every transitional kindergarten through 5th grade student who resides within Riverside County. Even students not yet enrolled in school will be able to access and use the apps.

Students participating in the Three Million Word Challenge will have access to the Footsteps2Brilliance library of e-books and educational games on their smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Students can participate in the Three Million Word Reading Challenge by registering for free access to the Footsteps2Brilliance apps at myf2b.com/riverside. Progress towards the goal can be tracked at www.rcoe.us/literacy-by-5th-grade.

“Goal-setting is an essential tool in achieving greatness in all parts of life—and this includes student learning at the earliest of ages,” the superintendent said. “I am confident that our Riverside County students will reach the goal of the Three Million Word Challenge while developing a love of reading that will help them achieve many future goals in their lives.”