Eager parents and students sign in at the Scotts Branch Elementary Fall Reading Carnival.

The word “carnival” usually brings to mind images of games, rides, popcorn, and cotton candy. But on October 19, “carnival” took on a new meaning at Scotts Branch Elementary School when 300 parents and students participated in the school’s first annual Fall Reading Carnival. 

Before the carnival officially began at 6:30 p.m., families were already lined up outside waiting for the doors to open.

Once they entered, parents and older students traveled to the cafeteria to participate in several reading games, including “Synonym Bingo,” “Tales in the Dark,” “Vocabulary Tic Tac Toe,” and “Rapping Rhythm Fluency.”

Parents and younger students traveled to the gym for “Hula Hoop Sounds,” “Sight Word Clown,” “Safari Float,” “Bowling for Sounds,” “Mini Golf Word Endings,” and “Cookie Walk.”  

Many of the activities brought students of different ages together, such as munching on popcorn while listening to stories during “Tales in the Dark” and “Madame Zola Reads” story times.

At the end of the evening each Scotts Branch student chose a new book to take home, as well as freshly made cotton candy. 

Parents were asked to complete event evaluations as they left. One evaluation response – “Do it again!” – captures the community’s enthusiasm for the first-ever Scotts Branch Reading Carnival.

Story by Patrice Manning-Walker, physical education teacher at Scotts Branch Elementary School. Photos courtesy of Scotts Branch Elementary School