Reading Challenge Program for Interact Students

With the generous sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Chennai Legends, the Reading Challenge Program was launched for Interact students from Chulipuram Victoria College, Velanai Central College, Chavakachcheri Drieberk College, and Osmania College. This program aims to foster a love for reading among youth, enhance their literacy skills, and inspire lifelong learning, thereby setting a foundation for future academic and personal growth.
Objective and Goals
The Reading Challenge Program was designed with the following objectives:
Promote Literacy and Reading Habit: Encourage students to develop a love for reading by exposing them to a diverse range of books across genres and themes.
Enhance Critical Thinking Skills: Through structured reading exercises and discussions, the program seeks to enhance students’ comprehension, analytical abilities, and critical thinking skills.
Build Confidence and Communication Skills: By participating in book discussions and presenting their insights, students build confidence in their ideas and strengthen their communication skills.
Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork: By engaging students in group activities and collaborative tasks, the program fosters a sense of teamwork and shared learning.
Program Structure and Activities
The Reading Challenge Program follows a structured approach to maximize student engagement and ensure measurable outcomes. Each participating school received a carefully curated selection of books, chosen to appeal to a wide range of reading levels and interests. The books were organized into categories—such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and science—allowing students to explore different genres and broaden their understanding of the world.
Key activities within the program include:
Weekly Reading Targets: Students are assigned weekly reading goals to encourage consistency. These targets vary based on grade level and individual reading proficiency.
Discussion Groups: Students participate in small-group discussions where they share insights, explore character motivations, and analyze plot developments, fostering a deeper understanding of the text.
Book Presentations: At the end of each month, students present a book of their choice to their peers. This activity encourages them to summarize, critique, and engage others, boosting both public speaking and critical thinking skills.
Reading Journals: Each student keeps a journal to document their reading progress, jot down reflections, and track insights. Journaling helps them engage with the material and think critically about each book’s message.
Impact and Benefits
The Reading Challenge Program is designed to have a lasting impact on students by cultivating a lifelong passion for reading. By actively engaging with diverse books, students expand their vocabulary, improve language skills, and increase general knowledge. Furthermore, the program supports students’ mental well-being by providing them with a constructive, engaging activity that boosts self-esteem and resilience.
The program also instills a sense of achievement, as students meet reading milestones and earn recognition for their efforts. Teachers and school administrators have reported a noticeable increase in enthusiasm toward reading, and many students who previously showed little interest in books are now actively participating in the challenge.
Sponsorship and Collaboration
The Rotary Club of Chennai Legends played a pivotal role in the success of this initiative by providing the necessary resources and funding to make it accessible to students across these four schools. Their commitment to youth development and education aligns perfectly with the goals of the Reading Challenge Program. Through this partnership, both the Rotary Club of Chennai Legends and our Rotary Club have strengthened their community outreach and commitment to literacy advancement.