Mad for Reading
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is committed to amplifying the brilliance of all students. MMSD is proud to launch our citywide "Mad for Reading" program to deepen the joy, excitement and fundamental importance of literacy and bi-literacy. Literacy is not only a gateway to understanding and interacting with the world, it is the core of everything we do.
Through this program, we highlight MMSD's unwavering commitment to the educational success of our students and Madison's shared commitment to literacy. “Mad for Reading” is a powerful tool that drives engagement and success in the district’s broader educational goals.
In the coming months, get immersed in a world of possibilities. From thrilling reading challenges that ignite your competitive spirit to captivating author visits that bring stories to life, Mad for Reading has something for everyone to enjoy.
- All-City Reads unites us as we delve into the pages of a shared book, sparking discussions and forging connections across our vibrant community.
- Or imagine the joy of coming together for lively Book Clubs, where voices are heard and perspectives are valued.
- Prepare for enchanting evenings filled with wonder at our Family Literacy Nights, where storytelling and creativity intertwine to create unforgettable memories for young and old alike.
- Embrace the digital realm with our curated Digital Reading Resources and ignite your imagination with just the click of a button. Discover new worlds, learn new skills and embrace the power of community.
- Mark your calendars for our Community Literacy Events. Join neighbors and friends to celebrate the magic of reading and the boundless opportunities it brings.
So, families and community members, gear up for a journey like no other. Together, let's dive into the wonder of words, the joy of storytelling, and the endless adventures that await within the pages of a book. Get ready to be “Mad for Reading!”
Missed the MAD for Reading Kickoff Event Press Conference? Watch it now on YouTube!
Photos from Mad for Reading Kick-Off Event
As we embark on this literary adventure, we invite families and community members to join us in fostering a love for reading that knows no bounds. Sign Up to be part of the Mad for Reading Movement and help write our next Chapter
Monthly Book Lists and Activities
Mad for Reading - Black History Month Book Suggestions
Hispanic Heritage Month Book Suggestions
Mad for Reading Kickoff Month - A World of Words Book Suggestions
Mad for Reading Customizable Bookmark - Fall
- Content
Native American Month Book Suggestions
Mad for Reading Customizable Bookmark - Winter
- Content
Disability/Ability Awareness Month Book Suggestions
Monthly Reading Bingo Card
- Content
Download and Print (English, Spanish, Hmong)
February 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sunday, January 26
Monday, January 27
Tuesday, January 28
Muir Battle of the Books Competition
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John Muir Elementary School, 6602 Inner Dr, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Nuestro Mundo 5th Grade Battle of the Books Competition
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Nuestro Mundo Community School, 4201 Buckeye Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
East Feeders Battle of the Books 4th & 5th Grade
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Emerson Elementary School, 2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Elvehjem Celebration of Learning
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Elvehjem Elementary School, 5106 Academy Dr, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Wednesday, January 29
Mendota Battle of the Books Competition
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Mendota Elementary School, 4002 School Rd, Madison, WI 53704, USA
LaFollette Read It and See It Book Club
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La Follette High School, 702 Pflaum Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Thursday, January 30
Virtual Author Talk: The Excitement of New Experiences with Mélanie Watt (K-1st grade)
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Book Break app in Classlink
Nuestro Mundo 4th Grade Battle of the Books Competition
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Nuestro Mundo Community School, 4201 Buckeye Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Marquette Battle of the Books Competition
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Marquette Elementary School, 1501 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Virtual Author Talk: The Excitement of New Experiences with Mélanie Watt (K-1st grade)
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Book Break app in Classlink
Friday, January 31
Hawthorne Battle of the Books Competition
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Hawthorne Elementary School, 3344 Concord Ave, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Saturday, February 1
Sunday, February 2
Monday, February 3
Tuesday, February 4
Virtual Author Talk: Painting Pictures With Poetry with Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome - (2nd-3rd grade)
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Book Break app in Classlink
Virtual Author Talk: Painting Pictures With Poetry with Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome - (2nd-3rd grade)
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Book Break app in Classlink
Wednesday, February 5
Schenk Battle of the Books Competition
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Schenk Elementary School, 230 Schenk St, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Memorial Feeder Regional Battle of the Books Competition
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John Muir Elementary School, 6602 Inner Dr, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Thursday, February 6
Virtual Author Talk: Discerning the Truth with Marie Lu (6th-8th grade)
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Book Break app in Classlink
Friday, February 7
Henderson Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Henderson Elementary School, 1201 Tompkins Dr, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Drop Everything and Read @ Sandburg
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Sandburg Elementary School, 4114 Donald Dr, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Saturday, February 8
Sunday, February 9
Monday, February 10
Midvale Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Midvale Elementary School, 502 Caromar Dr, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Tuesday, February 11
Mendota Read Your Heart Out
All Day
Mendota Elementary School, 4002 School Rd, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Wednesday, February 12
Madison Reading Project Free Book Fair @ ORE
All Day
Orchard Ridge Elementary School, 5602 Russett Rd, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Thursday, February 13
Friday, February 14
Emerson Read your Heart Out
All Day
Emerson Elementary School, 2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Lake View Read Your Heart Out
All Day
Lake View Elementary School, 1802 Tennyson Ln, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Lapham Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Lapham Elementary School, 1045 E Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Southside Read Your Heart Out
All Day
Southside Elementary School, 501 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713, USA
Saturday, February 15
Sunday, February 16
Monday, February 17
Tuesday, February 18
Madison Reading Project Free Book Fair @ Kennedy
All Day
Kennedy Elementary School, 221 Meadowlark Dr, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Wednesday, February 19
Thursday, February 20
Crestwood Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Crestwood Elementary School, 5930 Old Sauk Rd, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Kennedy Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Kennedy Elementary School, 221 Meadowlark Dr, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Madison Reading Project Free Book Fair @ Muir
All Day
John Muir Elementary School, 6602 Inner Dr, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Marquette Read Your Heart Out Celebration
All Day
Marquette Elementary School, 1501 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Hawthorne Read Your Heart Out Celebration
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Hawthorne Elementary School, 3344 Concord Ave, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Muir Read Your Heart Out and Dance!
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John Muir Elementary School, 6602 Inner Dr, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Friday, February 21
Saturday, February 22
Sunday, February 23
Monday, February 24
Tuesday, February 25
Wednesday, February 26
Madison Reading Project Free Book Fair @ Crestwood
All Day
Crestwood Elementary School, 5930 Old Sauk Rd, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Thursday, February 27
Hot Chocolate Social & Free Book Fair @ O'Keeffe
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Georgia O'Keeffe Middle School, 510 S Thornton Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Friday, February 28
Madison Reading Project Free Book Fair @ Lake View
All Day
Lake View Elementary School, 1802 Tennyson Ln, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Saturday, March 1
Literacy in Action…
In honor of Black History Month, MMSD presents a curated book list for students from PreK through 12th grade, celebrating the rich history and contributions of Black Americans.
Join the RYHO celebration by volunteering at an elementary school to read books, recite poetry or tell stories as we uplift Black history.
“Mad for Reading” is geared toward fostering a love of books in learners of all ages and encouraging family participation in students’ development through shared reading experiences.
This month, we celebrate the unique "languages" within families, whether through dialects, inside jokes, or special traditions. Share a "language treasure" from your family—like a word, phrase, or story—and explain how it connects you to your heritage or history.
Students teamed up with the Wisconsin Badgers for a slam dunk day of activities, celebrating reading and athletics!
MMSD's unwavering commitment to the educational success of our students and Madison's shared commitment to literacy. “Mad for Reading” is a powerful tool that drives engagement and success in the district’s broader educational goals.
Mark your calendars for a celebration of books, literacy, and the joy of reading! Join our Mad for Reading Kickoff Event livestream on Jan. 23, 2025 at 5 p.m. for in honor of National Reading Day.
MMSD saw a 9% increase in literacy proficiency, with nearly 50% of students meeting grade-level expectations on the 2023 Wisconsin Forward Exam. This improvement follows the district's adoption of a phonics-based "science of reading" approach and targeted curriculum changes.
MMSD's unwavering commitment to the educational success of our students and Madison's shared commitment to literacy. “Mad for Reading” is a powerful tool that drives engagement and success in the district’s broader educational goals.
Teacher Amy Wilson brings literacy into the art room by pairing picture books with each project, helping students connect art concepts with social-emotional lessons like perseverance while exploring diverse artistic traditions.
Though Act 20 doesn’t go into effect until January, MMSD has already implemented tools that align with its requirements to support and identify readers who struggle with dyslexia and other learning challenges.
MMSD's Early Literacy Plan aligns with Act 20 and is designed to support and enhance reading instruction from the early grades.
In celebration of Better World Day, students at Leopold Elementary took the lead in promoting literacy and spreading joy through storytelling.
This annual all-city book competition celebrates literary exploration and knowledge among students from MMSD elementary schools.
MMSD’s commitment and work around early literacy was a main discussion topic at the Jan. 8, 2024 Board of Education Instruction Work Group meeting.
MMSD high school students had a special visit from author Angeline Boulley, who spoke about her Ojibwe and German heritage and the importance of indigenous representation in media.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and MMSD’s commitment to promoting early literacy, three MMSD Library Media and Tech Specialists (LMTS) are sharing their recommendations.
Students participated in a Q & A with Buttigieg about the impact of peer allyship, his coming out journey, and his experience in the public eye when his husband, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, ran for president.
We are excited to announce the adoption of new 6-8 literacy and biliteracy curricular materials.
LHS & district library professionals had the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of representatives from DPI’s Division for Libraries and Technology.
At Crestwood Elementary School, the students in Christine McMahon's first-grade classroom are focused on their reading.
It was a chance for families to see their child's progress and celebrate, preserve, and promote their Hmong culture. East High School is the only high school in Madison that has a Hmong language program.
Looking for Something to Do… Madison Public Library is Offering the Following FREE Opportunities:
Local Tutoring Resources
Madison Public Library is dedicated to supporting students' academic success by connecting families with a variety of local tutoring resources in the Madison area. We offer information on school and community-based programs, free tutoring services, and private tutoring options to cater to diverse learning needs. Whatever your needs are, there is sure to be a resource perfect for you! Plus, kids can sign up for 1-on-1 writing help with Madison Writing Assistance's trained writing coaches for FREE at various library locations starting on February 3 when the service returns.
Parent & Teen Night Program
February 5, 12, 19 | Hawthorne Library
Madison Public Library is partnering with the UW Office of Extension to offer a multi-session Parent & Teen Program at Hawthorne Library in early February. Parents will learn skills to help engage and encourage teen development, while teens and tweens (working in a separate space), will be building life skills around communication, time management, and more. All participants will enjoy some light refreshments throughout the evening. Registration is required for these programs, and each sessions will cover something different, so we encourage you to sign up for all three sessions if you're able.
What is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading is the converging evidence of what matters and what works in literacy instruction, organized around models that describe how and why.
Early Literacy and Beyond Task Force
MMSD and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education formed a joint task force focused on analyzing the most promising approaches to teaching reading and literacy.