Skip To Main Content

Select a School

[logo] Madison Metropolitan School District

Mad for Reading

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is committed to amplifying the brilliance of all students. Our "Mad for Reading" program strives 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.

This school year, 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.

  • 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!”

Mad for reading App Icon

 

Join our district-wide reading challenge that brings students, staff and families together to build strong reading habits and a lifelong love of books.

New this year: The Mad for Reading App (powered by Beanstack)! Track reading, earn badges and celebrate milestones. Any kind of reading counts: books, articles, audiobooks, or even being read to.

By logging minutes, students can:

  • Earn digital badges and fun rewards
  • Build reading streaks
  • See their progress on a virtual bookshelf
  • Help us reach our district goal of 2.6 million minutes this year!

GET STARTED:

At school: Log in with Classlink

At home: Download the Beanstack app and connect with your student’s ID

Mad for reading - student listening to a book
Mad for reading - student looking up from a book

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

Literacy in Action…

Monthly Book Lists

Pride Month Book Suggestions

Mad for Reading June Pride Month Book List

 

Women's History Month Book Suggestions

Women's History Month

 

Disability/Ability Awareness Month Book Suggestions

Disability/Ability Awareness month book lists

 

Kickoff Month - A World of Words Book Suggestions

A World of Words Book List

 

Black History Month Book Suggestions

Mad for Reading Black History Month Book List

 

Back to School - Book Suggestions

Mad for Reading August Book List

 

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Suggestions

Mad for Reading Hispanic Heritage Month

 

Arab American History Month Book Suggestions

Mad for Reading April

 

Native American Month Book Suggestions

Mad for reading logo on Native American pattern

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Book Suggestions

graphic for mad for reading

 

Monthly Activities

Monthly Reading Bingo Card

Bingo Card

 

Download and Print (English, Spanish, Hmong)

Mad for Reading Customizable Bookmark - Fall

coloring bookmark

 

Mad for Reading Customizable Bookmark - Winter

Winter colarable bookmark

 

Mad for Reading

 

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Sunday, December 28
Monday, December 29
Tuesday, December 30
Wednesday, December 31
Thursday, January 1
Chapters Teen Writing Club
-
Madison Public Library - Pinney, 516 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Friday, January 2
Saturday, January 3
Sunday, January 4
Monday, January 5
Tuesday, January 6
Wednesday, January 7
Thursday, January 8
Chapters Teen Writing Club
-
Madison Public Library - Pinney, 516 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Friday, January 9
Saturday, January 10
Sunday, January 11
Monday, January 12
Tuesday, January 13
Crestwood Literacy Night in the Allied Neighborhood
-
Girls and Boys Club, 4619 Jenewein Rd, Fitchburg, WI
Wednesday, January 14
Thursday, January 15
Chapters Teen Writing Club
-
Madison Public Library - Pinney, 516 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Friday, January 16
Saturday, January 17
Sunday, January 18
Monday, January 19
Tuesday, January 20
Book Bowl
-
Wednesday, January 21
Thursday, January 22
Literacy Night
-
Emerson Elementary School, 2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Family Literacy Night
-
Emerson Elementary School, 2421 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Chapters Teen Writing Club
-
Madison Public Library - Pinney, 516 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Friday, January 23
Saturday, January 24
Sunday, January 25
Monday, January 26
Whitehorse Reads to Lead Kick Off
-
Whitehorse Middle School, 218 Schenk St, Madison, WI 53714, USA
Tuesday, January 27
Celebration of Learning
-
Elvehjem Elementary School, 5106 Academy Dr, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Wednesday, January 28
Thursday, January 29
Hawthorne Book Bowl
-
Chapters Teen Writing Club
-
Madison Public Library - Pinney, 516 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA
Friday, January 30
Saturday, January 31
A students smiling while listening to instruction

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.

Learn More

Three sudents picking out books in the library

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.

Learn More

The science of reading is a collection of scientifically-based research about how children best learn to read. Learn more about Evidence-Based Reading Strategies as it relates to the 2023 Wisconsin Act 20.

Photos from Mad for Reading Kick-Off Event

free books for students
a family smiling at the mad for reading photobooth
student coloring a bookmark at mad for reading event.
Dr. Gothard talking with a family at the mad for reading event.
a student looking at a book at the mad for reading event
speaker speaking at mad for reading press conference
student giving a book review
student smiling and showing off a free book.
speaker speaking at mad for reading press conference
Group of people listening to speaker at mad for reading event.
a student picking out a book at the mad for reading event
students sitting on the floor reading a book
Dr. Gothard speaking at the mad for reading event.
a speaker speaking at the mad for reading event.
United way representatives smiling.
A group of community members smiling.
Two MMSD employees hugging at mad for reading event.
backdrop for the mad for reading photobooth
a student smiling with props at mad for reading photobooth
family smiling at the mad for reading photobooth
associate superintendent smiling at mad for reading photobooth
a community member smiling at the mad for reading photobooth
board member smiling in front of the mad for reading photobooth
two staff members smiling at the mad for reading event
a group of people smiling at the mad for reading photobooth
a student smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
a family smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
a family smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
MMSD employees smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
a student smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
a student smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
a student smiling at the mad for reading photobooth.
Group photo with Dr. Gothard at the mad for reading event
MMSDtv

 

Missed the MAD for Reading Kickoff Event Press Conference? Watch it now on YouTube!

 

Watch on YouTube

Mad for Reading Newsletter Editions:
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Issue 6
Issue 7