Community Literacy Day
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Date
February 28, 2026
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Time
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Health Pavilion
University of Indianapolis
The UIndy School of Education in collaboration with the Indiana State Literacy Association is hosting a Community Literacy Day! Our goal is to bring together students, families, and community members to honor the creative voices of young authors and celebrate the transformative power of literacy. The event will include a broad range of literacy activities for students from kindergarten through 8th grade, including storytelling and read alouds, games and activities centered around literacy, and a ceremony to present Young Author Awards to local K-8 students.
- What: Community Literacy Day
- When: February 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Health Pavilion, University of Indianapolis (1643 E Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227)
Young Authors Contest
The Young Authors Contest celebrates the creativity, imagination, and writing talent of students who are eager to share their original stories with the world. This annual event provides young writers with the opportunity to explore their creativity, showcase their work, and be recognized for their achievements.
Schedule
| 10:00 – 10:30 | ||||
| Welcome and Storyteller (mainstage)John David Anderson? | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | ||||
| Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | ||
| 11:00 – 11:30 | ||||
| Young Author Awards and Readings(mainstage) | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | Food Trucks |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | ||||
| Deedee Cummings | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | Food Trucks |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | ||||
| Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | Food Trucks | |||
| 12:30 – 1:00 | ||||
| Creative Grounds? | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | Food Trucks |
| 1:00 – 1:30 | ||||
| Deb Asante: The Asante Tales (mainstage) | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | Food Trucks |
| 1:30 – 2:00 | ||||
| 1:30 – 1:45Deb Asante (cont.) | Literacy Games/Activities (around the atriums) | K-3 Read Alouds and Book Talks (by Sushi Boss) | 4-8 Read Alouds and Book Talks (upstairs atrium, far corner) | Food Trucks |
| 2:00 | ||||
| Final Wrap-up activity?! | ||||
Literacy Games/Activities
- Make a blending board to practice sounding out words (International Dyslexia Association booth)
- Build word puzzles (International Dyslexia Association booth)
- Solve a mystery at the Criminal Justice booth
- Play “old-school” games like hopscotch, memory, etc. (Center for Aging and Community)
- Become a storyteller at the Writing Lab booth
- Create and label your own “garden” (Backyard Farm Collective)
- Interact with music, sing songs, make your own music! (Music Therapy)
- Make friendship bracelets (Hooks and Needles)
- Put on a puppet show! (School of Education)
- Purchase new books from local bookstores
- Check out what’s new at the public library!
- Photo Backdrops!
- Book Giveaway to every child, birth to 8th grade, that attends!
Authors
Deedee Cummings
John David Anderson
Deb Asante