Amy Blunschi’s first-graders lined up to pick a book from the tub full of books from the Concordia Parish Library Bookmobile.

Who knows what made them decide on their particular book, but they picked it and sat down, most with the page opened to the first of the story.

Blunschi set the timer and told the students they would have 10 minutes to read their books.

&uot;That’s about as long as first recess,&uot; she explained to the first graders who sometimes do not have a good concept of time just yet.

&uot;I am going to be reading the same time you are reading,&uot; she told them. &uot;When I say go, you have 10 minutes to read to yourself.&uot;

And like sprinters set in their blocks, the children readied themselves and as soon as she said go, every head was buried in a book.

This 10 minutes of reading was all for Literacy Day and the Great Louisiana Read-in. The Louisiana Reading Association, of which Superintendent Kerry Laster is a part, promoted the Great Louisiana Read-in.

&uot;It makes us remember how important reading is to all the subjects,&uot; Laster said.

Schools across the state were encouraged to stop everything and allow students to read, although these first graders imagined everyone in the whole wide world would be reading along with them.

&uot;Be sure you’re reading and not just looking at the pictures,&uot; Blunschi told them. &uot;I’m going to ask you some questions about these little stories when you’re through.&uot;

But, really, this was not a special reading time for them because Mrs. Blunschi gives the students between five and 10 minutes of silent reading time each day.

First grade, after all, is really when the students learn to read.

&uot;First grade is where the foundation is laid Š where the whole house is built,&uot; Blunschi said.

While Blunschi said the children in her class enjoy reading, especially books that are on their level since they know most of the words, do they really like to read?

&uot;Yes!&uot; the group of emphatic first graders said Tuesday.

But why?

&uot;Cause it’s fun,&uot; said 6-year-old Taylor Beatty. &uot;It tells you stuff you don’t know already.

&uot;When you read it, no one else knows Š it will be a surprise for them when they read it.&uot;

KaDeidra Scott, 6, said she likes to read because it helps her learn more words and J’Veion Hardaway, 6, said because it helps him do better on tests.

Laster said reading is something children need to practice, just like playing baseball. Silent reading, Laster said, builds students’ reading skills but also expands their vocabulary and introduces them to different genres. Building those skills, Laster said, will transfer to the LEAP, IOWA and GEE testing.

Reading needs to be an emphasis, Laster said, not just in the classroom but also reading for pleasure.

Hardaway likes the stories because &uot;it’s like it’s almost true.&uot;

And 6-year-old Kyle Kimball: &uot;You get secrets you don’t want to let people know.&uot;

Laster already has challenged parents to set aside 30 minutes of their child’s day for reading at home.

&uot;To me, that’s the most important thing to teach children is reading,&uot; Laster said.