Mrs. Bridges’ Class Wins WCES March Madness Reading Challenge

Courtesy of Wheeler County Elementary School

Wheeler County Elementary School recently wrapped up its 2026 March Madness Reading Challenge, a month-long event designed to promote reading and teamwork among students in grades 1–5. After weeks of competition, Mrs. Bridges’ fourth grade homeroom was the overall winner.

The challenge, which ran from March 2 through April 5, encouraged students to earn Accelerated Reader (AR) points by reading books and passing comprehension quizzes. Students worked in teams, earning points for each successful AR test, while weekly totals were tracked and displayed in the media center to keep excitement high.

In addition to individual reading efforts, classes had opportunities to earn bonus points through group activities such as completing team research forms, decorating classroom doors or bulletin boards, and reaching 90% participation each week. These activities promoted collaboration, creativity, and school spirit throughout the competition.

Students also enjoyed collecting basketball trading cards each time they checked out a library book, adding a fun incentive to visit the media center regularly. To tie in with the excitement of the season, teams earned additional points based on how their selected NCAA basketball teams performed during the March Madness tournament.

Mrs. Bridges’ class stood out for their consistent reading efforts, strong participation, and teamwork, ultimately securing the top spot in the competition.

The March Madness Reading Challenge proved to be a great success, motivating students to read more while building enthusiasm and teamwork across the school. Wheeler County Elementary School looks forward to continuing programs that inspire a love of reading in creative and engaging ways.