St. Andrews Middle School Celebrates International Literacy Day

Students in Evette Bradley's reading class learned Thursday all about Nigeria: how the flag is green and white, the clothes are brightly colored, the official language is English. 

The class was focusing on Nigeria as part of St. Andrews Middle School's celebration of International Literacy Day.

Teachers came dressed in clothes from around the world, and brought international foods. Most importantly, the students listened to stories from around the globe. 

Bradley read a Nigerian folk tale called "Why Is The Sky Far Away" to her class.

"International Literacy Day is introducing students to literature around the world because we know that we live in a global world," Bradley said. "Even if they don't leave the country, they can go to other countries through books." 

A lot of students at St. Andrews Middle School haven't traveled to another country, said Media Specialist Rita Black, who helped coordinate the events for the day. A lot of them haven't even traveled outside of South Carolina. 

"We hope to expand their horizons," Black said. 

Bradley did just that. She let her students taste moi-moi, a traditional Nigerian dish with black-eyed peas and turkey meat. 

Bradley said she hopes her students will also realize that not everyone in the world has the opportunity to learn how to read and write. 

International Literacy Day was created by the United Nations in 1965 to highlight the importance of literacy to communities around the world. 

Bradley said she hopes she can spread her love of books to her students. 

"I want them to know the importance of reading and writing," she said.