Read to Achieve

Read to AchieveRead to Achieve

The Memphis Grizzlies Read to Achieve Program (RTA) is an excellent way to encourage students to read and develop a love for reading. The Grizzlies, along with the support of sponsors Sylvamo and KPMG, are excited to provide this program for the students in the Greater Memphis area and beyond. The program consists of reading 20 minute a day every day for six weeks.

Each year, the Read to Achieve program touch the lives of over 30,000 Mid-South students through the Grizzlies Reading Challenge.

Memphis Grizzlies Read to Achieve Reading Challenge & Championship

The Memphis Grizzlies Read to Achieve Challenge

The Memphis Grizzlies Read to Achieve Reading Challenge & Championship is a six-week reading program that encourages 3rd-5th grade students to read outside their classroom curriculum. Registration for The Challenge starts in October with the program tipping off in January and is open to all elementary schools in the Mid-South region.

We welcome your support of the Read to Achieve Program and look forward to your school's participation in the Reading Challenge.

Presented by

Associate partner

The challenge will run from January 29, 2024 until March 8, 2024.

Open to elementary school students grades 3-5 only.

This year’s challenge theme is “Around the World,” where students will read one book each week to score from each spot on the Read to Achieve court. Students will read a minimum of six books in six weeks to complete the challenge!

Students will receive a Read to Achieve Court handout to track their progress.

Books should be at or above reading level of each student and must align with the book theme of the week:

  • Week 1: Memphis — Book set in Memphis or by a Memphian author.
  • Week 2: International — Book set in another country.
  • Week 3: Sci-Fi/Fantasy — Book set in another world.
  • Week 4: Historical Fiction — Book set in the past.
  • Week 5: Mystery — Book that challenges your mind.
  • Week 6: Reader’s Choice — Any book that you have not read before.

Upon reading a book each week, there will be an interactive activity sheet for the student to complete:

  • Week 1: Write an acrostic poem with the word “Memphis.”
  • Week 2: Create a cookbook with 3-5 recipes from the country in your book.
  • Week 3: Design a flag for the world in your book.
  • Week 4: Illustrate a timeline of events based on your book.
  • Week 5: Write an alternate ending for your book.
  • Week 6: Design a basketball court inspired by your book.
Drawing 1:

Each week, classes who have had 100% completion of their reading will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. School, teacher name, and grade level must be submitted by the RTA Coordinators. One classroom will win every week! Prizes will be shipped from the Grizzlies Office to Reading Coordinators.

Drawing 2:

Each week individual students who complete their reading and activity will be entered into a drawing to win a Grizzlies prize. School, students name, teacher name, and grade level must be submitted by the RTA Coordinators. One student will win every week! Prizes will be shipped from the Grizzlies Office to Reading Coordinators.

The top schools with 100% completion will be entered into a drawing to win reams paper from Sylvamo, books from KPMG, and a special Grizzlies Prize*.

*More details to come regarding the Grizzlies Prize