Art and Literacy Week at MIS Promotes a Culture of Reading and Creativity
By Ms. Bintang, MYP/DP Bahasa Indonesia Teacher
MIS successfully held its Art and Literacy Week from 9–13 March, offering a series of engaging and purposeful activities designed to strengthen students’ literacy skills while fostering creativity. Centered around the theme “Every Character Has A Story,” the event created meaningful opportunities for students to explore reading, writing, art, and communication in diverse and interactive ways.
Throughout the week, students participated in a variety of structured activities that supported both individual and collaborative learning. The progressive story activity encouraged students from different classes to work together in developing creative narratives, promoting imagination and teamwork in creating a story. In addition, the writing competition provided a platform for students to express their ideas clearly and effectively in writing.
Among the most well-received activities were the spelling bee and Scrabble competitions, which generated a high level of enthusiasm across grade levels. These activities not only enhanced students’ vocabulary and spelling accuracy but also encouraged strategic thinking and active engagement. Many students identified these competitions as highlights of the week.
Creative expression was further supported through activities such as Doodle and Dash and the costume character competition. These two activities allow the students to visually interpret and represent literary characters. These activities strengthened the connection between literacy and the arts, making learning both enjoyable and meaningful.
During the week, all staff and DP students were encouraged to read to the PYP classes using a variety of books, with the aim of fostering students’ enthusiasm for reading and strengthening a positive reading culture across the school. For PYP students, a key highlight was the visit from a professional storyteller, who delivered interactive storytelling sessions aligned with the event’s theme. Students responded with great enthusiasm, demonstrating strong engagement and enjoyment as they explored the idea that every character carries a unique story.
The book drive initiative also played an important role in the event, encouraging contributions from the school community and reinforcing the value of sharing resources to support literacy development. The books donated by the MIS community were distributed to the Indonesian Street Children Organization, with the hope of fostering a strong spirit of literacy and a love for reading among the children.
The primary objective of Art and Literacy Week was to foster a sustained interest in reading and writing, while also emphasizing the importance of communication skills in academic success. Through consistent exposure to literacy-focused activities, students were encouraged to build daily reading habits, expand their vocabulary, and develop greater confidence in expressing their ideas.
Overall, Art and Literacy Week at MIS was highly successful in creating a dynamic and enriching learning environment. The event not only strengthened students’ literacy skills but also cultivated a lasting appreciation for language, storytelling, and creative expression.
