Breaking a world record takes training, dedication or in this case, a lot of organization.

Hundreds of valley students put on their reading caps Wednesday afternoon to join a nationwide attempt to beat a reading record.

It won't be official for some time, but if all went according to plan, more than half a million students from all 50 states and 28 countries read the same passage of E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" simultaneously.

It beats the previous record by about 400-thousand people.

"’Salutations,’ said the voice. Wilbur jumped to his feet. 'Salu-what?' he cried. 'Salutations!' repeated the voice."

The classic welcoming words from the "Charlotte's Web" novel were voiced in unison at Belpre Middle School and Lowell Elementary.

Fourth grade teacher at BMS Robin White said, "We're taking part in a world-wide event. We're trying to help break the world reading record for the most people reading the same passage simultaneously."

Library aide at Lowell Cindy Worthington says, "The record is previously held by the United Kingdom. They set it with about 155-thousand students reading a poem."

The reading started at noon and continued until everyone knew the meaning of "salutations."

For the kids, it wasn't just a break from school, but a chance to break into the Guinness Book.

"I thought it was fun. It was just cool read 'Charlotte's Web.'"

"I thought it was kind of cool we got to break a world record by reading the same passage."

When the reading was over it was time to get down to record-breaking business.

Worthington said, "It has to be documented. I have a lot of paperwork I have to do when this is done."

White said, "We have around 500 to 600 students here. After we're finished here we'll document everything and send it and they'll tabulate everything for the world record."

Even without the official word, kids are pretty confident they've got the record, and as Charlotte would spell, that will be some record.

To verify the record attempt, the school needed two witnesses. Todd Baucher and Andrea Wilcox of WTAP were there to do that. They say from the local end we nailed it, but all the paperwork has to be sent in from all schools before anyone can find out if the record was won.