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Read Across America

© Irene Taylor

Read Across America Day, set for March 2, 2001, is a great way to celebrate reading in your classroom. The National Education Association has a terrific website with many great links to Read Across America activities, project and resources. The NEA has chosen March 2 as the national Read Across America Day because it is the birthday of that most famous children's author, Dr. Seuss. (In 2002, the official Read Across America Day will be held on Friday, March 1, since Dr. Seuss's birthday falls on a Saturday!)

Perhaps you have another favorite author in your class. Feel free to use this day for your school or class celebration. To find the birthday of famous children's authors, check out this list of author birthdays.

One of the most popular ideas suggested by the NEA is to invite "guest readers" to come to your class on March 2 (or the date you have chosen) and read to your students. According to NEA, "There is something powerful about a local policeman, firefighter, mayor, radio personality, pastor, high school quarterback, or grandmother, sitting down and sharing their love for reading with your students. Be sure and ask your guest readers to talk about why reading is important in their personal and professional lives, and about their favorite books when they were kids."

Check the NEA website for many more great ideas But the fun of Read Across America doesn't need to be limited to just one day. Take a look at my article Take a Reading Journey for some great ideas on using reading to have your students actually "read" their way across America. This project will promote reading, geography and some math.

Teachers looking for research based information and ideas about reading instruction will find Reading Online to be a very useful site. Reading Online is the online journal of K-12 practice and research published by the International Reading Association. There are international perspectives on research and practice. There are discussions of new literacies such as media literacy, critical literacy, visual literacy, and others. There are also ideas and information about applying technology in literacy instruction, and online discussion groups to join. It is a very complete site for the reading teacher (and what teacher isn't a reading teacher!!)

Another useful site for teachers and students is Bookhive. At this site you will find reviews, activities and links to some of the kid's favorites.

The copyright of the article Read Across America in Tips for Teachers is owned by Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Read Across America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.