Read Across America Day {Have Fun Loving Literacy on March 2}

March 2 is the birthday of a celebrated author and a great day to emphasize the importance of literacy. Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2, 1904. He wrote a plethora of books over his career with one of the most famous resulting when a publisher challenged him to write a coherent story using only 50 words… thus “Green Eggs and Ham” was born.

Even though Geisel passed away in 1991, his legacy was highlighted in 1998 by The National Education Association, which launched Read Across America Day as a way to excite young people (and the young at heart) to renew an interest in reading.

As an educator, some of the most loved books in my classroom are The Cat in the Hat and a Fox in Socks. 

I choose to elevate and educate my kids’ social and emotional health, pluck the positive from the engaging rhyming text, and READ, READ, READ!

This first week of March is a flurry with activities across the country in many libraries, educational institutions, and personal households. Please check out the DIY ideas you could use to observe and preserve the love of reading and literacy in your home.

Easy, Peasy Inspiring Snacks

• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: Make blue jello and add gummy fish.
• Cat in the Hat: Banana/strawberry alternating pattern on a skewer or red jello/cool whip alternating pattern. This will mimic the color pattern of the hat, which is also a math activity!
• The Lorax Bar-ba-loots: Use Teddy Grahams with any kind of fruit!

Read Across America Ideas for the Family

• Clothing: Make a schedule for fun, mixed-up clothes for the week or look at your child’s school schedule (if they’re participating in Read Across America activities). For example: Monday – wear mixed-up socks; Tuesday – wear a shirt you can read; Wednesday – wear PJs and cozy up to a good book; Thursday – wear sunglasses and read; Friday – wear a hat when you read.
• Books: Go to the library, read something at home, or borrow books from friends. The point is have fun while you read! Read to a friend, family member, pet, or stuffed animal. Listen to a book online. Read aloud in a silly voice. Read from a magazine, menu, or game. Read outside. Read under a table. Read while having a snack. Just READ, READ, READ!

Activities

• Make a bookmark out of materials you have at home.
• Do a book scavenger hunt!
• Play read-at-home bingo! Make your own bingo board or use this one.
• Illustrate your favorite book character or retell a story. Write five facts you’d like to share with someone if it’s a non-fiction text. Get the family together and report out your summary.

For more information about Read Across America, click here. Have fun opening the gateway to life-long literacy. READ, READ, READ!