It’s Read Across America week.
In classrooms across the country, students, teachers, and special guests are celebrating the fun and importance of reading during NEA’s annual event.
This year, Read Across America is focused on the importance of giving every student a voice by giving them access to a wide range of books that tell diverse stories.
According to the NEA Read Across America website:
“Reading diverse books helps kids discover their own voices and listen to the voices of others. Share stories that raise up the many voices that need to be amplified and heard and encourage readers to use their voices for positive change and to influence others to believe in themselves.”
If you’ve been following the hashtag #ReadAcrossAmerica, you know that teachers and students across the country are taking this celebration of diversity and student voice to heart.
Our editors have been following along as well. Here’s a few of our favorite social media posts from Read Across America.
Dressing the part in Rowland Unified School District
Elementary school students in California’s Rowland USD celebrated Read Across America by dressing up in their favorite pajamas and in hats celebrating Dr. Seuss.
Wear your favorite hat to celebrate Dr. Seuss and Read Across America @YorbitaCheetah @RowlandSchools #WeAreRusd #ReadAcrossAmerica pic.twitter.com/hAuqHLTG4Z
— Lydia Narcisse (@lydia_educate5) February 27, 2018
Yorbita Cheetahs celebrate Read Across America with Pajama Day. @YorbitaCheetah @RowlandSchools #WeAreRusd #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek pic.twitter.com/x1wD3nWz3a
— Lydia Narcisse (@lydia_educate5) February 26, 2018
The Cat in the Hat and thing hats. Silly fun! #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek #iteachtk #teacherofallthings @RowlandSchools @YorbitaCheetah pic.twitter.com/xoDqCBwAs9
— Andrea Garcia (@andreateacher) February 27, 2018
As it turns out, the characters and stories of Dr. Seuss played a big part in many of the Read Across America celebrations we saw.
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“The Cat in the Hat” visits Richmond Public Schools
Read Across America wasn’t just for students and teachers in Richmond Public Schools in Virginia.
District and community leaders showed their support for reading by donning some familiar headwear from Dr. Seuss’s classic “The Cat in the Hat.” With visits from district superintendent Jason Kamras, Richmond Police Department chief Alfred Durham, and Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, RPS showed that Reading Across America is a community effort.
@overby_sheppard welcomes @RPS_Schools Superintendent @JasonKamras for our #ReadAcrossAmerica celebration #literacy #engagement pic.twitter.com/gEaKJpSNVF
— Kara Lancaster-Gay (@principal_klg) February 27, 2018
@overby_sheppard celebrates #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek with guest readers, including RPD Chief Alfred Durham. pic.twitter.com/ZYI8FFhyUE
— Kara Lancaster-Gay (@principal_klg) February 27, 2018
@overby_sheppard welcomes @VASecofEdu to our quality learning community for #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek #literacymatters @RPS_Schools pic.twitter.com/DWxAvnZsv6
— Kara Lancaster-Gay (@principal_klg) February 27, 2018
Parents join the fun in Syracuse
Teachers at Syracuse City Schools in N.Y. invited parents to join their Read Across America activities. In several elementary classrooms, parents helped their kids read some of their favorite books.
Celebrating Read Across America Week with some of our parents! ?#DrSeuss #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek @syracuselatin @SyracuseSchools Thank you @IllustratorErin! pic.twitter.com/A4GAaSAL3n
— Christina Rados (@MsRadosSL) February 27, 2018
Day 2 of #ReadAcrossAmerica! Today, 1st and 2nd grades hosted visitors to read in classrooms. And thank you to our student council members for escorting guests! #SCSDReads @SyracuseSchools pic.twitter.com/NT3oCWPNku
— Syracuse Latin (@syracuselatin) February 27, 2018
Read Across America’s main goal is to get students excited about reading, but it’s also clearly a great way to get parents and community members involved in the classroom as well.
Is your school or district participating in Read Across America? How are you celebrating with your students? Tell us in the comments.