This Thursday, March 2, 2017, marks the 20th anniversary of NEA’s Read Across America Day! Celebrated on the birthday of beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss, Read Across America Day is the biggest celebration of reading in the U.S. Many schools participate in special programs surrounding Seuss’ affable whimsy and his call to instill a deep-seated love for reading in our children.
The NEA website has lots of resources to help you bring some Seuss into your classroom on Thursday. Check out the NEA’s Read Across America 2017 Classroom Activity Guide. Here are a few of our favorite ideas based on Dr. Seuss read-alouds:
- Read The Lorax to your class and discuss the following statement: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Ask students: Can one person make a difference? Can you?
- Read The Cat in the Hat to your class and ask the students to discuss, write, read, and/or draw what they imagine would happen if the exuberant cat showed up at their school today.
- Read Horton Hears a Who to your class, then repeat various quotes from the book asking students to decide if the quotes represent friends or bullies – a great exercise in character education.
Whatever you decide to do for Read Across America Day, don’t forget to read!
