Read Across America Day

Yesterday was Dr. Seuss's birthday and the official Read Across America Day.  It's become a day when kids walk around with silly paper hats like the Cat in the Hat wears and occasionally officials come to schools or libraries to read.  At least it's one day, when instead of villifying teachers we take the time to recognize the importance of teaching kids to read.  Begun to the National Education Association, Read Across America encourages children, along with their parents and caregivers, to read throughout the year. Here's a link to the NEA's colorful reading calendar to encourage kids to read throughout the year.  There's also a Top 100 List of books for children compiled by teachers.  And another Top 100 Kids Books list.  You can find several more book lists here. Here are links from the Reading Rockets website that include Lane Smith and Jack Prelutsky talking about Dr. Seuss, class room ideas for using Dr. Seuss books, and even incorporating service learning and Dr. Seuss books with older readers.

Even if you didn't wear a silly hat yesterday, today is as good a time as ever to read to kids and encourage the habit.  In our house, the popular series middle school literature has been The Hunger Games, so guess I'm going to have to read it, too.

Target's 26-foot Read sign in front of the New York Public Library