Read Across AmericaMake March 2nd a fun, and exciting reading day!

March 2, 2010 is just around the corner and on that day millions of people across the country will come together to join NEA’s Read Across America celebration.  This annual reading motivation and awareness program calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA’s Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages.  Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers.  Teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students’ reading.

Read Across America is the perfect event to motivate children to read because we all know that reading is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers.  Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.

To help you kick-off your Read Across America reading celebration, visit NEA’s Read Across America web page at www.nea.org/grants/886.htm where you will find many activity ideas (including lists of the books recommended for this event), resources and materials, and opportunities for involvement in children’s reading throughout the year.  Everything you need to plan your reading event, from simple to elaborate, is right there.