Happy Read Across America Week! To honor Dr. Seuss’ contribution to children’s literature, my school celebrates his work and legacy each year during the week of his birthday on March 2nd. Here are a few ideas for you to duplicate in your school to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss.
Everyone enjoys Dr. Seuss’ books in my building; the young students, the older students, and even the adult teachers! So we host a Dr. Seuss-themed spirit week. Below are some fun ideas. Pick five of them, assign them a day of the week (for example Monday is Fox is Socks day), promote them with your school community, and have fun dressing up that week!
Read Across American Day: WEAR RED, WHITE & BLUE OR SEUSS-THEMED CLOTHING
Fox in Socks Day: WEAR CRAZY SOCKS
Green Eggs and Ham Day: WEAR THE COLOR GREEN
Cat in the Hat Day: WEAR A HAT
Oh, The Places You’ll Go Day: WEAR A SHIRT FROM SOMEPLACE VISITED
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Day: WEAR THE COLORS RED & BLUE
Thing 1 & Thing 2 Day: DRESS THE SAME WITH A TWIN
Wacky Wednesday: WEAR CLOTHES BACKWARDS, INSIDE OUT, OR MIX-MATCHED
Another way my school celebrates Read Across America Week is with an all-school D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything And Read). For 10 minutes, all students in each grade exit their classrooms with a book in hand, line the hallways, and simply read. I’ve found that the younger students read aloud and that hallway is a little noisy. The older students read silently and that hallway is very quiet. What matters most is the all-school commitment to read. Students, teachers, and the principal all participate. It’s a very moving experience and a touching way to honor Read Across America Week.
