Read Across America

WEAC backs national project

Read Across America is a new, nationwide NEA campaign to motivate children to read. WEAC is participating in the program by calling for every child in every school in every community to be in the company of a book the evening of March 2, in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

This unique program provides an excellent opportunity to work with parents and others in our communities to make a difference in the lives of our students.

What is Read Across America?

In coalition with other literacy, education and community groups, the National Education Association is calling for every child in America to be in the company of a book the evening of March 2nd, Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Members are organizing events in schools, libraries and book stores across the nation.

Why celebrate Dr. Seuss?

People of all ages love him. He epitomizes a love of children and learning. And, the latest in reading research indicates Dr. Seuss’ books, with their use of rhyme, are an effective tool for introducing children to reading.

What are we asking the general public to do?

We are asking people to read with children. For families who want to read at home, we will provide parents with some new ideas for fun activities. For people who want to participate in the community, there will be special celebrations in schools, libraries and bookstores.

Is Read Across America going to make a difference?

Yes! We hold pep rallies for football games. We sponsor student plays and concerts to show that the arts are important.

What do we do to promote reading?

We will be sending our children a crystal clear message with Read Across America: Reading is important, and it can be fun.

What does this really have to do with teaching children to read?

Research tells us that children who read outside of school do better in school. We know that children need to be motivated to read and that family involvement is important. We believe an annual celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday will help make reading fun for children and remind families how important it is to be involved. And while an annual Seuss celebration will help, NEA also is working in many other ways to improve the quality of reading instruction in our classrooms.

How is this more than a one-time kind of thing?

There are so many reading initiatives developing across the country that we are in the midst of a groundswell rather than being an isolated phenomenon. Even within NEA, this is one of many reading programs. On the instructional side, we eagerly await the release of a National Academy of Sciences report on “Preventing Reading Difficulties.” We will share the findings of that report with our 2.3 million members. Finally, we think it will be a major accomplishment to establish Dr. Seuss’s birthday as an annual national celebration of reading. Year in and year out, March 2 will be a time to take stock of how families are doing in reading to children and how educators are doing in teaching children to read.

How can I get more information on Read Across America?

You can call NEA’s Read Across America desk at 202-822-7830. There’s also more information available from our fax on demand service at 1-888-747-READ or at www.nea.org. Or you can write for more information to Read Across America, c/o NEA, 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Posted February 5, 1998