March is Read Across America Month
Beginning March 2nd, in honor of Dr. Suess’s birthday, Read Across America, an annual National Education Association (NEA) reading motivation and awareness program begins. Read Across America calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading—encouraging children of all ages to read, and to promote the love of reading among children.
The program is celebrated in schools, libraries, and communities across the United States, and is often marked by special events and activities that center around reading and literature. The goal of Read Across America is to promote literacy and to encourage them to explore the world of books and their love of reading. The Nardagani Reading Program supports the Read Across America initiative by teaching challenged readers how to read.
Here are a few reasons why Read Across America is important:
Encouraging a love of reading: Reading is an important skill that is essential for success in school and in life. By promoting reading and encouraging a love of reading, Read Across America helps to instill this important skill in children at a young age.
Improving literacy rates: Literacy rates in the United States have been consistently higher among those who read more often. By promoting reading and encouraging children to read more, Read Across America helps to improve literacy rates in the country.
Promoting cultural awareness: By reading books about diversity and participating in Read Across America, children can learn about different cultures and broaden their understanding of the world.
Building community: Read Across America events often take place in schools, libraries, and other community spaces, bringing people together to celebrate reading and literacy.
How can I get my child involved with Read Across America? Innovative and fun reading programs are being offered around the country! A wonderful example of this is Boise Public Library’s Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge. In Boise, Idaho, self-proclaimed book nerds are challenged “to put your nerdiness to the test” by reading 50 books for adults and 30 books for kids in 2023. The list of 50 challenges is available (click here), but some fun categories include: Read a book where the narrator is not the main character, Read a book with “Rain” in the title, and Read a book that takes place on a boat/ship.
Be sure to check your local library for more Read Across America participation ideas or borrow Boise Public Library’s list!
Click here to learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program and watch Narda’s TEDx talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”
