March 2 kicks off Read Across America, a week-long event that encourages reading instead of screen time. To celebrate this event, teachers and parents are encouraging reading all week with special activities and read-alouds. Here are some fun ideas and book suggestions to incorporate into your week!
How to Celebrate at School
Encourage Reading of Any and All Books: Reading is a very personal thing. The books children choose may not be of interest to teachers or parents, but something in them has captured a child’s interest. Children need the ability to find joy in reading apart from AR scores, Lexile scores, page numbers etc. They will be far more likely to read as adults if they learn to enjoy the process of reading rather than see it as a chore. - Book Exchange: This can be a classroom or school-wide event, in which each student brings in a wrapped used book and exchanges it with a classmate. Or you can hold a used book sale and sell the donated books for 25 cents!
Lunchtime Read-ins: Hold a read-in during lunch and challenge students to finish a chapter or a book they’re reading! Offer a reward to motivate students to do so, like a homework pass or a treat. - Special Read-Aloud Assembly: Hold a special assembly where the principal reads a book aloud to everyone. This is a great way to bring awareness to this event and encourage reading at home.
No Screens for Ice Cream: This is a conjoined program that takes place at home, but it is rewarded at school. In exchange for students replacing screen time with reading and other activities, they will be rewarded with an ice cream party! In order to participate, students must refrain from watching TV or playing video games from Monday to Friday. Schools should send home a No Screens for Ice Cream parent permission slip on the Friday before the week you celebrate it and have students return the signed permission slip verifying their participation the next Friday.
How to Celebrate at Home
No Screens for Ice Cream: Students can choose to quit technology (like TV, video games, etc.) Monday through Friday. It’s encouraged that other family members also participate (screens related to homework or work are okay). Once students succeed, they bring in a form signed by a parent and are rewarded with an ice cream party at school! Here are some ideas for non-screen activities:
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Card games
- Arts and crafts
- Reading as a family or individually
- Make it a goal to read the recommended 10–30 minutes (based on your child’s age) per night for Read Across America week. If your child does it every night for the whole week, reward him or her with a special treat or activity! Hopefully this habit will carry into other weeks going forward as your child starts to read more!
- Have your child pick out a brand new or used book! This will be the initial motivation to read, but rewarding him or her based on chapters read, time spent reading, or completion of a book is a great idea to foster motivation.
Read aloud! There is a famous quote from Emilie Buchwald that says, “Readers are made on the laps of their parents.” Choose a family book to read aloud before bed or purchase an audio book to listen to with your children. These experiences will expand your child’s imagination and develop language and listening skills beyond their abilities. - Create your own book! Use your imagination and creativity, and color pictures to go with the words!
Book Recommendations For Kids
30 Recommended Summer Reading Books Grades K–2
35 Best Summer Reading Books for Grades 3–6
For more book ideas, check out this themed book list!
For more educational ideas and resources for grades PreK–8, subscribe to Evan-Moor’s free education newsletter.
Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.