How to Participate in Read Across America

March 2, 2000, is Dr. Seuss' 96th birthday and the National Education Association's third annual celebration of Read Across America. On February 29, the Cat in the Hat will ring the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange; and on March 1 and 2, the Empire State Building will become a giant "Cat in the Hat" hat decorated with red and white lights. What's all the fuss about? Encouraging kids to read!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Breads
• Eggs
• Children's Books
• Green Food Coloring
• Bookmarks
• Bookstore Gift Certificates
• Hams
• Cat In The Hat Hats
• Roast Beef
• Dr. Seuss Books

1. Hop on Pop! Wake Dad up and read a book together in bed before breakfast.

2. Make green eggs and ham for breakfast. Just add a little green food coloring to your scrambled eggs before you cook them.

3. Make "roast beast" (roast beef) sandwiches for lunch.

4. Turn off the television for the day. The average child in the United States watches 4 to 5 hours of television each day. Spend that time on book-related activities instead.

5. Cuddle up and read your favorite Dr. Seuss book to your child. Or listen while your child reads his favorite book to you.

6. Present your child care provider with a Dr. Seuss book and a "Cat in the Hat" hat to remind her of the importance of reading to children every day.

7. Wear a "Cat in the Hat" hat to work and pass out bookmarks to remind your co-workers to read to their children when they get home.

8. Donate a book to your child's classroom or to the local public library.

9. Volunteer to read to children at your local public school. Call the school office or speak to your child's teacher to find out how you can volunteer.

10. Get the neighborhood kids together for a book exchange. Ask the children to bring books they have already read and trade them for books from friends.

11. Take your children to the public library. Get them their own library cards, and get a card for yourself if you don't already have one.

12. Start a book club and have the first meeting on March 2. Next year you can celebrate the anniversary of your club on Dr. Seuss' birthday.

Tips & Warnings

• Teachers can fill out Read Across America Pledges and share ideas by logging on to the NEA's Read Across America Web site.
• Research tells us that the more children read and are read to, the better they read. Read to your child every day, and share ideas about the books you are reading. Surround your child with reading material.