January 29, 1999
Green eggs and ham. Horton laid an egg. Sam I am.
Theodore Geisel, better known and loved as Dr. Seuss, inspired countless children to read with his whimsical, rhyming books like The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
That's why the nation's largest event to promote literacy, Read Across America, March 2, celebrates the birthday —and above all, the legacy— of Dr. Seuss.
In the spirit of Dr. Seuss, Sweetwater Union High School District campuses will be among the hundreds of schools across the country using Read Across America as one more opportunity to encourage student enthusiasm for the written word.
In classrooms throughout the district, teachers will augment daily reading classes, phonics, lessons, and English-language programs with activities such as reading competitions, book discussion groups, readers' theatre presentations, and individual silent reading time during the school day.
Students will also engage in cross-age readings with high school students visiting nearby elementary schools to read with their young counterparts.
While Read Across America is sponsored by professional education organizations —the Sweetwater Education Association, the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association— the beauty of the event, say event organizers, is that it gives everyone-not just the experts-a chance to become partners in education.
"Parents and community members can make a major impact in driving home the literacy message," says Jane McGill, president of the Sweetwater Education Association.
One simple way, she explains, is for parents and family members to discuss its value with their children and to set an example by reading with them.
Sweetwater schools superintendent Dr. Ed Brand is also inviting public participation in Read Across America, and says schools welcome involvement in Read Across America activities.
For example, businesses can donate prizes to schools for reading contests. Volunteers can help out by reading to students, helping coordinate a book exchange, judging reading-poster contests, or providing other kinds of support. Individuals can bring in their used books to give to school libraries as well.
For information on joining the Read Across America effort, call Jane McGill at the Sweetwater Education Association at 427-1370.
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