Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss & Happy Read Across America Day!

March 2, 2016

Today marks a special day in history — the birth of the ever-so enthralling writer, poet and cartoonist, Dr. Seuss! Known to his friends and family as Theodor Seuss Geisel, this renowned children’s author published a total of 46 children’s books in the 87 years he was alive. To celebrate the impact that Dr. Seuss has had on both literature and education, the National Education Association has deemed his birthday, March 2nd, as Read Across America Day.

While, we’re certain you’re already celebrating this exciting day in the classroom, the NEA suggests using this as a way to jump start reading all year round. Here are some of the top tips they you can employ to encourage students to read more often:

• Lead by example. Read in front of your students and encourage their parents and guardians to do the same. After all, it’s no secret that children tend to want to do as their role models do!
• Suggest a subscription. There are plenty of age-appropriate publications out there in a wide array of interest areas. Purchase some for your classroom and encourage parents to subscribe at home as well.
• Fill your library. A fully stocked classroom library affords students the opportunity to pick and choose what to read at their leisure. Make sure to have plenty of options, and a ton of storage to organize your collection for easy access.
• Be patient. Reading should be fun for students, which is why it’s important to allow them to choose books that interest them. That might mean that they take a particular interest in sports or comics, but never fear! Set a strong foundation for a love of reading now and they’ll be reading Shakespeare in no time!

How are you celebrating Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day in your classroom? We’d love for your to share some photos and tips for encouraging young readers on our Facebook page.

Nickerson Corporation has provided quality classroom furniture solutions to schools in the New York and New Jersey areas for more than 60 years. We’ve partnered with some of the industry’s leading manufacturers in an effort to provide products that are comfortable, reliable and flexible to ensure that students get the most out of their educational experience. For more information, call 631-666-0200.