Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday both fall on March 2. Since both get kids excited about reading, the Eagle Grove Elementary kindergarten and first grade teachers have been celebrating the two with special activities for years. This year was no different.
There was a theme for each day last week. On Monday, the kids got to wear pajamas to school and read “The Sleep Book.” Who doesn’t like just rolling out of bed and going to school without having to change clothes, right?! On Tuesday, they read “Cat in the Hat.” Kindergartners wore red and first graders wore black. “Wacky Wednesday” brought a lot of strange looking students to school as they wore the craziest mis-matched clothes they could find. And oh yes, if you think the kids go crazy…you ought to see some of the teachers, which the kids love how wacky they look too. Thursday was the highly anticipated “Green Eggs and Ham” day.
After reading the book, first grade teacher Ashley Flatebo asked the kids to share some of the foods they were sure they weren’t going to like…until they tried them. Green beans and broccoli were among some of the answers.
“I’m not going to lie to you my friends, I’m not a fan of trying new things, but when I do, I sometimes like it,” Flatebo shared with her students, admitting that it can be hard to try new food, but it can also help you discover something you love.
The week finished up with the kids reading “Fox in Socks” and wearing their craziest pair to school.
In year’s past, they’ve celebrated reading and Seuss with one big travel day, where kids go from room-to-room participating in a variety of activities all day long. This year, however, that was changed due to COVID and keeping the kids in their usual pods. It worked out very well and the teachers are to all be commended for their extra effort to make it all work.
At the time of Seuss’ death in 1991, he had written 44 children’s books and was also an illustrator. His fame didn’t come easy, though. His first book he wrote is said to have been rejected 27 times (some reports say as high as 43).
The moral of this celebration that the young Eagle Grove students participate in – dream big and never give up. Creativity is key. Believe in yourself. You never know what great things you can accomplish until you try and try again. And if someone rejects you or your idea, it doesn’t mean you or it are no good. Just be who you are. Different is okay.
Read Across America is led by the National Education Association (NEA), launched in 1998, as part of their Read Across America initiative. Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading.
In the words of Dr. Seuss – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
