For the Love of Literacy!

For years, on March 2nd, we used to don red & white striped hats in honor of the Cat in the Hat and Dr. Seuss' birthday. In recent years, the National Education Association (NEA) has expanded from Read Across America Day to 12 months of recommended books, authors, and teaching resources that promote diversity and inclusion. Create and Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers; all for the love of literacy... 

The theme for February is: Advance Racial Justice.  Love is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace, a picture book biography of Civil Rights Movement leader Diane Nash shares her experiences leading lunch counter sit-ins and peaceful marches and her decision to fight to stop segregation not with anger or violence, but with love.

March's theme is Celebrate Diversity with A Crown for Corina by Laeken Zea Kemp. Today is Corina’s birthday, and she’s excited to wear the biggest crown with the most beautiful flowers picked from her abuela’s garden. Each flower tells a special story about all the ways Corina is rooted in the family she loves. With elegant and eye-catching illustrations from award-winning artist Elisa Chavarri, this charming story shares a beloved family tradition through one girl’s journey of self-discovery as she learns about the symbolism behind the Mexican flower crown. 

Flashlight Friday is one of our favorite ways to read: in the dark! Even the most reluctant of readers gets excited to use mini flashlights, finger lights, and even head lamps to read. It's the most relaxing time of our week!

We discuss our reading lives throughout the year. A great insight into your students as readers is to ask them to take a shelfie; a photo of their bookshelf at home or a stack of their books. It's so interesting to see and read their reflections!  Grab your copy of My Shelfie for your students HERE.

We still celebrate Literacy Week during the first week of March. Along with asking parents or community members to be guest readers, there are special days for each day. Click on the schedule below to personalize for your class or HERE to download an editable copy. 

To thank guest readers, print the certificate of appreciation on cardstock. Click HERE or on the certificate below to download your copy; the year is editable.

I hope these resources help to simplify your Literacy Week! What else do you do to build a love of reading?

Check out the blogs below for more great teaching ideas!

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