Would You Read Them in the Snow? Would You Read Them High and Low?
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It's Dr. Seuss' birthday Friday and, to mark the event, schools are celebrating "Read Across America." Stan Johnson, head of teacher's union WEAC, says schools around the state will bring in athletes, business leaders, and community members as special guest readers - to have a little fun while sending a serious message about the importance of literacy.
"What we have to do, as parents and people in the community, talk about the excitement of reading and then imagining things that happen when you're reading a book. This program re-emphasizes to parents, communities, students, all about the importance of reading, and how fundamental it is to be successful later on in life."
Johnson believes efforts to promote reading should continue all year long; he encourages parents and community members to contact local schools to find ways to get involved.
Shawn Brommer runs children's programs for the South Central Wisconsin library system. She says the best way to help school-age kids develop reading skills, is to let them read to you.
"By asking our children to read to us, we are really empowering them to be literate little people."
Information on "Read Across America" is online at www.nea.org/readacross.
