Read Across America in a Diverse and Inclusive Way

Read Across America Week is quickly approaching.  For years this week has been centered around the author Theodor Geisel. better known as Dr. Seuss.

The NEA, sponsor of Read Across America, began moving away from a Seuss theme last year and has since moved to a theme of more diverse reads for RAA week and for every month.  They have published a list of ways to celebrate this week.  You can read them HERE.  The NEA also has tips for inspring kids to read all year long (click HERE to view) and a list of recommended books on different topics of diversity (click HERE to view).

Since Seuss has been used for many years to celebrate this week, you may be at a loss as to how to incorporate the new theme of "Creating a Diverse Nation of Readers."  But fear not!  There are tons of ideas that educators all of the country have been putting together and sharing over social media.  I have gathered a few of those ideas and have posted the links below.

Vera Ahiyya of thetututeacher on Instagram, posted THIS list of different books to read throughout the week of RAA. Each day has a different theme.

Jenn  Chin of keepyour.chinup on Instagram posted THIS fantastic list of ways to celebrate RAA with a different theme and dress up idea for each day of the week. She even included suggested books to read.

The Book Wrangler made a list of books, one for each state, so that you can truly read across America.  You can download this list for free HERE on his blog.

In addition, the Book Wrangler has also created a FREE editable PPT map file with links to book trailers on each state.  You can download this file HERE on his blog.

And Capstone has had ideas up all year with there Reading is for Everyone theme.  You can find tons of FREE downloadables HERE on their website to help celebrate reading everyday!

Update:  More resources added!

My friend, Shannon McClintock Miller of The Library Voice blog, posted THIS idea for using Bloxels for a Read Across America project.  You can get the FREE template for this project on her blog.

Jillian Heise of Heise Reads and Recommends posed THIS list of  inclusive picture books for RAA.  

THIS freebie on TpT from Sweetie's would be awesome to give out to students during RAA. They could cross off each state as they read a book associated with that state.  And BONUS: the state capitals are also listed, so students could learn state capitals while reading across America!

As I gather up more ideas, I will be adding them to a new Pinterset board I created for the new RAA theme.  You can access that board HERE.

If you have any ideas to share about the new theme of Read Across American, please share them in the comments.

Happy Reading!