{"id":4924,"date":"2024-02-28T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/?p=4924"},"modified":"2024-06-27T08:46:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T15:46:00","slug":"5-ways-to-celebrate-read-across-america-day-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2024\/02\/5-ways-to-celebrate-read-across-america-day-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to celebrate Read Across America Day 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Read Across America Day<\/a> is so exciting and rewarding that it\u2019s more than just a day: it is an entire week! It begins on March 2nd, which lands on a Saturday this year, giving you nearly a week to extol the virtues\u2014and let\u2019s be honest: the sheer enjoyment\u2014of reading in your classroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take five for reading!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking for ways to turn your students into grinning page-turners this Read Across America Week? How about five? Join Microsoft Education<\/a> in celebrating Read Across America Day 2024! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Read books with or to students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Be a role model for literacy! You can create a designated story hour to highlight how important it is to take an imagination break every day. Whether it\u2019s reading independently or sharing a story aloud with the entire class, reading regularly and consistently is a great way to make reading a habit\u2014one that will help students academically while helping them to develop empathy and powerful imaginations. Use Read Across America\u2019s free materials<\/a> to promote inclusivity and community for all readers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reading a story aloud with the entire class is a great way to make reading a habit.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Discuss the history of reading and Read Across America <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Education Association<\/a> launched Read Across America in 1998 to celebrate reading and educate people about its benefits, especially among children and young adults. Cultures all around the world have been documenting their stories in writing for thousands of years, creating histories that can still be read today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there were periods of time when reading was a skill shared only among the wealthiest and most highly educated, today literacy rates have climbed all around the world. Reading has blossomed into a fun and empowering hobby that stokes the imagination and allows people of all ages to embrace new perspectives and new ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Turn readers into reading evangelists <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start a school book club<\/a> where kids can share their favorite stories or talk deeply about a book that they are all reading. Another terrific way to share the power of reading is with a free community library<\/a>. Kids love stocking these libraries with books they\u2019ve finished or books they think that others in their community might enjoy. It is also a wonderful ritual to visit your free library and see what literary treasures have been left by others! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A student using the Line Focus feature in Immersive Reader.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Use Microsoft\u2019s literacy tools <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft Education\u2019s foundational reading fluency tools meet the literacy challenges of today\u2019s educators and students. These solutions can help students learn, practice independently to become more fluent readers, and give writing and reading teachers the insights they need to provide individualized support. They also provide students with opportunities to practice these skills in non-stigmatizing ways, anytime, anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n