Read Across America Day 2024 Teaching Resources
Celebrate Read Across America Day and Week 2024 with worksheets, bulletin board ideas, activities, games and more designed by elementary school teachers for your classroom!
This collection of National Read Across America Day teaching resources was created to help you bring a love of reading to your classroom this March and celebrate the holiday with more than just a plate of green eggs and ham!
Looking to get your class hooked on a book this holiday? Read on for a quick guide from the teachers on the Teach Starter team on how to make Read Across America Day and Week a success in your classroom plus specific ideas to fit the theme!
What Is Read Across America Day?
Read Across America Day is considered the largest day of reading here in the US, but how much do you really know about the origins of the national holiday? Started in 1998 by the National Education Association, Read Across America originated as Dr. Seuss Day, a day when kids ate green eggs and ham and donned giant Cat in the Hat hats.
These days the NEA has separated Read Across America Day from the controversial author, stating “NEA recognizes the need to work with a more diverse array of organizations and publishers to fulfill this need, and the Read Across America brand is now one that is independent of any one particular book, publisher, or character.”
Instead, the day has become a chance to read a variety of diverse books featuring a diverse array of characters that better reflect the make-up of the American population.
When Is Read Across America Day 2024?
Read Across America Day is traditionally celebrated on March 2, which will be a Saturday in 2024. No need to worry about missing the holiday because school is closed, however!
The date falls right at the start of of Read Across America Week, which spans from March 2-6, 2024.
The day will also help kick off National Reading Month, which extends through the month of March.
What Is the National Read Across America Theme for 2024?
Since Read Across America Day and Week were taken over by the NEA, the theme has been the same each year — Create & Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers.
How Can I Celebrate Read Across America With My Class?
If you’re thinking of implementing Read Across America into your classroom, here are a few suggestions from our teacher team:
- Host a Reading Day or book-tasting party in your classroom and read some of the classics.
- Organize a book swap at your school to encourage students to exchange their old books with their friends.
- Take a field trip to the school or public library with your class to check out some new books and go on a Read Across America scavenger hunt!
- Hold a Read Across America costume day, and dress up as your favorite book characters.
Fun and Engaging Read Across America Crafts and Teaching Resources
- First, you need to print a set of these reading-inspired bookmarks! These adorable bookmarks are perfect for handing out to your students.
- Print and craft a set of stylish Read Across America glasses for your students to wear on their reading adventures.
- Read and share your favorite stories with our printable Book Recommendation template.
- Check out even more Read Across America ideas here!
This collection of resources was designed to celebrate Read Across America. You'll find beautifully designed templates, badges, and more. Decorate your classroom and celebrate a love of all things reading!
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Library Scavenger Hunt for Upper Elementary Grades
Explore the school library with a scavenger hunt!
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Design Your Own Book Cover Worksheet
Design a new book cover and summarise a book using this one-page, printable template.
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50-Book Challenge Tracker & Printable Bookmark
Encourage your students to complete the 50 Book Reading Challenge with a printable bookmark to track their books.
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Author Study Flip Book – Editable Template
An editable flip book template that covers a range of topics when studying a particular author.
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Curiosity and Imagination Bookmarks
Spark a love of reading in your students with this set of 4 printable bookmarks.
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Book Recommendation Flower Garden Template
Create a book recommendation flower garden with this easy-to-use template.
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Read Across America - Reading Response Templates
Read and review the best books in the U.S.A. during Read Across America with printable book review templates.
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Positive Self-Talk Bookmark
A bookmark with positive self-talk affirmations.
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Readers' Theater Script - The Lion and the Mouse
A readers’ theater script that can be used for reading fluency and expressive reading.
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Inspiring Story Starters - Task Cards
Get your students writing during Read Across America week with this set of inspirational narrative story starter task cards.
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Readers' Theater Script - That's Not My Pet
A readers’ theater script that can be used for reading fluency and expressive reading.
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Roll and Read – Sight Words – Grade 1
A fun game for students to practice reading sight words.
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Roll and Read – Sight Words – Kindergarten
A fun game for students to practice reading sight words.
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Super Stamina Reading Posters Pack
Highlight strategies students can use to read for longer periods of time with this printable poster set for a school library or classroom.
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My Mini Book Report
Have students write about their favorite literature with this fun-sized mini-book.
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Book Review Worksheet
A book review and summary card for comprehension learning.
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Authors Who Inspire - Speechwriting Task
Research and celebrate an inspiring author during Read Across America Week with this speech-writing task.
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Book Tasting Placemat and Brochure Templates
Host a Classroom Book Tasting to inspire young readers with a printable book tasting placemat and brochure template.
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Read Across America - Project Task Cards
Celebrate Read Across America Week 2024 with a fun set of literature-inspired book project task cards.
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Adventure Bookmarks
Set your students off on a reading adventure with this set of 4 bookmarks.
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Classroom Book Tasting Resource Pack
Introduce your students to new book genres with an exciting food-truck-themed “Book Tasting” classroom transformation.
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Book Scavenger Hunt Task Cards
Take a journey through the library with a set of Read Across America Scavenger Hunt task cards.
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Monster Book Report Template
A cute monster-themed book report template.
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Fun With Nonfiction Task Cards
Solidify your nonfiction reading response lessons with this set of 12 comprehension task cards.
- Read Across America Day 2024 Templates
- Read Across America Day 2024 Worksheets
- Read Across America Day 2024 Book Review Templates
- Read Across America Day 2024 Posters
- Read Across America Day 2024 Games
- Read Across America Day 2024 Labels Signs Decorations
- Read Across America Day 2024 Bulletin Board Displays
- Read Across America Day 2024 Task Cards
- Read Across America Day 2024 Bookmarks
- Read Across America Day 2024 Dice Games
- Read Across America Day 2024 Writing Templates
- Read Across America Day 2024 Mini Book
- Read Across America Day 2024 Coloring Pages
- Read Across America Day 2024 Craft Activities
- Read Across America Day 2024 Banner Display Letter Sets
- Read Across America Day 2024 Matchup Games
- Read Across America Day 2024 Certificates and Awards
- Read Across America Day 2024 Flipbooks
- Read Across America Day 2024 Pennant Flags
- Read Across America Day 2024 Cut and Paste Worksheets
- Read Across America Day 2024 Bingo
- Read Across America Day 2024 Active Games
- Read Across America Day 2024 for Pre-K
- Read Across America Day 2024 for Kindergarten
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 1st Grade
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 2nd Grade
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 3rd Grade
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 4th Grade
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 5th Grade
- Read Across America Day 2024 for 6th Grade