Local and community leaders helped Mundy Mill Academy students participate in their first Read Across America Day Friday by reading a Dr. Seuss book to a class.
"Basically, dignitaries and community members have been asked to volunteer 30 minutes of their day to come read a book to a class of students," said Tammy Palmer, media specialist at the elementary school. "Our guest readers engage the classes with stories that promote reading and the importance of it. In addition, teachers and students have been given the opportunity to dress up as their favorite characters and it just is a fun day as we celebrate literacy." The hallways, media center and classrooms were also decorated with the Lorax, Truffula trees and other Seuss-related decor, making the school feel like Seussville.
"Events like these, they impact students and make a lasting impression on them to help them associate that reading is a fun activity. In today's day and age of video games and all kinds of technology out there, this helps students know that picking up a book sometimes can be fun," said Palmer. She said research shows reading with children helps increase their vocabulary and improve reading fluency and comprehension levels. "Reading skills have a direct affect on student success, so it's important to try and spark that passion for reading as early as we can so hopefully they will become lifelong readers."
Read Across America Day is celebrated each year on March 2, Seuss's birthday.
