Every year, usually around March 2, schools across the country celebrate the love of reading by honoring the birthday of beloved author Dr. Seuss. Read Across America Week is sponsored in Craig County by the Craig County Education Association, and this year’s events took place February 26 – March 2. Due to inclement weather, the March 2 activities took place the following week, but it only extended the good time a little longer!
Each day, McCleary Elementary students “dressed the part” of one of Dr. Seuss’s books.
Monday, students wore their craziest socks to be like the fox in Fox in Socks. Tuesday was Mustache Day for both girls and boys, just like the title character in The Lorax. “Thing One” and “Thing Two” took over on Wednesday for Twins Day, and the students fit right in If I Ran the Zoo in their animal prints on Thursday. Of course, there was also a Hat Day for Dr. Seuss’s most recognized character, the Cat in the Hat.
In addition to the fun and wacky days, the elementary students had some special visitors come and read to them. BETA Club members from Craig County High School visited throughout the week to read stories to the elementary students.
Reader Jesse Brizendine enjoyed meeting the younger students and seeing them smile. Brianna Charlton read one of her favorite books, The Lorax, which is about natural resources and conservation, which she plans to study at Virginia Tech next fall.
The BETA members’ preparation and enthusiasm were evident and appreciated by their younger audience. Brianna Charlton read her book in advance so she “wouldn’t get too tongue-tied.”
“Dr. Seuss books can be extremely hard to read if you haven’t practiced a little,” she said. Cody Hutchinson hadn’t read Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose before, so he, too, read it several times in advance to prepare and said, “I feel like the kids and I enjoyed it because we can relate [the hunting scenes] to Craig County.”
Marjorie Price found that “the attentiveness and interaction with the younger students was truly amazing,” and she dressed up along with the younger students when she read to them. Meaghan Looney, who wants to be a teacher one day, even learned and incorporated signs from American Sign Language to help her read to the preschoolers.
McCleary teachers got in on the Read Across America fun, as well. Their bulletin boards were decorated especially for the week, and CCEA awarded prizes to the favorites: Mrs. Wente’s kindergarten class won for their rhyming words on her “Fox in Socks” bulletin board, and Mrs. Persinger’s “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!” kindergarten bulletin board won for student artwork. Both teachers received $30 in gift cards from CCEA! Mrs. Price’s fifth-grade bulletin board showcasing students’ favorite books and Dr. Seuss’s birthday was an honorable mention, and she received $15 in gift cards.
Celebrating reading didn’t just happen in the classrooms, though. The week of fun wouldn’t have been complete without the birthday cake made by the wonderful cafeteria staff for Dr. Seuss’s birthday. The students look forward to that sweet treat every year! For a birthday “gift” from CCEA, each student also received a Dr. Seuss book-inspired pencil. Who knows? Perhaps this experience will inspire them to be a writer one day.
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!” Oh, the Places You’ll Go – Dr. Seuss
-Submitted by Marsha Burton
