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“The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss has inspired a love of reading for many generations. Many childhood memories include the sing-song rhythm unique to his writing. We learned to count, “One fish, two fish”; we learned our colors, “red fish blue fish”; we learned diversity, “Not one of them is like another”; we learned to imagine. Every child’s future opens wide when they can read, can learn, and can imagine.

Illinois PTA wants to encourage PTAs across Illinois to recognize March as National Reading Month with a reading event of your own.   We have compiled some programs and ideas that you can get you started on your next reading event:

  • PTA Family Reading Experience, Powered by Kindle. Family engagement and early literacy skills are two critical factors that determine a child’s success in school and beyond. The PTA Family Reading Experience, Powered by Kindle is a national program that brings these two elements together by engaging families of children in Grades K–5 in fun, school-based literacy events. These special events are uniquely designed to teach parents about reading fundamentals and give them tools to help their children become life-long readers. This ready-to-go program can be conducted with a little paper, some pencils, and playing chips. Choose one of the four themes available on National PTA website. The program includes free activities and tools in English and Spanish to organize this event that will engage the entire family in improving reading skills for students between kindergarten and fifth grade.
  • Raising Readers by Scholastic. Help families explore how learning to read begins at home and the important role they play in inspiring their children to love reading. Research has shown the positive power parent involvement has on student academic achievement, and this no-cost program helps adult family members develop a special bond with their children as they read to and with them at home. Share fun, interactive activities and strategies on how families can select right-fit books for their children.
  • Book Fair. Whether you work with Barnes & Noble, Scholastic, another book provider, or hold free Book Exchange Fair, getting books into the hands of children is the first step in getting them to read. Create a theme, have activities that promote reading at all levels, and make it fun for the whole family.
  • Other Family Reading Night Ideas. The Illinois Secretary of State and the State Librarian have compiled a list of ideas you can use.

Share and Win!

During the month of March Illinois PTA will feature two PTAs and their reading event each week in our Weekend Update. Submit a summary, 250 words or less, of the highlights and achievements of a current reading program you held along with photos to info@illinoispta.org. If your program is chosen as one of the weekly featured PTAs, your PTA will be put into a drawing to win a free registration to the Illinois PTA 113th Annual Convention on April 17th to 18th. Two winning PTAs will be drawn from those featured, so start planning your event now!