Read Across America is a nationwide celebration of reading, held annually on March 2nd. It’s a day to celebrate the joy of reading and encourage children to pick up a book. Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) play a crucial role in this celebration, as they organize various activities to engage students and get them excited about reading.
Here, we’ll take a look at 12 different activities that PTOs hold for Read Across America.
1: Book Drives
One of the most popular activities that PTOs hold for Read Across America is a book drive. PTOs can encourage students, parents, and staff to donate their gently used books, which can then be distributed to local schools or libraries. This not only helps to promote reading, but also helps to create a sense of community and give back to those in need.
2: Reading Marathons
Reading marathons are another popular activity that PTOs organize for Read Across America. These events typically involve students reading for a set period of time, such as an hour or a day. This activity is great for promoting literacy and encouraging students to engage with books on a regular basis.
3: Author Visits
Inviting authors to visit schools during Read Across America is a great way to get students excited about reading. Authors can talk about their writing process, read from their books, and answer questions from students. This can be a valuable experience for students, as they get to see firsthand what it takes to be a writer and learn more about the books they love.
4: Storytime
Storytime sessions are a classic activity for Read Across America. PTOs can organize volunteers, such as teachers or parents, to read favorite books to groups of students. This is a great way to get students excited about reading and help them develop a love for books.
5: Book Fairs
Book fairs are another great activity that PTOs can hold for Read Across America. These events typically involve setting up a space for students to browse and purchase books, as well as participate in related activities, such as book-themed crafts or games. Book fairs are a great way to encourage students to read and build their personal libraries.
6: Dress-Up Days
Dress-up days are a fun and engaging way for students to get involved with Read Across America. PTOs can encourage students to dress up as their favorite book characters, allowing them to showcase their creativity and show their love for reading.
7: Book Clubs
PTOs can organize book clubs for students during Read Across America. This can involve students reading the same book and coming together to discuss it. Book clubs can be a great way to encourage students to read and engage with literature, as well as build their critical thinking and social skills.
8: Book Swap
Book swaps are another popular activity that PTOs hold for Read Across America. This involves students bringing in books that they have finished reading and swapping them with others. This is a great way to encourage students to read and build their personal libraries, while also promoting a sense of community.
9: Book-Themed Games
PTOs can organize book-themed games and activities to get students excited about reading. These can include games such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, where questions are based on books, or “Scavenger Hunts” where students have to find books based on specific clues.
10: Writing Workshops
Writing workshops are another great activity that PTOs can hold for Read Across America. These workshops can be led by professional writers, and provide students with the opportunity to develop their writing skills and explore their creativity. These workshops can also help to cultivate a love for writing and reading in students, and provide them with the tools they need to become lifelong learners.
11: Book Character Parades
PTOs can organize book character parades to get students excited about reading. This can involve students dressing up as their favorite book characters and parading through the school. Book Character Parade is a fun and engaging activity that can help to cultivate a love for books and reading in students.
12: Reading Challenges
Reading challenges are a great way to get students excited about reading and encourage them to set reading goals. PTOs can organize reading challenges for students, offering prizes for those who reach their goals. This is a fun and engaging way to encourage students to read, and can help to build their confidence and motivation.
Conclusion
Read Across America is a wonderful opportunity for PTOs to get students excited about reading and promote literacy. The 12 activities outlined in this blog are just a few examples of the many ways that PTOs can get involved in this celebration. Whether through book drives, reading marathons, author visits, or writing workshops, there are many opportunities for PTOs to make a difference in their communities and help to cultivate a love for reading in students.
RunPTO allows you to create beautiful Signup Forms for Read Across America activities.
