6 ADVOCATE | SPRING 2019
A
n estimated 45 million educators, parents and students
across the U.S. will participate in Read Across America events
this year, which is the 22nd year of NEA's Read Across America.
Since 1997, when a NEA reading task force suggested a day of
reading to emphasize the fun and adventure of reading, NEA's has
called on every community to enjoy the benefits of reading.
"NEA believes diverse literature enables students to see
themselves as the heroes of the story, while also showing them
that all kinds of people can be the heroes too," said Eskelsen
García. "It is important that we emphasize books that are telling
children of color that they belong in the world and the world
belongs to them."
This year, NEA also launched an expanded digital resources
calendar, making it easy for educators and other children's literature
lovers to find educator-recommended books that "Celebrate a
Nation of Diverse Readers." The digital calendar provides expanded
content, such as classroom activities, videos, resources, and ideas
based on the 36 books recommended for the 2018-19 school year.
For more information on NEA's Read Across America, visit:
www.nea.org/readacross.
Open Your Books! NEA and AEA Celebrates
Read Across America Day
"Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers"
AEA President Joe Thomas reads to Deer Valley Education
Association VP Kelley Fisher's kindergarten class.
