Diversity the Focus of Read Across America

Diversity the Focus of Read Across America
Posted on 03/11/2021
In our schools Read Across America Week, the nation’s largest celebration of reading since 1998, kicked off with our readers of all ages exploring books and authors that promote diversity, inclusion and compassion. Here is just a glimpse of some of the highlights of activities that took place around the district.

In addition to having fun with reading by dressing up each day in crazy socks or crazy hats, Bradford students got a special treat. Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, read her book "Bunheads" during Bradford’s annual Bedtimes and Books.
Misty Copeland reads book
Copeland (pictured above) talked about taking her first dance class at 13, expressing herself through dance, working hard and enjoying performing as a ballerina.

Edgemont teachers created Bitmoji classrooms to create virtual libraries with books that celebrate diversity and encourage students to explore different genres. Here is a look at Ms. Sheehan's 5th grade “Starbooks Café." Joining together with "2021 Read Across America with Colorful Pages," students at Edgemont also dressed up each day of the week, getting inspiration from various books that celebrate diversity. 

students wear crazy hats

Above is a photo of Katherine Pastorino's third graders (with their favorite hats) viewing an interview with Kelly Starling Lyons, the author and illustrator of "Tiara's Hat Parade." Both third grade classes are combining the celebration of reading and Women's History Month by reading together the book "Who was Ruth Bader Ginsberg?" Corrine Haggerty's first grade class is using "Read Across America Week" to highlight gender equity and acceptance through children's literature with books such as "I Am Jazz," "My Rainbow" and "When Aidan Became a Brother."

Below, students and teachers at Northeast participated in dress up like a famous American day as part of their celebration of reading and diversity of readers and authors across America.

children dressed as famous americans Zoom call with students teacher dressed like amelia earhart

Watchung celebrated Read Across America with a variety of activities in the classroom including guest readers, author visits, and read alouds. Students and staff took part in a school-wide virtual Drop Everything And Read event. They picked their favorite books and their favorite spot in the house, logged on to a school-wide zoom and read. There were over 350 people on the Zoom.

crazy socks day  child wears wacky wednesday outfit

pj day   pj day
Above, Watchung celebrated “The Love of Reading” by having a spirit week. Students wore their crazy hats, wild socks wacky clothes and PJs to their “Classrooms.”
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