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I love the spirit of RAAD, (or Read Across America Day) where kids are dressed up as characters, fun activities abound around school, and there's a definite contagious spirit of excitement in the air! If you're looking for quick and easy ideas to make it a great celebration in your classroom, school or homeschool group, you've come to the right place! Let's first take a look at some simple ideas that require little time and effort (you can implement these right away!) and then some more long-term ones (for future years maybe?).
Jack Daws-If you have never heard of this term, you aren't alone. I brought this to my school several years ago because my elementary school librarian I had growing up turned the school library into a magical place with dozens of these! Each teacher, family or student can make one to involve as many people as possible. Basically, they are a container, like a shoebox, decorated with the theme of a book. You would include clues or symbols that give hints of the book, but don't include the title and author! Students and teachers can then guess which well-known book it is. For example, for Blueberries for Sal, I had a small tin of blueberries, a vintage background, a mason jar, a small stuffed bear of my son's, etc. These are really fun because everyone can contribute, and they are simple to make with items around the house. They can be displayed in a communal space and are really fun to guess!
Scavenger Hunt-A good scavenger hunt is always so much fun. This could be throughout the school, a classroom or home. Click the button below for 20 free scavenger hunt tickets of well-known children's books that you can hide in your space. Kids are sure to have fun working together to figure out which book goes with each clue! Invite other classes to join you too.
Costumes-These don't have to be complicated, but just a fun way to raise the energy level and participation around reading. One year a student came in without a costume and I happen to have large cardboard boxes that we turned into "dots" for the Press Here book. We worked together quickly to cover them with colored paper, punch two holes through each, and string them with yarn for our costumes. That same year, our eighth graders all dressed up as crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit. They were simple costumes made out of construction paper and string. Here's a link to some great book themed costumes!
Themed Food-Can you bring cookies in to go with the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? Or how about blueberry muffins for Blueberries for Sal? There are many children's books with foods for a theme. Click here for additional resources.
Book Cover Decorating-Host a book jacket decorating contest or activity where kids either make a different version of the cover of their current book, decorate a book cover together, etc.
Reader's Theater or Puppet Shows can be a really fun way to engage kids in story. Grab some quick props that you probably have at home or make them with your students to have a great time together. Here are some free Reader's Theater Scripts.
READ!! Spend plenty of time reading independently, with a partner or as a whole group.
Author's Tea-Invite parents in for an Author's Tea during the week of RAAD to celebrate the authors in your own classroom. Serve tea and desserts while encouraging kids to dress up for the occasion. Students share their writing out loud.
Nature Story Walk-Have your kids write a story collaboratively then laminate it and post it around campus outdoors. This would be great for a walking trail.
Bring in an Author. Having a real author in your classroom can be quite amazing! This is likely something for next year, since it takes time to make this connection, etc. But it is well worth the effort!
What's the best RAAD experience you've had and what made it that way? Don't forget to get your FREE scavenger hunt tickets now!
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