March is National Reading Month
March is National Reading Month. The month kicks off with National Read Across America Day on March 2, where children, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading.
Reading Month Activity Ideas
Review the NEA’s recommended book titles on the 2023 Read Across America calendar.
Have an young child that enjoys picture books? Find their next favorite from this NEA picture book list.
Choose from ideas for sharing books and all kinds of ways to celebrate with stories in classrooms.
Join Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) on Thursday, March 2 starting at 1 p.m. (and available on demand until March 31, 2023) for their celebration webcast “Read Together!” A downloadable viewing kit includes an activity for each of the three read-aloud books that will be featured during the event. You can also play RIF’s Book Bingo!
View the Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success toolkit from National Department of Education’s National Center on Improving Literacy to support children’s literacy success in and out of school.
Find a new book for your pre-k or kindergarten-aged early reader from the Million Book March Collection.
Check out these resources from NEA and bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students.
Attend one of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s events throughout the region for children and adults. Visit their events page for details.
Donate a book to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 2023 Book Drive for Diversity. You can help put exciting and diverse books into the hands of young readers and promote literacy in our region. This year’s books have been hand-selected to focus on social diversity, including but not limited to various ethnicities, classes, genders, physical abilities/qualities, race, and work statuses. Fill out this form to register and receive the list of books they are accepting.
Explore new words and early literacy activities on the Buzzword website with the early readers in your life, or attend an upcoming Buzzword event in March.
ABOUT NATIONAL READING MONTH
National Reading Month is celebrated not just to promote the love for reading but also to develop communication and learning.
The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Read Across America Day calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities organize events to celebrate and promote reading.