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A t the Loella F. Dewing Elementary School in Tewksbury, celebrating
Dr. Seuss is a two-week event that
involves the whole community.
Pre-reading and reading are a
welcome part of the daily routine for
students at the preK- 2 school, first-grade teacher Kathy Carleton noted.
But Read Across America — which
will be formally celebrated this year
on March 2 — is even more special, as
are the days that follow.
“We celebrate Read Across
America for a lot of reasons,” said
Carleton, who has taught at the school
for nine years and been a teacher for
Some Read Across America events
are woven into tradition at Dewing and
some have come and gone. One year,
educators brought in bubble wrap. As
Dr. Seuss’s “Hop on Pop” was being
read aloud, the students stomped on
the wrap in the hallways. “That was
fun — but very loud,” said Carleton.
Smaller wrap was brought in for
any students sensitive to loud noises so
they could step on the bubbles in the
relative quiet of their classrooms.
This year, educators will honor
another tradition — keeping a tally of
books read as a schoolwide challenge.
The students will visit the
“Dewing School Museum,” featuring
posters of famous artists on the walls
along with representations of their
work. As each class meets certain
goals, it will be introduced to the next
famous artist.
This year’s chosen book — “The
Ant and the Grasshopper” — will be
read to students on the last day of the
challenge at an all-school assembly.
Then the students, wearing bright
colors to celebrate the arrival of spring,
will enjoy a memorable “dance party”
arranged by a local disc jockey.
Bringing in the community
impresses on the children that no
matter what they become in life,
reading plays a major part.
T wo years ago, Tewksbury’s first responders were invited. Fire and police officers
and EMTs were on hand, as were
members of the military services
and the School Committee. In past
years, the town manager and other
municipal officers have been invited
— and Boston Marathon runners
were on hand for one RAA
celebration.
One of the most popular events
has been “Read Across the Dewing,”
with the students sitting in the hallway
enjoying sustained silent reading.
“Everyone just dropped
everything and read,” Carleton said.
“The kids loved it.”
With all the activities surrounding
Read Across America Day, students
and their families get the message
about the importance of reading.
In 2015, the students impressed
educators, parents, and their
community with a total of 3,100
books read over the two-week span.
Suggestions, resources and
reading lists are available on the
NEA website, www.nea.org, under
“Grants and Events.” The site features
a poster; the Read Across America
song, oath and poem; and a link to the
Dr. Seuss “Cat-a-log.” NEA’s Read
Across America Facebook page, www.
facebook.com/neareadacrossamerica,
offers even more ideas.
‘What student
doesn’t love Dr.
Seuss?’
— Kathy Carleton
First-grade teacher
Brightly colored
artwork in the
hallways helps
students at
the Dewing
Elementary
School in
Tewksbury
become excited
about Read
Across America
events. RAA Day
will be celebrated
on March 2.
Photo courtesy of Dewing
Elementary School
Master of Education programs in:
• Reading and Literacy • Elementary Education
• Early Childhood • Secondary Education • Special Needs
• Autism • Applied Behavior Analysis
For more information, contact Associate Director Ryan Lovell
978.998.7761 | rlovell@endicott.edu
www.vanloan.endicott.edu
Doctoral programs include:
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a
concentration in Higher Education Administration
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
with a concentration in PreK- 12
