Read Across America highlights newspapers
Now here's an idea that we here at InsidEd can get behind.
Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, sponsored legislation that the Senate approved that designated today as Read Across America Day. That isn't particularly news. We've been celebrating reading on a special day since 1998. You may recognize it as Dr. Seuss day.
But what is different this year is that Reed is encouraging adults to read newspapers to their children.
Yes. We say Hoorah! Newspapers need a little help these days.
Here's what Reed's press release said:
"Read Across America Day is a national celebration of reading. This year I encourage people to celebrate by picking up a newspaper and sharing it with a young person,” said Senator Reed. “Newspapers are vital to our communities. They are also a great tool for teaching kids to read and encouraging them to learn about the world around them. Getting young people to incorporate reading the newspaper into their daily routine can help them open up a world of opportunities.”
Started in 1998, and sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), Read Across America Day has become the nation’s largest reading celebration with more than 45 million readers nationwide participating at schools, libraries, hospitals, and community centers.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
What has happened locally to Newspapers in Education? I remember the Sun providing multiple copies of newspapers, lesson plans to use with the paper, packets which were aligned with the old state test, and other newspaper related goodies. Kids DO need to read the paper and books. Technology is great but nothing feels so good as a paper/book, a cup of something, and a quiet moment reading. I bring all my papers to school and the kids love to browse through them. Almost none of the kids get a paper delivered to their home.I fear and trends show that newspapers could soon vanish. Similar predictions were made about books but I think we can keep all kinds of reading going! So, read a paper to a kid tomorrow.
Posted by: wise educator | March 2, 2009 9:01 PM
The Sun's Newspapers In Education program does still exist. If anyone wants more info, let me know and I'll connect you with the right person.
Posted by: Sara Neufeld | March 3, 2009 2:02 PM