Kamryn Biliter
Intern, C2C Communications Team
Read Across America Week is a nationwide celebration honoring renowned author Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. Schools across the country take part in literacy-based activities designed to engage students of all ages.
Thanks to the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant, schools in Knott County, Pineville, and Middlesboro have been able to celebrate in a big way. With a strong focus on promoting literacy through creative approaches, the IAL grant has funded numerous programs that make reading fun, interactive, and engaging. This support has allowed schools in these communities to elevate Read Across America Week, giving students meaningful opportunities to build a strong foundation in literacy.
Knott County
In Knott County, Read Across America Week was filled with exciting activities for students. At Beaver, Carr Creek, and Jones Fork Elementary, Mrs. Rhonda Bryant read Oh, the Places You’ll Go! before leading students in a lively game of Dr. Seuss Bingo. At Cordia School, students explored Yertle the Turtle, gaining valuable leadership skills, while others enjoyed One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
Kindergarten teacher Amber Ratliff expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am so thankful for Mrs. Boggs and her activities during Read Across America Week. My students loved having her read to them and creating their own fishbowls.”
The Clifford Road Show wrapped up its tour, bringing excitement to preschool and Head Start classrooms. Preschool teacher Deborah Lucas shared, “IAL has been a wonderful asset to our school. The children love to see Mrs. Lori and the ladies come for book readings and fun follow-up activities. They were thrilled to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog as well.”
At Hindman and Emmalena Elementary, students participated in interactive read-alouds, a story walk, puppet-making, and Literacy Night. Meanwhile, at Knott County Central High School, students engaged in a creative extension project led by teacher Cathey Conley and literacy coach Lori Boggs.
It was an unforgettable week of celebrating literacy in Knott County!
Pineville ISD
Pineville Independent School had an incredible Read Across America Week! Thanks to the IAL grant, students embraced literacy with excitement and adventure.
The festivities kicked off with K-5 students solving the Masked Reader mystery, while grades 6-12 took part in a school-wide game of CLUE! Literacy Coach Samantha North shared, “Each year, we want to make Read Across America a fun week for our students while also valuing instruction in our classrooms. This year, we chose the theme ‘Reading is the Greatest Adventure’ and planned activities around all the kinds of adventures you can find in a book.”
Younger students explored a Word Walk at Veterans Park, while K-5 students visited the STEAM Museum, hosted by Full-Service (FSCS), and received adventure books tailored to their interests. The excitement continued with a scavenger hunt, where students discovered new books in their classrooms. Kindergartners even showcased their reading skills by reading to middle school students!
Pineville’s engagement in literacy excelled during Read Across America Week, making reading a fascinating adventure for students. Check out Pineville’s news broadcast, Mountain Lion News, and its episode highlighting Read Across America Week festivities.
Middlesboro ISD
Middlesboro Independent Schools joined in on the Read Across America Week festivities as well! The celebration began with their annual Lot for Literacy event on Saturday, March 1. Hosted by IAL, this event serves as the kickoff for Read Across America Week, providing families with books and valuable literacy resources.
Doug Coots, IAL Project Director, shared, “I enjoy seeing all the children’s faces at our Lots for Literacy event. It is one of our most attended events, and we are thankful for our community members who help us put it on each year.”
Middlesboro also hosted Prime Time Reading Night on Monday. This six-week family reading program, led by IAL, brings families together through shared reading experiences. Families enjoy a delicious meal, listen to a story, discuss key themes, and take home engaging activities to continue the fun.
Paige Omar, a kindergarten teacher, expressed her excitement, saying, “It was so wonderful to see our community members come together to help our children develop a lifelong love of books. The event was a huge success and allowed parents to join their children in reading activities!”
The Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant is actively transforming literacy across Knott County, Pineville Independent, and Middlesboro Independent schools. Read Across America Week introduced a variety of engaging activities, highlighting the profound impact of IAL. However, its efforts extend far beyond just one week each year.
Through ongoing literacy initiatives, IAL continues to create meaningful opportunities for students, shaping young lives and fostering a lifelong love for reading. Committed to ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed, IAL is paving the way for a brighter future. Thanks to its unwavering dedication, the future of literacy in our region is stronger than ever.
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