As a former elementary teacher, I remember Read Across America Day as a celebration of all things Seuss. Over time, it has evolved into a fantastic opportunity to bring reading into all subjects, making it meaningful for middle and high school students. Here are some creative ways to celebrate this special day across different classes:

Science:

• Introduce students to science fiction stories and discuss the real scientific principles behind them. How accurate are the predictions in classic sci-fi works? Resource idea: Why Sci-Fi is a Mirror on Society | It’s Lit!
• Have students read biographies of famous scientists to inspire them and provide historical context for scientific discoveries. Combine Read Across America with Women’s History Month by highlighting female scientists using eMediaVA.
• Assign case studies of famous experiments and have students read, analyze, and discuss their significance. You can start with this Science Trek video on the light bulb. 
• Introduce environmental literature—books or essays about climate change, conservation, or sustainability—to connect science with current global issues. An eMediaVA resource I love on this topic is Weathered! 

Social Studies:

• Assign historical fiction that ties into your current curriculum and compare the narratives to actual historical records. In a World History class, you could examine how Greek mythology inspires us with this video from It’s Lit! 
• Use primary source documents to develop critical thinking and analysis skills. Explore eMediaVA’s Teaching with Primary Sources collection now. 
• Explore autobiographies or memoirs from key historical figures to gain firsthand perspectives on events. Famous Virginian Maggie Walker is a great place to start. 
• Introduce journalistic writing from major historical moments—students can analyze how events were reported at the time versus how they are interpreted today.

Math:

• Have students read about real-world applications of math—biographies of mathematicians, books about math in nature, or articles about how math is used in sports, music, and architecture. Pair the reading resource with a video on how math is used in the MLB or other fun career fields with eMediaVA’s career collections. 
• Introduce logic puzzles and problem-solving stories, then have students analyze the mathematical reasoning used by the characters.
• Explore data literacy by having students read and interpret real-world statistics, infographics, or economic reports. Pair it with this activity on why the U.S. is warming faster than average using real-world data. 
• Discuss math in history—for example, the role of math in ancient civilizations, architecture, or space exploration.

English/Language Arts:

• Organize a genre exploration activity, where students read short excerpts from various genres (mystery, fantasy, dystopian, memoirs) to discover new interests. I love It’s Lit for this! 
• Have students write book reviews or literary critiques of their favorite books and share them with classmates.
• Read poetry from different cultures and time periods and analyze themes, structure, and literary devices. Considering using a resource from eMediaVA’s Poetry in America collection. 
• Explore adaptations, where students compare books to their film, TV, or theatrical versions and discuss differences in storytelling. Do your students have a favorite movie they think is better than the original source material? 

Foreign Languages:

• Read short stories, poems, or folk tales in the target language (or translated versions) to introduce students to literature from other cultures. Explore “A World of Stories” for folklore from around the world.
• Use bilingual books to help students strengthen vocabulary and comprehension.
• Have students research famous authors from countries that speak the language they’re studying and present their findings. Start your search for biographies, excerpts, and activities on authors from around the world with a keyword search. 

Arts & Music:

• Explore books about artists, musicians, or movements to connect literacy with the arts. Get ideas with one of my favorite fine arts series, “Muse Moments.” 
• Read song lyrics as poetry, analyzing meaning, themes, and literary devices. Explore the connection between hip hop, social justice, and Grandmaster Flash with a thought-provoking video and resources. 
• Have students create visual representations of stories they read—such as comic strips, paintings, or digital art inspired by a book’s themes. For younger students, explore the Cartoon Academy collection. 

By integrating reading into multiple subjects, teachers can make Read Across America Day a vibrant, interdisciplinary celebration. These activities help students see the value of literacy beyond English class, fostering a love of reading and a deeper connection to their studies.

Anne Walker is a high school social studies teacher in Prince William County Schools and an eMediaVA Ambassador.