NASHUA – Students at World Academy could be seen Monday, March 2, with books in their hands and hats on their heads to celebrate National Read Across America Day.

The event is held each year on March 2, the birthday of author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

This year marked his 111th birthday and the 18th year the event has been held.

The event is sponsored by the National Education Association in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

The association’s objective with the program is to build a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. The group’s year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and engaging activities.

The event has grown into the nation’s largest reading observance, with more than 45 million participating, according to the NEA.

Throughout the day, World Academy staff encouraged students across all grade levels to read during free time with the hope of collectively reading 50 books throughout the week. Keeping with the school’s focus on using 21st-century education tools and technologies, students were invited to the middle school core area to listen to a book reading on the smart TV.

To introduce an interactive element to the event, World Academy students were asked to accomplish the shared goal of reading 50 books throughout the week. Each time a book was finished, students were given a star to place on the state of their choosing on a large U.S. map hung in the middle school entrance to track the progress of “reading across the country.”

“The students love the events and activities we held throughout the day,” said Samantha Bonenfant, director of admissions and advancement. “We want to show that you’re never too old to read, and that reading is the basis to understanding all the emerging technologies that we use in our daily lives and in our daily curriculum.

“The message is that without literacy, technology is ineffectual.”

After the group listening activity, teachers were encouraged to integrate activities into their daily lessons using materials centered on the Dr. Seuss theme. Activities included making Dr. Seuss whiskers, completing literary-themed math puzzles and personalizing the iconic Dr. Seuss hat from “The Cat in the Hat.”

“Good books, like good education, inspire students’ desire to learn and follow their passions,” Bonenfant said. “This is an excellent opportunity to take the fun, quirky stories of Dr. Seuss that so many of us have grown up reading and infuse them into a day of engaging events.

“When a true love of learning is created, oh, the places they’ll go!”

For more information about the advantages of a 21st-century private education, visit worldacademynh.com or call 888-1982.