CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cape Coral elementary school aims to make reading exciting all week long. At Hector A. Cafferata, students and teachers breathe life into the whimsical worlds of Dr. Seuss, inviting imaginations anew.
Watch students’ reaction to the day at Hector A. Cafferata:
A Cape Coral elementary school aims to make reading exciting all week long.
To create a memorable Read Across America, the children and educators donned colorful Dr. Seuss hats, transforming their campus into a celebration of creativity. Classroom doors became canvases, each decorated to reflect the vibrant stories and characters that define this beloved author.
Among the excitement, a door decoration contest took place, with two students, Shari and Miyoshi, proudly emerging as champions. Their hard work earned them a pizza party, but they were even more thrilled about the juice that accompanied it—an unexpected twist that sparked jubilant giggles throughout the classroom.
The Dr. Seuss theme not only celebrated the literary genius’s birthday but framed a week packed with playful activities and educational games. Peer collaborative teacher Ana Lamotta noted the importance of making reading a joyful experience. She believes that when children associate books with fun, they are more likely to embrace reading as a lifelong habit.
“Our goal is to make it not just be a chore, but something that they want to do. We celebrate Dr. Seuss and everything he accomplished through his books while also fostering a sense of community,” Lamotta shared, a sparkle of passion evident in her voice.
Each classroom welcomed special guest readers, community figures like police officers, firefighters, and even the Mariner High School soccer team, who shared stories that created a bond between students and their local heroes.
One 3rd grader was particularly proud, noting that his teacher had assessed him at a 5th-grade reading level. “I really just like Dr. Seuss books; now I’m into Diary of a Wimpy Kid and I’ve gotten really good at it, so I just do it more,” stated Nakoa Robinson Welsh with a bright smile, reflecting enthusiasm that resonated through the room.
As the school prepared to conclude its week-long celebration of Read Across America, a longing remained to keep the spirit of reading alive each day. The challenge is to carry this excitement beyond Seuss’s birthday, inspiring a continuous journey where each page turned brings another adventure to explore.
