During the month of March, Townsend Elementary held a Read Across America Challenge, which was held in conjunction with Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day.
Students read for five weeks, making it all the way across the country as each chapter and book read represented a mile.
In the fifth week, the fifth graders completed their journey (as well as reading an extra 70 chapters) to reach their destination of Long Beach, California.
UPK reached their destination of Walton, with an extra two books. Kindergarten reached Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and added an extra 355. First grade reached their destination first, making it to Indianapolis, Indiana. They then went beyond with 136 extra books.
Second grade reached Kansas City, and added 205 books. The third graders made it to Denver, and then read an additional 169 books. The fourth grade made it to Salt Lake City, and then went beyond with 134 more books.
Overall, the Townsend students read 4,215 books/chapters, which exceeded the goal by 1,215 miles.
At the conclusion of their journeys, each grade had a small celebration to learn about their destination city. They did so with a slide show, as well as a treat from the city.
UPK classes had apples grown in New York, while Kindergarten had funnel cake fries from As Yoi Wish Treat and Eats. The first graders samples sugar cream pie, and the second grade had BBQ chips. Third graders enjoyed peach cobbler, while the fourth graders found out Salt Lake was the Jello State. Fifth grade found that one of the iconic foods of California were fortune cookies.
A special thank you to reading teachers Mackensey O’Hara and Karla Marano, who tracked the miles on a big map, and also helped with the celebrations.
See more photos on our Facebook page!