Dr. Seuss Grade Level: 1-3 Teacher Guidelines pages 1 2 Instructional Pages pages 3 5 Activity Page pages 6-8 Practice Page page 9 Homework Page page 10 Answer Key page 11-14
Classroom Procedure: 1. Read a Dr. Seuss book to the class. (Display several if possible.) Ask students: Who is Dr. Seuss? Do you think he is a doctor? Have you ever seen a picture of him? 2. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask students if they like his books. Ask: What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? 3. Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce Dr. Seuss. 4. Distribute Dr. Seuss content pages. Read and review the information with the students. Save the final question for lesson closing. Use the additional resources to enhance understanding. 5. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the instructions. Pair students. The activity helps the students become aware of Dr. Seuss titles. (Option: Once each title is formed, students choose 1 or 2 titles, create a poster advertising the book. Actual Seuss books may be used as a guide.) 6. Once completed, students read aloud the titles, or present the completed advertisement poster to the class. One extra title not shown in the content is included. (If I Ran a Circus) (The optional activity may be for older students.) 7. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students responses. 8. Distribute the Homework page. The next day, check and review the students responses. 9. In closing, ask: What questions would you have asked Dr. Seuss if you had ever met him in person? 10. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask students to share what they think some of Dr. Seuss answers would have been to the questions. 11. Allow for further responses and discussion. 12. Ask students to name a favorite Dr. Seuss book, if they have one. 13. Allow for responses and discussion. Approximate Grade Level: 1 3 Objectives: The students will be able to identify Dr. Seuss and list facts about his life, and explain his significance in history. Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 Class Sessions (45 minutes): At least 2 class sessions. Teaching Materials/Worksheets: Dr. Seuss content pages (2), Activity pages (3), Practice page, Homework page Student Supplies: Scissors, glue, construction paper and colored pencils if activity option is used, handouts Prepare Ahead of Time: Copy handouts. Options for Lesson: Students may work in pairs for the activity. Students create their own Dr. Seuss-type book, compile the text into a booklet for all students. Plan a Dr. Seuss Day, display his books, organize time to read aloud his books, maybe one per day for a Dr. Seuss Week. Students create images based on the text from Dr. Seuss books. Invite the librarian to speak to the class about the author. Students dress up like characters from a Dr. Seuss book. Use the illustrations from a Dr. Seuss book, students write their own words to match the images. 1
Teacher Notes Nearly every student has heard of or has been exposed to book by Dr. Seuss. The lesson introduces the students to the author and his life. Many students may not be aware of his background and the impact he has made on helping children read. The lesson may be used when beginning a Dr. Seuss book, on Dr. Seuss birthday, or during a planned Author s Week. There are numerous resources available on the Internet for the lesson, and it is highly recommended that some of them be used to enhance the lesson. Additional Resources: CONTENT: http://www.seussville.com/ (Interactive and more) http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/dr-seuss/games/ (Interactive games) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/8-things-didnt-know-dr-seuss/ http://www.biography.com/people/dr-seuss-9479638#synopsis (and 4 min-video) https://www.earlymoments.com/dr-seuss/little-known-facts-about-dr-seuss/ http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/dr-seuss-facts-and-quotes-for-kids-read-across-america/ http://www.ducksters.com/biography/dr_seuss.php WORKSHEETS: http://www.seussville.com/educators/educatorclassroomresources.php?id=printables http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/seuss-activity-book/ https://www.havefunteaching.com/products/worksheets/theme-worksheets/dr-seuss-worksheets/ http://edhelper.com/drseuss.htm http://www.free-worksheets.com/dr-seuss-worksheets/ http://www.abcteach.com/directory/holidays-months-and-seasons-months-march-dr-seuss-3630-2-1 VIDEOS: http://www.biography.com/people/dr-seuss-9479638/videos/dr-seuss-mini-biography-141705283737 (4 min) http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/video/ (Misc.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jk6l1wjkuu (25 min-cat in the Hat) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bxbscnc37i (6 min-about) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrupfc62fpy (3 min-facts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gfn6ymw2rc (1-hour movie) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b32u4qrivzq (5 min-green Eggs and Ham) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g82-awzurak (2 min) 2
Doctor or Author? Do you know a famous doctor named Theodore Geisel? He is not a real doctor, but everyone calls him Doctor. He is a famous writer and most likely you have read several of his books. His name: Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss is a famous author of children s books such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. His real name is Theodore Geisel, though his middle name is Seuss. Seuss is his mother s maiden name, her name before she was married to Seuss father. He wrote a few other books using the name Theo LeSeig (his real last name backwards). When he was growing up everyone called him Ted. His father always wanted him to become a doctor, which is the reason he began using the term Doctor with his name. At age 18, Dr. Seuss attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. While there he became the editor of a humor magazine called Jack-O-Lantern. Later he was kicked off the magazine staff but kept writing stories using the fake name Seuss. After graduating from Dartmouth, he attended Oxford College in England. He had planned to become a professor. While at the college, he met his future wife, Helen Palmer. He married her in 1927, dropped out of Oxford, and moved back to the United States. It was the same year he first used his Dr. Seuss name for a cartoon that he published in The Saturday Evening Post. Before becoming famous, Dr. Seuss, or Theodore Geisel, as he was originally known, also wrote advertisements for different companies, was an illustrator, poet, created political cartoons, and made animated films. He was a very creative person. His experiences and perseverance finally led to the publication of his first book in 1937, And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Books, Books, and More Books The first book he published was originally turned down 27 different times. He never gave up. Following the first book, he helped the U.S. government by creating posters and films which were used during World War II. The war ended and Dr. Seuss began writing 8 hours a day in La Jolla, California where he lived with his wife. He was now a full-time writer of children s books, though sometimes he did enjoy taking breaks to work in the garden at his home. 3
Many of Dr. Suess books are well-known and used by many parents as the first book read to their children, plus his work is used in schools throughout the world. The books help young children learn how to read. The stories are fun and silly, creative and imaginary, with interesting characters. The books rhyme and include very colorful animations. Nearly every kid in the world has grown up reading and enjoying Dr. Seuss stories and books. Many of his books also have interesting backgrounds and facts attached to them. Some of his most popular books are listed below: Book Title And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street If I Ran a Zoo Horton Hears a Who The Cat in the Hat How the Grinch Stole Christmas Green Eggs and Ham The Lorax Oh, the Places You ll Go What Pet Should I Get Facts and Information His first book in 1937, it was turned down 27 times before it was finally published. It was written in 1950. The book included the word nerd, and Dr. Seuss was credited with being the first person to ever use it. Written in 1954, though Horton appeared in an earlier book in 1940, Horton Hatches and Egg. Made as a movie in 2008. Published in 1957, using less than 220 simple vocabulary words. It was one of his most successful books. Turned into a movie in 2003. Also, published in 1957, Dr. Seuss said the Grinch character was based on himself. In 1966, the book was made into an animated movie, The Grinch. The book, published in 1960, contains only 50 different words. Written in 1971, it was the fourth book published by Seuss that eventually became a full-length movie. A popular book used during graduation ceremonies, and as gifts for graduates. Written in 1990. Published in 2015, 24 years after Seuss died. The manuscript and sketches were found by the author s widow in their home. 4
In all, Dr. Seuss has written and illustrated 44 children s books, and they have been changed into more than 15 different languages. Though, he loved to write children s books, Dr. Seuss never had kids of his own. He had difficulty interacting with children, and his wife once said he was afraid of kids. Dr. Seuss died on September 24, 1991, but his life is celebrated every year on his birthday, March 2. On this day, a special event, Read Across America Day is celebrated as a day for kids, students, and teachers to focus on reading and its importance in life. What questions would you have asked Dr. Seuss if you had ever met him in person? 5
Activity Name Date Cut apart each of the words. Form the words into 10 Dr. Seuss book titles. Glue into the spaces on the next page. Shade each title using a different colored pencil. Which book is your favorite? MULBERRY PET PLACES SHOULD I GRINCH CHRISTMAS CIRCUS THAT THE IN OH THE GET HAT ON A IT I STREET HORTON CAT I GREEN STOLE AND YOU LL THE RAN TO IF LORAX I GO WHO HAM THINK HEARS RAN SAW IF THE WHAT A EGGS A THE AND HOW ZOO 6
AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET IF I RAN A ZOO HORTON HEARS A WHO THE CAT IN THE HAT GREEN EGGS AND HAM 7
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS THE LORAX OH THE PLACES YOU LL GO WHAT PET SHOULD I GET IF I RAN A CIRCUS 8
Practice Name Date Match 1 The name Dr. Seuss had when he was born. A Jack-O-Lantern 2 Dr. Seuss married her in 1927. B Dartmouth 3 The first college Dr. Seuss attended at age 18. C La Jolla 4 Published a cartoon the year Dr. Seuss was married. D Seuss 5 Dr. Seuss became the editor of this magazine in college. E Oxford 6 A 2nd name Dr. Seuss had used instead of his real name. F Theodore Geisel 7 The college where Dr. Seuss met his wife. G The Saturday Evening Post 8 The city where Dr. Seuss was born. H Springfield 9 The city where Dr. Seuss died. I Helen Palmer 10 Dr. Seuss real middle name. J Theo LeSeig Match the story with its fact 11 And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street A Used less than 220 words, 2003 movie. 12 If I Ran a Zoo B Character based on Seuss himself. 13 Horton Hears a Who C Witten in 1971, the fourth movie. 14 The Cat in the Hat D 1954 book and a movie in 2008. 15 How the Grinch Stole Christmas E First book published in 1937. 16 Green Eggs and Ham F First time Horton appeared in a book. 17 The Lorax G Used often at graduations. 18 Oh, the Places You ll Go H First time the word nerd was used. 19 What Pet Should I Get I Contains only 50 different words. 20 Horton Hatches an Egg J Published after Dr. Seuss had died. 9
Homework Name Date Work with a parent or another family member. Read each of the Dr. Suess quotes and tell what you think they mean, and how it can be helpful to you. The more that you read. The more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you ll go. Only you can control your future. Why fit in when you were born to stand put. Don t cry because it s over, Smile because it happened. Today is your day! Write a short poem you think Dr. Seuss might like. Be sure it rhymes. 10
Activity Name Answer Key Date (may vary) AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET (order will vary) IF I RAN A ZOO HORTON HEARS A WHO THE CAT IN THE HAT GREEN EGGS AND HAM 11
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS THE LORAX OH THE PLACES YOU LL GO WHAT PET SHOULD I GET IF I RAN A CIRCUS 12
Practice Name Answer Key Date Match 1 F The name Dr. Seuss had when he was born. A Jack-O-Lantern 2 I Dr. Seuss married her in 1927. B Dartmouth 3 B The first college Dr. Seuss attended at age 18. C La Jolla 4 G Published a cartoon the year Dr. Seuss was married. D Seuss 5 A Dr. Seuss became the editor of this magazine in college. E Oxford 6 J A 2nd name Dr. Seuss had used instead of his real name. F Theodore Geisel 7 E The college where Dr. Seuss met his wife. G The Saturday Evening Post 8 H The city where Dr. Seuss was born. H Springfield 9 C The city where Dr. Seuss died. I Helen Palmer 10 D Dr. Seuss real middle name. J Theo LeSeig Match the story with its fact 11 E And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street A Used less than 220 words, 2003 movie. 12 H If I Ran a Zoo B Character based on Seuss himself. 13 D Horton Hears a Who C Witten in 1971, the fourth movie. 14 A The Cat in the Hat D 1954 book and a movie in 2008. 15 B How the Grinch Stole Christmas E First book published in 1937. 16 I Green Eggs and Ham F First time Horton appeared in a book. 17 C The Lorax G Used often at graduations. 18 G Oh, the Places You ll Go H First time the word nerd was used. 19 J What Pet Should I Get I Contains only 50 different words. 20 F Horton Hatches an Egg J Published after Dr. Seuss had died. 13
Homework Name Answer Key Date Work with a parent or another family member. Read each of the Dr. Suess quotes and tell what you think they mean or how it can be helpful to you. (may vary) The more that you read. The more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you ll go. Reading will help a person learn more things. Reading will help you go far in life. Only you can control your future. People have control over their lives and what happens in the future. Why fit in when you were born to stand put. Do not always try to fit in, do your own thing. Don t cry because it s over, Smile because it happened. Sometimes when things are over it could be sad, but think about the fun you may have had and be happy and smile. Today is your day! Do something special today. Write a short poem you think Dr. Seuss might like. Be sure it rhymes. 14