Children of all ages enjoy the books written by Dr. Seuss or Theodore Giesel.
Across America today, millions of people will share a good book to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
School children will don the clothes and persona of one of his characters and take their favorite book to school to share with the class. (On Facebook this morning, I saw some of these pictures.) In some classes, green eggs and ham might be served. (Green Eggs and Ham was the result of a bet to the author that he couldn’t write a book using only 50 simple words; Dr. Seuss proved him wrong.)Parents and other volunteers will read his books to small groups. Picking out a favorite character, “I Am” poems will be written. Cat in the Hat hats will be crafted out of red-and-white construction paper. Plenty of coloring pages, story maps, and word-searches for the author’s made-up words will be available for small groups.
NEA (National Education Association) set up The Read Across America seventeen years ago to encourage children to keep reading and learning, and the celebration date is Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Read Across America expects more than 45 million readers throughout the country both young and old to pick up a book and read today.
When I taught a reading class for secondary teachers, I encouraged them to look at picture books as viable options to introduce a new topic. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax has potential for a science classroom. In a history class, a teacher might share The Butter Battle Book when studying the Cold War or The Sneetches with Hitler and his anti-Semitism. Quotes from his books are perfect to use as a prewriting activity in an ELA classroom. Oh, the Places You’ll Go is a popular, high school and college graduation present.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” Oh, the Places you will Go
Enjoy this YouTube video of one of my favorite authors.
His books make all of us smile. Thank you for each one of the books you wrote and illustrated, Dr. Seuss!
Sheila Ingle 