Dr. Seuss’ birthday is coming up on March 2nd! Green eggs, Seuss themed games, crazy hats, and so much more will be all over schools in the country! The most important thing about Dr. Seuss Day is celebrating the love of reading. Here are some ways to celebrate on March 2nd or all week long!
Which Words Rhyme?
Dr. Seuss’ books are filled with rhyming words and Fox in Socks does not disappoint! It can be used during a Language Arts lesson about rhyming. Read the story aloud to students and have them identify pairs of words that rhyme. Bring in real socks or have students bring in socks. Place words that rhyme on the socks and give one to each student. Instruct the students to find the sock that matches the sock they were given. When students find their match, have them discuss the word patterns and why the words rhyme. This activity can be extended by having students complete a writing assignment using rhyming words.
Is Character Important?
One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books is Horton Hatches an Egg. This is the perfect book to teach and discuss responsibility, patience, and persistence. Before reading, tell the students to listen for ways that show how the main characters, Horton and Mayzie, are alike and different. After reading, use a graphic organizer to compare the actions and feelings of the characters. Lead a discussion about responsibility, patience, and persistence and how the character traits were seen or not seen in the characters. Afterwards, the students can write about how they are responsible, patient, and persistent.
Can You Put the Story in Order?
My favorite Dr. Seuss book is Green Eggs and Ham! Students love when it’s read with animation and different voice levels. After having fun with the book, it can be used to teach students about story sequence. Print out phrases from the book and have the students put them in order. The activity can be done as a class or groups of students can sequence sections of the book. Afterwards, the class can sequence the story as a whole group. Make some green eggs for students to eat afterwards!
Other Activities to Celebrate Reading and Dr. Seuss Day:
- Integrate reading and physical activity! Read Hop on Pop and then have sack races.
- Create a special reading log for Dr. Seuss Day! Students can spend the week up to March 2nd reading books that they’ve never read before. The books can be read at school or at home with parents. After filling up the log, a special Seuss themed incentive can be earned.
- Host a readathon! Students can pledge to read a predetermined number of books or minutes in one day. Students can solicit donations from friends and family to earn twenty-five cents a minute (or any other amount) per book or minute read. The class money collected can be donated to a local charity.
It doesn’t matter what you choose to do to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day! The most important thing is to get students excited about reading!