Dr Seuss Author Study

This unit was taught during my third year practicum. Utilising Dr Seuss and his entertaining books. The class embarked not only on a learning journey around who Dr Seuss was but also how he wrote his very successful books. At the completion of the author study the unit then moved into Sustainability utilising the book 'The Lorax'. To accompany some lessons I planned for an art activity with a literacy component at another time in the day.

Lesson 1

This first lesson saw a KWL chart created of what the students knew about Dr Seuss and what they would like to know. The book 'The Cat in the Hat' was compared to a 'Dick and Jane' book from the 1930's.

Lesson 2

This lesson saw the student re-read 'The Cat in the Hat' which instilled in the students how good readers love to re-read enjoyable books. Students were introduced to their Readers Notebooks where they are to record their responses and thoughts about Dr Seuss and each of his books.

Lesson 3

This lesson explored the book 'There's a Wocket in my Pocket'. This demonstrated Dr Seuss's imagination, creativity, sense of humour and his love of entertaining through literature. In small groups students examined a page from the book and identified nonsense words and talked about what they thought they might mean. Students realised that to understand the nonsense words they needed to use the pictures and the text around the word. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about Dr Seuss's writing style.

Lesson 4

This lesson explored the book 'Hop on Pop', and how Dr Seuss used rhyming words. The focus of this lesson was on reading accurately and fluently. In pairs students read through the book until they felt they were fluent. As a whole class we read the book in the form of a choral reading with boys taking one page and girls taking the next.. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about the importance of reading fluently and accurately..

Lesson 5

This lesson explored the book 'Dr Seuss's ABC'. Students were introduced to alliterations and familiar tongue twisters such as 'Peter Piper' and 'If a woodchuck'. Again the importance of reading fluently and accurately was highlighted otherwise they would get tongue tied. As a whole class we completed an alliteration. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about alliterations and how they entertain.

Lesson 6

This lesson explored the book 'Green Eggs and Ham', and text to self connections. Students were suprised to find out that Dr Seuss was challenged to write a book with just 50 words which was this book. After reading the book I conducted a think aloud about how I could relate to the book in a text to self connection. I explained that I disliked vegetables when I was younger and my Mum and Dad pestered me to try them. Students were then excouraged to share connections they have with this book. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about what a text to self connection is and a connection they made with the book.

Lesson 7

This lesson explored the book 'Oh the Thinks You Can Think' and book themes. After reading the book students were asked if they knew what a theme was. As a whole class we talked about what a theme was and shared ideas of what the theme of this book was. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about what a theme was and what the theme of this book was.

Lesson 8

This lesson explored the book 'Oh the Places You'll Go'. Students learned that this book was written just before Dr Seuss died. They were encouraged to share what the theme of this book might be and what the significance is of when he wrote it. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about what the theme of this book was and the significance of when Dr Seuss wrote it..

Lesson 9

This lesson explored the book 'Horton Hears a Who'. The students explored the theme of this book. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about what the theme of this book was.

Lesson 10

This lesson explored the book 'The Lorax'. The students explored what the theme of this book was and that this book has a text to world connection. As a whole class we created an attribute chart made up of students thoughts and understandings from the story. Students then recorded an entry into their readers notebooks about what the theme of this book was and how it is a text to world connection.

Lesson 11

This lesson was a culminating activity in their readers notebooks. Students were given five questions and they had to select two to respond to in their readers notebooks. Students were able to use the visual learning we had displayed in the classroom and their readers notebook entries to guide their responses.

The last lesson that I was attending the school for saw the students watch the movie of 'The Lorax'. This refreshed their understanding on the theme as the class teacher began their sustainability exploration.