Read Across America Day - Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Today celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday... what did/will you do to celebrate? I have a whole plateful of activities planned for my preschoolers... perhaps you could find a way to use some of these in your home/classroom?!

Waxman, Laura Hamilton.
Dr. Seuss.
December 2009.
Lerner Publications.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

This is the first Dr. Seuss biography I've come across, but I'm sure there are several (or more) out there! This biography in particular specifically features Dr. Seuss as an artist, cartoonist, children's book writer, military man and "superstar."

The book is ideal for middle-age to older children, as the text is somewhat lengthy. However, there is so much information packed within, that the book can virtually be used with all children, if you just pick and pull the age-appropriate materials! Coupled with the photographs and illustrations, I'd say this is a wonderful book if you'd like to teach your child(ren) more about Dr. Seuss as a writer (and person), rather than just focusing on all of his books.

Learning/Reading Activities (that my preschoolers participated in today):

• Yesterday, we created Cat in the Hat hats to wear today. I found the directions for those here.
• We started out our day with breakfast - green eggs and ham style, of course!
  
• Read Ten Apples Up On Top and then create your own family/classroom edition of the book. The page we used can be downloaded here. The curriculum at my preschool is High/Scope... meaning we encourage creativity on the kids' part (discouraging children from imitating an adult's sample). I added head shots of all my kids on this page and then put out a bunch of materials (stamps, apple cutouts, markers, crayons, paper scraps) and let them "have at it"... after we had a discussion about how many apples they had "up on top" to be sure that everyone had a plan! All of the pages will be bound together and added to our classroom library.
• For Gross Motor activity time, we read Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! and then we played "How Will We Go?" Each child was given a turn as "leader" and given the opportunity to decide how the class would "go" as we marched around the classroom and building. We flew, waddled like a penguin, galloped like a horse, and hopped like a frog, to name a few! The kids loved this!
  
• This afternoon, we watched Horton Hears a Who as a special surprise for the kids. Although their attention spans started to wane, I still think they found it enjoyable and relaxing.
• I was hoping to use this really neat Cat in the Hat glyph, but we just didn't have enough time. However, maybe you can enjoy it with your child(ren).
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

National Day of the Teacher

Some books to honor the teacher on National Day of the Teacher!

Winters, Kay.
My Teacher for President.
2004.
Dutton Children's Books.
Guided Reading Level: J

One child obviously appreciates his teacher, going as far as to write a letter to a local television station in hopes of nominating her for President. The side-by-side illustrations that we see show a child's perspective of the election, while at the same time, allowing children to get an adult's perspective on what different aspects of the Presidency involve.

My teacher acts quickly when there's an emergency. And she says health care is important.

The child sees the teacher acting quickly in the emergency when the class pet escapes its cage... that illustration is countered with a picture of the teacher (as President) passing out food to those in need. The following page shows her bandaging up injured children on the playground (as teacher) and participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new pediatric care unit (as President). The book ends with the child closing the letter by asking that the teacher not leave until the current school year has ended.

Not only does this book honor the works of a teacher, it also would double as a resource when teaching children about the President. Definitely worthy of a spot among the classroom library!

Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith.
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
1998.
Alfred A. Knopf.

This book is truly hilarious! Started by Dr. Seuss, it was completed in 1998 with help from Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith... they did Dr. Seuss justice, I'd say and kids are sure to love the story!

Tribute is paid not only to a beloved teacher, but to the entire Diffendoofer School, which focuses teaching children how to think.

My teacher is Miss Bonkers,
She's as bouncy as a flea.
I'm not certain what she teaches,
But I'm glad she teaches me.

When a test similar to today's standardized tests must be administered at the school, Principal Mr. Lowe, fears that the children won't be able to apply what they've learned and that the school will then be closed and children will be sent to nearby Flobbertown where,

They dress in just one style.
They sing one songe, they never dance,
They march in single file.
They do not have a playground,
And they do not have a park.
Their lunches have no taste at all,
Their dogs are scared to bark.

Miss Bonkers gently reminds students that they are capable of passing the test...

Miss Bonkers rose. "Don't fret!" she said.
"You've learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more -
I'm certain you'll succeed.
We've taught you that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more -
We've taught you how to think."

and they do, with flying colors! The children and staff celebrate by declaring Diffendoofer Day and sing the Diffendoofer Song.

We love you, Diffendoofer School,
We definitely do.
There surely is no other school
That's anything like you.
You're gribbulous, you're grobbulous,
Each day we love you more.
You are the school we treasure
And unceasingly adore.

Oh, finest school in Dinkerville -
The only one as well -
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
Much more than we can tell.
You are so diffendooferous
It gives us joy to say,
Three cheers for Diffendoofer School -
Hooray!
Hooray!
Hooray!

Greene, Rhonda Gowler.
This is the Teacher.
2004.
Dutton Children's Books.

If the kids love Simms Taback's This is the House that Jack Built, they're sure to enjoy This is the Teacher, as it follows an almost identical telling. Teacher are sure to get a kick out of it, as this teacher's day starts out very similar to their own, and in many instances, ends the same way - passed out in bed, exhausted from a busy day!

This is the teacher with books in a bag
who walks from the building, beneath the tall flag,
leading the line
past the mural they made
near the kid who got sick
by the fountain that clogged
as the bad bee went buzz
and the raindrops fell - plop!
after - whack! - the ball soared
near the room where they munched
and that hamster that kid
by the books that fell - oops! -
near the tooth that was found
and the cupcakes that flew
by the scared girl who shrieked
at the long snake that climbed
toward the ants that were spilled
by the students who rushed
and toppled the teacher...
... all ready for bed!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

Happy Birthday!!!... To Me!

So... today is my 26th Birthday and in honor of myself, I've decided to review some birthday books! As a teacher, I would love to be able to send my (someday) students to a shelf in the classroom and pick out a birthday book as the day's read-aloud. However, that would require quite a large supply of birthday books. I think I've got about 8 of them for today to review that will be on my classroom's birthday shelf someday. Because there are so many, the reviews are going to be short but sweet... and no teaching links today as these are purely for read-aloud pleasure!

Harris, Robie H.
Happy Birth Day!
1996.
Candlewick Press: Cambridge, MA.

Ages: 3-8
Genre: Fiction
Guided Reading Level: N/A

This book would make for a wonderful gift to give to a newborn baby as a keepsake. The story told is one of the love and feeling that new parents experience on the day of their new baby's arrival. The illustrations are life-like and very realistic, making the story seem as though it could be a true story told from any parent's point of view.

Kiser, SuAnn and Kevin.

The Birthday Thing.

1989.

The Trumpet Club: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction, Birthdays

Guided Reading Level: N/A

It's Timothy's mom's birthday he wants to make her something extra special all by himself. However, other family members quickly begin to help out and craft some of their own ideas into Timothy's "Birthday Thing." When the gift is finally finished, no one really knows what it is, so they make do with the "Birthday Thing." Mom, however, has a vision in her head about just how to put the "Birthday Thing" to use and it turns out that it might just be her favorite birthday gift ever!

Le-Tan, Pierre.

Happy Birthday Oliver!

1978.

Random House: New York, NY

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fiction, Birthdays
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Oliver is certain his parents have forgotten about his birthday - his mother deems the day "Friday" and his father left for work without a word. On the way to school he's so upset about no one remembering his birthday that he's nearly hit by a car. No one at school even acknowledges his birthday either. Just as he is arriving home ready to go straight to bed in frustration, Oliver's parents greet him at the door with his birthday surprise - a surprise party filled with lots of fun!

Hoban, Russel.

A Birthday for Frances.

1968.

Scholastic, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction, Birthdays

Guided Reading Level: K

Frances's little sister Gloria is having a birthday and Frances is jealous about the cake, ice cream, presents and attention that Gloria is receiving and angry about the trouble her little sister causes her. However, despite all her attempts to ruin Gloria's birthday, Frances soon realizes that Gloria idolizes her, as Gloria spills her birthday wish. Frances quickly realizes how important she is to Gloria and decides to let Gloria enjoy her birthday and to take part in the festivities as well!

Riddell, Chris.

Platypus and the Birthday Party.

2003.

Penguin Group: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction, Birthdays

Guided Reading Level: N/A

Platypus is throwing a birthday party for baby playtpus, Bruce and enlists the help of Echidna (resembles a porcupine). Together, the two wear party hats, make a cake, blow up balloons and make paper chains. They have so much fun, they almost forget to bring Bruce when it's time for the party to begin. They enjoy the party so much, they even vow to have another one... tomorrow!

Inkpen, Mick.

Kipper's Birthday.

1993.

Harcourt, Inc.: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction, Birthdays

Guided Reading Level: N/A

This is a cute story that will likely have kids laughing!

Kipper's decided to throw himself a birthday party. He makes the invitations, "Plees come to my bithday party tomoro at 12 o cloc dont be lat" and then hangs them up to dry. While the invitations are drying, Kipper decides to bake a cake. By the time that's finished, he's too exhausted to deliver the invitations, so he waits until the morning of the party... Unfortunately, Kipper can't understand why no one shows up to celebrate his birthday with him. After going to bed on a full stomach from eating all of the cake on his own, Kipper is awoken the next day to his friends pounding on the door... they've shown up for his birthday party, which was really yesterday!

Dr. Seuss.

Happy Birthday to You!

1959.

Random House: New York, NY.

Ages: 4-8

Genre: Fiction, Birthdays

Guided Reading Level:

This book is written in true Dr. Seuss fashion... it's long but definitely worth the read because of it's humor alone!