Objective: Students will study how Dr. Seuss uses language to enhance his stories. Students will go on a word hunt to search for silly words Dr. Seuss created. Students will create a mind map of Wacky Words.
California Common Core Standard:
Reading Standards for Literature:
- Craft and Structure- Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
- Integration and Knowledge- Compare and contrast stories.
- Fluency- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
Writing Standards:
- Production and Distribution of Writing- Use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing.
Supplies: Class set of iPods, iPads, laptops, or other hand-held devices. Ability to email video to you. An assortment of Dr. Seuss books.
Apps:
Links to AppStore:
Voice Memo (built in to iPods)
Digital Read Aloud
Begin by doing a digital read aloud of several Dr. Seuss books. I chose books that I thought fit the Wacky Wednesday theme. There isn’t an app for the actual Wacky Wednesday book, so just do a regular read aloud of this book. I will also do a digital read aloud with Cat in the Hat, Fox in Socks, and Hop on Pop apps with my iPad.
After each read aloud discuss how Dr. Seuss makes his books interesting. Guide the conversation around the following topics:
- Use of rhythm and rhyme
- Use of interesting language
- Use of pretend words
- Use of alliteration
- What would his books be like if these things were missing?
- What makes his books enjoyable for young readers?
Wacky Word Hunt
After having a class conversation, allow students time to read Dr. Seuss books of their choice. Have them search for Wacky Words. Students can create a SimpleMind+ or SimpleMind map of the words they find. They can work in partners or small groups. Please see my previous post about using SimpleMind by following this link. Have students take a screen shot of their MindMap and email it to you.
Fluency Practice with Dr. Seuss
Discuss how the rhythm of Dr. Seuss books guides the reader to read the text fluently. Model how to read Dr. Seuss books fluency and with good intonation by reading several pages aloud.
Then show the following YouTube videos:
This first YouTube is a video of two young men rapping Fox in Socks. This 5 minute video is quite entertaining.
The next video is just fun to watch how this young girl can read Fox in Socks in less than two minutes without messing up. This leads to a great discussion about the importance of repeated readings.
Allow students time to practice reading one of their favorite books. See if they can read the book fluently by allowing them to record themselves using Voice Memos. Please read my Voice Memo post about how to use this app effectively.
Allow time for students to share their voice recordings with their friends.
Other Wacky Wednesday Ideas:
- Have students wear wacky socks to school
- Make wacky hats or Dr. Seuss Hats
- Write about wacky things you can do on a rainy day (refer to the Cat in the Hat)
- Bring bubble wrap in and allow students to “Hop on Pop”
Please share ways to enhance this lesson. I love your input.
Happy Wacky Wednesday!
Jo-Ann Fox