Friday, March 1, 2013

Friday Favorite: Dr. Seuss Week

Why can't every week be Dr. Seuss Week?

Max's Super Teachers planned an entire week of fun with the kids.

They even had a party.
I need one of these streamers in my house
 Guess who arrived in time to GET TO READ  Green Eggs and Ham to the class? 
Me. That's right. I did!

Reading to kids is one of my favorite things to do.

I still haven't calmed down from the adrenalin rush.

Max helps his grandparents with their chickens, so my clever mom sent green eggs to school for his teachers.  Some of their hens actually lay GREEN EGGS.

Green eggs to go with our little ham
The Super Teachers showed the kids the green eggs and had them guess if they'd be green inside or not.  (Max kind of ruined the surprise on that one. ) Then, each child cracked his or her own egg and added food coloring and they cooked it right there.
Max making green eggs with Super Teacher 1 and Super Teacher 2
The kids had a feast fit for Whoville with bright red strawberries, green eggs and ham, and a goldfish bowl filled with colored Goldfish--complete with a fish net for scooping!

I'm at the Target Dollar Spot so often my ghost will probably haunt it. I had a stash of Seuss stuff just waiting to be used, and Max's Super Teachers gave us the perfect opportunity to gift them.  We filled them with buttons, markers, and pads.  Each child should have had something representing at least four different books. 


 

Why am I such a Seuss nut?

The public library of my childhood was a beautiful old building with a stained glass skylight and strong wooden tables.  I can still smell its wonderful combination of mustiness and books. A sturdy oak bench lined the edge of the children's section.  I knew that area well.  It was where I first realized I could read.

Sitting cross-legged on the edge of the rug in front of the collection of Dr. Seuss books, I realized I was reading the words--not reciting them from memory. I flipped the pages back and forth and mixed it up to be sure.

The moment was magical.

Which is why I love Dr. Seuss and think it is appropriate that schools dedicate a day or entire week to the author and his books.

If you're looking for some easy activities and snacks to enjoy with your little Whos with stuff you probably already have at home, check out my mini Seuss roundup of ideas.

The Cat in the Hat
Snack: Fruity Thing One and Thing Two
Activity: Clean room before Mom comes home.  (Yeah, like that's going to happen.)
For real activity: Check out the hand print art from above. I'm going to try it with Little Sister and frame my Thing 1 and Thing 2 to put in our Seuss playroom.

Green Eggs and Ham
Snack: The most simple snack is use food coloring to dye a scrambled egg or deviled eggs with a ham sandwich, but a sweeter idea is From Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives: Green Pudding and Vanilla Wafer make an "egg"
Activity: Try something new. Anything!

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Snack: Colored goldfish.
Activity: From Oopsey Daisey: Count and sort before eating them. If you want to get fancy, print off these chart.

The Foot Book
Snack: Try a Fruit by the Foot snack from the grocery store.
Activity: From Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas; Trace or paint your child's feet.  Label left and right. Play games like Hokey Pokey and Twister so kiddo can practice left and right.

The Sneetches
Snack: Make sandwiches or cheese slices and cut a star out of the center. Cut up pineapple or cheese in star shapes.
Activity: Also from Oopsey Daisey: Play Musical Chairs but have students stand on stars. Make one a different color. Whoever lands on it, is out. or you can cut out stars and from I Can Teach My Child: Play a variation on Simon Says.

This link has a whole bunch of Seuss Videos to watch. 

And, of course, Pinterest has a smorgasbord of ideas for anyone who wants to put in a bit more effort or just peruse the eye candy of all that is Seussical. Click here for a link to Seuss boards on Pinterest.

And after you do these activities and the week has gone by, remember the good doctor's own words:
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."







10 comments:

  1. I miss those days now the Darku is grown and Kasia is not far behind him. Your last quote sums up my feelings about missing having little kids around, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

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    1. *sniffle* Now I really have to follow through with my ideas this weekend. And take pictures.

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  2. If every week were Dr. Seuss's week
    This is the language we would speak
    If eggs were green
    And no one was mean
    If reading was always fun
    And the housework was always done
    The adventure, the spark, the fizzle, the joy!
    Hats off to each teacher, parent, girl, and each boy!
    If some weeks are just weeks nothing more
    we will have to find something else worth celebrating for

    My favorite Seuss book changes from year to year, they are all beloved to me. I remember the "magic" of learning to read and watching that sparkle in both of my girls has been a highlight for me too. Thanks for a great post- wish I had known about the celebration I would've loaned you my Cat suit!

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    1. Hooray for your poem, Lisa! You're the only person I know who may love Dr. Seuss more than I do. I thought of you and your suit this week and figured it was getting a lot of use!

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  3. Fun, fun, fun. And one more 'fun' for Lisa's poem!

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  4. Love that last quote! It can apply to so many life events.

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    1. No kidding, Dee Dee. I said it to Max today for something and it totally registered with him.

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  5. Dr. Seuss is great for kids of all ages, including those in their mid-30's. I'll have to try some of those activities with my son. He would love it.

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    1. We made the Thing 1 and Thing 2 this afternoon. Super easy and yummy snack! I hope you have fun, too.

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