Dr.Seuss 'Read Across America' Week Preschool to Grade 1 Learning Center Activities: March 1-5

The Cat in the Hat doffs his cap on March 2, to honor the birthday of his creator Dr. Seuss. The NEA (National Education Association) celebrates 'Read Across America' on March 1- March 5. Celebrate Dr. Seuss with your students. Here are ways to get Dr. Seuss into your preschool- grade one the classroom and homeschool.

Dr. Seuss in your centers: I advocate learning centers in the classroom (click for how-tos on setting up learning centers, especially in the preschool and special needs classroom. If you have a learning center based classroom, here are some tips to bring Dr. Seuss into your classroom or homeschool learning centers.

Dr. Seuss in the Book or Library center: This one's easy. Fill your book corner or center with Seuss. Dr. Seuss gave us memorable illustrations as well as delightful verse. Your students can be emergent or pre-readers and still enjoy Dr. Seuss. Scatter some comfy pillows for a Seuss story party.

Dr. Seuss in the Art Center: Set out several Seuss books: The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Bartholomew and the Oobleck,How the Grinch Stole Christmas are good choices. Each day of Read Across America week, set out different art media for students to explore Seuss. Paint Seuss creatures at easels with brightly colored Seuss paints. At the clay center, put out neon and pastel Seuss colored playdoh. Set out free printable Dr. Seuss book coloring pages (click here for links).

Dr. Seuss at the Collage center: Put out oddly shaped cardboard containers, egg cartons, aluminum foil and colored fabric scraps. Students can make nifty Dr. Seuss Who-ville toys and noise makers, the 'Wang Tuzzlers and Tomtookas'. They might even make up some of their own Seuss inspired noisemakers.

Dr. Seuss in the Music Center: Here students can explore with their handmade Seuss musical instruments and noise-makers. Encourage students to give their musical instruments silly Seuss names. Include Dr. Seuss's first book And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street. This Dr. Seuss story features a loud, crazy mixed up band and circus filled with Seuss characters.

Dr. Seuss in Dramatic Play or Dress Up center: Set out animal masks to represent Dr. Seuss characters, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, Horton the Elephant, Yertle the Turtle, Maisie the Bird, The Wickersham monkeys, the Kangaroo. Include copies of these Dr. Seuss stories for children to act out. You might also put out silly costume accessories for children to simulate whimisical Who-ville costumes.

Dr. Seuss in the Science Center: Set out a copy of The Lorax, which deals with environmentalism. Set up an experiment on decomposition and pollution. Place different pieces of trash in zippered bags with a little water. Monitor them over time to show students how slowly trash decomposes. Students could also tend 'trufulla seeds' (use any flower seeds, like cosmos or daisy) to learn what helps and what harms them. Also in the science center, you can make Oobleck (click here for recipes).

Dr. Seuss in the Practical Life Area: Set out the books The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Horton Hears a Who. These books deal with caring for others, food and house-cleaning.

For more lesson plans, visit me at www.freelessonplans4u.blogspot.com. For more children, teen and young adult book selections, visit me at www.kidzliterature.blogspot.com.