Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

 



Dr. Seuss' birthday is coming up this Monday, March 2.  How will you celebrate?  Many schools celebrate by participating in Read Across America. If you are planning a to participate, this NEA site has some great resources including booklists and the Read Across America poem which begins:

Read Across America
  -Anita Merina

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you've got.

In schools and communities,
Let's gather around,
Let's pick up a book,
Let's pass it around.

You can read the rest of the poem here.

Did you know that Seuss was Theodor Geisel's middle name, and he appeared on the show To Tell the Truth in 1958?   I didn't know either of those facts until I watched the documentary Dr. Seuss' -Rhymes and Reasons.  I enjoyed learning more about his journey to become one of our most loved authors.  (Some content might not be appropriate for children, so please preview it first.)

Last weekend, I bought a few more titles to add to my Dr. Seuss collection. I plan to bring those to school next week to share with my students.  Due to testing, my school is postponing our Read Across America until March 9th. We're celebrating by having classes decorate their door to represent a favorite Dr. Seuss book/character, a period with the entire school will drop everything and read, and we're encouraging students and staff to come dressed as their favorite book character. 

We all have a favorite Dr. Seuss book.  Mine is HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. I used to read it to my sons (and I still read it to my students) every Christmas. Now my son reads it to his children.  I love the message that no matter who we are or what we've done, we can change.  Recently, my granddaughter and I read GREEN EGGS AND HAM.  What fun to hear her giggle, "I do not like green eggs and ham!" Then of course, we made green eggs and ham for breakfast, and she liked them!  Oh, the power of Dr. Seuss!

Finally, I couldn't end this post without sharing a few of my favorite Seuss-isms!  Come join in the celebration! Share your favorite Dr. Seuss book and Seuss-isms in the comments! 
 
The lovely Heidi is rounding up today's Poetry Friday at  My Juicy Little Universe.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
 -Oh , the Places You'll Go!

     The more that you read,

                  the more things you will know.

       The more that you learn,

         the more places you'll go.

                       -I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

 

 

                                            A person's a person, no matter how small.

                                                        -Horton Hears a Who!                                   

 And what happened then...?

 Well...in Whoville they say
 That the Grinch's small heart

 Grew three sizes that day!

     -How the Grinch Stole Christmas!






 

 

We love you, Dr. Seuss!

 

      The lovely Heidi is rounding up today's Poetry Friday at  My Juicy Little Universe.

A Change in Perspective

Like many of you,  I subscribe to Your Daily Poem and The Writer's Almanac. I look forward to receiving a poem in my email every day.  I've gotten to read many amazing poems that I might not have discovered otherwise.  I especially love it when I read a poem that connects to my life.  Today's poem was so touching, I wanted to share it.

The poem "17 Sounds of a Boy with Autism" by Anjie Kokan could have been written about my two-year old grandson.  Recently, we found out that Victor is showing signs of autism. As a teacher, I've worked with many autistic children and know their struggles. So, it has been heartbreaking to think of the challenges my grandson might face. 

Victor is mostly non-verbal, but through therapy, that is beginning to improve.  His vocabulary is quickly growing!  He is a very loving, smart, and happy little boy. He sings and dances and makes us smile.  My son and daughter-in-law are extraordinary parents who are patient, supportive, and provide him with every possible opportunity to enhance his development, and it's working!  The future is bright for our little guy!

What I especially love about this poem is that it gives us a different perspective on autism. Just like the boy in the poem, my grandson has a need for sensory stimulation and Anjie describes that need so beautifully. So, I'm sharing it in honor of my precious grandson who brings joy into the lives of everyone who gets to know him.

    

                                                                      Victor


17 Sounds of a Boy with Autism
           -Anjie Kokan

Lego pieces sliding on the wood floor
with Mr. Potato Head eyes
sandwiched in the middle
The shaking of a house
with the bouncy applause
for Toy Story at 4:32 a.m.
A quiet sigh of awe while the train
whistles beyond the bay window
The unnecessary gush of tap water delight
Eggshells cracking open on the linoleum floor,
scrambling feet sliding through that yolky goo
Quick scribbles on the Magna-Doodle
His bedroom door opening and closing,
opening and closing.

Read the rest of the poem here.

Be sure to stop by and say hello to Linda who is hosting today's Poetry Friday at Teacher Dance .