We’ll take a page out of one of Dr. Seuss’ many works and create our own stories!
Steps
1. Seuss stories.
Before creating your own stories with Seuss flair, be sure you read some of his. Look through the Enrichment Project supplement “Seuss World” (SUPP_Seuss_World.pdf). If you haven’t read them for a while, try them again to familiarize yourself with his work.
NOTE: You can find PDFs of many of the books online.
2. Recordings.
Older students can help younger ones by recording Seuss books so they can listen as they read along. This can also help disabled students. Try recording one of his books. How else might you be able to share this recording?
3. Skits.
Create a skit from one of the Seuss stories. Present it to a group or class.
Make your own
4. Limit your words.
“Green Eggs and Ham” resulted from a challenge to Dr. Seuss to write a book with 50 unique words. Challenge yourself to use 50 words to create your own story.
NOTE: “The Cat in the Hat” was another challenge and Dr. Seuss used 236 unique words in that story.
5. Provide the words, let them write the story.
Using magnet or paper strips, make individual words that can be arranged to write a story. Allow others to make their own story. Be sure to incorporate rhyming and nonsense words. Track the stories that are created.
NOTE: Many lower level Accelerated Reading books have a low word count. If you want a non-Seuss book for your words, checking out books on that list might help. Check with your local library or www.arbookfind.com.
6. Body stories.
Look at “The Foot Book” and “The Tooth Book”. Try writing a book about other body parts in Seuss-style.
7. Build on it!
Choose your favorite Seuss book. Add to it or change it around and make it your own while keeping with Seuss-style.
8. Describe your world.
Find pictures of actual weird animals, fish and reptiles. Explore different ways to describe each from physical attributes to movement to behavior. Don’t stick to “normal” words, but find some more fanciful ones . . . perhaps even a few made up ones for fun.
9. Nonsense names.
You’ll find names of people and places that are obviously nonsense. Create some nonsense names that you can use in your own stories.
10. Rhyming.
As you read, you’ll see a lot of rhyming. Get in practice by selecting a dozen words you would like to use in your story and rhyme them with words you know. Then, add some made-up rhyming words with definitions to add to your stories. Be sure to keep this for reference as you write your story.
11. From pictures to words.
Using Seuss characters, arrange the images into an order for a story of your own making. As you show the images, tell your story. Make notes on the back of each image so your oral story will be consistent when you tell it, but not exactly the same.
12. Need prompts?
Find writing prompts online to help you get started.
Supplements Available
SUPP_Seuss_World.pdf
- List of Seuss stories
Sites to Explore
- www.seussville.com
- www.wikihow.com/Write-Like-Dr.-Seuss
- www.ehow.com/how_2103261_write-like-doctor-seuss.html
- www.minds-in-bloom.com/2012/02/dr-seuss-themed-writing-prompts.html
- www.webenglishteacher.com/drseuss.html
- www.webenglishteacher.com/drseuss.html
- www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/authors/drseuss.htm
- www.teacherplanet.com/resource/drseuss.php
- thewritepractice.com/dr-seuss
- www.pinterest.com/victoria_saley/obseussed-with-dr-seuss
- www.pinterest.com/mrswhitehair/dr-seuss-activities
- www.pinterest.com/victoria_saley/dr-seuss-activities-and-classroom
To download a PDF of this badge program, click here: EP_Seuss Stories
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