We celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss by reading many of his books today. The rhyming is fun, and critical to children’s language and literacy development. Dr. Seuss knew how to make learning fun!
Then, things took a turn. A wonderful turn. Children wanted to draw a picture for Dr. Seuss and write him a letter. They took it upon themselves to tackle this project. No teachers intervened or helped. My wonderful co-teacher Heidi, the wise one, knew to let the children embark on their mission. She was there to write their words. She helped them find Dr. Seuss’s address, and addressed the envelope. Giving children freedom, encouragement, and positive reinforcement makes a world of difference. Dr. Seuss died over 30 years ago, but for children who love his books, that doesn’t matter at all.
Dear Dr. Seuss,Enclosed is a picture made by Michelle and Hazel (age 4) from Groton Community School in Groton Massachusetts. They were excited to celebrate your birthday in school and wanted to give you a gift of a drawing. Once they completed it, they just had to send it to you! We used the iPad to to find your museum and address. We hope to hear back from your museum soon. Below are their words:
“Dear Dr. Seuss, we made a picture of a gumball machine. We love you! How old are you? What number are you going to turn? We wrote ‘Hazel’ and ‘Shelly’. We’d thought you’d like a dinosaur!”
Love,
Hazel and Michelle (Shelly)
& Heidi (Teacher)
Aqua Classroom at Groton Community School
We especially enjoyed connecting a huge Dr. Seuss puzzle today. Look at how many of his books are represented in the alphabet.
I am a poor reader. Learning how to read was not easy for me. The books that schools used to teach reading were the “Dick and Jane” books. They had simple stories about family and home and pets, but learning how to read those words was not easy. Along came Dr. Seuss. His method of learning how to read was based on rhyming and repetition. Making those stories fun kept the child who was learning to read engaged. Unfortunately most schools thought his books were just silly. Yet, there were some schools who adopted his books instead of the Dick and Jane books. Vermont did. I’m sure those children flourished. I dearly wish my learning how to read books had been Dr. Seuss. He was right! It’s a no brainer today – Dr. Seuss books are the books of choice.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a wonderful thing to do. I’m sure the good Doctor is pleased.
Thank you, John. I think he is pleased.
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Thank you.
I wonder what will become of the letter. Someone may still be corresponding from that address. Regardless how great the kids completed their idea. Some years I’ve been a guest “celebrity” reader for Reading Across America Today. They must have been desperate. 🤣
I wonder, too. It’s a museum, so they must get mail. It would be wonderful for the children to hear back from Dr. Seuss. 🙂 I know you were the best reader on Read Across America Day!!
Our daughter learned to read from Dr. Seuss well before starting kindergarten. Happy Birthday!
Thanks for telling me, Dan. I sent home some of my Dr. Seuss and P.D. Eastman books with one of my students over February break, as he is learning to read. Yesterday I asked him if he liked “Green Eggs and Ham (my favorite) and he said no. At least he’s honest! I remember your doors blog post on the museum.
I think I can still recite Green Eggs and Ham. I’m sure my daughter could.
Isn’t that wonderful? You made me smile, a big smile.
what a fun filled day celebrating one of the greats. I wonder how many people developed a love of reading because of Dr. Seuss…
I think many children did, certainly more than those who read Dick and Jane. He really was one of the greats.
I learned by reading John and Judy books., the catholic school version of Dick and Jane. Maybe the true benefit of such books were that motivated people like Dr. Seuss to write more engaging books for children!
You make a great point, Jim. Everything happens for a reason. It takes John and Judy to motivate Dr. Seuss.
🙂
Yes, it is fun to read these books. I am glad and wish all teachers could allow the children to take it from here and yeah thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you!
Always loved this day when I was teaching!
So much fun!
Yes!
Happy birthday to Dr. Seuss!
I’m sure he’d be thrilled!
I think he would!
what a fun way to celebrate the doc !
It was fun!
How wonderful. Silly books are the best for kids. I learned to read by my dad reading the funny papers (comics) from the newspaper to me. By the time I got to Dick and Jane, I already knew how to read but I liked the dog, Spot. I´m sure Dr Seuss will love his letter. He did so much for reading and kids, bless him.
I liked Spot the dog, too (more than Puff the cat). The silly books are some of the best. Thank you, Dr. Seuss. Yes, I think he would have liked this letter.
Silly rhyming stories are fun and entice children into reading. It’s wonderful to see children so engaged with literacy.
Yes, indeed!
How I hated the Dick and Jane books when I was in first grade. They were so boring!
I’m so glad to hear that!
My mother gave me her copy of Winnie the Pooh to alleviate my angst. She had to help me with every other word, but I learned to read, and I wasn’t bored.
See what can happen with a good book? That’s heartwarming, Liz!
Thanks! I still have the images of following my mother around the house asking her to help me sound out the words I didn’t know.
Aww…❤️
What a wonderful tribute for the one who gave us wonderful gifts. I was schooled in the Dick and Jane tradition – oh boy. I wonder – how long did they last?
I wondered, too! I looked it up- they lasted from 1930 to 1970. Now I’m sorry I looked it up, as that’s rather depressing. They were stories which had nothing to do with learning how to read words. Thank you, Frank. It was a fun day, and Dr. Seuss is certainly deserving.
That class and those children are having a ball!! How wonderful to draw pictures for Dr Seuss. Jennie having fun again.
Thank you, Sandra! Fun was the big part of the day. Dr. Seuss would have been pleased!
Amazing how one person’s legacy can bring such joy!
Exactly!
I love Dr. Seuss! No child should grow up without him.
Hear, hear!
The first book both my kids learned to read was Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. The picture and letter your students wrote and drew are lovely. I’m sure the museum will be thrilled to see and read them. I hope you hear from them soon.
Yes! That’s a wonderful book. I hope the picture and letter put a smile on the face of the museum people. Hearing back would be a great thing for the children. Thanks so much, Deborah.
Bravo!! What a delight! I always love celebrating his birthday! That letter is so precious.
Thank you! And I think the letter is precious, too.
I grew up reading Dr. Seuss books and they still have a warm place in my heart. I hope children of today can look back 50 years after and remember how well they felt when they read a book.
Exactly! Children remember his books fifty years later. Today’s children will, too. I can see it in their enthusiasm.
I have a feeling that somehow, somewhere, Dr. Suess is quite aware of this letter and of all the children who have learned to not just read, but to ENJOY reading, thanks to his wonderful and special books.
I feel exactly the same way! He is up there smiling, knowing he is still doing some good in this world for children.
Love energy never dies. ❤
Never! 😍
So good to see the children wanting to write real letters, then actually post them in envelopes, with real stamps. That is dying out fast, and needs to be encouraged everywhere.
Best wishes, Pete.
I wish all teachers felt that way. It makes the activity more meaningful, with a stronger message. Children are left feeling their ideas and work have real meaning. Plus, it is exciting and fun! Best to you, Pete.
Writing a letter, sending it somewhere, what a great project for kids. Especially when it involves Dr. Suess. I grew up reading Dick & Jane [& Sally & Spot & Puff] at school, but at home we had Dr. Suess books. Loved them all, but Green Eggs and Ham was my personal favorite.
You had ‘the good stuff’ at home! Green Eggs and Ham is absolutely my favorite, too.
We write letters at school whenever a great moment presents itself. It gives children pride, and helps their literacy skills. And, it’s fun! Last year we wrote to Queen Elizabeth, and she answered back. We also wrote to Boston Dynamics, as we love their robots. They wanted to Zoom with the children. Can you tell I love teaching? 🙂
It’s a National holiday, almost, yes? My granddaughter came home bringing pictures she drew of The Cat in the Hat.
It seems that it almost is, in the younger grades. Hats off to Dr. Seuss (pun intended.)
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
What a wonderful idea you had. I am sure the students will never forget, also because you used a red envelope, similar to the red phone of the president. ;-)) xx Michael
Yes! And thank you!
I don’t really always get his stories but he is one of my daughter’s favourite authors.
It’s more the words and the rhyming, not the stories. Best to you, Kally.
Thanks for clarifying, Jennie. 🥰
My pleasure!
I wish everyone celebrated Dr. Suess’ birthday, they would be so much happier. You can’t be grumpy reading Dr. Seuss.
Hear, hear!