Dr.

Seuss Lesson Plan- Alyssa DiFlora

EDU 465- Bordentown Regional Middle School
March 2, 2016
Subject/Topic: 8th Grade Language Arts Story Analysis
Length: Cores 1,2,3
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning
words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing
flexibly from a range of strategies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4.A
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a
word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a
word or phrase.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
(Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards
1-3 above.)
Objective: SWBAT identify main idea and hidden theme by assessing
a classic work of Dr. Seuss.
Materials:
Dr. Seuss YouTube Video
Poster Paper
Markers and Colored Pencils
Binders
Pens and Pencils
Procedure:
1. Students enter the room. Students complete general
housekeeping (agenda writing, collecting hw, phones away, etc.)
2. Students complete their DOL and have SSR time.
3. Class goes over DOL on the Document Camera.
Mentor-Teach Model:

4. Class brainstorms different childrens stories and themes aloud

on the board. What are the morals of these stories? Do
you agree or disagree?
5. Teacher explains to class how these innocent and whimsical
stories have deeper meanings and are trying to convey
messages. These stories convey messages that we may
overlook and not even notice or understand. Clearly,
there is more than meets the eye. These stories are forms
of propaganda that are disguised in childrens stories.
Some of Dr. Seusss stories hold messages about US
History that we may not have ever realized.
6. Class watches The Sneetches on Youtube for 25 minutes. As
you are watching, take notes of some themes or
messages or lessons that you learn or see in the clip.
Prepare to share.
7. Class discusses reactions and themes and lessons found in the
movie on the board/aloud.
Independent Practice:
8. Teacher has students in literature circle books create posters
portrayed a theme from The Sneetches as a singular symbol.
Now that we have analyzed the themes behind this Dr.
Seuss classic, what I would like for you to do is create a
poster using 1 theme from the movie in one symbol. I
want you to draw the photo and also give it color. I also
want an explanation on the back of the poster saying:
What theme did you choose? What does the photo
represent? Why? What does this make you think of? Work
of these, then well do presentations.
9. Students work in groups to create posters, as teacher circulates
around the room.
Closure:
10.

Class has a brief presentation session for their posters.

Assessment:
The assessment for this lesson would be the themes that the students
come up with in their notebooks, and through the effort that the
students put into their posters.
Differentiation:

The students are allowed to choose any theme that they like and can
create their posters with their own unique style, all while collaborating
in a group.