In the quest, students explore websites that tell biographical information about the man himself. Students then do a book study across a couple of books. While they read, they use a WebQuest Form to record the plot, characters, and overall message. They did this work with partners. The third step is to explore the writing craft of alliteration, which Dr. Seuss employed with grace and generosity! Students hunt for examples of alliteration from some of Seuss's books.
As a culminating activity, students could choose between two performance tasks. The first is a Power Point presentation from the webquest website (see above link). In a triad, each student chooses a role; biographer, reviewer, author. The biographer digs deeper into Dr. Seuss's life and write a report. The reviewer reads one of Seuss's books, analyzes it, forms opinions, and supports those opinions to write a review. The author choses a message and characters and writes a Seuss-like story. They may assist each other while they work. Once their research is done, they come together to create a Power Point presentation that encompasses all three of their work, plus pictures, and maybe some video clip.
The other performance task is to take a Seuss book and turn it into a script, design and create sock and/or popsicle stick puppets, design and create a "puppet house", then rehearse and perform the show for another class. It has been a learning experience. The kids wanted to jump right into puppet creation. I slowed them down. Script first! Make a plan for puppets and stage. Create and rehearse!
The whole school is excited and can't wait to see the shows. I really hope that the kids can deliver the goods!!!
I worry about how effective it was to launch this unit at the same time that we are doing our science fair projects. We are at a place in the year where I am releasing a lot of control and I have to wonder if I've released too much. Most of my students are rising to the occasion. I let them have the choice of their groups and some of my groups who are friends, are not effective teammates. I'm trying to give them some space to solve their own problems but it's very stressful.
I think I am unsuccessful at hiding my stress level. I hope that it will all pan out. I pray for patience and the right words to encourage my students to do their best and stay engaged in their projects. Here are some pictures of my kids working on their projects!
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| Triad works on planning their Power Point Presentation. |
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| Student is creating a script of The Lorax. |
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| This group is researching images of the Lorax to plan their puppet house and puppets |
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| Puppet House for How the Grinch Stole Christmas |
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| These two are having a blast creating their puppet house for Green Eggs and Ham. |
We all learn best from mistakes but I doubt that this is one. So often learning isn't presented in a way that is as entertaining as it is valuable. Your students will remember these lessons for their lifetime. They will tell flashback mini stories that start with, "I had this teacher in 5th grade who let us..." I am quite sure your stress level is through the roof, just being in your room for 10 minutes I walked across the hall thinking how you must have something really special to work and live with the relative chaos that ensues during these projects. In the end you will have touched the lives of your students forever and entertained a majority of the school population. You are doing amazing things!
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