Dr. Seuss Lesson Plans

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Cat in the Hat Ball Toss

Lesson Plan:

​Activity:

Cat in the Hat Ball Toss

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed

Age Group:

Toddlers

* Lesson plan objectives and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with preschool and school-age children.

Objectives:  

Child will:

• practice the gross motor skill of underhand throwing
• practice beginning-level counting skills

CDA Competency Standard:   

​II.4.1a

• Activities, materials and equipment encourage children of varying abilities to develop their large muscles.
  • ​a) Gross motor skills are encouraged through developmentally appropriate materials, equipment and indoor/outdoor activities

Cat in the Hat Ball Toss

Materials: 

•     Empty oatmeal container
•     paper plate
•     white and red paper
•     scissors
•     tape
•     plastic toy balls

Procedure: 

1. Prepare for the activity by creating the hat that students will throw at. Cut out the middle portion of the paper plate so that it fits over the oatmeal container and secure with tape. Wrap and tape white paper around the container. Cut the red paper into thick strips and tape onto the hat. 
2. Show the students how to underhand throw the balls. 
3. Encourage students to practice throwing. Counting skills can be practiced at this time as well.

Assessment: 

• Observe and record the child’s gross motor skills. Were they able to throw the ball using the underhand technique? Give the child several opportunities to practice this skill throughout the unit. ​

Note:  Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children.  Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard. ​​​

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About Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. After attending Dartmouth College and Oxford University, he began a career as an illustrator and writer. His work was featured in magazines such as LIFE and Vanity Fair. The first children’s book that Geisel wrote was And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street in 1937. However, the book was rejected 27 times before it was finally published by Vanguard Press. A major turning point came in Geisel’s life when he was challenged by the publishers Houghton Mifflin and Random House to create a book using only 225 basic words. The result was The Cat in the Hat,which cemented his place in children’s literature. Theodor Seuss Geisel passed away from oral cancer on September 24, 1991 in his home in California at the age of 87. Dr. Seuss remains one of the best-selling authors of all time. His books have been translated into twenty languages as well as Braille.