My Many Colored Days Summary:

Published after his death, this book is about colors and how they describe our moods. The illustrations, at Dr. Seuss's request, were drawn by another artist so that they would show what others are feeling. It's a beautiful, simple rhyme of what we can feel.

Click images for larger view

Objectives: Students will

• Explore their feelings about colors
• Illustrate what they think about colors
• Learn about the author Dr. Seuss
• Create an accordion style book

Materials:

Precut and pre-printed white (or light colored Paper) with text from book (about 3" x 5" - 7.6 x 12.7 cm)
Precut Construction Paper (5" x 7" or desired size - 7.6 x 17.8 cm)
Crayons (or choice of media)
Hole Punches
Assorted color Ribbon

• Alternate lesson ideas | Alternate ideas by Barbara Pratt | Music from IDEAS
• Character Development Activities by Jeanne M. Dano
• Lesson adaptable for older children (grade 1 through 3) Also see Ceramic Critters lesson that integrates language arts. See writing by Kayla
• Language art Lesson for First Grade - Georgia Learning Connections Web Resources

The "My Many Colored Days of Dr. Seuss"- The links are all messed up on the archive of their site so we are providing proper links on the image map below:

Books

The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss - These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings, the paintings use a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of his books for children, and exhibit a sophisticated and often quite unrestrained side of the artist. 65 color illustrations.

Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography - The legions of Seuss admirers are treated to accounts of the inspiration for and the history behind each of his famous books. The authors, seasoned journalists and writers themselves, who are neighbors of Geisel, have given us the only authorized biography of this famous American.

Dr. Seuss - This biography is done in the style of Dr. Seuss with the text geared to Kindergarten to 3rd grade.

Theodor SEUSS Geisel (Lives and Legacies) - After graduating from Dartmouth, Theodor Geisel used his talents as an ad-man, political provocateur, and social satirist, gradually but irrevocably turning to children's books. Theodor SEUSS Geisel tells the unlikely story of this remarkable transformation.

Motivation:

1. Read My Many Colored Days
2. Talk about how colors make us feel
3. Have students do creative dance for what colors mean to them - select favorite color to dance. Make your own color scarves for children to use (see IDEAS)

Preparation:

1. Print words from book onto paper to use as template - run off copies o Risograph or photocopier - cut to desired size. Stephanie chose her ten favorite pages for these books.
2. Precut construction paper for mounting

Procedures:

1. Have students illustrate each page.
2. Students select a favorite color to mount their illustrations on.
3. After illustrations are glued - laminate (optional)
4. Punch holes in each page (parent volunteer could help with this).
5. Attach pages together accordion style with colorful ribbon.
6. Students share finished book with the class. Talk about what the colors mean to them.

Evaluation:

1. Watch the smiles as they "read" their own books
2. Grade on participation more so than artistic ability

Note to Teachers: Web Resources were all current at time this lesson was put online. I do not check lesson plans for broken links. Notify me when links are broken or when you find additional resources of value.

Elementary Lesson Idea from Kathleen Arola Mixed Media Accordion Book Second grade book with pages using different media (tissue paper, crayon texture rubbing, ink pad rubber stamping, printmaking stamping, photograph collage and the cover was handmade marbled paper). Click photograph for larger image