Step 1: Reading
Read the Dr. Seuss book of your choice, one time through. Then read it again, asking the students to focus on the characters in the story. (What makes the characters special? How do the characters move? Slow or fast? Are their facial expressions serious or funny? Which is the biggest? Smallest? What colors are the characters? Where do they live?)
Step 2: Identifying shapes
Before identifying shapes within each character, begin by asking the students to name shapes. Help them to identify the five most common geometric shapes: triangle, circle, oval, square, rectangle. Draw each shape on the board or project an example of each for all to see.
Step 3: Close looking
- Give each student the handout of Dr. Seuss characters. The students will use the handout to follow along as you talk about the characters and their shapes.
- Project the handout on a large screen for pointing out the shapes as you talk. Look at each character together.
- Ask the students to tell you the geometric shapes they see.
- Circle the shapes identified on each characters. Invite students to circle the shapes they see in the character, as they follow along.
Example:
In the green fish, we can see ovals and triangles.
Step 4: Draw and review
- Ask students to draw their character, reminding them to use their newly acquired knowledge about shapes. Invite students to share the shapes they used in their drawing.
- Summarize the big ideas learned in this lesson. Ask students if shapes would be important for drawing their own characters. How did different shapes make each character look special? (Did a rectangle make a character tall and thin? Did a circle make a character soft and little?) What shapes might they use if they want a character to appear short? etc.
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