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Who is Ted Geisel?
Description:
This lesson is designed for third and fourth grade students who have all just finished reading a book by Dr. Seuss either individually or as a class. If read individually, then each student should read a different book written by Dr. Seuss.

The teacher-librarian will read aloud the book "The Boy on Fairfield Street." The teacher-librarian will then introduce to the students the concept of pseudonyms, or pen names, and their relationship to the author. The teacher-librarian will provide other examples of authors and their works that write or have written using a pseudonym.

The teacher-librarian will then follow up with class discussion. The students will write a short story using a pseudonym, with optional corresponding illustrations, based on their life, special event, or something that represents their interests and hobbies. Each story will be added as a chapter for a class book that the students will read individually and then each student will guess who wrote each chapter.
Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals:

·        Students will learn about pseudonyms and authors

·        Students will explain the meaning of pseudonym

·        Students will read a book by Dr. Seuss and learn about his body of work

·        Students will be able to provide an example of an author who uses or used a pseudonym

Instructional Objectives

·        Students will be able to identify one book by Dr. Seuss either by title or brief summary of the book’s plot.

·        Students will be able to explain what an author does.

·        Students will be able to associate an author and their pseudonym with their works.

·        Students will be able to define the term pseudonym and provide examples.

·        Students will be able to create their own pseudonym for writing assignment

Motivational Goals

·        Generate interest in the pen names of authors in association with their works

·        Generate interest in author biographies

·        Build up student’s confidence in their writing abilities

 

 

Materials & Sources:

Dr. Seuss books

The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull

Sample books

Construction Paper

Lined Paper

Additional Art Supplies for Class Book

Assignment Handout

Binder
Procedures:

Introduction:

Day 1:

  1. The teacher will bring the students to the resource center for librarian class time.  The teacher-librarian will pull Dr. Seuss books for the class.  Each student will be able to pick out a book from the pre-selected books.  The teacher-librarian will provide the students class time to read one book by Dr. Seuss.  The students will be allowed to read individually or in pairs.

Body

Day 2:

  1. The students will return to the resource center.  The teacher-librarian will then introduce the term/concept pseudonym, or pen name.  The teacher-librarian will have the term defined on the chalk board or white board in plain view for each of the students to consult. 
  2. The teacher-librarian will then read aloud to the class the book The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull.
  3. The teacher-librarian will then explain Dr. Seuss and Ted Geisel are the same person, and again explain the concept of pseudonym.
  4. The teacher-librarian will then provide a series of literary works whose authors used pen names.
  5. The teacher-librarian will then explain the student’s assignment of writing their own short story using a pseudonym for their work.  The librarian can provide a handout further explaining the assignment.

Day 3-4

Students will return to the library and continue working on their writing assignment.  At the start of class, the librarian will go over the writing assignment and then provide the students time write.

 

Conclusion

Day 5-6

The students will turn in their assignment, which will be compiled into one large binder and put in the library for display and check-out.  Each of the students work will be designated as a chapter in the class binder.  Students will then get photocopies of each of the student’s stories, and have a chance to guess the author, based upon the story and pseudonym.

 

Each student will be given time during the sixth day to share their pseudonym with the class and why they chose that name to represent themselves as an author.    

 

 

Assessment:
Learning Assessment Method(s):

- Observation of students
- Questions the students ask or the answers students provide when prompted
- Discussion of pen names, pseudonyms and their meaning
- Students correct completion of their story using a related pseudonym
- When tested, students will be able to define the term pseudonym and provide examples of authors
-When tested, students will be able to provide three examples of Ted Geisel's books.
-When tested, students will be able to describe three things or events that helped motivate or shape Ted Geisel into becoming one of America's favorite authors.
Sources:
Print this Lesson Plan
Presented By: Katherine Thurston
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