Horace Mann Elementary was filled with students clad in bright orange clothing and mustaches, with a few Truffula seeds mixed in, Tuesday as the school learned about “The Lorax” as part of Read Across America Week.
Schools across the country are celebrating Read Across America Week, and Horace Mann students have plenty of activities going on all week. On Tuesday, students in each classroom listened to “The Lorax,” Dr. Seuss’ story about the environment and the Lorax, who “speaks for the trees” against the Once-ler, who wants to chop down the fluffy and colorful Truffula trees. Then, they each made their own classroom Truffula tree, complete with unique leaves where students completed the sentence, “My voice stands for…”
“They’re thinking about what’s important to them and what they stand up for,” said third-grade teacher Marianne Weathers.
Common areas of support involved family and friends, while others took a stand against bullying or said they were for all Americans. Fourth-grade teacher Kathy Wingler encouraged her students to work with a partner to discuss what they stand for and to color their leaves whatever color they wanted so their classroom Truffula tree would showcase how each student is different.
While creating their Truffula trees, students snacked on Truffula seeds, otherwise known as fruity cereal. Each day this week has an activity and snack related to a different Dr. Seuss book, which in turn are related to various positive character traits. Other elementary schools in Sedalia School District 200 are also celebrating Read Across America Week along with Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
“We listen to the book each day with an activity and a snack and dress up wacky each day — it’s a lot of fun,” Weathers said. “The kids are dressing up, enjoying the stories a lot. Each activity is connected to a good character trait and some of the students are taking these lessons to heart, which is cool.”
On Monday, Horace Mann students listened to “Horton Hatches the Egg,” which focused on being tolerant of everyone’s differences and how words can hurt or heal.
“We focused on saying kind words,” Wingler explained. “They wrote down unkind words and then put an ‘X’ through them. We crumpled up the papers and when we opened them up, the students tried to erase the unkind words but couldn’t because the ‘X’ was written in marker or crayon. We discussed how whatever you say, you can’t take it back. You can say you’re sorry, but those words will always be with that person.”
Wednesday’s book is “Gerald McBoing Boing,” focusing on being tolerant of all disabilities, dreams and goals. Thursday’s book is the popular “The Cat in the Hat,” focusing on tolerance of others’ behavior and that students are loved no matter what. The week concludes Friday with “Sneeches,” which will have students focusing on acceptance.
