Lesson Plan: "My Many Colored Days"

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.

Objectives: Students will Materials:

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

Precut and pre-printed white (or light colored paper) with text from book (about 3" x 5")
precut construction paper (5" x 7" or desired size)
crayons (or choice of media)
Hole punch
Assorted color ribbon

Resources:

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel), illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
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)

My Many Colored Days by Kiaya [No longer online]

On my purple days
I’m a swan
I sit on a lawn
And watch for fawn.

On my light blue days
I’m like a kitten,
Not ever sittin’.

On my red days
I’m like a puppy
Swimming
While looking for guppies.

On my black days.
I’m like a tiger
Roaring and clawing until
I can do it no longer.

Language art Lesson for First Grade - Georgia Learning Connections Web Resources

Motivation:

Read My Many Colored Days
Talk about how colors make us feel
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:

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

Procedures:

Have students illustrate each page.
Students select a favorite color to mount their illustrations on.
After illustrations are glued - laminate (optional)
Punch holes in each page (parent volunteer could help with this).
Attach pages together accordion style with colorful ribbon (Stephanie found ribbon at Oriental Trading for six rolls @ $3.00 each - it goes a long way)
Students share finished book with the class. Talk about what the colors mean to them.

Evaluation:

Watch the smiles as they "read" their own books
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.