Dr. Seuss Classroom Ideas: Parades, costumes, and resources

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Parade of Suess Books

A Parade of Seuss books is both simple to administer and fun for the participants! 

Teacher Responsiblilites for the Class (with student input):

1. Select a favorite Dr. Seuss book (ex.: The Sleep Book).
2. Decide on a simple, similar costume for all students (ex.: everyone wears pajamas). It might be simply the colors from the book.
3. Plan or create simple props to carry (ex. carry pillows and stuffed animals).
4. Plan actions to better represent the book in the parade (ex.: students yawn and stretch). 
5. Prepare a sign or banner to be carried at the front of the line.
6. Practice parade participant and observer behaviors.

Coordinator Responsibilities:

1. Plan and share parade route. Indicate which hallway will begin the parade by lining up outside their classrooms. The route should be a loop, which will return students to their starting points. 
2. Delegate a parade marshal to lead the parade.
3. Delegate help to be stationed at key junctions to keep students on the route and moving. Signs with arrows work remarkably well!
4. Delegate someone to play fun, Seuss-y music over the intercom. 
5. Delegate a photographer - you definitely want to capture the fun!

Costumes

If your school prefers that everyone (including the adults) dress up for Read Across America Day, you have the option of purchasing ready-made, sometimes inexpensive costumes, or you can make your own using what you have. Below I have listed a few general ideas, but I go into more detail in my original post about Seuss-y costume ideas.

If I Ran the Zoo

• Gerald McGrew: striped pants, black men’s coat, white button down shirt, red necktie, red police hat
• Persian prince: baggy pants, genie shoe covers, white shirt, dark vest, turban, mustache
• Cook: white shirt, black bow tie, black pants, white apron, chef’s hat, mustache

Please Try to Remember the First of Octember
The main character wears blue jeans, a red/white striped shirt, and a blonde short wig.

Dr. Seuss’s ABC

• Aunt Annie: big hat, white wig, spectacles, fluffy dress, pumps (and an alligator if you can manage it)
• Barber: mustache, white lab coat, yellow bow tie, black pants
• King: crown, beard/mustache, robe, fur collar
• Little Lola Lopp: green dress, yellow wig, black shoes
• Policeman: blue hat, blue coat, blue pants, yellow badge
• Queen: crown, pearls, yellow wig, pink robe, fur collar, pumps
• Rosy Robin Ross: braided hair with a bow, plaid shirt, blue jeans, boots

I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, The Cat in the Hat, or The Cat in the Hat Comes Back:
Become the Cat by wearing a black top and black pants, white gloves, red bow around your neck, and white face paint with eyeliner whiskers. Now the hard part is that hat, but you can make the stovepipe and brim from white and red poster boards and attach them to a baseball cap. 

Green Eggs and Ham
Sam wears a tall red hat and yellow clothes (gown, long t-shirt, etc.) and carries a platter with green eggs and ham.

Sleep Book
Wear red footed PJ’s.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dress as the Grinch in green hair, face and hands, a Santa suit and fake monster teeth.

More Inspiration

• Dr. Seuss Classroom Ideas at Mom's Best Nest
• Who’s Who and What’s What in the Books of Dr. Seuss.” PDF - start at page 5.
  
• Dr. Seuss Books Benable Board. Benable boards are lists of links for the reader to learn about and possibly purchase the item. Qualifying purchases may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Mom's Best Nest.
• Dr. Seuss Costume Ideas Pinterest Board 

I'd love to read about and see pictures of your Seuss festivities and ideas. Please leave comments and links below!