EDUA 5255 Dr. Seuss to Teach Social Studies
USING DR. SEUSS TO TEACH SOCIAL STUDIES
Most people have heard of Dr. Seuss’s children’s books, but not many know that the man behind the books, Theodor Geisel, was an editorial cartoonist during the throes of World War II. Geisel tackled issues ranging from racism to war profiteering and more, and many of these ideas made their way into his children’s books as well.
In this course, you’ll examine several themes from the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies and how you can use Dr. Seuss books to teach them to students. Using his 1966 work Come Over to My House as an exemplar, you’ll explore people groups and their customs, geography, and fundamental economic issues, and you’ll learn how to present these issues to students through collaborative worksheets, cooperative games, artistic endeavors, and simulations. In addition, you’ll develop strategies for integrating instructional technologies and social–emotional learning to help students experience the interconnectedness of our global community.
Using the strategies from this course and readily available Dr. Seuss books, you’ll be able to connect the social issues of Geisel’s time to your 21st-century classroom in a fun and compelling way.
* This course includes complimentary copies of Dr. Seuss's Come Over to My House! with purchase to support you in engaging your students in the activities discussed in the course!