Thursday, March 8, 2007 Older Editions

Time for rhymes

By April Guilmet

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, oh the places you'll go."

- from Oh, the Places You'll Go

Theodor Seuss Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, would have celebrated his 103rd birthday last week. Although the author and illustrator of 44 children's books died in 1991, his words still rang true for the students and staff at Shawsheen School, and his day wasn't forgotten.

Many students in grades pre-K through second grade returned from their winter vacation last week toting Dr. Seuss-themed projects.

From posters to models to shadow boxes to a giant paper-mache Horton the Elephant, the projects touched on many of the author's imaginary characters, and even though students weren't required to make projects, more than half of them did.

"He's no longer with us, but [Dr. Seuss's] books bring out our imagination," said media specialist Liz Lamoreaux, who coordinated the event.

On Friday, seventh-graders Kim Uggerholt and Erika Spinale read Green Eggs and Ham to the students, followed by an awards presentation of sorts.

Prizes were given in categories such as "The Most Happy, Gleeful Fox in Sox Poster," and "The Turtliest Turtle I Ever Did See."

Later, the students sang "Happy Birthday" to their favorite author, who likely would have admired the familiar red-and-white striped hats some of them wore.

The event coincided with the National Education Association's Dr. Seuss month, Lamoreaux said. "Dr. Seuss was chosen because his rhymes work so well to encourage emerging literacy," she said. "His books are perfect for new readers."