Another Classic: Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches - MindWing Concepts, Inc.
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Another Classic: Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches

by Sheila Zagula March 21, 2016 2 min read

The Sneetches Book CoverA previous blog (“Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss Lesson,” 2/29/16) focused on the biography about Dr. Seuss. One of his selections mentioned was The Sneetches, published in 1961. Written during the 1960s during the civil rights struggle, this book demonstrates conflict between star-bellied Sneetches and those Sneetches who did not have stars. In a biography, it was stated that Ted Geisel showed through this story how he thought it was silly for people “to hate one another because they looked different” (p. 81, Who Was Dr. Seuss? by Janet Pascal).

SGM Teacher MarkerBelow find The Sneetches outlined using five of the seven SGM Developmental Stages. The SGM is a unique modeling and scaffolding manipulative to be used with students as they progress along the developmental continuum. Each of the five stages builds up to the next. Thus, progression through the first four developmental stages will eventually enable your students to comprehend, tell, and write stories at the Complete Episode stage.

SGM Five Developmental Stages

So, as shown below, The Sneetches Complete Episode can be broken into all the other four component stages. Therefore, you can tailor your intervention for each child. East Meets West Quick StartWhat is expected of one student does not have to be expected of another. This is the built-in flexibility that the SGM is known for: all students, regardless of ability level, will be able to participate and progress.

For more lesson ideas, visit our blog page on our website. Two MindWing books that follow the analysis format below that you may be interested in learning more about are East Meets West, Volumes 1 and 2.

Descriptive Sequence

Character IconSylvester McMonkey McBean (use Character Map, MindWing manuals)

Starin the area of a beach where Sneetches are busy “ignoring” each other (use Setting Map)

Action Sequence

Character IconSylvester

Starbeaches

Action Iconsees Sneetches

Action Iconmakes a “star on” machine

Action Iconmakes a “star-off” machine

Action Iconcollects money from the Sneetches

Reactive Sequence

Character IconSylvester

Starbeaches

Shoesees Star-less Sneetches longing for stars

Action IconSO builds a “star-on” machine and collects money

Shoesees Starbellied Sneetches angry that others have stars

Action IconSO builds a “star-off” machine and collects their money

Abbreviated Episode

Character IconSylvester

Starbeaches

Shoesees social struggle

Heart Iconfeels opportunity knocking, greed — wants to get their money

Consequence IconAs a result of two machines, he has made a fortune on their foolishness.

Complete Episode

Character Icon Sylvester McMonkey McBean
(Sneetches: star bellied and those without)

Starbeaches

Shoesees social struggle between “haves” and “have-nots”

Heart Icongreedy

Action Iconwants to make money out of their foolishness

Action Iconmakes a “star on” machine

Action Iconoffers trips through it for $3.00 each

Action Iconmakes a “star-off” machine

Action Iconoffers trips through it for $10.00 each

Consequence Iconconfuses the Sneetches as to who the “upper class” is; makes lots of money from their foolishness.

Resolution Iconfeels great; leaves the Sneetches, who were, as a result of his machines,  no longer “star” conscious.

Sheila Zagula
Sheila Zagula

Sheila Zagula works with MindWing Concepts in product development, drawing on her expertise and talents as well as many years of implementing the Story Grammar Marker® and related materials. Her teaching career spans thirty-eight years, most recently as literacy coach in the Westfield Massachusetts Public School System. Sheila has experience as an early childhood educator, a teacher of children with special needs, and a collaborative instructor within an inclusion framework serving children in grades K-5.

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