March 21, 2016 2 min read
A 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).
Below 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.
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. What 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.
Sylvester McMonkey McBean (use Character Map, MindWing manuals) in the area of a beach where Sneetches are busy “ignoring” each other (use Setting Map) |
Sylvester beaches sees Sneetches makes a “star on” machine makes a “star-off” machine collects money from the Sneetches |
Sylvester beaches sees Star-less Sneetches longing for stars SO builds a “star-on” machine and collects money sees Starbellied Sneetches angry that others have stars SO builds a “star-off” machine and collects their money |
Sylvester beaches sees social struggle feels opportunity knocking, greed — wants to get their money As a result of two machines, he has made a fortune on their foolishness. |
Sylvester McMonkey McBean beaches sees social struggle between “haves” and “have-nots” greedy wants to make money out of their foolishness makes a “star on” machine offers trips through it for $3.00 each makes a “star-off” machine offers trips through it for $10.00 each confuses the Sneetches as to who the “upper class” is; makes lots of money from their foolishness. feels great; leaves the Sneetches, who were, as a result of his machines, no longer “star” conscious. |
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