



Okay, so I admit. There isn’t anything directly educational about this app. But I feel compelled to share this with all of you because when I used it last year on Dr. Seuss Day it was such a hit! Every year on March 2, my class and I participate in the annual National Educators Association’s Read Across America Day (also know as Dr. Seuss Day). This day was created to promote an excitement for reading and to honor Dr. Seuss on his birthday.
Last year on Dr. Seuss Day all of the Dr. Seuss apps went on sale. I took advantage and purchased a bunch of his interactive books (created by Oceanhouse Media and which I highly recommend). I also purchased the Dr. Seuss Camera (also known as the Cat Cam). This app allows you take pictures of your students and add their image in the face of several of the Dr. Seuss characters. You can have your students look like the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and 14 other adorable frames that are all Dr. Seuss themed. You can save the images to your camera roll. Last year, I printed the pictures out for my students to keep in their student portfolios. I was also certain to add these images to our class movie that we make as a digital memory book. This is a fantastic way to capture the great memories you made with your class on Dr. Seuss Day.
This year I plan on taking these images a bit further by having each student write a story about their image. Here are some writing ideas:
- What do you like to do on a rainy day?
- What kinds of games would you play if the Cat in the Hat came to play at your house?
- How would you trap Thing 1 and Thing 2?
- What kinds of mischief would you get into with Thing 1 and Thing 2?
- Write a letter to the Cat in the Hat. Thank him for coming to play.
- Write a letter to Dr. Seuss and tell him about your favorite Dr. Seuss book.
- Pretend you are the fish. Write a letter to the children telling them what he thought about the Cat in the Hat.
AppStore Link: Dr. Seuss Camera
Check out a few of the adorable frames:
Ever year on Dr. Seuss Day my second graders and I learn facts about the author who creatively changed the way children’s books are written. We all bring our personal collection of Dr. Seuss books to school to share and I have been known to sport a Cat in the Hat costume once or twice. After filling our tummies with a delicious breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham we spread out all over the carpet area and READ! READ! READ! The kids love exploring their “old favorites” and looking for all the different pen names Dr. Seuss used. This year on Dr. Seuss Day, as a special treat, the movie The Lorax will be released in theaters. I hope this movie turns out to be as great as the Horton Hears a Who movie.
Happy Dr. Seuss Day and happy reading!
Jo-Ann Fox



