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Sherman third-graders read, read, read to celebrate Dr. Seuss
Seuss full.jpgThird-graders study their notes as they wait for teacher Wendy Doup to ask another trivia question about one of Dr. Seuss’s books.

      Dr. Seuss would have enjoyed his birthday party at Sherman Elementary School on Friday and he probably would have come in his pajamas too.

      Third-graders in Wendy Doup’s room spent the day celebrating Read Across America, the annual celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday that emphasizes the importance of reading.

      Clad in their pajamas – Doup officially declared Friday as Pajama Day – the boys and girls relaxed on their classroom floor reading such Dr. Seuss classics as “The Cat in the Hat,” “If I Ran the Zoo” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” They were asked to compare and contrast two of the stories they read.

      The day also included Dr. Seuss trivia games and a pizza lunch complete with a birthday cake. Several people from the community came to read to the kids.

      “The students have been practicing reading Dr. Seuss books all week. This afternoon they will read to kindergarten and first-grade students,” Doup said. “The entire week has been about reading. Each one has their favorite Dr. Seuss book.”

      Doup is a huge Dr. Seuss fan too. She has 39 of his books in her personal collection.

      To start the trivia game, Doup asked, “What does the fish fall into when the cat drops him in “The Cat in the Hat”?

      One boy raised his hand quickly. “Into a fish bowl?”

      “No,” Doup said.

      “Into a teapot?” a girl asked.

      “No, but you’re close,” Doup said.

      “A cup,” another girl answered correctly.

      Each trivia winner got to select a prize from a table that included Dr. Seuss books, book bags and bookmarks.

      The entire week leading up to Friday was a Dr. Seuss reading celebration. Monday was Red and White Day, Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day, Wednesday was Silly Hat Day and Thursday was Words on Your Shirt Day.

      Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904. He died on Sept. 24, 1991.

      The National Education Association launched Read Across America on the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birth on March 2, 1998.