Exploring teeth with Dr. Seuss

A Dr. Seuss inspired activity your students are sure to enjoy!

With Dr. Seuss Birthday just around the corner, our PreK class integrated Dr. Seuss into our continuing study of teeth. “The Tooth Book” by Dr. Seuss is a delightfully simple book for young children that talks about teeth through wonderful illustrations and simple language…

Math Concepts with Dr. Seuss

After reading “The Tooth Book,” we explored tooth counting and estimation. The children were each given one strip of Styrofoam and a red construction paper shaped mouth. I just took a Styrofoam tray and cut it into long, thin strips…

The children were invited to snap the Styrofoam strips into small pieces so the pieces would look like teeth then arrange the teeth any way they want on their construction paper mouth…

Practicing Estimation

After each child had completed their teeth, I asked the children to give me a guess (estimate) how many teeth they each think they have on their own mouth.  The children are getting much more confident at the estimating process…

Practicing Counting

And then the children counted the actual number of teeth. The children shouted out their numbers and were surprised to see how each child ended up with such a different number of teeth considering the strips of Styrofoam we each started with the same amount of Styrofoam. The children figured out that some of the teeth were very short and others were quite long which impacted the total number of teeth they each ended up with…

Expanding on the Story

After “tooth math” we took our construction paper mouths to the art table and created our versions of “The Tooth Book.”  As a side note, “The Tooth Book” talks about how your teeth will get loose and fall out before your grow a second set.  Afterwards, the children were all stopping to wiggle a tooth during our math and art process. They were quite certain that all their teeth were loose…

Building Fine Motor Skills

Because we had already learned how to “snap” the Styrofoam strips to make our teeth, the children went right to work snapping and gluing on teeth. I had lots of strips set out so they could make as many teeth as they wanted.  The process of snapping the Styrofoam is actually good fine motor skill development and partly why I had them snap it instead of cut it…

Adding a Finishing Touch

Once the children glued on the number of teeth they desired, then we added a construction paper toothbrush. The children chose a colorful strip for the handle and fringed a white rectangle for the brush…

And then everything was glued in place!

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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