Thanks to everyone who entered our Diffendoofer Teachers' Contest. Congratulations to our five winners, whose entries are listed below.

Stacey H.
My second grade reading center students have worked together to write their own Hooray for Meadowvale Day book. I read aloud Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! to them three consecutive class periods together, discussing the following: schools in general, our school, and how this particular book was co-created by Dr. Seuss, Prelutsky, and Smith. We had already focused on Dr. Seuss during our Read Across America activities, so they were very familiar with his work. I also brought in some additional pieces by Prelutsky and Smith. We completed "Thinking Webs" on schools in general and on our school. One of my groups began putting the web ideas into sentences. We then progressed into making those sentences rhyme and creating stanzas. Each of my three groups co-wrote a rhyming stanza, and then worked in partners to illustrate a different group's stanza (working together like Smith and Prelutsky.) It was a wonderful activity that produced a book we can all treasure.

Ellen K. Have a Diffendoofer Day! Collaborate with a few classrooms. Read the book several times to the class and have it available for them to read on their own time. Discuss the book and the difference between fiction and non-fiction. Have students write down their favorite part of the book. Then the students will discuss these with each other. After the children are comfortable with the book, announce that there will be a Diffendoofer Day! Each student and each teacher will write, in Seuss form, something about themselves, either made-up or real. After a few revisions and proofreading, the students will submit their written work for a contest. For Diffendoofer Day, everyone (including teachers) will dress up as a character from the book, and the winners will be announced, with prizes for everyone. The classrooms will be made to look like the Diffendoofer school and the children can help decorate the day before to get ready. Then the winners will read their poems to everyone. The winning poems should be based on creativity and not grammar, punctuation, spelling, and such. This activity will encourage the students to become involved in the book, and it's always more exciting to get dressed up and act silly for the day!

Angel V.
I teach 5th and 6th grade and have used your book by reading it to my class. They especially enjoyed looking for all of their favorite Seuss characters! We then made a class book to share with our kindergarten buddies, but we replaced the names of the characters with our own special Susan B. Anthony staff names. The best part of this whole thing is that my kindergarten friend, Mrs. Cicchelli bought the book for me as a surprise!

Jenny B.
I teach 3rd grade at Calimesa Elementary School in Yucaipa, CA. At our school we are having a Reading Celebration along with a guest author, Joan Bransfield Graham. During the morning, we will be rotating among grade levels and sharing a book of our choice and an activity to go with the book. I've decided to dress up in a crazy purple outfit complete with a multicolored Dr. Seuss "Cat in the Hat" hat. I plan on reading Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! The activity I have planned encourages and celebrates creativity and imagination. I went to a local craft store and picked up some miscellaneous items to put in zip-lock bags. I selected buttons, wooden stars, multicolored pipe cleaner, popsicle sticks, and 2 bags full of geometrical shapes made out of foam. Students are to work in partners or groups of four (if they wish), and create something from their materials that reminds them of something people use or could use in their daily lives. They don't have to use all the items in their baggies if they don't need to. I think the kids will really enjoy the activity. Who knows-- maybe someone's creation will evolve into a new invention!

Marvi H.
When the children get wiggly,
They donšt want to sit,
And their legs are all fidgety,
I don't like it one bit.

I rush to the bookshelf
I keep by my desk.
I find Dr. Seuss,
He's better than the rest.

I open the book,
Grin a big smile,
And say, "It is time to remind you
I teach Diffendoofer style."

I start at the top.
I read every word.
The room soon gets quiet.
No voices are heard.

"Now children," I say,
When I get to the end,
No wiggles or fidgets
Or I might have to send
You to Flobbertown,
And you know what that means.

No listening, or smelling,
Or laughing and yelling.
No tying knots, and definitely no noodles,
No chrysanthemums,
Or miniature poodles.

So, if you are good 'til the end of the day,
If the wiggles and fidgets all stay away,
I'll treat you to popcorn and other good treats.
I'll run through the room and pat every cheek.

Then fun we will have.
It only seems right
To have fun with kids
Who are brighter than bright."