Tulsa World: NIE - Febuary Theme

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
Who Is Dr. Seuss?
Vocabulary and References
Great Web Sites on Dr. Seuss
Rhyming Scavenger Hunt
Dr. Seuss and Political Cartoons Activity
Yertle the Turtle and Leaders Activity

Yertle the Turtle and Leaders

Theodore Geisel said many times that Yertle the Turtle was meant to represent or symbolize Hitler. Yertle’s rule of the pond and his wish to take over all the surrounding area is meant to mirror Hitlers regime in Germany and invasion of Europe. "I'm ruler," said Yertle, "of all that I see. But I don't see enough. That's the trouble with me.”

In Geisel’s book, Yertle the Turtle, Yertle stands on his people in order to try and touch the moon, however with just one little burp, the tower falls and Yertle looses his power.

Preparation:

1) What is a symbol? Discuss the definition of a symbol. What do some of these common symbols mean:

a. Uncle Sam
b. Donkey
c. Elephant
d. Dove
e. Santa Claus
f. Cross / Star of David
g. Rainbow

2) Read the full story of Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss as a class or individually. Discuss how Yertle acts as a symbol. Is it a successful symbol? Why or why not?

* Teachers: this would be a good time to discuss what the symbol does not address about Hitler or Germany in regards to the Holocaust.

Activity:

1) Then find a modern leader in today’s newspaper. What is this leader’s current position? Why is the leader in the news? Find out more about that leader by searching the newspaper database at www.tulsaworld.com.

2) Create your own animal symbol for the leader you choose and write a short story or poem for the animal symbol modeled after Yertle the Turtle.

With the Class:

1) Read and share your animal and story with the class. Have them try to guess who the leader is that you are representing.