Cat In The Hat
Learning Library
Name __________________________
Date___________________________
What were some of your favorite books when you were a child? Chances are
Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, and The Cat In The Hat come to mind.
Did you know that The Cat in the Hat was created as a retort to a Life
magazine article (1954) that criticized children's books of the time.
Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was commissioned by Houghton Mifflin and
Random House (both textbook publishers) to write a children's primer using
220 vocabulary words. The resulting book, The Cat in the Hat, was published
in 1957 and was described by one critic as a "tour de force." The Cat in the
Hat features a tall, anthropomorphic, mischievous cat, wearing a tall, red and
white-striped hat and a red bow tie. With the series of Beginner Books that
The Cat inaugurated, Seuss promoted both his name and the cause of elementary literacy in the
United States of America.
In 1998, Random House launched a series titled The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library. In each book,
the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2, teach Dick and Sally about the book's topic. There are even
side notes that are narrated by Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Random House has hired you to produce a new book for The Cat In the Hat’s Learning
Library series. After conducting research (textbook and internet) on the phylum
Chordata, write a Cat In The Hat -style book that defines your selected animal and
explains its characteristic features. Support your story with evidence from your
research.
Project Calendar
Day One 5/20
Rough draft of text due
at the BEGINNING of
class (share with me on
Google Drive OR print
and bring to class)
Day Two 5/21
Work on book
iPads available
Day Three 5/16
Begin Book
iPads available for
research
Day Three 5/23
FINAL COPY of the text
due at the BEGINNING
of class (I need a
printed copy or to be
shared on GoogleDrive
BEFORE class)
Day Four 5/17
Work on book
NO iPads available
Day Four 5/24
Book due at the END of
the period
iPads will be available
for book share out
Peer Edits
iPads available
Additional notes:
tour de force- an exceptional achievement by an artist, author, or the like, that is unlikely to be
equaled by that person or anyone else; stroke of genius.
More on Theodore Geisel
http://www.seussville.com/#/home
While conducting your research, fill in the important information below. That way, it will be at your
fingertips as you write.
Species being studied (common and scientific name) __________________________________________________
Be sure that the species is a member of the phylum Chordata ____________
Be sure that the species is “wild” (no cats, dogs, goldfish) ________________
Reasons why the species is a member of the phylum Chordata (In other words, what are the
characteristics of Chordates…) __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the habitat range of your species (Where in the world is it found?)________________________
In what ecosystem does your species live? __________________________________________________
Describe the ecosystem__________________________________________________________________________________
How does your species eat? What does it eat? How does it protect itself and its young? _______________
Additional information ________________________________________________________________________________________
Bibliographic references
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Use the storyboard below to get started.
TITLE
Author
Category Requirements
Scientific Content
** Correctly states the common and scientific name of the species
**The species is a member of the phylum Chordata
**The species is WILD
**Succinctly states why the species is a member of the phylum Chordata
**Accurately describes the appearance (size, color, etc.) of the chosen species
**Precisely identifies the species habitat range
**Uses rich detail to describe the ecosystem in which the species lives
**Enumerates the species’ feeding habits and method(s) of self protection
**Includes at least two additional details
Comments &
Points
(20 points)
Spelling & Grammar
**Minimum of spelling errors
**Minimum of grammar errors
(6 points)
Appearance and General Book Keeping
** The book contains 200 words (minimum)
**The book contains a title page
**The final page of the book contains 4 bibliographic references
(use the same format you use in Maggie’s class)
**Dialogue is typed
**Each page contains a colored illustration
(8 points)
**The book has a story line
**Typed dialogue turned in on-time
**Completed book turned in on-time
**Extra Credit (4 points): A pdf of the book (including images) is emailed to
Ms. Patterson. Work must be submitted as a SINGLE FILE.
TOTAL: 34 points