Definition:

doing what needs to be done without complaining. 

In short:

Do what needs to be done.

Summary:
This is a popular Dr. Seuss book, and a lot of fun to share with children. A rascal cat visits two siblings during a time when they are alone at home. The cat is very irresponsible and creates a disaster in the home - the kids are freaked out until the cat cleans up the mess before mom walks through the door. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. This is a what-not-to-do book about being responsible. Students will be motivated to have good behavior even when no one is looking. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why were the boy and girl unhappy in the beginning of the story? 
2. Describe what came in the door unexpectedly. What did it look like? What did it say?  
3. Do you think the kids were happy at first when the cat came in? 
4. Your conscience is a voice inside your head that tells when you should or should not do something. What character in the story is like your conscience, warning the children to watch out? 
5. Did the children start to worry about what the cat was doing? 
6. What was inside the box? How did they behave? 
7. The boy finally does something to get rid of the cat. What does he do? Did you ever have to tell someone to stop causing trouble? What happened? 
8. Why did the cat come back to the house? Do you think the cat had a conscience that told him what to do? Do you ever hear the voice of your conscience, telling you to do what’s right? 
9. Can you find any rhyming words in the story? 
10. Do you think the kids should tell their mother about what happened? Why or why not? If that happened to you, would you tell your parents?