Definition:

Showing respect means to use words and actions that show we care about all people and things. 

In short:

Value others, honor differences.

Summary:
Dr. Seuss uses poetry, silly illustrations, and lots of made-up words to teach us about the superior Star-Belly Sneetches and the inferior Plain-Belly Sneetches who are disrespected because they lack stars. McBean arrives with a machine that plants stars on the Plain-Belly Sneetches. This causes a new problem - suddenly the Star-Belly Sneetches claim that it’s better to not have stars, and clever McBean brings a machine that removes their stars for a price. After a lot of confusion, both groups of Sneetches find a way to end the bickering. This is a delightful story with an important message about respect. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students see how foolish put-downs are, and they are more likely to show respect for those who are different. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. What was the problem between the Star-Belly Sneetches and the Plain-Belly Sneetches? 
2. What did McBean do to try to help the Plain-Belly Sneetches? 
3. Did it help? Why or why not? 
4. Do you think McBean was really trying to solve the problem or was he just trying to make money? Which one, and why? 
5. Can you explain why the two groups of Sneetches decided to be friends in the end? 
6. Have you ever read a story or seen a movie about two groups of people who argued because one group thought they were better than the other? What happened? 
7. Why do you think Dr. Seuss wrote this story? 
8. Ask your parents or grandparents if they were ever in a situation with someone or some people who treated them badly because they thought they weren’t good enough.  
9. If you’re in a situation where someone is giving you a put-down, what can you do about it? If you don’t know, ask a family member or teacher to help you. 
10. Have you ever argued with a friend and wondered what to do to make it better? What happened?