DIY McElligot’s Pool: Summer Reading Spot

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

To keep my kids reading all summer I made McElligot's Pool for our reading spot.
100_4659_1
I still remember my first grade teacher had a 6-foot, hard-plastic pool in her classroom. Children could earn the right to take their books into the pool for reading time. She always had some pillows and a variety of books scattered inside.  I’ve always wanted to make my own reading pool so I decided to make McElligot's Pool for my kids at home.

Mcelligots_pool cover

McElligot's Pool is another fantastic imaginative story from Dr. Seuss. I always think about it when I go fishing. Make sure you grab it from your library to try reading it in the pool. Or if you’d like to buy it to add to your Dr. Seuss collection click the book above.

MAKE YOUR OWN McELLIGOT’S POOL
Free Printable Sign. You can copy and save the image below or paste it into Microsoft Word to print at the size you want.  I printed the 4x6 size and cut it out and taped it on the pool. You could make it larger if you plan to put it on a post but I thought this small size was easier and safer for kids.
McElligotsPoolSignz

The kids love hopping into the pool to read.
100_4652_1

This pool was just the right size for our small reading loft. It was $5 at Wal-mart. I saw a little bit bigger one, two rings high, for $8. I’ve also seen similar ones at the grocery store on their seasonal isle. Grab a pool right now while they are in season. These little ones go quick.  I liked the fish design for this project and we can deflate it to get it out of the way and put it up quickly when we want to.
100_4655_1

Remember Dr. Seuss’ advice to, “Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.” IMGP3246_1Here is my sweet baby boy surrounded by our favorite books.

Keep your child reading all summer. Visit your local library as much as possible. We love the libraries in Salt Lake City. Click below to see my guest post about our Library's Summer Reading Program on I Heart Salt Lake.

Linking this project at these great blogs:
I Can Teach My Child
Somewhat SimpleTodays Creative Blog

Tip Junkie handmade projectsThirty Hand Made Days

10 comments:

Rachelle said...

Are you from Utah!? I am!!! I came by to tell you that I'm thinking of doing my WHOLE classroom in Dr. Seuss next year! What do you think? Any cute ideas or play on words for me?

Thanks and I love your blog!
-Rachelle
whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

Kristin Young said...

Too cute!! Rachelle - my bathroom is all Seuss'd out with bulletin board sets that most teacher stores are carrying now. {If you can't find them, look up Education Express and you can probably order online!} ;)

Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten

JDaniel4's Mom said...

JDaniel would like the pool and he would love reading on a shelf.

Bec@littlelucylu said...

I'm featuring this tomorrow!!!
Thank you for linking up at LLL!
~Bec :-)

Tauni said...

V, Love this idea...In my house I have a feeling it wouldn't take long before one of the boys filled it with water and splashed around!

Mindie Hilton said...

I have read so many with my 8 year old, love them.

I would love for you to link it up to my party that is running now. Any linky goes.

http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/any-link-goes-party-running-now-summer.html

Come strut your stuff.

Kenlie said...

Sooooooooo cute! Absolutely lovely! If I ever have kids, I'll definitely do this! Perhaps I can create an area for my niece when she's old enough to read. I just love it!

Rebecca said...

Is that baby barcoded? Because I would totally check him out of your library. ADORABLE.

Carrie said...

Wow! I don't know which part of me loves this more- the English teacher part or the "mom of a 2 year old part".

www.creativecarrieregan.blogspot.com

min said...

hi What a lovely site! well done!
i am wondering if u can help me i have all the dr Seuss books from when my kids were small. youngest now 13, eldest 19. anyway we have lost the last couple pages of McElligots pool.. from "oh the sea is so.....he might get his wish"... to the end. can you tell me how much i am missing? if you dont mind...
Thanks, min

Post a Comment

What do you think? I'd love to hear what you have to say about this. Thanks so much for visiting obSEUSSed!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails