Thursday, April 21, 2011

Earth Day: The Lorax

The Lorax is a great story to share with your students around Earth Day (or any other time, for that matter).
The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

There is a video available, but I'm partial to reading to my students (and they seem to enjoy it as well). 
Dr. Seuss - The Lorax/Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano

Following the telling of the tale (or the watching of the DVD), have your students consider the following:

  • What does a "Thneed" represent?
  • List some "Thneeds" in our society today.
  • Who does the "Once-ler" represent?
  • How was the "Once-ler" irresponsible?
  • What could the "Once-ler" have done to protect the natural resources while still manufacturing "Thneeds"?
  • Did the "Once-ler" feel that he was part of the Truffula Land?  Explain.
  • Can we separate ourselves from our natural environment?  Why or why not?
  • The "Once-ler" excuses himself with "Well if I didn't do it, then someone else would."*  Is this a valid excuse?  Why or why not?
  • Who does the "Lorax" represent?
*In the video version (at least in an older version, it looks like there's a newer edition, which I haven't seen, so I don't know if it's word-for-word the same or not). 

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