Lorax Lesson

  1. Ask the teacher if there is a designated Òstory timeÓ area.
  2. Wait for students to settle in their Òstory timeÓ area.
  3. Introduce yourselves and why you are there.
  4. Ask the students to explain the difference between ÒwantÓ and ÒneedÓ
  5. Read The Lorax to the students.
    1. One person may read, or you can split it up into 2-3 sections.
    2. NO MONOTONE READERS
    3. Show the kids the pictures as you read.
  6. Explain the moral of the story:  Make sure the kids understand, trees and animals are meant to be used by people, but they are not mean to be abused. Sometimes people kill trees and animals for greedy reasons.
  7. Ask students to return to their desks.
  8. Sustainability demonstration (humans help elements of the environment last for a long time, rather than using them all up)
    1. Remind students of ÒwantÓ vs ÒneedÓ and how this affects the environment
    2. Place all fish in the bucket/bowl
    3. Break the students into groups (grandparents, parents, and kids)
    4. Walk around with hand sanitizer
    5. Tell the students they can take as many fish from the bucket as they want, but we will start with the grandparents. DO NOT LET THEM EAT THE FISH YET.
    6. Start with the grandparents and finish with the kids.
    7. What group had more to choose from?
    8. Why wasnÕt there enough for all the kids? Or Why was their enough for all the kids?
    9. What is the point of this activity?
    10. Go back and make sure every student only has fish to eat.
    11. Explain:  If you only take what you need, there is enough for everyone, and some left over to grow.
  9. Pass out The Lorax coloring sheet (if there is enough time)