The Lorax
Lesson Plan Extensions
The following are some good lesson plans to implement while reading The Lorax:
Concepts: trees, conservation, shop smart, buy recycled, selective cut, environmental involvement, caring for the environment for the future
- Have a Forester come and talk to the class about their job and about how they manage a tree farm. Have them discuss the difference between clear cutting and selective cutting. Have them discuss all of the different products that come from trees from paper to pine cleaner and lots of stuff you never thought about in between!
- Discuss how each step of the Once-ler’s developing business removed a piece of the ecosystem until the entire ecosystem ceased to function (discuss what a healthy ecosystem needs to survive). Have students discuss why the Super Axe Hacker was invented, why the Once-ler ignored the Lorax’s warning, what happened to the Lorax and why the Once-ler was called the “Once-ler.”
- Discuss what happened to the Once-ler when there were no more Truffula tress, and ask them to write a story about what the Once-ler could have done so that his factory would still function and the environment would remain healthy.
- Have students write a rhyming paragraph about what the Lorax’s message “Unless” means and then discuss as a class how all generations must care for the Earth, now and into the future. Have students write a new conclusion for The Lorax starting from where the word “Unless . . .” leaves off.
- Discuss the idea of “thneeds” (the needs), and how advertising can sometimes make you think you need a product. Discuss what types of products the class thinks are essential (e.g. food, water, shelter, learning/educational items, etc.) and what products are luxury items (e.g. new car every year, latest fashion trend or toy, etc.). Design an ad campaign for the needs of the environment and share it with the school and community.
- Explore Earth’s 911 Buying Recycled and Save Money and the Environment Too Sections to learn more about how you can make purchases with the environment in mind.
- Explore Earth’s 911 to see how you can help keep our air and water clean!
Related Links on Earth 911
- 50 Clean Air Tips Section
- Stormwater Section
