The Lorax

The Lorax

Author & Illustrator:  Dr Seuss

Published

Grade Level:  any

Reading Level:  2nd grade and up

Genre:  Environmental Conservation

Summary:  This is such a cute story of a tale of rhythm and rhyme along with a story that will make everyone think about their role in nature.  The Once-ler, the narrator, was always carless, had a disregard for nature and was extremely selfish.   When he learns he can make "sneed's," the hottest selling thing since Tickle Me Elmo, out of truffula trees he depletes the whole forest.  Now, the natural beauty of the truffula tree's are no more.  Then comes a child who has a seed and wants to save all of the truffula trees.

Pre-Reading Activity:  This would be a great story to introduce when talking about seeds, trees, or preservation of forests.  I would make a sneed out of footed pajamas and wear it to class.  I would have the children guess what I was wearing and what it was made of.  

Post-Reading Activity:  Have students write about something that they could invent that would change everyone's lives.  I would make this project so that students would have plenty of time to do research and see just what they could do and what has not already been invented.  I mean, 20 years ago, who would have thought bottled water would sell, everyone has water coming out of their faucets already?  This book has endless activities.  They could even think of quirky names for their products, after all, everyone needs a sneed.  Also, I think the movie is really good and you can use this as a follow-up to the book.  It really defines the characters.  

Reflection:  I used this book for a PAL, partnerships about literacy, program years ago for my day care center.  The whole day care read and did projects on the book.  The younger children loved the made up words and the older children loved the idea of inventing something no one else had thought of.  It could be used across grade levels and the art projects along with it are endless.

Author Dr. Seuss

Who hasn't heard of Dr. Seuss?  Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr Seuss, was born in 1904.  His mother, Henrietta Seuss Geisel, often soothed him to sleep by chanting rhymes remembered form her youth.  Dr. Seuss credits his mother for his ability and desire to create the rhymes for which he became so well known.