Lesson 3: "The Lorax"
A Thematic Unit on the Environment

Grade Level: 1st (adaptable for any elementary level)

Subjects: Language Arts, Science and Social Studies

Learner Outcomes:

• Students will become familiar with the author Dr. Seuss and recognize his literary and illustrative styles.
• Students will identify rhyming words in the story.
• Students will learn about rain forests, their locations, and maintaining a healthy habitat for survival.
• Students will become familiar with rain forest environmental issues.

Duration of Lesson: Four (45 minute sessions) and one (60 minute session)

Materials:

• Reading Resources by Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
• Video, The Lorax
• Construction and tissue paper, scissors, and glue
• Tempera paint, brushes, and containers with water for cleaning brushes

Technology Tools/Courseware:

• Computer lab with internet access or one computer with projection device.
• T.V. with VCR.

Teacher Notes:

• Contact Department of Natural Resources or Local Forestry Group
• Get supplies for construction of mini rain forest.
• Contact parent volunteers for help with rain forest construction and/or computer lab work.

Procedures:
 

Session 1:   60 minutes.
• Read the story, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss to the students.
• Discuss the story asking questions during the reading.


Session 2:   45 minutes

• Have the students view the video, The Lorax.
• Compare and contrast the book and video. A fun way to make comparisons is by using hula hoops to make a Venn Diagram on the floor.  Give students note cards upon which they can write their ideas. Then process the card writings in whole group. Each student place their card in the correct part of the Venn Diagram that corresponds to their idea.

Session 3:   45minutes
• Discuss rain forest, its layers, preservation and what is needed to maintain good health. This will begin as a whole group activity using a computer and projection devise so students may view the site.
• Allow the students time in the computer lab or in small groups on classroom computers to do the activities that will teach them about the lesson objectives.


Session 4:  45 minutes

• Students will learn about some of the flora and fauna of the rain forest. If the students do not have access to a computer lab then the teacher may hook an internet accessible computer to a TV gold box or other viewing devise that allows the computer screen to be seen on a larger T.V. Students may also do more conventional research using books and magazines. "National Geographic for Kids" or "Zoobooks" are good sources.
• Using The Magic School Bus theme, have the students take and make a virtual tour of the rain forest.

Session 5:   45 minutes
• Relate the story The Lorax to preservation of rain forests.
• Review the facts studied about flora and fauna of the rain forest habitat.
• Have the students create flora and fauna using construction and tissue paper and paint.  Designate a portion of the room or hallway to recreate a rain forest.  An added touch could include music with rain forest sounds.

Modifications:

• The computer lab is a barrier free environment.
• The students will have help making rain forest from parent volunteers and/or fifth grade partners.
• Students may work on internet sites with a parent volunteer or fifth grade partner.

Enrichment Activities:

• The ideas of forest preservation may be used to study local, deciduous forests.  Have the students collect leaves, identify, and compile into a booklet.
• Invite a local DNR officer or forester to come and talk to the students about forest preservation and responsible logging practices in your local area. May have Smokey the Bear come to the class to talk to the students. This organization usually brings young seedlings and printed literature for the students to do.
• Have the students research what products come from local trees.
• Children will write letters to their state legislators supporting the end of "clear cutting" timber practices because of erosion and habitat destruction issues.

Evaluation/Assessment:

• The students will recognize other works of Dr. Seuss by identifying his illustrative and literary styles.
• Each student will participate in guided story discussion.
• The students will listen attentively to guest speakers.
• Students will orally tell and/or draw and label the layers of the rain forest.
• Students will orally list three or more examples of flora and fauna found in the rain forest.
• Students will be able to tell two or more ideas about strategies of rain forest preservation.
• The students' leaf collections will contain at least 8 correctly labeled leaves.

West Virginia IGO's:
Language Arts: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.13, 1.15,1.115, 1.116.
Social Studies: 1.7, 1.10, 1.11, 1.14, 1.15, 1.17.
Science: 1.5, 1.8, 1.11, 1.15, 1.28, 1.29, 1.33, 1.51, 1.70.

National Standards:
Geography:

• Standard 5: Understands the concepts of regions.

Environment and Society:

• Standard 14: Understands how human actions modify the physical environment.
• Standard 16: Understands the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution and importance of resources.
• Standard 18: Understands global development and environmental issues.

Language:

• Listening and Speaking: Standard 8: Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
• Viewing: Standard 9: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.
• Media: Standard 10: Understands the characteristics and components of media.

Science:

• Standard 6: Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment.
• Standard 7: Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life.

References:

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
• The Lorax Video
• http://www.ran.org/kids_action/index.html
• http://www.msu.edu/~urquhar5/tour/

The above sites may be used as a references for additional information and hands-on activities.

Author:
Roianne Hackett
Gail Poling
Bonne Riffle

Union Elementary School,Upshur Co.
 
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5