The Lorax



Objective: interpreting events and meaning in The Lorax & how it conveys the importance of sustainable development and harvesting.



The Lorax is a fictional story about a man who abused the environment and about what he learned. The story begins in the most run-down part of a dull, gray town. A small boy asks the Once-ler to share the secret of the Lorax and how he was "taken away". Thus, the story is told as a flashback as the Once-ler talks about the Lorax and past events.



The characters of the story include:



The Once-ler , a businessman

The Lorax, a leader of the plants and animals in the natural world.



1. The Once-ler moved across the land in his wagon. He came upon a new region with an important natural resource (a plant, animal or mineral that can be used by people.). What was this natural resource?



2. People often appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Did the Once-ler have feelings about the region and natural resource he found? What were they?



3.The Once-ler used the land's natural resource to start a business which made and sold a product. What was the product and how was it to be used by the buyers?



4.The Lorax appeared at this point and asked the Once-ler some angry questions. What did the Lorax want to know of the Once-ler and what was his response?



5.The Once-ler, like others in business, organized a system to manufacture and distribute his product. Listed below are several parts of a manufacturing process. Describe if and how each of the following was used in the story.



a. Raw materials-



b Laborers (workers)-



c. Assembly line-



d. Energy-



e. Shipping/transportation-



f. Communication-



6.What technology did the Oncer-ler invent to increase the production of thneeds?



7.How did the production of thneeds affect a biotic and an abiotic natural resource?



a. Biotic



b. Abiotic



8.Can you think of a real example in which human activities have altered the interdependence in a natural system? (Hint: we have discussed several in class)



9.A byproduct of sawing wood is sawdust. Sometimes a byproduct of technology can be dangerous or unwanted (poisonous gas) or they can be useful (wood chips can be used to make particle board). What were two byproducts that resulted from making thneeds?



10. Were the byproducts helpful or harmful to the environment?



11. Describe the effect of the byproducts on the swans, fish, and bears.



a. Swans



b. Fish



c. Bears



12. What is the significance of the Once-ler being called the Once-ler? (Why is he named that?)





13. Describe at least three positive or good things that came from making the thneeds.



1.



2.



3.



14. On the bottom of this paper compose a letter (from the Once-ler's point of view) to his future children explaining the importance of sustainable development and harvesting. Due at the beginning of the next class time. Include three things:



what you did wrong



what you did right



what you would do over if he could do it again. Include the term (and definition) of "sustainable harvest".





The Lorax







A sustainable resource is a resource that is used up at the same speed that it is renewed. Sustainability describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time, a necessary condition for continuation.



Write a letter to your "children" giving them advice on running a successful, sustainable business using a resource in the state of Washington (you don't want your children to make the same mistakes The Onceler did!). The letter needs to be (introduction, body, closing), each.



Choose from the following Washington State resources that are commercially (for $$) harvested:



timber (trees)



shellfish (oysters, clams, crab)



fish (salmon, flounder, halibut)



farm produce (fruits and vegetables)