The Lorax

Buy This Book * More books by Dr. Seuss

In this haunting fable about the dangers of destroying our forests and woodlands, the long-suffering Lorax struggles to save all the Truffula Trees from the wicked Once-ler’s axe.

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

English

• Can you identify the rhyming patterns used on each page of the book?
• Some of the rhyming patterns match those in a limerick. Could you try to write your own limericks or find out some popular ones?
• Could you make a list of words that rhyme with some of the ones used by the author?
• Before reading the book, think about what a ‘Lorax’ might be. What does it look like?
• The story includes a number of made-up words. Can you explain what they mean? Could you make up your own words and write a definition?
• Can you find any examples of alliteration in the story?
• Imagine that you are the little boy at the start of the story. Write a diary entry / description of your visit to the Once-ler. Why did you go? How did you get there? What did you think of the explanation?
• Make an advert for a Thneed, explaining the different ways that it could be used.
• Write a persuasive letter, from the point of view of the Lorax, to ask the Once-ler to stop cutting down the trees.
• Write a sequel to the book. What might happen to the boy and his Truffala Seed?
• Compare the book with the animated movie. Which do you prefer? Why? How are they similar / different?

Science

• Write a scientific report about one of the plants / animals mentioned in the story. Where does it live? How is it adapted to life there?
• Find out how trees help us. What are the consequences of cutting down large numbers of trees?
• Create a set of instructions to teach somebody how to grow and look after a Truffala tree.

Computing

• Use publishing software to make a poster to advertise the book.
• Use a paint program to draw what you think the Once-ler looks like.
• Make a leaflet encouraging people to look after the environment.
• Record your own narrated version of the story with music and sound effects. Watch this example for inspiration:

Art

• Look at the use of colour in the illustrations. Where are the pictures bright and colourful? When are they dull and gloomy? Could you draw the same scene twice, using bright and then dull colours? Which do you prefer? Why?

Music

• Could you compose a tune to accompany some of the rhymes in the story?

Geography

• Draw a map that shows the different places mentioned in the story. Use the directions that the Once-ler gives to his family to help you.
• Find out about environmental issues that are affecting our world. How are they caused? How can we try to help?
• Make a persuasive poster to encourage people to look after the environment by saving energy / recycling etc.
• Can you find the locations of different forests on a map? Are any of the forests protected to stop people from cutting down trees?

PSHE

• The Once-ler is greedy and selfish. What are the consequences of his actions?