The Lorax - Save The Animals

Introduction

WHHAAAAPPPOOOWWWWW!!!

Welcome to the land of the Lorax. Take a look around. See those beautiful fluffly colorful trees all around? Those are the Truffula Trees. They are the most beautiful trees around.

THUMMPPP!!

Look! there is the Lorax himself! We haven't seen him in many many years. After the Once-ler came an destroyed the land, the Lorax flew off into the sky and we haven't seen him since! You are a lucky person to be admist the great Lorax himself! Listen close to what he says, you may not hear it again.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. You are here in the wonderous land of the Truffula Trees. We have lost this beautiful land before and now it is your job to protect my animal friends from any harm that may come their way! The trees and animals are unique to this land. Make sure that we don't lose them again."

Task

For the beginning of this lesson the teacher will read The Lorax aloud.

Each memeber of the group will be in charge of one animal friend in the Lorax. For the animal each student will have to make a habitat where their animal would survive after having to leave their home because of the Once-ler. For a habitat to be successful each student will have to provide food, water, shelter and protection for their animal.

Based on information in the book, websites provided and student imagination, students will answer questions about their animal.

Process

For you to complete your task your group will have one person for each designated friend in The Lorax. In The Lorax we have three friends that are suffereing from the actions of the mean old Once-ler. The friends are called Swamee-Swam, Brown Barbaloots, and Humming Fish. These friends are Swans, Bears and Fish. Your personal task in your group is to answer the following questions about your animal friend:

    - What does your animal eat? (food)

    - Where would your animal  live? (shelter)

    - Where would your animal go for water?(water)

    - What in their habitat protects them from a future Once-ler that may come and try to destroy their habitat? (protection)

Using the links provided below you will be able to find the answers to the questions above and fun facts about your animals.

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/grizzly-bear/

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/swan/

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/catfish/

Your task is to write down the answers to the four questions above and write down three fun facts about your animal friend.

Once you have researched your animal and have all your facts and answers written down, you will come together as a group and share about your animal.

Your final task as a group is to create a poster that incorporates all three habitats together. The poster should dscribe how humans have impacted the animals habitat. On the bottom of the poster there should be three things that humans can either stop doing or start doing to help the animals survive in their habitat. For your poster you will be provided a white poster board, markers, crayons, colored pencils and rulers. Your task is to use the provied materials to create your imaginary habitat to share with the class.

Evaluation
Process Below Avg. Satisfactory Excellent
1. Has clear vision                   of final product 1 2 3
2. Properly organized to complete                   project 1 2 3
3. Managed time wisely 1 2 3
4. Acquired needed knowledge base 1 2 3
5. Communicated efforts with teacher 1 2 3
Product (Project) Below Avg. Satisfactory Excellent
1. Format 1 2 3
2. Mechanics of speaking/writing 1 2 3
3. Organization and structure 1 2 3
4. Creativity 1 2 3
5. Demonstrates knowledge 1 2 3

6. Other:

 1 2 3

Comments:

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have saved the animals of the Lorax! They will be forever saved from your hard work and effort! The Lorax is very proud and grateful!

Credits
Teacher Page

After reading the book The Lorax by Dr. Suess, the teacher will divide the class into groups of three. In each group each student will have a unique role of researching a animal friend from The Lorax. After each student has researched their animal friend the group will make a habitat that will support all three animals.

CCSS:

W.3.2:

     Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convery ideas and information clearly.

NGSS:

ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems

MS-LS2-2.Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on predicting consistent patterns of interactions in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms and abiotic components of ecosystems. Examples of types of interactions could include competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial.]