Description:

This cooperative unit uses the story of the Lorax by Dr. Seuss to investigate legal issues and how the choices people make affect others. Students will assume the roles of the story's characters and legal representatives when the Once-ler is tried for criminal negligence. A mock court hearing determines whether the Once-ler is responsible for the environmental catastrophe. After the trial, the class continues to work with the story in a creative writing assignment in which the students create a sequel and then a choose-your-own-adventure story in which they imagine different connections and consequences if other choices had been made. A surprise event occurs after the trial, once again involving the cutting of Trufula trees, but this time, the suspects are right in the school. The class will investigate the mysterious crime and become forensic scientists as they examine the clues and evidence left behind in order to solve the mystery.