These Lorax discussion questions are exactly what you need in the classroom this year! Whether you’re looking for a fun assignment for your middle and high school students during Earth Day or you just need an easy activity to keep them engaged, this activity is for you!
This post is all about Lorax discussion questions for your middle and high school students!
The Lorax was written in 1971 by Dr. Seuss and still remains a timeless addition to any science classroom. During the 1960s and 1970s the modern environmental movement received a heavy spotlight in the United States and became one of the top concerns of Americans. From the release of the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson which highlighted the interconnectivity of humans and Earth to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency by President Nixson, eco-consciousness was at the forefront of the minds of most.
The Lorax was an incredibly timely book for this movement as it provides a rhythmic and relatable storyline of the problem with pollution on our Earth. In the book, the Once-ler discovers an opportunity to use Truffula Trees to create Theeds. Once he received some success from selling Theeds, he created a business, continuing to cut down Truffula Trees to create the product. He invites others to help him as his business continues to grow. The Lorax, the speaker for the trees, enters the scene to advise the Once-ler not to cut Truffula Trees. As the Once-ler continues to grow his business the Lorax continues to point out the environmental consequences of his actions.
The book is easy to read and interpret and can be used by students in Elementary and up.
How I Use the Lorax Discussion Questions:
These Lorax discussion questions are a great opportunity to kickstart conversation in your classroom. They provide critical thinking and promote a deeper understanding of a seemingly simple book.
Download discussion questions here:
Tips for how to use Lorax discussion questions
Using these questions to kickstart the conversation, students can discuss lessons from the Lorax. These questions can also be used as the Lorax essay topics.
Here are some major themes in the Lorax book:
- Environmental stewardship
- Conservation
- Responsibility
- Understanding how humans impact the environment
- Impacts of pollution on the environment
- Deforestation
- Overconsumption
- Economic growth and environmentalism
This activity can be downloaded on Teachers Pay Teachers as the Lorax questions pdf. This makes it easy to use electronically or print and cut.
My favorite way to use these cards is to laminate the lorax questions and cut them up. Next, I break the students into groups, handing them each one or two cards. After giving the students a few minutes to discuss themselves, I have them present their answers to the classroom.
This makes for a great quick activity to help reinforce environmental lessons taught throughout the year. You can also use these questions as an easy Earth Day activity for your students. Don’t foget to get your copy of the Lorax!
12 Lorax Discussion Questions for Middle and High School Students
- Who is the Lorax? What does he represent? Who is the once-ler? What does he represent?
- What was the natural resource the Once-ler used? What product did he make with this resource? Could he have made this product without using this resource? How?
- What was the environment like before the once-ler arrived? Was it a type of environment you would want to live in?
- What was the environment like after the once-ler chopped down trees? Did it have any impact on the health of the Lorax?
- How did the once-lers business impact the Bar-ba-loots? The Swomee-Swans? The Humming-Fish?
- How do you think the Once-ler felt after the last Truffula Tree was chopped? Do you think the once-ler learned his lesson? If so, what was the lesson?
- Why do you think the Lorax was so mad at the Once-ler? Why do you think the Once-ler didn’t listen to him?
- Why do you think the Once-ler felt like he had to grow bigger and bigger? Do you think the Once-ler was wrong for continuing to grow?
- What does the Lorax mean when he says “he speaks for the trees?” In the real world do we have a responsibility to speak for the trees? Why or why not?
- The Lorax says “Sir! You are crazy with greed.” What is greed? Do you agree with the Lorax? Why or why not?.
- How much does the Once-ler pay for each Truffula tree he uses? How much does he charge for each Theed? Is there an environmental cost to making theeds? What is it?
- What are some of the sustainable strategies the Once-ler gives to the boy in the story? Can you think of any others?
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