Your task in this activity is to compare two opposing views on an ecological issue. One view is presented in the book The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss.  The other opinion can be found in The Truax, written by Terri Birkett.  Both of these works can be found on-line at the links below.

Essential Question:     What is the best way to make use of our natural resources?

• Focus questions:

  What  (answer all of these questions):

• What is the Lorax's position about using natural resources? about pollution?
• What does the Truax say about the use of natural resources? about pollution?

So What: (Pick three)

• What is clear cutting, selective cutting?
• What are six products made from wood ? List other materials that can be used to make each of these products.
• What is the ecological impact of a product made from wood? 
• What is the ecological impact of a product made from plastic?
• What kind of pollution is caused by the manufacturing of wood products?
• What kind of pollution is caused by the manufacturing of plastic products?
• What does ecologically sustainable mean? Give three examples

Now What: What is your opinion about the positions taken by each book?  Use facts to back up your answer.

• Definitions of Important Terms. (Make sure to define these terms using examples from the stories.)

Natural Resources	Stewardship	Endangered
Renewable Resources	Non-RenewableResource	Producer
Pollution	Biodiversity	The Carbon Cycle

Research links:

The Lorax
The Truax

Timber Harvest- from the National Forest Service
Timber Harvest Plan from Minnesota
The Influence of Timber Harvest and Floods on the Distribution of Exotic Plants
Effect of Timber Harvest on Fresh Water Animals
How to Recognize a Good Timber Harvest
Pollution from Plastic
Marine Plastic Pollution (pdf)
Pollution from Plastics
Disposable Foam Products
Using Plastic