As we learn about the environment in Full Circle, I thought a great way to spice up class and teach at the same time, would be to show The Lorax movie, based on the Dr. Seuss book.

Two weeks ago, after dinner, all the primary students at Usa River Academy were gathered in the dining hall to watch the film on the “big screen”… well, projected on a wall.  Of course, it was a big hit.  In case you haven’t watched or read The Lorax, it is about a world in which nobody cares about the environment, until it doesn’t really exist anymore.  Between laughing at strange creatures, singing, and staring wide-eyed, I’d say they had a good time.  And even better, one week later, they still remembered the point of the film.

Last Friday, during their Personal and Social Education (or PSE) class, their teachers and I led some discussion about the movie.  Who were the characters?  What did they do?  Why did the Once-ler’s business fold?  Who was that funny orange guy and why did he “speak for the trees”?

After a thorough discussion of the movie and what it all meant, we asked them to tell us what the environment means to THEM.  They did this in the form of a letter…to the earth—Mother Earth to be precise.  A brief explanation of who “Mother Earth” is was necessary, of course, but the letters that we received from them were priceless.  It is always amazing for me to see what they comprehend and how they express themselves, when given the opportunity.  Below is David Daniel’s letter for your reading pleasure.  Enjoy!

Here is David:

And here is his letter to Mother Earth:

It says:

I like trees because they have fresh air. This is the following that I will do in [the] environment:

Watering the garden and environment is clean

To make sure there [they’re] not cutting down trees

To plan[t] another trees

To take care of environment

Dear Mother Earth,

I like to sit under the trees to get fresh air. I like to lay in the grass. Thank you for providing a good environment.

I speak for you.

David