Page 111 - BB_Textbook
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UNLESS
Here is a video clip from the 2012 film, UNLESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V06ZOQuo0k
UNLESS expands on
the story of The Lorax.
In the scene depicted
in this video clip, the
Once-ler is shown as
a young man. It is
a flashback for he is
relating his story to a
young boy. Then the
scene shifts to the young boy making sense of what the Once-ler has told him. Watch this scene from the film and discuss these questions.
Step One. Pair. Square. Take ten minutes to pair and square with classmates to answer the first five questions. Appoint one member to take good notes. Save your notes.
1. Describe the environment in this story before the company started.
2. Why did the Once-ler do what he did?
3. Describe the changes in the environment.
4. What are thneeds and their function, and what’s your
opinion on the usefulness of thneeds?
5. How could the Once-ler have managed his company to
protect natural resources and manufacture thneeds?
Step Two. Take ten more minutes to pair and square again (same classmates) to answer the next five questions, and keep good notes.
6. Do all trees need to be protected? What are good guidelines for protecting plants and trees?
7. What did the Once-ler mean by “UNLESS?”
8. What responsibility does the Once-ler think “someone
like you” must take?
9. Compare how the Once-ler feels about the environment
at the beginning and the end of the story. Does he
have the same attitude about the environment in the beginning of his business endeavor as he does at the end of the story? Does he change? Has he any regrets?
10. The Once-ler explains his actions by saying, “If I didn’t do it, someone else would.” Is this a good excuse for doing what he did?
Step Three. And take ten more minutes to pair and square (same classmates) to answer the last five questions. Yes, keep good notes.
11. Why does the Lorax say he speaks for the trees? Who or what does he represent?
12. Describe the last time that the Lorax is in the story. Does he give up?
13. Can one person destroy the environment? Can one person preserve the environment?
14. A story that teaches a lesson is called a fable or a parable. A fable teaches a lesson. A parable is more open-ended; it asks the reader to consider many different positions and outcomes. What is Dr. Seuss’ purpose in writing this story? Is it a fable? Or a parable?
15. What are our (and your) responsibilities for preserving the environment? Can we prevent what happened
in the Lorax in our community? Identify examples of irresponsibility with the environment in our community. What is our (your) responsibility to correct irresponsible behavior?
Step Four. When your square has completed the last question, raise your eight hands. At the appointed time, each square is to share thoughts on all fifteen questions with the whole class.
Journaling
Every chapter concludes with a personal writing exercise. Journaling is an important norm that challenges you to keep thinking, reflecting, and writing. It is freewriting, in one sense. However, it is well-considered reflection, in another sense.
By the end of this chapter, you and your classmates—
alone or alongside peers of other schools through global classrooms—have worked on a number of activities, tasks, and norms related to Identity. You have pondered name, lineage, individuality, and collectivity. You have also combined SLA and sustainable development learning. Reflect here on the Guiding Questions posed at the start of the chapter.
Step One. Allow yourself thirty minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time to journal.
Step Two. Use a notebook that you are sure to keep.
Step Three. Date your entry. Add your own title. Note the
chapter topic and your grade level.
Step Four. Write honestly. Journaling is not to be graded. Your teacher will, however, check to see that you have completed your journaling.
Step Five. With your written permission, Bending Bamboo asks to use your journaling anonymously for purposes of Action Research. In this case, your teacher will make a copy of your entry, provide no attribution that this is your journaling, and work with Bending Bamboo colleagues
to assess your progress, and how useful you find the Bending Bamboo materials. Tell your teacher if you are willing to share your anonymous journaling. Thank you for considering this request.
BENDING BAMBOO
CLIMATE | CHAPTER 2 111