The Lorax

1. The Lorax Written by Dr. Seuss Geoff Toal

2. Overview of The Lorax • A boy looks for the Once-ler to try and find out what happened to the trees. • The Once-ler tells the story of how he is the reason all the tree’s are gone and the environment is ruined. • The Lorax tries to stop him and protect the trees and animals but the Once-ler doesn’t want his advice. • Once all the tree’s are gone his family leaves because there is no more money. • The Lorax leaves because there is no more tree’s or animals to protect. • The Once-ler realizes what the word “Unless” means and tells the boy he is responsible for changing the future.

3. How it relates to the course • Five Theories: • Task Roles • Psychology of meetings • Communication and Listening skills • Tuckmans theory • Resolving Conflict

4. Task Roles • The boy asking about trees: information seeker- asking for the story why the trees are gone. • Once-ler: information giver- tells the boy the story of the trees and the lorax. Procedure developer- built the factory, made the first Thneed, made inventions to improve business. Dominator- he would tell The Lorax what he was doing was ok no matter what he was told and justify it with different reasons. • The Lorax: Feeling expresser- told the Once-ler he shouldn’t cut down the tress. Information giver- He would explain why he would send the different animals away each time he did. Deserter- once all the trees are gone the lorax leaves.

5. Psychology of Meetings • Barkers and Biters: The Once-ler tells The Lorax what he is doing is helping people and The Lorax is stupid for not seeing his views. The Lorax is opposing him by standing his ground defending the trees. He would calmly say why he needed to stop and try to explain the damage being caused. • Silent Sufferers: the animals and trees were the silent sufferers because they couldn’t talk.

6. Communication and Listening Skills • The Lorax tries to open up a supportive communication climate throughout the book. The Lorax was using the 3 C’s rule: Clear, Credible, Confident. • The Once-ler has poor listening skills because he would: 1.interupt The Lorax 2.not look at him while he was talking. 3. not respond to his requests. 4. not pay attention to what The Lorax was telling him.

7. Tuckmans Theory • Storming- The Once-ler and The Lorax don’t move out of the storming stage. • Once-ler cuts down first truffula tree and The Lorax objects immediately. • Each time The Once-ler expands The Lorax tries to get him to stop. The Once-ler refuses to stop “Biggering” until the last tree gets cut down.

8. Resolving Conflict • The three steps for resolving conflict: • Prepare for resolution- After last tree gets cut down he see’s why The Lorax was trying to stop him. • Understand the situation- He thinks about what “Unless” could mean and how he could fix what he has done. • Reach agreement- Understands what the stones saying “Unless” mean. He gives the boy the seed to plant and protect to try and fix what he has done.

9. How it relates to my family • This book relates to my family because we are all pretty stubborn. • We go through cycles of storming (when there is a disagreement), norming (going about everyday life and normal interactions with each other), and performing (when there is a problem we all come together to try to help each other.)