18: The Gifts We Give
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Imagine what it would be like to live in a world made of plastic; to have trees that are manufactured in factories that have different features and come in numerous designs. Imagine having to buy your own air just to be able to breathe. Will you live a happy life? In the town of Thneedville, the people seem content with a life like this. This week, the kindergarteners continued their inquiry on wood as a material, especially its source and how to use it sustainably. We anchored our lessons on The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, which we watched as a class throughout the week. “What do you think will the world be like without trees?” I ask. “It will be sad. We will not have air for breathing.” “The Once-ler used the trees to make Thneeds. Do you think that’s okay?” “No, he cut off all the trees! The animals don’t have their houses anymore.” “But we also use trees for many things. Do you think that’s oka