“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not!” – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss
Oh, the fun (and learning) that went on at HHS on March 2nd, 2012, Read Across America Day! Throughout the day teachers incorporated Dr. Seuss books, activities, and projects within each classroom followed by an afternoon of fun filled engaging activities! To begin the afternoon reading coach, Melanie Matthews, read The Lorax. The focus of the lesson was to teach students that our environmental surroundings affect everyone and everything, with a targeted focus on pollution and the value of trees. In the story an industrial plant was responsible for polluting the environment and cutting down all the Truffula Trees in a small town, which in turn, left this town empty and barren. So, ‘The Lorax’ assigned students to replenish the ‘trees’ by replanting, with hopes that ‘the town’ would once flourish again. K-8th grade students began the replanting process – with the assistance of Jake Dean and Cassidy Balkcom - by designing their own Truffula Tree using cupcakes, pretzel sticks, green icing, and cotton candy. (Yes, Mrs. Janette Moseley and our WONDERFUL lunchroom staff made 560 cupcakes!!!) To extend this lesson, each grade level then experienced the process of planting one-year-old oak and maple trees (donated by Adam Worthington, AL Forestry Commission). These trees are now flourishing in planters and will be transplanted when maturity is reached. Until then, students must “care a whole awful lot” for these trees so that one day we may all enjoy them on the HHS campus.
The following Friday students enjoyed watching The Lorax at The Edge Theater in Greenville followed by a picnic style lunch. To say the least, Read Across America 2012 was exciting, educational, and engaging for HHS students!
~Special To the Blog- Reading Coach Melanie Matthews
