Computer Lab

Earth Day
Middle School

Earth Day, which began on April 22, 1970, was the dream of one man - Gaylord Nelson. Take a minute to read the history of Earth Day.

Since Earth Day is this month, we are going to take some time to reflect on the Earth and our environment. First, you will be watching a presentation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax on a computer in the lab. After you watch the video, you will be creating a newspaper about The Lorax using Microsoft Word and then taking a short quiz about The Lorax.

Create Your Newspaper
(See a sample paper with instructions)

Your newspaper should be saved as Earth Day in your folder and should include:

1. Create a Nameplate for your paper which should include the name of your paper and the Issue number and/or date. Be creative with this - both in naming your paper and the fonts used. Use word art or a fancy font but the information must be readable. Include a picture if wish. Your nameplate must be in the header of your Word document. Don't know how to edit the header of your document?
   • Select View > Header and Footer
   • Edit your nameplate information in the header
   • Select Close to return to the standard part of your document. Note: The header will appear to be grayed out or a lighter color than you used - it really is the color you selected and will print that way but shows the way it does so you know the information is in the header of your document.
2. Two columns for your articles. If you've ever read a newspaper, you'll notice that the information is broken in to columns. Set your columns before you start writing:
   • Select Format > Columns
   • Select the number of columns you want by clicking on one of the preset buttons or by entering a number in the "Number of columns" box
   • Use the default width and spacing that Word provides.
   • Click the "Line between" check box to insert a line between the columns if you wish.
   • Click OK.
3. Write your Feature Article. You are a reporter writing an article about what happened with the Lorax and the Once-ler and the Truffula trees, etc. Read the sample paper to see what your article should include. Don't forget a title and a byline for your article and you must include at least one picture with your article! If you need help remembering what happened during The Lorax, there is a copy of this book in the class that you can look at or you can see the text here.
   Some hints: 
   • Most newspaper articles justify the text so that it fits equally right to left. 
   • White space on the page (spaces between paragraphs, for example) and short paragraphs work best.
   • You can get some clip art pictures at LucyLearns.com for your article or some pictures from the see the text here link above or create your own images of Truffula Trees, The Lorax, Bar-ba-loots, etc. using Paint or PhotoFiltre or KidPix. Any pictures you use should fit into your document with the text and not just be centered in the column. To do this:
   • Click on your picture to select it.
   • Select Format > Picture > Layout Tab
   • Select the appropriate option: to place your photo to the right of your text, select Tight and Right and to place it to the left of your text, select Tight and Left
4. Write the Letter To The Editor from The Lorax. Once again refer to the sample paper to see what this should include. Remember you should be writing this from the point of view of the Lorax.
5. Create an ad for Thneeds. Be creative with this one. If you think that the Once-ler is stuck with a warehouse full of these, create a Clearance Sale ad. If, on the other hand, you think that these are now rare, create an ad that reflects that. Do not just use text for this ad. It needs to be visual to catch the eye of your prospective buyers.

Newspaper Checklist: You must answer YES to all of these questions to be finished with your newspaper.

1. Does your newspaper have a nameplate with a newspaper name and issue number and/or date in the header of your document?
2. Is your newpaper formatted in two columns?
3. Does your feature article have a Title and a Byline?
4. Does your feature article attempt to answer the Who, What, Where, When, Why & How questions of what happened in The Lorax?
5. Did you include at least one picture in your feature article?
6. Does your letter to the editor contain persuasive language?
7. Is the letter to the editor written from the point of view of the Lorax?
8. Do you have an eye-catching ad for Thneeds?
9. Is your newspaper saved as Earth Day in your folder?

Lorax Quiz

If you answered YES to all of the above, take the Lorax Quiz and then you can visit some Earth Day fun sites - scroll up for these and check the right-hand side of your screen.

Grading
(55 Points Possible)

1 point will be lost for each error on the quiz and error or incomplete item on the newspaper.

Earth Day Fun

• Lorax Save The Trees Game
• What is Your Ecological Footprint
• The Greens
• EcoKids Games & Activities
• DLTK's Earth Day Games 
• Earth Day Games at Primary Games
• Kaboose Earth Day Games
• Dumptown Game
• Blow Your Mind
• FoodWeb Kerplunk
• EekoWorld

Do not go to the fun sites until you have completed your assigned work!