Earth Day Resources for Teachers

posted by: Alix | April 18, 2012, 09:17 PM

This Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day! A day of recognition held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment, Earth Day is currently celebrated in more than 192 countries, and is considered the largest civic observance in the world. While there is a range of Earth Day activities and events offered for the over 1 billion participants, the occasion is a perfect opportunity to discuss environmental issues with students of all ages.

If you are planning on discussing Earth Day or the environment in your classroom, there are some fantastic online resources for reading, sharing and contributing:

Earth Day Network: The Earth Day Network offers a comprehensive listing of Earth Day events, suggestions for Earth Day activities, discussions of environmental issues, and educational resources for teachers and students alike.

Kid's Domain Earth Day Page: This website provides Earth Day games, free downloads, cards, songs, activities, stories, crafts, recipes, and clip art. Download the Planet ARK Earth Disk, which includes an environmental dictionary and teaching guides for a number of environmental topics. The adopt-a- rainforest-animal activity will help elementary students get involved by providing concrete examples of endangered species throughout the world.

WWF International: This website, the online presence of the organization dedicated to protecting nature, offers information and resources about animals, plants, biomes, and Earth as a living macrocosm. The site is full of news and information, and the Just for Kids section includes a virtual wildlife page that zooms in on animals and their habitats. The photo gallery and video library combine to help make wildlife come to life for students.

Scholastic Teachers: Scholastic's teacher website provides online activities for educators interested in all environmental issues. One of their notable Earth Day projects consists of six ready-to-use lessons on recycling, composting, water conservation, gas emissions, and natural resources.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA's website has a section for Earth Day enthusiasts and even shares K-12 lesson plans for interested teachers. The resources touch on everything from the history of Earth Day to green school initiatives. Social media channels allow students and teachers to join the conversation about environmental issues in their communities.

Do you plan on discussing Earth Day in your classroom? Do you have any suggestions about addressing environmental issues with students?
Comment below.

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