National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...
National Park Service
What Can We Do?
Motivate young conservationists to stand up and make a change. After learning about the efforts in Cascade Nation Park to reduce carbon emissions in order to preserve the wilderness, students work in groups creating action plans for...
Polar Bears International
Taking Action!
Motivate young scientists to stand up and take action with this environmental science instructional activity. To begin, the class works in small groups brainstorming actions that support the conservation of the earth before creating and...
May Media Group
Treatment Plants
Young scientists explore nature's water treatment plants in this simple science demonstration. By placing a stalk of celery in a cup of water mixed with food coloring, children are able to observe how plants absorb nutrients and...
Berkshire Museum
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Sorting Through Personal Choices
Raise children's awareness about the importance of conservation with this hands-on science lesson plan. Start by breaking the class into groups and having them collect trash from around the school or local park. Students then use the...
SF Environment
Sort and Color!
Sorting is a very important skill that can be used in math and even science. Learners get familiar with some environmentally friendly vocabulary terms as they practice separating objects that can be recycled from those that can't. They...
Curated OER
You Can Depend On me
Discover the natural beauty of California. With a conservation bent, this activity delves into some of the attributes that make this state unique. Learners discuss Yosemite and the forest habitat. They focus on the things plants and...
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Happy Earth Day Coloring Book
From turning off lights when leaving a room, to biking or walking to school, there are many simple habits children can develop to help preserve the earth. Help raise environmental awareness in your class with this activity packet that...
Rustle Leaf
Tell Someone About Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day by spreading the word of conservation. Teach children ten easy ways to help preserve the Earth and share this knowledge with others by sending e-cards and printable cards to loved ones. Extend learning about the...
Disney
Earth Day Guide to Being Green
Have fun completing Earth Day related activities while learning about simple ways to preserve the Earth. Implement some of the ideas for going green as a class, like cleaning up a local park or planting a tree at school.
Curated OER
Reading Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers
Students discover the impact "Lady Bird" Johnson had on America by reading a short biography. In this historical persons lesson, students read a multi page biography of the former first lady and write a summary of her life's work....
Curated OER
Planting Trees to Help the Planet
Students react to a series of statements about trees, then read a news article about the planned planning of millions of trees to celebrate Arbor Day. In this planting trees lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion...
Curated OER
Recycled Vegetable Oil Powers Vans, Cars
Learners share their knowledge about fuel sources, then read a news article about vegetable oil as a cleaner alternative to gasoline. In this current events and environmental science lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Grocery Store Bans Plastic Bags
Students participate in the paper vs. plastic bag debate, then read a news article about one grocery store that is banning plastic bags. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a debate and a...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: I've Got Issues!
Young scholars study environmental issues from different perspectives. They look at the issues from the view of both preservationists and conservationists as they identify themselves with one group or the other. They determine how...
Curated OER
Creek Restoration Project
Students gather and analyze scientific data from a local creek. Over weeks or months, students observe their local environment, collect water samples, and evaluate test results. Extension activities are suggested for evaluating...
Curated OER
Lessons From the Lorax
Pupils read and discuss Dr. Seuss's The Lorax. They explore the changes the characters could have made to preserve the environment and relate the plot to real-world places and events.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Evolution of Conservation Movement
American Memory site documents the historical formation of the movement to conserve and protect America's natural heritage. Browse through literature, books, pamphlets, government documents, and manuscripts drawn from the collections of...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Indian Country Today
Essay on contemporary Native American lands and the environmental impact they have suffered, policy regarding them and public perception of how land and resources should be used.
PBS
Pbs Newshour Extra: What Does Earth Day Mean Today?
This article explains what Earth Day is and why it was founded. It also presents criticisms of the holiday. Includes suggestions for things we can all do to take care of the Earth.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: History of the Epa
A complete history of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency including a timeline, publications, biographies of administrators, origins of the Agency, and photographs.
Other
Iucn: The World Conservation Union
Conservation network which works to protect nature through scientific study, having a dialogue with governments, and education.
Other
Cuso
CUSO is a Canadian organization similar in mission and purpose as the United States' Peace Corps. Founded in 1961, CUSO has grown into a dynamic organization working to combat poverty and inequality, aid human rights, treat HIV/AIDS, and...
Other
Kids for a Clean Environment
Don't just complain about what is happening to the environment, become involved in environmental issues and make a change. Here's an organization that is enabling kids to make those changes.