April 22, 2010 is the 40th annual Earth Day celebration. Whether you teach about global warming and climate change or are just looking for a way to commemorate this anniversary with your students or children, here are 10 starting points.
How will you celebrate it in your home or classroom? Tell us here.
Hold a Debate – Read an in-depth Times Magazine or other Times article on a “green” issue, such as Nobel Prize-winning economist and Times columnist Paul Krugman’s piece “Building a Green Economy” or Jon Gertner’s“Why Isn’t the Brain Green?”. Then hold a classroom debate on the issues in the article. For example, readers of Krugman’s piece might debate whether addressing climate change is good or bad for the economy. To prepare, use one of our graphic organizers to promote understanding and analysis.
Go Paperless – Check out the Teach Paperless blog’s challenge to teachers to “go paperless” for Earth Day and find out how debate teams around the country are trying to reduce their use of p.... Did you sign the pledge? Why or why not? Have the class track and tally its use of paper over the course of one week, and then find ways to reduce paper use or even “go paperless” in the classroom.
Reflect on the Past – What do you know about Earth Day? Test your knowledge with our Student Crossword, then reflect on the evolution of Earth Day over the past 40 years. Start with the inaugural event in 1970, when the “commitment to make life better” was its driving force. How had public attitudes and environmental concerns changed by the time Earth Day hit 20and “shed its humble roots”? How has going global shifted its focus? How has it changed since students’ birth year? Answer our Student Opinion questionWhat Are You Doing for Earth Day?. How do your attitudes and beliefs about the environment compare with those of Earth Day celebrants of years past? Looking ahead, what’s your mission for future Earth Days?
Plant a Tree – Sometimes a simple idea is best. Reflect on the beauty, classification and value of trees with Olivia Judson’s Opinionator blog post“Tree-mendous” and our related lesson plan. Then plant a tree to commemorate Earth Day and/or Arbor Day.
Design an Invention – From literally reinventing the wheel to finding quick solutions for recharging electric cars to developing EcoTVs and “water batteries” for trees, people have been finding new technologies and gadgets to increase energy efficiency and decrease our carbon footprint. What green invention ideas do you have? Students might focus on realistic creations, such as green roofs (from Thinkfinity’s Earth Day resources), or they might let their imaginations run wild. Hold a “Green Convention” to share and present ideas.
