Students read curated stories, watch short films and analyze art about individuals who have made a difference in their environment, and consider the discussion questions. Resources are organized by grade level
Earth Day Lesson Plans and Resources Curated for One Class Period
"Words Have Power" Film and Lesson Plans Organized by Grade Level
Inspire Students - Watch the film Words Have Power and learn how 10-year-old Jaysa rallied the community with her speeches about how the power plant causes asthma and “so much suffering.” When they succeed in shutting down the plant, Jaysa concludes that “words have power!”
Included are the Young Voices for the Planet Lesson Plans Organized by Grade Level - focusing on social justice, leadership and empowerment.
Impact of Plastic on Our Oceans: A short film for each grade level that explores the impact of plastic on our oceans.
High School: The Jetlagged and Plastic Pollution Coalition wants to show our addiction to plastics and raise awareness about the impact plastic waste has on the environment. (5:20 minutes run time)
Middle School: Plastic pollution is threatening the ocean's ecosystems, but we can work together to prevent further damage! (4:46 minutes run time)
Upper Elementary Students: Our world has a serious ocean plastics problem. There are now a higher number of plastics in the ocean than the number of fish. (4:39 minutes run time)
Younger Elementary Students: Pollution is not a species-specific problem. (4:00 minutes run time)
Discussion Questions: Adapt based on the age of students
1. Why is single-use plastic bad for the environment and oceans?
2. What changes need to be made to protect our food chain and the environment?
3. Where do you find single-use plastic? Look around your own home. What can you and your family do to make a difference?
Middle School: Read the story and watch the film to learn about Olivia who was inspired to make a difference after an oil spill.
Young Olivia loves birds, and creates over 500 paintings of her feathered friends to raise funds for Audubon's bird rescue.
Olivia raised funds for Audubon's bird rescue. This story has text with audio so students can listen as they read along.
Middle School: Learn about Wangari Maathai, founder of the Greenbelt Movement, through story and film.
11-year-old Felix from Germany was concerned about the climate crisis. As he researched this issue, he learned about Wangari Maathai. Felix was so inspired by her efforts, that he decided to create an action plan and started Plant for the Planet: Trees for Climate Justice. The goal is for school children in Germany to plant 1,000,000 trees.
Middle and High School: Choose a selection of films for students to watch and/or stories to read about environmental heroes.
Films About Environmental Heroes Making a Difference in Their Own Communities
Berta Cáceres rallied her indigenous Lenca people to wage a grassroots protest that successfully pressured the government of Honduras and the world's largest dam builder to withdraw from building the Agua Zarca Dam.
Stories About Environmental Activists
Suryo Wardhoyo Prawiroatmodjo educated people in Indonesia to protect the environment.
On the first day, Greta Thunberg, a climate activist with aspbergers, protested outside of Swedish Parliament alone. Now, she's leading 1.5 million students globally.
Dr. Vandana Shiva works to preserve biodiversity for the planet.
Listen and Read Along: The Following Stories Have Text and Audio
Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, was the mother of the environmental movement.
John Muir advocated preservation, feeling that natural areas promote mental health.
Discussion Questions:
1. How are these environmentalists featured in the films and stories living examples that an ordinary person can make a difference?
2. What character traits do these individuals share?
3. How are these environmental issues relevant today?
4. What environmental issues are you motivated to work towards improving? Who is making a postive difference? What can you do?
Learning Outcome
After having a discussion about these individuals and the positive impact they made on the environment, students will have a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting the environment and how one person can make a difference and become inspired to address an environmental issue important to their own lives.
Posters About Protecting the Environment: Students Consider Creating Your Own Environmental Poster to Submit to MY HERO
This poster for the Amplifier Foundation represents artist Ernesto Yerena's commitment to Native American heritage, issues and sacred lands
Artist Shepard Fairey of Obey Art has created many posters for the Amplifier Foundation and has been instrumental in the Kickstarter campaign to get the Amplifier Foundation off the ground.
Portraits of Two Environmental Heroes
Murals
Additional Environmental Films
For Homeschooling and Virtual Education to Enrich Learning Connected to the UN Sustainability Goal #14 Life Below Water: Activities Included
Students watch a selection of curated films from the MY HERO Multimedia Library to enhance learning at home and school.
Resources for both younger and upper elementary students that highlight the need for access to fresh water for all, as well as keeping water free from pollution. Resources are connected to Sustainable Development Goals #6 Clean Water and Sanitation and #14 Life Below Water.
For Homeschooling and Virtual Education to Enrich Learning Connected to the UN Sustainability Goal #14 Life Below Water: Activities Included
Students watch a selection of curated films from the MY HERO Multimedia Library to enhance learning at home and school.
Students watch a selection of curated films from the MY HERO Multimedia Library to enhance learning at home and school.
Celebrate the Best of Humanity Working on Ocean Conservation:Learning Connected to the UN Sustainability Goal #14 Life Below Water
Related Links
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The Earth Day lesson plan was created by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer. |
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students
Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
Earth Day Network
Growing out of Earth Day, Earth Day Network’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.
Organizer created on 3/14/2019 12:01:43 AM by Xenia Shin
Last edited 4/19/2022 2:14:38 PM by Laura Nietzer
