Earth Day (Grades 8-12)

Grade/Subjects:

• Grades 9-12 Sciences; Social Studies (Environmental)

Topic/Length:

• Celebrating Earth Day (April 22) 40 mins.

Objectives:

• To introduce aspects of Earth Day and how to maintain our shrinking environment.

Common Essential Learnings:

• critical and creative thinking
• personal & social values 

Prerequisite Student Learnings:

• some basic concepts of Earth Day
• why we promote Earth Day
• what is the future of the Earth

Methods/Strategies:

• Set: 5-10 mins. Introduce concept and history of Earth Day
• • Ask for anecdotes from students (Do they know what Earth Day is? Have they participated in Earth Day activities? What have they done or their family/school done to promote Earth Day, etc.)
• Development:  15 mins Earth Day presentation and discussion. Talk about the information that is communicated in the presentation.
• • 15 mins. Discuss and explore concepts and principles around Earth Day.
• Puppet-Show Presentation: 10 mins. Presentation provided by Street Culture Project.
• Closure: 5-10 mins. Review Earth Day and discuss projects the students may undertake.

Materials/Resources:

• Printed material from Earth Day activities in Regina
• Earth Day Canada's website and their children's website Ecokids
• National Waste Reduction Week website

Assessment/Evaluation:

• Nothing formal – question for understanding.

Reflections/Notes:

• A good lesson for a social studies class (the Environment)

• Use in beginning classes Junior Science or Social Studies with focus on appropriate topics for that particular discipline.