Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and… RESOURCES!: Your Earth Day Toolkit
Earth Day (April 22nd) offers a prime opportunity to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Finding quality, engaging resources, however, can be time-consuming. To make your planning easier, we’ve gathered a selection of stellar resources from our educational platforms, detailing why each is a valuable tool for your teaching toolbox.
BrainPOP & BrainPOP Jr.
BrainPOP is known for its concise, entertaining animated movies, and its Earth Day offerings are no exception. They tackle complex environmental issues in a way that’s accessible and captivating for students of all ages.
- BrainPOP (Grades 3-8+):
- Resource: Earth Day
- Value: Tim and Moby provide an excellent overview of the history of Earth Day and explain why environmental protection is necessary. It’s perfect for establishing foundational knowledge and initiating meaningful classroom discussions about global citizenship.
- BrainPOP Jr. (Grades K-3):
- Resource: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Value: Annie and Moby introduce the 3 Rs in a simple, relatable way for younger learners. This resource is exceptional at breaking down practical actions students can take immediately, making conservation personal and achievable.
Mystery Science
If you want to spark curiosity and encourage scientific inquiry, Mystery Science is fantastic. Their approach starts with an intriguing question, drawing students into a deeper investigation.
- Resource: Mystery Science Earth Day Collection (Note: Access Mystery Science through your Discovery Education Curriculum Pack).
- Value: These lessons often pose unique, engaging questions like "Where does garbage go?" or "How can you help protect the earth?". This inquiry-based approach transforms passive learning into active investigation, making environmental science exciting and memorable.
Flocabulary
Flocabulary brings learning to life through educational hip-hop music and videos. It’s an incredibly effective (and fun!) way to reinforce vocabulary and key concepts for students of all learning styles.
- Resource: Earth Day Lesson
- Value: Let's face it – the song is catchy. Using music aids in memory retention and boosts student engagement significantly. The corresponding lesson materials are strong for teaching relevant vocabulary (like 'conservation' or 'pollution') and fostering a positive, proactive attitude toward environmental responsibility.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education offers a vast library of high-quality digital content, including videos, virtual field trips, and interactive activities, often aligned with academic standards.
- Resource: Earth Day Content Collection
- Value: Their resources often feature diverse global perspectives and cutting-edge environmental science, helping students grasp the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the worldwide impact of environmental challenges.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for help with STEM and Instructional Technology by using our ecses-it@iu13.org email.
Frequently used links:
Maker Space Inventory of Materials
