Earth Day Every Day!

Overview     Introduction    The Task     Process      Resources     Evaluation      Conclusion     Teacher Resources


Overview

Earth Day is a day set aside each year for all of us to think about environmental issues concerning our planet.  There are many ways to celebrate the Earth and take care of our home.  Some people consider Earth Day to be the Earth's birthday.  If we truly want to save and protect our planet, we have to make Earth Day Everyday!


 

Introduction

Your school and your home are environmental catastrophes!  It is your task to create a master plan to encourage your school and your family to become as Earth friendly as possible by Earth Day 2003.
 


 
 

The Task

Each group will have a four member  Environmental Improvement Team

In your small groups, you will research Earth Day and how you and other students in your school can improve the environment.  Make Earth Day Every Day!

You will create a Power Point presentation with text and graphics.  This presentation will serve as your proposal for improving the environment.  Get your school and family involved!

 
 

The Process

1. Decide which role each group member will take.

2.  Using the resources below, gather information and suggestions about celebrating Earth Day by becoming more environmentally aware.  The Historian will gather information about the history of Earth day.

3.  Think about the suggestions  and how you could apply them to your job.

4.  Choose 6-10 suggestions that could realistically be applied within your area (home, school, outside school building).

5.  As a group, you will design a 10 slide Power Point presentation.  This will act as your proposal for your Environmental Improvement Team.  Each member of the team will contribute two slides with text and graphics.  As a group, create an introduction slide and a concluding slide.

6.  Present your proposal to the school administration for consideration.  You can make the difference for the Earth!
 

Resources

For the Historian
 

How the First Earth Day Came About - A description of the first Earth Day written by the founder!
http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html

The History of Earth Day - A brief article about the history behind the first Earth Day.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/history.html

The Story of Earth Day - An article about the first Earth Day from the Planet Pals web site.
http://www.planetpals.com/earthday2.html

Earth Day 1970 and 1990 - A n overview of the Earth Day events from 1970 and 1990.
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~cetfers/unused/eday.history.html
 

For the School Expert, Outside School Expert, and Home Expert
 
Idea List for Earth Day - An extensive list of things you can do to celebrate Earth Day!
http://earthday.envirolink.org/guide6.html

Earth Day Activities - A list of things kids can do to help save the environment.  Links to other sites with ideas are included on the page.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/activity.html

Tips and Tricks - Things you can do every day to save our planet!  Check out these fantastic ideas are from Planet Pals.
http://www.planetpals.com/worldlywise.html

Earth Day in Your Neighborhood - Ideas for celebrating Earth Day with your neighbors!
http://www.allspecies.org/neigh/blocka.htm

6 Simple Things You Can Do - Easy ways kids can help to save the Earth!
http://members.aol.com/kidz4peace/dinopals/earthday.htm

Global Warming Kids Site - A list of ways that kids can make a difference to decrease global warming.
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/difference.html

 
Evaluation


RUBRIC FOR EARTH DAY EVERYDAY
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Cooperation
Worked cooperatively with group members all the time with no need for adult intervention. 
Worked cooperatively with group members most of time but had a few problems that the team resolved themselves. 
Worked cooperatively with group members most of the time, but had one problem that required adult intervention. 
Worked cooperatively with group memberssome of the time, but had several problems that required adult intervention. 
Spelling & Grammar
No spelling or grammatical mistakes on Power Point slides. 
Fewer than 2 spelling or grammatical mistakes on Power Point slides. 
3 - 5 spelling or grammatical errors on the Power Point Slides. 
More than 5 spelling and/or grammatical errors on the Power Point Slides. 
Content
10 slides including introduction, conclusion, history and 6 pages with 3-5 Earth Day suggestions on each page. Appropriate text and graphics on each slide.
10 slides inlcuding introduction, conclusion, history, and 6 pages with 3-5 Earth Day suggestions on each page.  Appropriate graphics may not be on each slide.
10 slides including introduction, conclusion, history, and 6 pages with fewer than 3 Earth Day suggestions on each page.   Text and graphics are not included on every slide. 
Fewer than 10 slides. Introduction or conclusion may be missing.  Fewer than 3 Earth Day suggestions on each page.  Slides include only text.  
Required Elements
Power Point Presentation included all required elements as well as creative additions. 
Power Point presentation included all required elements. 
Power Point presentation was missing 1 of the required elements. 
Power Point presentation was missing two or more of the required elements. 

 


 


Conclusion



Teacher Resources

EPA's Environmental Education  Center  -  This site includes resources, activities, and community service projects.
http://www.epa.gov/teachers/

Planet Pals Teacher Page - Check out the variety of lesson plans and creative ideas to celebrate Earth Day in the classroom!
http://www.planetpals.com/teachers.html

Teachers Lounge Earth Day Everyday -  Lessons, links, free downloads, and Earth Day ideas for teachers!
http://www.earthday.wilderness.org/teachers/


 


Overview      Introduction    The Task     Process      Resources     Evaluation      Conclusion     Teacher Resources

Michele Pierantozzi
SLM 521 SP 02
4/21/02
Web Quest