Earth Day: TeachersFirst Editors' Choices
Earth Day presents a special opportunity to connect classroom curriculum with real-world experience, not only in science but also for lessons in math, language arts, social studies, art, and more. With so many outstanding resources available on the web related to environmental concerns, TeachersFirst's editorial team has hand-selected this group of "Editors' Choices" for their potential to engage and involve your students in both the understanding of scientific concepts surrounding Earth Day and in environmental activism for any time of the year.
TeachersFirst has many more reviewed Earth Day resources if you wish to browse a longer listing. You can also narrow your search to a specific topic for earth day or a certain grade range using our keyword search tool in the left column of this page. Be sure to read the tips to optimize your search of our reviewed collection.
Whether you seek ideas for a community service project for Earth Day or ways to use innovative technologies to bring the environment into your classroom, our editors have found "the best of the best" to meet your needs.
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Earth Day - Myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 10
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for Earth Day. Find interactive vocabulary activities using Earth Day vocabulary...more
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for Earth Day. Find interactive vocabulary activities using Earth Day vocabulary words. You will also find printable crosswords, fill in the blanks and more, all using the same theme words. This and other "themes" available on the site will make vocabulary development fun.
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), vocabulary (315)
In the Classroom
Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector or make them available as links on your teacher public page. Have students (or groups) create their own illustrated dictionaries of terms using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here. As you add more vocabulary lists during the year, have them select their favorite 6-10 terms from each list to add to their "book."You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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EcoKids - Earth Day Canada
Grades
K to 8
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This clever, creative, and entertaining resource is a must for the elementary science classroom! Kids from all over the world can learn oodles from this Canadian ecology site. Teachers...more
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This clever, creative, and entertaining resource is a must for the elementary science classroom! Kids from all over the world can learn oodles from this Canadian ecology site. Teachers will find a trove of information and instructional materials as well. You will appreciate the Earth Day activities and information. There are also numerous educational resources highlighting the food chain, bugs, animal adaptations, acid rain, transportation, and other topics. Students can participate in interactive stories; play and learn with more than 50 ecology-based on-line games and activities; learn about a variety of topics including wildlife, energy, and environment issues; and print out word games or coloring sheets.
Be aware: recently, this site started to offer certain features of the Teacher's Lounge to "members only." Membership is FREE, but does require an email address. The link for students does NOT require membership to access the interactives, information, or printables.
Be aware: recently, this site started to offer certain features of the Teacher's Lounge to "members only." Membership is FREE, but does require an email address. The link for students does NOT require membership to access the interactives, information, or printables.
tag(s): acid rain (5), earth (223), earth day (100), ecology (133), transportation (47)
In the Classroom
There is SO much to look at and explore, so browse through the offerings, create a plan for your students based on their age and ability level, then mark the site as a favorite on classroom computers. Upper elementary students can use it as an independent learning center. Younger children may need help with some of the text, so consider using an interactive whiteboard or projector and exploring the activities as a class. Click on "Downloads" on the bottom left to find printables, including coloring sheets of Canadian wildlife and various ecology-related worksheets and lesson plans. Click on the 'games and activities' tab and use the interactive whiteboard or projector for whole class eco-minded fun. ESL and ELL teachers, don't miss the 'teacher' section for a cache of activities written for your ELL/ESL students. Interested students will use this one for hours, so some directions will be important for classroom use.
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Energy Kids - U. S. Energy Information Admin.
Grades
2 to 12
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If you have any hesitation that students think energy is 'uncool,' think again. Energy Ant delights the younger students with her activities about energy. They will spend oodles of...more
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If you have any hesitation that students think energy is 'uncool,' think again. Energy Ant delights the younger students with her activities about energy. They will spend oodles of time exploring the many facets of this site. Click on Energy Sources from the homepage to find the various types of energy and to start the exploration. Riddles and Puzzles, lesson plans, printable sheets, and tons of information that we all need to know to survive on this planet is handily available here. Visit the Teacher's link to find lesson plans and activities (with standards). The activities are divided into three levels (grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12). While some of the activities look like they are intended for a young audience, don't be fooled. Heavy information for the high school student is housed behind the "cutesy" cover.
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), energy (211), solar energy (37)
In the Classroom
If energy is a subject you teach in your classroom, there are several pages at this site that would work well on a projector or interactive whiteboard. You will want to explore on your own to find all the teaching materials and activities, since there is SO much information. Share this site on your teacher web page during your energy unit, since many activities can include parents, as well. The alternative fuels, renewable energy, and conservation sections are also ideal for Earth Day activities. Have students use this site to research energy. Why not have students create blog entries, replacing pen and paper or enhancing the technology use in your curriculum demonstrating their knowledge? Try using Seesaw, reviewed here, for younger students and Telegra.ph, reviewed here for middle school and high school students.
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Tox Town - Specialized Information Services
Grades
K to 8
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This highly entertaining and multifaceted activity is all about environmental health risks and toxins. Students have the option to visit a farm, town, city, or the US-Mexico border....more
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This highly entertaining and multifaceted activity is all about environmental health risks and toxins. Students have the option to visit a farm, town, city, or the US-Mexico border. Students simply click on the various items on the pictures to learn more about the toxins. There are audio explanations and interactive activities. Some pages also offer maps to learn more about the health risks in your local area. There is a lot of factual information and both interactive and non-interactive activities. This site required FLASH. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): carbon (24), earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321)
In the Classroom
Teachers should begin their planning at the "For Teachers" link. The link provides standards, detailed activities, enrichment activities, and more! Be sure to try an interactive whiteboard or projector for this unique educational activity. This activity would be great for Earth Day lessons! Have older students complete a multi-media project about the toxins they learn about (blog, wiki, or video).
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Garbage - Annenberg Media
Grades
3 to 6
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Need a quick, ready-to-go Earth Day activity? Try this interactive activity that tests students' knowledge of proper disposal methods for common household substances. Students must...more
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Need a quick, ready-to-go Earth Day activity? Try this interactive activity that tests students' knowledge of proper disposal methods for common household substances. Students must determine which items are hazardous, which can be recycled, which can be disposed of with the regular household trash, and which should be washed down the drain. After completing the activity, students can check their answers.
tag(s): recycling (60)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Provide this link on your class website for students to share with their families. Have students research and create their own quiz about other household items and how they should be properly disposed of.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Earth Day - EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Grades
4 to 7
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This environmental education site, a cooperative effort across the entire U.S. government, is filled with creative ways to make learning about the environment fun! Click on the "General...more
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This environmental education site, a cooperative effort across the entire U.S. government, is filled with creative ways to make learning about the environment fun! Click on the "General lesson ideas for teachers" link to learn more about specific topics and take a virtual trip to "Recycle City," reviewed and link here. The "Homework resources for students" page provides an annotated collection of kid-friendly environmental Web sites filled with clever and interactive activities. Learn about the history of Earth Day, ways to celebrate in your classroom or at home, and more. There is quite a bit to explore!
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), ecology (133), environment (321), recycling (60)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Read the history of Earth Day together. Have cooperative learning groups explore different ways to "take action" and then challege them to transform their learning and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class. Try using Adobe Spark for K-12, reviewed here, or Sway, reviewed here. Why not ask students to redefine their learning using one of these video tools (click tool name to see review): Rooclick, Animatron, Powtoon, or Plotagon. Then, have students share it with the class using a site such as TeacherTube (explained here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change - US EPA
Grades
5 to 8
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Created by the Environmental Protection Agency, this visually appealing site is filled with interactive story books, climate animations, and cleverly designed animations for students....more
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Created by the Environmental Protection Agency, this visually appealing site is filled with interactive story books, climate animations, and cleverly designed animations for students. Links include Climate Change (What is It), Climate & Weather, Greenhouse Effect, What is the Climate System, Climate's Come a Long Way, The Climate Detectives, Games, Climate Animations, Climate Change Calculator, Stuff for Teachers, So What's the Big Deal, We CAN Make a Difference, and Can We Change the Climate. Use this site to supplement a unit on the Greenhouse Effect or as a springboard for Internet Earth Day activities. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): ecology (133), fossil fuels (17)
In the Classroom
Have cooperative learning groups research the many links and activities at this site. Challenge groups to create a multi-media presentation: blog entry, wiki, PowerPoint, web page, or video.
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Think Green - Waste Management
Grades
4 to 12
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Use Think Green, a site created by Waste Management, to obtain information about everyday recycling and waste management as well as environmental protection. View "Our commitment" to...more
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Use Think Green, a site created by Waste Management, to obtain information about everyday recycling and waste management as well as environmental protection. View "Our commitment" to view a message overview and their environmental commitment. Ads do appear under this tab but do not run generally on all pages of the site. "Waste As a Resource" offers information on Landfill Gas To Energy, Waste-To-Energy, Recycling, and Beneficial Land Reuse. The site also offers many "Case Studies" on how companies are being inventive in waste management and energy use. View "Media" for more information about "Burning Questions," "Fuel for Thought," "Secret Life of Landfills," and "Second Life." "Point of View" offers thoughts from others in academic and business institutions. Click "News" which is a pop up of news items. A caution that "Greenopolis" leads to an online community and may not be appropriate for all students. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321), recycling (60)
In the Classroom
Use this site for mining for information and examples of waste management and energy production. Use this site for background information and practical applications of what students have researched. Use examples to audit local businesses, residence practices, and waste management procedures to offer solutions. Use information to compare and contrast different environmental practices in terms of effectiveness, cost, and sustainability. Have students create videos to demonstrate their knowledge. Share the videos on a resources such as SchoolTube SchoolTube (reviewed here).
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Breathing Earth - David Bleja
Grades
3 to 12
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SEE the relative contributions to carbon dioxide emissions country by country. Students roll the mouse over countries on a flattened world map to see what the carbon dioxide emission...more
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SEE the relative contributions to carbon dioxide emissions country by country. Students roll the mouse over countries on a flattened world map to see what the carbon dioxide emission of each. The featured country's pertinent facts pop up, including emissions, populations, and birth/death rates. Countries are color-coded to indicate rates of carbon dioxide emissions. The pop-ups of births and deaths are fascinating (they occur in real-time). The bottom of the site includes a detailed legend; be sure to check it out. Note that spelling is Australian ("tonnes" vs "tons"). You can turn off the audio at the lower left. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): carbon (24), carbon dioxide (15), carbon footprint (11), earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321)
In the Classroom
This site has countless uses in the classroom of various grade levels. Share this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard. With younger classes, use this map to teach about map legends. Use this when studying ecosystems, environmental issues, economics, current events, world birth and death rates, pollution problems, and conservation. Leave the site open for a few hours for students to see the changes. This site is an excellent resource for research projects on countries throughout the world.
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Freecycle - The Freecycle Network
Grades
K to 12
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Need a bookcase or rug for your classroom or home office area? Perhaps you have extra, personally-purchased classroom supplies that you no longer use. There is a solution to both ...more
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Need a bookcase or rug for your classroom or home office area? Perhaps you have extra, personally-purchased classroom supplies that you no longer use. There is a solution to both dilemmas--Freecycle! Check this site to see if there is a local Freecycle group in your area. With 4,336 groups and growing, there's a good chance one is in your neighborhood. Twenty five states currently have participants. This grassroots, non-profit network's aim is to get unused 'stuff' into the hands of someone who can use it, and most importantly, they want to keep it out of our clogged landfills. Teachers are the most resourceful people on earth, and Freecycle is here to help fuel that creditable reputation. Membership is free -check it out!
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321)
In the Classroom
Share this site with your class as an idea for Earth Day or being "green." Encourage your school service club or student council to consider launching a Freecycle project. Be sure to list the link on your class website, so parents can freecycle too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Recycling Game - BBC
Grades
K to 1
5 Favorites
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This interactive recycling game challenges students to determine if various items are made of plastic, glass, or paper. Students simply click on the items and drag the items into one...more
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This interactive recycling game challenges students to determine if various items are made of plastic, glass, or paper. Students simply click on the items and drag the items into one of three bins (plastic, glass, or paper). spoken voice and word choices are British, so you may see some puzzled faces when the student first hear the terminology, but the illustrations will help them recognize the objects. And you will have a chance to talk about vocabulary in different parts of the English-speaking world. The website features a Teachers/Parents link that provides general standards for this interactive game. The entire activity requires Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
In the Classroom
Remember to turn on speakers or attach headphones for this activity. This website is a perfect "ready to go" learning center, especially around Earth Day. This challenge is a wonderful companion to teaching students about the importance of recycling.
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Smog City 2 - U.S. EPA and Sacramento Air Quality Management District
Grades
5 to 12
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Use this interactive air pollution simulation to learn about the effects of particulates, ozone, and individual choices on air pollution. The Create Your Own section allows you...more
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Use this interactive air pollution simulation to learn about the effects of particulates, ozone, and individual choices on air pollution. The Create Your Own section allows you to test cause and effect of different factors in a controlled setting. Although the option to download the simulator is offered, it runs just fine in its online version. The site's disclaimer explains that the complex relationships between environmental factors have been simplified for this simulator, but the processes are still representative of the "real world" factors. This is a MUST for Earth Day!
This site is powerful and therefore may take some extra time to load - so prepare ahead! This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
This site is powerful and therefore may take some extra time to load - so prepare ahead! This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): air (144), earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321), pollution (65)
In the Classroom
Younger students would benefit from a teacher-centered introduction on the simulator (using your interactive whiteboard or projector), followed by directed explorations to find specific answers to teacher questions. Older students can determine the most important factors in air pollution and explore means to solve the problem as part of a health, social studies, science, or government class. Have your students present their finding on an interactive whiteboard or projector.
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Recycle City - Environmental Protection Agency
Grades
2 to 6
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As Earth Day approaches, take your students on a visit to Recycle City for a virtual, hands-on experience with reducing and reusing waste. To get started, click on any part ...more
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As Earth Day approaches, take your students on a visit to Recycle City for a virtual, hands-on experience with reducing and reusing waste. To get started, click on any part of the city, and discover what residents and businesses have done to improve their environment. The site includes a "Dumptown" interactive which gives students a taste of what it would be like to be a city manager in charge of selecting community programs for cutting the amount of waste destined for the landfill. Click on the Activities link to find information for teachers and classroom activities. This site requires Shockwave and Flash. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
In the Classroom
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. As they independently explore, challenge students to make up their own "scavenger hunt" (complete with questions and answers) of places they feel are worthwhile to visit in Recycle City, then swap with a classmate. Have students write fictitious blog entries from the perspective of the city manager (updating residents on changes and improvements in the city).
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Earth Day Groceries Project - The Earth Day Groceries Project
Grades
K to 8
3 Favorites
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Have your students decorate paper grocery bags for Earth Day! The "Earth Day Groceries Project" is cost-free and one of the largest and oldest projects on the Internet. The project,...more
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Have your students decorate paper grocery bags for Earth Day! The "Earth Day Groceries Project" is cost-free and one of the largest and oldest projects on the Internet. The project, managed by Mark Ahlness (a third grade teacher in Seattle, Washington), challenges students to decorate paper grocery bags for Earth Day featuring environmentally friendly messages. There are four steps to the project, all well-explained on the site. Be sure to visit the Project Starter Kit link. This link includes a PowerPoint presentation about the project, screensavers, project details, and more.
tag(s): creativity (120), earth (223), earth day (100)
In the Classroom
Use this interdisciplinary activity to integrate art, creativity, community service, science, and Earth Day events. Share the PowerPoint presentation with your class on a projector or interactive whiteboard to get students motivated about the project.Display pictures of some of the bags on your class website. Provide this link in your class newsletter or on your class website; challenge parents to make this a family activity.
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The Ozone Resource page - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Grades
8 to 12
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Use this site to understand the ozone and how it affects our air quality and life here on Earth. Satellite imagery of ozone holes includes an updated daily picture and ...more
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Use this site to understand the ozone and how it affects our air quality and life here on Earth. Satellite imagery of ozone holes includes an updated daily picture and comparison over the last decades. NASA facts listed on the side include an opportunity to learn more about the information presented, watch satellite images from the last 7 days, view animations, compare year-to-date, and look at the annual records since 1979 using "Ozone Hole Watch." Information about the ozone and how it is measured is explained in detail here. "Explore the ozone with NASA" by viewing a short video that outlines the ozone and discusses new research and climate change. Use the "Resources for News Media" to view the Multimedia gallery for pictures of the largest ozone hole on record, the Arctic vortex, and Earth's Atmospheric Layers. Information about ozone depleting chemicals and ozone chemistry is also found here. View video of the ozone missions from NASA. "Ozone Hole 101" provides basic content about the ozone that is easy to understand for students. Read interesting information such as "Ozone levels drop when hurricanes are strengthening" and "Ozone hole is a double record breaker." This site requires Quicktime and animations require Flash. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): earth (223), earth day (100), environment (321), ozone (8)
In the Classroom
Students can use the resources in "Ozone Hole Watch" to determine the trends in the ozone either daily or over the years. Further research involving political, consumer, and environmental trends can bring insights into effects on the ozone layer. Using the wealth of material on the site, students can use the information to create a "Handbook of the Earth" (as an example) to understand how the ozone affects us in our current and future lives. Students can also work in groups and be assigned portions of the content to study. They can then present their findings to the rest of the class (using a multi-media presentation). Students can use this information in conjunction with environmental or Earth Day activities in or out of class.
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