International Mother Earth Day
Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22! Education is at the heart of Earth Day. It began in 1970 in the U.S. with an “environmental teach in.” In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day. This year 193 participating countries will be participating.
EARTH DAY IN YOUR CLASSROOM
Just imagine all of nature—mountains, prairies, oceans, deserts, and all—lying on your bed as a patchwork quilt. Nature’s Patchwork Quilt does just that!
This nonfiction picture book spreads out the plants and animals of Earth’s unique habitats for children to learn about, enjoy, care for, and love.
Choose from three different lesson plans based on the book, meeting standards for grades K-8.
LESSON PLAN (grades K-2)
Where’s the Wilderness Kid?
Images of children interacting with nature are shown in some of the quilt pieces in Nature’s Patchwork Quilt. Read the book aloud to your students. Then follow the directions in the lesson “Where’s the Wilderness Kid?” to have your students find the hidden kids and discuss human activities that can be done in each habitat.
Common Core Connection
~ Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details (1.6); Craft and Structure (K.7); Integration and Knowledge of Ideas (K.7, 1.7, 2.7, )
~Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration(K.1, 1.1, 2.1)
Science Framework Connection
~Earth and Human Activity (K)
~Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems (K, 2)
~Structures and Processes (1)
LESSON PLAN (grades 3-5)
Wild Wonderful Words
Nature’s Patchwork Quilt introduces vocabulary words, such as interdependence and biodiversity. Read the book aloud, or have students read it, and then follow the directions in the lesson “Wild Wonderful Words.” A complete list of words and definitions is included.
After identifying the new vocabulary, walk around your school grounds to find concrete examples of the terms, such as camouflage, adaptation, or survival mechanism. Back in the classroom, identify the vocabulary terms that you couldn’t find around the school, such as zooplankton or phytoplankton.
Common Core Connection
~ Informational Text:Craft and Structure (3.4, 4.4, 5.4)
~Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration(3.1, 4.1, 5.1)
Science Framework Connection
~Earth and Human Activity (3)
~Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems (4)
~Nature and Matter in Ecosystems (5)
LESSON PLAN (grades 5-8)
Earth Heroes in Action
One of the quilt designs in Nature’s Patchwork Quilt illustrates 18 environmentalists, including Rachel Carson examining ocean vegetation, John Muir exploring the forest, and Jane Goodall observing a chimpanzee. All of the environmentalists are chosen from the Earth Heroes series of biographies.
Have your students work in groups to research one of the Earth Heroes and prepare a presentation for the class. Presentations should include the following: (1) one childhood incident, (2) several key turning points in the person’s life, (3) major accomplishments, and (4) lasting contribution of the hero to the environment. Direct students to noticing the organization of the Earth Heroe’s books, including the sections titled Timeline, Ripples of Influence, and Accomplishments.
Common Core Connection
~ Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details (5.3, 6.3, 7.3, 8.3); Craft and Structure (5.6, 6.6, 7.6 8.6)
~Writing: Text Types and Purposes (5.2, 6.2, 7.2, 8.2); Production and Distribution (5.6, 6.6, 7.6, 8.6); Research to Build and Present knowledge (5.8, 6.8, 7.8, 8.8)
Science Framework Connection
~Earth and Human Activity (5-8)
~Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics (5-8)
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