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Earth Day

Have you heard of Earth Day? Why not investigate this national day of environmental awareness?

• Teachers: Try engaging your students in learning how science affects their lives through environmental awareness. Have the students learn about Earth Day and then research local efforts in which they can get involved.
• Parents: Mother Earth is a great way to share the joy of learning with your children. As you explore these sites together, encourage your child to talk about respecting the planet and the life it supports.

Indiana Academic Standards
English/Language Arts

Standard 4: Writing Process/Research and Technology

English/Language Arts

Standard 7: Listening and Speaking

Science

Standard 4: Living Environment

Earth Day

visit this site
This Wilderness Society site features an area designed just for kids, one focused on the Arctic wilderness and a page that provides a teacher guide.

Suggested Activities for Students

1. Select the tab "Kids in Action."
   1. Find out what "planetary heroes" did to make a difference in the world.
   2. Write about how you would like to make a difference in your local community.
   3. Who do you think is a local "planetary hero"? How would you find out? How could you celebrate this local hero?
2. Visit the link to the "Arctic Adventure."
   1. On left side of this page there are several links. Select "Slideshow" to view photos from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Which image was your favorite?
   2. Select "Arctic Journey" to read about a journalist's two-week adventure in the Arctic.
   3. Visit the "Migratory Max" link to track the fall and spring migration.
   4. Use "Backyard Birds" discover what birds migrate from the Alaska to our backyards!
   5. Select one idea for your family to observe Earth Day.
   6. Create and submit a new idea to this web site.

Tips for Teachers

Select the "Teacher's Lounge" tab to find free print material covering the history of Earth Day and lesson plan suggestions for all grade levels.

Tips for Parents

Select the "Teacher's Lounge" tab to find free print material covering the history of Earth Day and help in selecting activities appropriate for your child's grade level.

US Environmental Protection Agency Explorer's Club

visit this site
Explore your environment and learn ways you can protect it. There are games, pictures, stories and other fun things to do on this site.

Suggested Activity for Students

1. Select any image on this page. Look closely to find links to games, science experiments, recycling ideas and other activities!
2. After exploring this site, create a list of reasons why we should protect our environment. Share the list with your family and your classmates. Identify three things your family could do to help protect our Earth.

Tips for Teachers

• Help your students create a slide show about environmental issues in your community, the state and the nation. Arrange to have the class share their work at a parent meeting, a school board meeting, or a community fair/event.
• Visit "Teachers' Site" for more instructional ideas.

Tips for Parents

• After visiting the site with our child, discuss ways in which your family could help in protecting our environment. Select 3 things your family could do that would help keep our planet's environment healthy.
• Help your child locate information about local environmental issues and local groups working to protect the environment.

Buddy² Resource Links

Visit additional resources that are on our site as you develop your Earth Day thematic unit:

Environmental Lesson Plans