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Earth Day is on April 22. You can thank former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson — a pioneer in environmental causes throughout his career — for kicking it off over fifty years ago. Upon serving his term as governor, Nelson was elected to the United States Senate where he served three consecutive terms; he even convinced John F. Kennedy to tour the United States to address environmental issues. Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970. At the time, he encouraged Americans to speak up and act on air and pollution issues with the same fervency they had toward protesting the war. Share Nelson's passion for the environment with these 7 homeschooling lessons for Earth Day
What is Earth Day about?
Earth Day is the perfect time in your homeschool to talk about the issues that affect the environment. Use this opportunity to discuss the reasons why you recycle those Amazon boxes each week. Come up with ideas to help reduce your family's carbon footprint. Incorporate some of the following Earth Day ideas and resources into your homeschool lesson plans this month.
1. Discover who started Earth Day
Many kids are thrust into recycling efforts and cleanup events at an early age as just, "something we do." They're not offered an understanding of Earth Day history. Help answer any questions they may have like, "When was the first Earth Day?" by visiting and learning together on the official Earth Day website. It provides a timeline of events and Earth day facts. The site is a great resource for homeschool lessons as it offers several jumping-off points for pursuing rabbit trails.
"Earth day is dramatic evidence of a broad new national concern that cuts across generations and ideologies. It may be symbolic of a new communication between young and old about our values and priorities," Nelson stated on that very first Earth Day. We have a duty, now more than ever, to continue working hard to protect the environment and sharing with our kids the importance of conservation and sustainability.
Learn about the effects of climate change and what can be done to reverse it
A recent study conducted by Nature Communications emphasizes concerns about rising sea levels. "With climate change, sea levels are rising by an average of 1 inch every five years," their experts stated. "Scientists estimate that 150 million people are now living on land that will be below the high tide line by 2050."
2. Learn what causes climate change and global warming
Interactive videos, reading material, and activities on Our Climate, Our Future, will answer the question, "What is climate change?" and discover how to help on Earth Day and beyond.
3. Do your part to help the pollinators
Climate change is contributing to declining bee populations. Endangered.org offers ideas on things you and your family can do to help build these populations back up and assist other pollinators right in your own backyard.
- Hang a hummingbird feeder with homemade nectar
- Plant pollinator-friendly flowers
- Install a bat house on your property — this can also help control mosquitos in your yard
- Plant milkweed to attract monarch butterflies
4. Make your own beehive.
Another fun resource is, Turn This Book Into a Beehive!: And 19 Other Experiments and Activities That Explore the Amazing World of Bees, by Lynn Brunelle. Use the activities in the book as an Earth Day lesson plan. Once you've completed the book, it becomes an Earth Day craft. Your child can use the pages of the book to construct a mason bee habitat to attract these solitary bees to your yard.
Earth Day kid activities and crafts
If you have multiple children, it may be difficult to find age-appropriate things to do that appeal to everyone. The following Earth Day art lesson ideas work for kids of all ages. Hands-on activities make learning fun and engaging.
5. Introduce upcycling through art
The challenge when working with young children on art projects is that often the products used, like popsicle sticks and glitter, do more harm than good. Choose art activities that incorporate nature — make homemade bird feeders with peanut butter and pinecones. For an eco-friendly Earth Day art lesson, these ideas from No Time for Flash Cards help kids get creative while having fun and the bonus is that everything can be recycled once the fun is done.
Earth Day celebrations and kid-friendly activities
6. Help clean up the community
Brandi Jordan, a homeschooling mom of three older teens, provides printables and coloring pages for kids on her website, That Kids Craft Site, which includes these free Earth Day coloring pages. When it comes to celebrating Earth Day this year, "We’ll be participating in a local community clean-up," Brandi told Mom.com.
Clean-up events occur year-round throughout the country. Visit The Great Global Cleanup for a list of events or locate the Department of Natural Resources in your state.
7. Go virtual if you're not ready to get outside
We are still in the middle of a global pandemic, so it's understandable if you'd rather forgo community cleanup efforts. Attend the three-day educational initiative, Earth Day Live instead, beginning April 20th. Opportunities exist every day to make better choices about the products you use in your home. Discuss your family's habits with your kids and figure out together, where you can make changes and do better.
