Monday, April 22nd is Earth Day! The theme this year is “Planet vs. Plastics”. Encourage learning, discussion, and reflection with these books and resources:

• Every year, the Green Earth Book Award recognizes books focused on environmental stewardship. Explore the full list, and enjoy book talks from the authors of two of the most recent winners!

  • Two Degrees
  • To Change a Planet

• Inspire readers by displaying titles from these lists:

  • A World Filled with Wonder
  • Protecting the Planet: Stories of Change and Innovation
  • Let's Go Outside! Books for Young Children about the Natural World
    

• Get a glimpse of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with this book trailer for Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Then,

  • Fill out the Waste Audit Analysis to reflect on your eco-habits and find plastic-free ideas using materials from the author.
  • Try a STEM design challenge, or Fact Scavenger hunt using this activity guide.
  • View video research project ideas.

• Embark on a 30-Minute Plastic Art Challenge Activity from Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic.

• Create ocean crafts using egg cartons or toilet paper rolls, find coloring sheets, and even watch short video instruction from the author on this resource page for The Tale of the Whale.

• Research recycling programs in the local areas. How can residents recycle? Where and how? Are there certain things accepted and not?

• Journey along with a plastic drinking straw in this audio excerpt of One Turtle's Last Straw: The Real-Life Rescue That Sparked a Sea Change and brainstorm ways to help with this Protect the Planet worksheet.

• Be inspired to become a plastic-fighting superhero with this video book trailer for Kids Flight Plastic. Follow up with these classroom activities to fight plastic in your classroom and beyond.

• Launch discussion about pollution and plastics by using some of the discussion questions from these teacher notes for Oceans of Plastic: Understanding and Solving a Pollution Problem.

• Build awareness of plastic usage by making lists of items we use daily in our homes and find alternatives in teacher tips for Ducks Overboard!: A True Story of Plastic in Our Oceans.

• Make a puzzle of the book cover of Can I Recycle This?: A Kid's Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics, then use that image as inspiration to make lists in class of what is and isn’t recyclable.

• Enjoy this complete video reading of Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps, then complete a Story Map Multi-Leveled Lesson.

• Expand learning with teaching ideas for six grade levels after watching the complete video reading of A Planet Full of Plastic. Also share this recycling tracker and additional activities.

• View photographs and read about author Michiel Roscam Abbing’s work finding solutions for plastic pollution in this author interview for Plastic Soup: An Atlas of Ocean Pollution.

• Hear from young activist and author Hannah Testa who helped pass state legislation and influence businesses to adopt more sustainable practices in this audiobook excerpt of Taking on the Plastics Crisis.