Margaret D. Andrews
Objective
To create a vision for the earth and pursue it.
Materials
None.
Procedures
Tell your class about John Muir, Sigurd Olson, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Carlson.
Ask them to consider in either written or oral form: What dreams do you have about the outdoors? About discovering your sense of wonder? Listen to your inner voice. Identify your personal interests or concerns about the earth. (Do this before you begin the unit and again when you have completed it. See if their attitudes have changed. Many students don’t even realize how much their habits are affecting the earth in a negative way until you show them.)
Ask them to make a commitment to changing their own habits to ensure a better environment for those who come next.
Have your classroom make an earth pledge of things they can do while at school to make it a better earth. (Some examples you can suggest are white paper recycling, using both sides of paper, composting with worms from the recycling center). Invite them to share suggestions about what they can do at home.