Did you know that Earth Day is a global celebration? Every year, on April 22, the world pays closer attention to the impact we have on Earth. The air we breath, the water we drink, and the land that supplies our food need our help. Invite learners to observe their world with a poet’s lens. Try the following lesson ideas that support the Explore Shared Foundation from the AASL Standards.

 Think

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: V.A.3. Learners develop and satisfy personal curiosity by engaging in inquiry-based processes for personal growth.

1. Read Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer. Ask learners the following questions as you read:
   • “Where do you find poetry? Where can we expect Daniel to find a poem?”
   • “What do you notice about the illustrations and descriptions?”
   • “How would you describe your favorite illustration?”
   • “What are your favorite descriptions?”
   • “How would you define poetry?”
   • “What did you notice about Daniel’s poem?”
2. Go outside and make observations.
   • Follow Daniel’s example and look for poetry outside.
   • Visit the American Museum of Natural History for scaffolded lessons in writing field journals.

Create

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: V.B.1. Learners construct new knowledge by problem solving through cycles of design, implementation, and reflection.

1. Craft poems based on observations. Research the websites below to learn more about writing poetry.
   • Scholastic’s Writing with Writers: Poetry: Three poet’s encourage learners to write poetry by offering tips and examples.
   • Read Write Think: Learners will appreciate this scaffolded printout that guides them to write a haiku poem. Read Write Think also offers interactive resources to write different types of poetry.

Share

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: V.C.1. Learners engage with the learning community by expressing curiosity about a topic of personal interest or curricular relevance.

1. Investigate this year’s Earth Day campaign to reduce plastic pollution. Read the toolkit and try their lessons.

Grow

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: V.D.1. Learners develop through experience and reflection by iteratively responding to challenges.

1. Encourage learners to record how much plastic they use in one week. Ask them to think about how they can reduce plastic consumption.
2. Create an infographic with Piktochart, an AASL Best Website for Teaching and Learning. 

Try the lessons and tweet pictures with the hashtag #AASLstandards.

More Resources

American Academy of Poets’ National Poetry Month Lessons: Find 30 poetry lesson ideas that learners will love.

Nature Bridge: Play a fun recycling game with Nature Bridge, an AASL Best Website for Teaching and Learning.

Citations:

Archer, Micha. “Daniel Finds a Poem.”Penguin Random House, 7 April 2018. www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Mentioned Websites:

American Association of School Librarians Best Websites: http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards/best/websites/2016

American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/explore/resource-collections/online-field-journals/nature-explorations

Earth Day: https://www.earthday.org/educate2018/

Nature Bridge: http://www.naturebridge.org/garbology.php

Piktochart: https://piktochart.com/

American Academy of Poets National Poetry Month: https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/30-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month

Read Write Think: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/haiku-starter-30697.html

Scholastic: http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/

Author: Maureen Schlosser

Author: Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades and Social and Emotional Learning for Picture Book Readers published by ALA Editions
Blogger: https://LibraryLessonsWithBooks.com
Skillshare Teacher: https://skl.sh/3a852D5

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Categories: Blog Topics, Student Engagement/ Teaching Models

Tags: #AASLstandards, AASL Standards, Competencies, Create, Earth Day, Explore, Grow, lessons, Mica Archer, Penguin Random House, picture book, poetry, Share, Shared Foundation, Think