My class this year is very concerned about the environment. We would talk about what is happening with our Earth and they would ask "why isn't anyone doing anything?" Well, we read a number of stories about people who did do something.
And because I want my students' interests to lead our lessons, we decided to do a presentation with that theme-One Person Can Make a Difference.
The students chose a story and made a collage of it for their backdrop. They dressed up as their person and recited a speech we wrote together using research. Then we set up like a museum and invited parents and classes to come hear their speeches. I was so proud of them and the way everything turned out.
Did you know George Washington Carver had a passion for gardening. He would travel teaching farmers how to rotate their crops, etc. I never knew that.
Books we used for inspiration:
Charles Henry Turner struggled to be taken seriously as a scientist because he was African American. He studied insects and did a variety of experiments where he learned a great deal about insect behavior. He discovered insects can actually hear.
Another bug-lover-Evelyn collected rare species of insects even from the rainforest.
Jane Goodall has been an inspiration to many. I actually just finished reading her book Hope. Her passion for animals and conservationism is really something amazing.
June had a passion for photography and developed a method of photographing viruses in an effort to better identify them. She actually discovered the first coronavirus. Unfortunately she died before this pandemic-I think her expertise would have been very valuable.
Ladybird Johnson had millions of wildflowers planted. She also helped write bills to get rid of billboards on the side of the road.
Margaret Lowman invented hot air balloons and walkways so she could access the highest reaches of the canopies of the rainforest. She even slept there. She was the first to discover plants and animals that live to high for us to interact with.
Julia Butterfly Hill lived in a redwood tree for 2 years in order to save it from being chopped down by loggers. The tree she named Luna is still standing.
Tyree Guyton was an artist in Detroit Michigan . He found it difficult to find beauty in the city so he used trash to make art. His designs are still standing today.
Jacques Cousteau invented an underwater camera and brought the depths of the ocean to everyone through movies. He also developed foundations to help curb pollution in the oceans.
Mario Molina discovered the hole in the ozone layer and even though people ignored his research for decades, finally he was able to make them listen and ban harmful chlorine producing CFC's. He literally saved our planet.
I have to admit I had never heard of Rachel Carson. Her research helped us figure out how harmful pesticided like DDT we to all living creatures. Her book Silent Spring inspired Al Gore and his efforts in the environment. Ripples from people just keep going and going.
Eugenie Clark loved sharks! She discovered that sharks actually do sleep, she has fought for the rights of these majestic creatures.
Kate Sessions moved to San Diego California and was disappointed in the landscape there. It was nothing but desert. So she started planting trees-she planted over 1,000 trees and now there is vibrant foliage that helps their tourist industry not to mention cleaning the air.
I was so proud of my kiddos and the difference they want to make in the world. Hopefully we inspired some future Jane Goodalls and Ladybird Johnsons.
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