Lesson Plan

Grades 9-12

Our Shared Environmental History

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1 hour (Part 1); 50 minutes (Part 2)

SUBJECTS: Science, Social Studies

TOPICS: Agriculture, Air Pollution, Biodiversity/Habitat, Energy, Forests, U.S. Population Trends/History, Natural Resource Use - General, Water Pollution

Resource Overview

Students research events in U.S. environmental history to create a class timeline and then write an op-ed on the long-term success of Earth Day as an agent for change.

Students will be able to:
  • Research an event in U.S. environmental history and prepare shareable information on its key features.
  • Work as a team to create a timeline of important events in U.S. environmental history.
  • Describe themes and cause and effect relationships among various historic events.
  • Write an op-ed that argues the efficacy of Earth Day and includes a claim, reasoning, and evidence.
A "vessel of opportunity" skims oil spilled after the Deepwater Horizon/BP well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010.

Features of This Resource

  • Students practice chronological thinking
  • Lesson covers the laws and regulations required by the APES framework
  • Opportunity for students to conduct their own inquiry related to U.S. environmental history

Supplemental Materials


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