Gaylord Nelson and How Earth Day Got Started
Videos
Grades4, 5, 6, 7, 8Biology, Civics, History
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by The Kid Should See This
What it is
- This animated video provides information about Gaylord Nelson, the politician and environmental activist who invented Earth Day.
- Students will learn about Nelson's lifelong mission, beginning in Clear Lake, WI, to protect the environment and spread awareness about environmental issues.
- This resource also includes teaching resources, including a teacher guide and Slides presentation.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will learn how environmental ideas started entering into the American consciousness and were translated into legislation during the 1970s.
- The video description contains a variety of helpful links to learn more about Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the following terms: civics, government reform, social justice, conservation, and teach-in.
- This resource also includes a Google Slides presentation with audio and a lesson plan to use with the video.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Social studies classes can use this video and lesson plan to discuss the role that the government plays in monitoring the environment and keeping it healthy.
- History students can expand on the timeline of significant environmental policies and link them to other historic events at each time.
- Science classes can prepare a presentation on Earth Day and present it during a school assembly in order to get the school community excited and prepared for the holiday.
- Other resources on this topic include this lesson plan on creating an environmental-awareness mural, this activity on making plantable seed paper, and this media literacy activity on the government's role in protecting natural resources.
From the scientist review
This 4-minute video produced by PBS does not have any specific science to verify. However, it provides an important look at an environmental champion, Gaylord Nelson, who is responsible for Earth Day. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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