🌍 Celebrating Earth Day 2025: Inspiring Young Minds in the Classroom

How can you buy the sky? How can you own the rain and the wind?"

So begin the stirring words attributed to Chief Seattle, words that echo across generations with a message that is more urgent than ever. Earth Day, observed every April 22nd, invites us all to remember, reflect, and reimagine our relationship with the planet. In the classroom, Earth Day is a chance not just to teach science or environmental facts, but to stir a sense of wonder, stewardship, and belonging in young hearts.

I know, I know, I'm a little late to offer help with today's acivities, but my feeling is Earth Day can be celebrated all year-round. Many schools I was in dedicated at least a week to this special remembrance. As such, I hope to have more activities in the next few days as well, so keep checking back. Today's learning experience blends literature, exploration, creativity, and conversation. This plan is designed to help teachers not only commemorate Earth Day, but to nurture young Earth citizens who feel empowered to make a difference. I also thought it fitting to feature a prominent Native American chief whose words are considered to be among the finest ever written about being "stewards of the Earth."

🌱 A Brief History of Earth Day

Before diving into activities, let’s give kids some historical background about Earth Day—at their level. You can share this in your morning meeting or during circle time.

🌎 What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd by people all around the world. It’s a special day to remember how important the Earth is, and how we can take care of it.

The very first Earth Day happened in 1970. A U.S. Senator named Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin was worried about how people were polluting the air and water. So, he had an idea: what if everyone came together for one day to learn about the environment and do something to help?

His idea worked. Over 20 million Americans took part in that first Earth Day, and since then, Earth Day has grown into a global movement with over 1 billion people participating each year in over 190 countries!

📖 The Power of Story: Begin with a Read-Aloud

Literature opens hearts before it teaches minds, and Earth Day is the perfect occasion to begin with a story. This year, choose a picture book that captures the beauty of the Earth and the importance of protecting it.

One beautiful choice? _Brother Eagle, Sister Sky_, adapted from a speech by Chief Seattle and illustrated by Susan Jeffers.

Father and son Native watchbald eagle flying.

As you read, pause to let the words sink in. When you reach the line: 

“How can you buy the sky? How can you own the rain and the wind?” 

—invite students to reflect. Ask them:

- What do you think Chief Seattle means?

- Why do you think people sometimes forget the Earth is shared by everyone?

- How would you feel if someone tried to “own” the sky?

This powerful quote and the vibrant illustrations in Brother Eagle, Sister Sky create the perfect opening for a day of Earth-centered exploration.

A powerful message by Chief Seattle from over 150 years ago. Brother Eagle, Sister Sky By Susan Jeffers

? Book Discovery: Flora, Fauna, and Earth’s Magic

After your read-aloud, tell students that the classroom has become a “Mini Nature Library” for the day! Set out a display of books about:

- Animals (fauna)

- Plants and trees (flora)

- Ecosystems

- Weather and climate

- Pollution and conservation

- Indigenous perspectives on nature

Let students browse the books at their own pace—this can be done during reading time, centers, or in small groups. Encourage them to choose books that interest them. They might want to flip through a nonfiction animal guide, read a story about saving the ocean, or enjoy a book of Earth poems.

 📘 Suggested Earth Day-Friendly Books:

Picture Books and Stories:

- The Earth Book* by Todd Parr 

- We Are Water Protectors* by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade 

- The Curious Garden* by Peter Brown 

- Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth* by Mary McKenna Siddals 

- The Lorax* by Dr. Seuss 

- Miss Rumphius* by Barbara Cooney 

- Just a Dream* by Chris Van Allsburg

Nature and Science Books:

- National Geographic Kids: Everything Weather* 

- Trees, Leaves and Bark* by Diane Burns 

- The Great Kapok Tree* by Lynne Cherry 

- Nature’s Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests* by Gail Gibbons 

- Over and Under the Pond* by Kate Messner

Poetry and Reflection:

- Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature* by Nicola Davies 

- Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up* by Sally M. Walker 

- Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year* by Fiona Waters

🎨 Optional Extension: Nature Notebooks

While exploring the books, students can jot down interesting facts, draw their favorite animals, or write down questions they have in a “Nature Notebook.” These can be simple stapled booklets with blank pages or printed Earth Day journals.

Encourage them to notice:

- A plant or animal they didn’t know about before

- Something amazing about how nature works

- A way people are helping the planet

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💌 Earth Day Writing: Letters or Poems to the Earth

To close the day, gather students together and invite them to reflect on everything they’ve seen, heard, and felt throughout the day. Now it’s time for them to give back—not with action just yet, but with words.

Give them two choices:

✉️ "Letter to the Earth" Writing Prompt:

> Dear Earth, 

> 

> Thank you for… 

> I love when you… 

> I promise to be a good Earth citizen by… 

> 

> Love, 

> [Your Name]

Encourage them to use personal voice, gratitude, and goals. This could be displayed on a bulletin board or collected into a class Earth Day book.

OR

 ✍️ Poem to the Earth Writing Prompt

Let students write a free verse or structured poem. For younger students, they might try:

I Am the Earth” Poem Starter:

> I am the Earth, 

> I feel the sun and the rain. 

> I shelter the trees, 

> And cradle the grain…

They can write acrostic poems (e.g., EARTH), haiku, or simple rhyming verses. Illustrations make this even more special.

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 Wrap-Up: Becoming Earth Citizens

At the end of the day, bring the class together for reflection. You might say:

 "Today we listened, we explored, we imagined. But most of all, we remembered something really important: the Earth is our shared home. It's up to all of us to care for it—just like it cares for us."

Invite a few students to share their letters or poems. Let them speak from the heart.

Then, close with this:

"You are not too small to make a difference. You are Earth Citizens now. That means every time you recycle, plant something, turn off the lights, or remind someone to care—you’re helping. And that matters."

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 💡 Additional Earth Day Ideas

If time allows, here are a few quick bonus activities:

- Plant a seed** in a cup or in the school garden

- Make Earth Day crowns** with leaves, blue/green paper, or recycled materials

- Create posters** about taking care of the planet

- Do a nature walk** and collect observations

- Sing an Earth Day song like "This Land is Your Land" or “The Earth is Our Mother”

💚 Final Thoughts for Teachers and Homeschoolers

Earth Day is more than a single event—it’s a chance to nurture lifelong curiosity, responsibility, and love for our world. By combining story, exploration, and expression, we can give children not just facts about the Earth, but feelings about it. Feelings that last. Feelings that grow.

As Chief Seattle so wisely said, "All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves."

Here’s to a beautiful Earth Day 2025 in your classroom—one that plants seeds for a better tomorrow!