International Earth Day @ Vernal Equinox

March 20, 2008 is International Earth Day. The idea for this successful annual celebration was developed and promoted by John McConnell. International recognition came with the signing of a proclamation by United Nations Secretary General U Thant, and also by U.S. President Gerald Ford. Here are John McConnell's words explaining why he chose the date of the Spring equinox:

"When I first conceived of Earth Day, a global holiday to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet, I thought long and hard about the day on which it should fall. It must be meaningful; one that might be accepted universally for all of humankind."

"When the Vernal Equinox dawned on me, I immediately knew it was right. The Earth tremor that shook our California dwelling at that moment seemed an omen of confirmation. What could be more appropriate than the first moment of spring, when day and night are equal around the world and hearts and minds can join together with thoughts of harmony and Earth's rejuvenation."

"And so it came to pass we initiated the celebration of Earth Day on March 21, 1970. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology."

Each International Earth Day -- there are other similar celebrations in April -- provides opportunities for people all over the world to organize activities that help increase appreciation of nature and the ways that we can conserve its bounty.

These activities focus on the responsibility that governments, businesses, and ordinary people have to conserve and protect nature. There are many environmental issues that have become themes for Earth Day in the past. Global warming, recycling of waste products, endangered species, and clean water and air are good examples. Students can do their part by learning more about these environmental issues.

BookCart lesson plans are an excellent way to make student assignments. ProQuest provides many BookCart lesson plans that address International Earth Day issues. Each of these BookCarts provides learning resources and essential questions for critical thinking that help students get the most out their BookCart research experience.

Here are some of the BookCarts that you can copy and adapt for International Earth Day activities:

• Acid Rain and Pollution
  
  
• Biofuels and Alternative Energy
  
  
• Environment, Alternative Energy, and Conservation
  
  
• Global Warming--Causes, Hazards, and Cures
  
  
• Recycling and Hazardous Materials
  
  
• Water Pollution and Conservation

To copy this BookCart to My Local Carts collection:

• Log on to the eLibrary Science Teacher Edition.
  
  
• Click BookCart Admin, then select the ProQuest Carts tab.
  
  
• Click the "eLibrary Science -- BookCarts" folder.
  
  
• Scroll through and click the Copy icon (eye) in the Actions column for these BookCarts.
  
  
• Return to My Local Carts, and look for "Copy of" as the prefix of your copied BookCarts.
  
  
• Repeat sequence for any other BookCarts that you copy.

You will want to edit your new BookCarts in BookCart Editor using this procedure:

• Click the title to open the BookCart.
  
  
• Type your name in the Author boxes.
  
  
• Delete "Copy of" from the title.
  
  
• Scroll down to bottom and click Save button.

Students should use at least three resources in a written report (model) of 150-200 words or PowerPoint presentation (model 1 or 2.)

Read more about how Carolyn built easy curriculum resources with eLibrary BookCarts...