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September 20, 2024
Find ready-to-use lessons; free, on-demand professional development webinars; and how-to blogs from Share My Lesson that you can use to inspire your students to think about how they can contribute to a healthier planet.
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Going through elementary and secondary school, I feel like there was never a strong focus on climate education. Sure, I was told that instead of placing used paper in the trash can, it should go in the recycling box next to it, and that it was important to plant trees. And I do remember in high school, our teacher took us on a walking community service project where we added icons to storm drains that indicated that they led to streams. But we never truly dove deep into the topics that encompass climate education. We didn’t discuss the impact we could make by being responsible consumers—for example, how thrift shopping can be good not just for your wallet but also for the environment, how certain products contain PFAS (or what PFAS even were), or how to reduce plastic through smarter consumer choices. Instead, I’ve learned these things as an adult through personal research and actively tuning into the climate crisis, and thus, I have now begun to make more conscious choices to help the environment. But developing an earth-friendly mindset doesn’t have to wait until adulthood. Teaching these topics to students can indubitably positively impact the environment, as they can choose to adopt eco-friendly habits earlier and share their knowledge with adults in their lives.
Teaching these topics to students can indubitably positively impact the environment, as they can choose to adopt eco-friendly habits earlier and share their knowledge with adults in their lives.
If you haven’t already introduced climate education in your classroom, Climate Week—running Sept. 22-29—is the perfect opportunity to start. Climate Week is an annual global event that brings together people from all walks of life—educators, students, businesses and governments. It’s a time to raise awareness, take action and explore solutions to the climate crisis. From local projects to global initiatives, participants engage in everything from sustainability practices to advocating for policies that make a difference.
So why not use Climate Week—or any week this fall—as a starting point for introducing climate education in your classroom? Below, you will find ready-to-use lessons; free, on-demand professional development webinars; and how-to blogs from Share My Lesson that you can use to inspire your students to think about how they can contribute to a healthier planet.
And while Climate Week may last only a week, the call to protect our planet is one we should answer every day. Earth is our home, and every action we take helps preserve its future. These resources can be used year-round to keep the momentum going.
Check out some of the newest lesson and climate education content for students in grades K-12 available on Share My Lesson.
Interactive, Lesson Plan | Grades K-2
Lesson Plan | Grades K-5
Grades 4-12, Higher Education, Adult Education, Professional Development
Lesson Plan, Project Based Learning | Grades 7-12
Lesson Plan | Grades 9-12, Higher Education
Activity, Handout, Worksheet | Grades 9-12, Higher Education
Handout, Worksheet | Grades 9-12
These timely current event lesson plans dive deep into specific topics in the study of climate.
These three recent professional development webinars can help you introduce eco-education to students in grades K-12.
March 19, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
July 17, 2024 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM EDT
March 20, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
We love blogs for tips and strategies you can use the next day with students. Here are some of my favorites for climate action.
By bringing climate awareness into your classroom, you’re empowering the next generation to become informed, responsible stewards of our planet. How do you plan to recognize Climate Week in your classroom? Share your ideas in the comments below. For more in-depth lessons on teaching climate change year-round, explore Share My Lesson’s collection here.
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
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