About Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. Source: Wikipedia Text under CC-BY-SA
Classroom resources
We have several lesson plans for you to use with learners at all ages and levels, focusing on many different environmental issues. See a list of our resources below.
For primary students
A green classroom
Age/level: Suitable for use with primary learners aged 6-8 years at elementary level (CEFR A1) and above
This lesson focuses on green classrooms, encouraging learners to think about ways in which they can make their classroom greener. By teaching primary children more about this topic, we can help them to develop the vocabulary they need to take part in important dialogues around sustainability in the future and help them understand that they can do their bit to make their world greener.
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The 5 R's of sustainability
Age/level: Suitable for use with primary learners aged 9-11 years at pre-intermediate level (CEFR A2) and above
Children often learn about ‘the three Rs’ at school: reduce, reuse, recycle. But in recent years, more sustainability-related Rs have appeared. By teaching children more about this topic, we can help them to develop the vocabulary they need to take part in important dialogues around sustainability in the future and help them understand that there are many things we can do to help the planet.
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A new logo for the World Wildlife Fund
Age/level: Suitable for use with primary learners aged 9-11 years at pre-intermediate level (CEFR A2) and above
This lesson is part of a series of engaging lessons about the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. It explores different topics connected to the crisis. In this lesson, learners will reflect on the importance of all animals, and look at how big, cute animals are over-represented in wildlife conservation efforts. They will read about five more unusual, endangered animals and choose one to replace the giant panda as the symbol of worldwide conservation.
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For secondary students
Sports in (climate) crisis
Age/level: Suitable for use with older teenagers at advanced level (CEFR C1) and above
In this lesson, learners will learn about the impact of major sports events on the living planet and the impact of global heating on sports, and explore possible solutions and compromises that the world of sport might need to take to lessen its impact. It would be a suitable lesson to supplement a unit in the coursebook on sport, or at the time of a major sports event.
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Fast fashion
Age/level: Suitable for use with younger teenagers aged 12–15 at pre-intermediate level (CEFR A2) and above
This lesson focuses on fast fashion, presenting key data in the form of an infographic. By teaching teenagers more about this topic, we can help them to develop the vocabulary they need to take part in important dialogues around sustainability in the future and help them understand that there are alternatives to fast fashion. The lesson begins with a warmer to introduce the topic. This is followed by a matching word–definition task, with keywords that appear in the infographic. Learners then have an opportunity to practise saying big numbers and statistics before they complete the infographic and discuss the information, including thinking of ways they can change their habits in the future. The lesson finishes with a brainstorming activity in which learners find and present ideas for upcycling a T-shirt.
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Upcycling
Age/level: Suitable for use with older teenagers at intermediate level (CEFR B1) and above
This lesson focuses on upcycling, encouraging learners to think about ways in which they can upcycle common objects. By teaching teenagers more about this topic, we can help them to develop the vocabulary they need to take part in important dialogues around sustainability in the future and help them understand that they can do their bit to make their world greener. The lesson begins with a warmer to introduce the topic. This is followed by a crossword with key ‘green’ vocabulary and a text analysis activity to model language they need for the last activity of the lesson. Learners play an upcycling speaking game, where they start thinking creatively about the possibilities that upcycling offers. In the final part of the lesson, learners work in pairs or small groups to plan, prepare, research and present their ideas for an upcycling project.
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Buy. Use. Toss
Age/level: Suitable for use with lower secondary learners at intermediate level (CEFR B1) and above
This lesson is part of the Climate Action in Language Teaching series of engaging lessons about the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. It explores different topics connected to the crisis. Learners will think about what happens to the things we throw away. They categorise some rubbish into ‘necessary’ and ‘luxury’ products then answer questions about the last plastic item they threw away. They read the ‘autobiography’ of a plastic bottle and write their own story in the same style. Finally, they discuss the extent to which other people’s waste is their responsibility and the responsibility of all, and agree on practical ways to reduce plastic waste in the world at three levels: personal, local and national/ corporate.
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Family footprint
Age/level: Suitable for use with older teenagers at upper-intermediate level (CEFR B2) and above
The climate emergency begins at home, and self-awareness of the impact of home life on the environment is very important. In this lesson, learners will develop their language and 21st-century skills in critical thinking and reaching agreement and compromise in discussions. They will then implement a questionnaire with some sensitive questions about home life and environmental issues.
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Storm coming!
Age/level: Suitable for use with younger teenage learners of English at upper-intermediate level (CEFR B2) and above
In this lesson, learners will learn extreme weather vocabulary and read and listen to news reports about weather events. They then collaborate in groups and role play an emergency meeting to save their town. This lesson would be suitable as a supplement to a unit on weather, geography or the environment, after a recent extreme weather event, or near World Meteorological Day on 23 March.
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For adult students
Water for all
Age/level: Suitable for use with adult learners of English at intermediate level (CEFR B1) and above
There is a global water crisis. In this lesson, the learners will use and develop their reading skills to gain a bigger understanding of the crisis, its causes and some possible solutions. They will go on to use some 21st-century skills such as collaboration and creativity to make some campaigning posters to create a greater awareness of the problem in their local communities.
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Farming and the environment
Age/level: Suitable for use with adult learners of English at upper-intermediate level (CEFR B2) and above
This lesson looks at how farming can damage the environment, but also how climate change can make farming difficult. Students will be discussing farming and the environment from different perspectives, and some groups will present their ideas to the whole class.
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21st century jobs
Age/level: Suitable for use with adult learners of English at advanced level (CEFR C1) and above
This lesson will encourage learners to discuss the future of work and the environmental impact that the workplace can and could have. They will consider both the types of jobs that we can expect to develop in the 21st century and the nature and characteristics of the jobs. The final task will be to make a list of ideas for the future of work in the light of the climate crisis and global inequality.