Words to Live By
The writings of different environmental authors reflect the views of their time periods, as well as their own personal feelings toward forests. In this activity, students will express their own views about forests and explore different perspectives by reading excerpts from the writings of different authors.
This is one of 9 activities that can be found in PLT’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests module. To get the activity, attend a training and receive PLT’s Focus on Forests secondary module. Below are some supporting resources for this activity.
Song of the Trees
Song of the Trees Grades 6-8 ISBN-13: 978-0142500750 Puffin Books, 1975; reissue edition, 2003 Authored by Mildred D. Taylor Recommended Reading It’s the 1930s in rural Mississippi. The people are black and white, but the issues that surround them are not. You have three brothers– one older and two younger– and you remember a... Read more »
EE Resources
The Garden of Wisdom: Earth Tales From the Middle East
This first-hand account of nature and environmental issues in the middle east is great for ages 7 and up. Written by award-winning author Michael Caduto and illustrated by Odelia Liphshiz, The Garden of Wisdom: Earth Tales From the Middle East brings together traditional stories about earth, stewardship, and protecting endangered species. Gathered from oral tradition,... Read more »
More Than Just Parks
More Than Just Parks have released their eighth national parks short film—Grand Teton. Explore Jackson Hole Valley and the foothills of the Teton Mountain Range, a land dominated by towering peaks, apex predators, and majestic beauty. To see more National Park films, visit More Than Just Parks.
John Muir in the New World
This 90-minute documentary explains John Muir’s influence then and now, delving into Muir’s life with reenactments filmed in high definition throughout the majestic landscapes he visited: Wisconsin, Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Alhambra Valley of California, and the glaciers of Alaska. Placing our nation’s most important natural assets in a cultural and social... Read more »
About the Authors
Short biographies of the nine authors highlighted, listed in chronological order by birth date.
Forestry Careers & Degrees: A Guide for Students
If students are considering a career in the forestry profession, they may envision spending a workday in blue jeans and hiking boots, managing wild lands and protecting nature for future generations. The reality of forestry careers, however, is somewhat different. Forestry Careers & Degrees: A Guide for Students offers a wealth of information about forestry... Read more »
A Tribute to Wangari Maathai
Kenyan environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and her story promises to inspire your students. Use this Words to Live By activity adaptation to learn about the life and lessons of Wangari Maathai, in her own words.
EnviroAtlas
EPA’s new EnviroAtlas tool is designed to help communities and researchers make informed planning and policy decisions related to the environment and ecosystems. EnviroAtlas provides datasets and interactive tools to allow users to explore the many benefits people receive from nature, often referred to as ecosystem services. EnviroAtlas includes over 300 data layers, letting users... Read more »
Login to download supporting materials such as appendices and teaching tips.
Login