This activity showcases a group of young activists who band together to make a big difference in their home town. It will inspire your students to do the same!
Part 1: Read the book “Follow the Moon Home” by Philippe Cousteau. You can also access this book as an online read-aloud by clicking here. It’s a great story about students who hatch a plan to protect the hatchling loggerhead turtles at a local beach in South Carolina.
Part 2: Ask students to take a walk in their community and observe what is around them. What do you notice? What are some things that you care about in your community? What could you do to make a positive difference for your community and for the Earth? Students can answer these questions as a journal entry.
Part 3 (Extension): As per the steps for student-led activism outlined in "Follow the Moon Home" by Philippe Cousteau, have students move one step further from a journal entry and create an ACTION PLAN. Have students pitch their ideas and vote as a class on which cause they want to focus on. Once this is decided, create a class plan for achieving their goal. Include the following steps: IDENTIFY a problem by observing and asking questions, PLAN your response by gathering information and collaborating, TAKE ACTION by implementing your plan, TELL YOUR STORY by writing an article or getting in touch with a local news station, and REFLECT to think about what you did and what you might want to do next.
Inspiration for this activity from "Follow the Moon Home" by Philippe Cousteau
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