In this podcast episode from This Teenage Life, students will hear about the positive affect of nature on the mental health of teens, access to nature, and the importance of getting outside.
This episode is about 15 minutes long and features a variety of student perspectives from around the world.
Students will love hearing from other young people they can relate to, especially those from diverse backgrounds.
This is a short podcast episode that students can easily listen to and discuss within one class period.
Prerequisites
It may benefit students to understand air pollution and the differences between urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Differentiation & Implementation
Language arts students can practice using descriptive imagery by writing poems or brief passages about their favorite places in nature.
Teachers can connect this episode to climate change by discussing connecting with nature as a solution for dealing with climate anxiety. Alternatively, students can discuss the importance of preserving these natural spaces for their impact on our mental health, as a source of biodiversity, a way to reduce greenhouse gases, and for the other ecosystem services they provide.
After listening, teachers can take students to a nearby green space and have them journal about how they feel when they are there.
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Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.