Eco-Narratives
Lesson Plans
GradesK-12English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation
What it is
- In this lesson from the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation, students will write their own narrative stories about their experience with the environment and environmental issues.
- Students will use these narratives to create, record, and publish multimedia presentations.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will love working with multimedia components to create a final product that they can be proud of and look back on.
- Using storytelling highlights students’ individual voices, which will help them feel connected to their learning.
Prerequisites
- Students may benefit from the teacher modeling the writing of an eco-narrative or providing an example that was prepared ahead of time.
- Teachers may want to introduce older students to environmental issues and environmental activists ahead of time so they can make connections to these topics in the discussion questions and in their narratives.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Though the primary lesson is geared for older students, the lesson includes grade-level modifications throughout for PK-1
- To make connections to climate change, teachers can ask that students highlight how climate change has impacted or will impact their eco-narratives.
- Students may need extra time and support to familiarize themselves with multimedia tools, such as Canva.
- Classrooms without one-to-one tech can have students use a low-tech approach by creating posters and presenting their stories to the class or for the teacher to record.
From the scientist review
This lesson helps students explore their relationship with nature, reflect on the connection between humans and the environment, and think about how we can work towards a sustainable future. These econarratives help people feel more connected to and invested in the environment, encouraging them to take care of it. The lesson includes suggestions for tailoring the activities to different grade levels, and the science content is universally applicable because students are discussing their own experiences. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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