Earth Day SEL Reflections

Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to help students reflect on their role in the world—not just as individuals, but as members of a shared environment. It’s a chance to explore big ideas like responsibility, empathy, and community care. By connecting Earth Day activities with social-emotional learning (SEL), you can inspire students to take meaningful action while developing key emotional and social skills. Here’s how to weave SEL reflection into your Earth Day classroom celebration, along with a read-aloud that brings it all to life.

How to Use It:

• Read-Aloud Setup: Read the book aloud to the class, pausing at moments where Isatou faces challenges or resistance. Ask questions like: “What would you do if your neighbors didn’t believe in your idea?” or “How would you feel if you saw your town covered in trash?” This invites students to consider both the emotional and environmental stakes.

• Discussion: After the story, talk about Isatou’s journey. Ask students: “How did she respond when things got difficult?” and “What emotions did she experience while trying to make a difference?” Highlight how her persistence and care for others fueled her courage.

• Connection to SEL Goals: Emphasize SEL themes such as responsibility, empathy, and problem-solving. Ask students how taking care of the Earth connects to how we treat each other. Encourage them to think of small actions they can take that show care for their communities and the planet.

Set Personalized SEL Goals

After the read-aloud, guide students in setting their own Earth Day-inspired SEL goals. These might include:

• Empathy: Noticing how our actions affect others—including animals, people, and the environment.

• Responsibility: Committing to pick up trash, recycle, or reduce plastic use at home or school.

• Initiative: Coming up with a creative solution to a problem in their classroom or neighborhood.

Encourage students to think of themselves as helpers and changemakers, just like Isatou. They can write or draw their goals and share them with a partner or the class.

Track Progress with Reflection

Keep students motivated by creating time for weekly or bi-weekly check-ins. These might include group discussions, journals, or a class bulletin board where students post updates on how they’re doing. Ask questions like:

• “What’s one small action you took this week to help others or the Earth?”

• “What challenge did you face, and how did you respond?”

These reflections deepen self-awareness and encourage ongoing engagement with both SEL and environmental stewardship.

Promoting Accountability and Growth

Earth Day is more than a one-time event—it’s a way to inspire lifelong values of care, responsibility, and community involvement. When you integrate SEL into Earth Day learning, you help students recognize their power to make change, navigate challenges, and act with empathy. Together, these skills support both their emotional development and their ability to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

In Conclusion

Using One Plastic Bag as part of your Earth Day activities makes SEL learning tangible and impactful. Through storytelling, discussion, and goal-setting, students can see how courage, responsibility, and care for the environment go hand-in-hand. This Earth Day, empower your students to be mindful, empathetic stewards of the planet—and of each other.