Earth Day Activities for Meaningful Learning - Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Make Earth Day impactful with this cross-curricular unit focusing on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Through reading, writing, math, and science, upper elementary students explore this major but little-known environmental issue. An informative text teaches students about the Garbage Patch and how plastic waste pollutes oceans. Students then write persuasive letters advocating solutions. Differentiated word problems reinforce conservation concepts. The project culminates in an engaging pollution simulation experiment. This turnkey Earth Day resource synthesizes multiple subjects to inspire students toward environmental awareness and activism. With graphic organizers, sample letters, experiment instructions, and a rubric, it provides everything needed for rich, interdisciplinary learning centered around a vital real-world topic. Students gain key academic skills while also developing civic responsibility, preparing them to make a difference on Earth Day and every day.