Module 4, "From Arbor Day to Earth Day," from the If Trees Could Talk middle school curriculum, is an excellent module to use during National EE Week, April 15-22, 2007 or anytime in the month of April to celebrate Environmental Education in the U.S. "From Arbor Day to Earth Day" has students analyze the influence of diverse forms of public opinion on the development of environmental public policy and decision making from the early industrial age through the postwar era.  Students will learn about the emergence of the  conservation movement and then compare it to the modern environmental movement.

The If Trees Could Talk curriculum is correlated to the National History and Social Studies standards. The curriculum is being correlated to individual state standards, as well. Most recently California, Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas state standards correlations were added. Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia standards correlations also exist. As the need continues to grow, additional state standards will be included. If your state is not represented and you would like to offer your input, please feel free to e-mail Meg John. In your e-mail please include which Module(s) you used and which of your state standards were met.

The Greatest Good K-12 Teacher Guide can be found on our Educational website. The Greatest Good film was produced by the U.S. Forest Service in recognition of its Centennial in 2005. Using the film in a classroom is an ideal way for students to study many related issues such as forest conservation, the role of fire in our society, wildlife protection, human impacts on the environment, and environmental decision-making in a democracy.

The Greatest Good Teacher Guide offers K-12 educators suggestions for incorporating age-appropriate portions of the film into the social studies, science, math, and civics classroom. There are also links to complementary activities and lessons from many different organizations. We hope you continue to find this to be a great resource to add to your favorites. The DVD's may be purchased through FHS.

Highlighted activities from "The Greatest Good K-12 Teacher Guide" for National EE Week:

• The Greatest Good film, "Woodsy Owl" [Disc 2] with Contaminated Drinking Water (grades 1-3) The Ecology Center offers this lesson allowing students to discuss drinking water quality and the effects of pollution in their daily lives.
• The Greatest Good film, "Building the System, 1911-1940" [Disc 1, Part II] with Revitalizing the Spirit (grades 4 & 5) - Students can begin to gain an understanding of the conservation movement in the 20th century.
• The Greatest Good film, "Conservation Leaders" [Disc 2] with Caring for Our Forests (grade 6-8, Math unit ideas ) Unit lesson plan ideas, regarding forest management.
• The Greatest Good film, "The Greatest Good? 1971-2005" [Disc 1 , Part IV] with Land Use Decisions - (grades 7-12) The Idaho Forest Products Commission has students take a closer look at land use management.