If Trees Could Talk

From Arbor Day to Earth Day
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Teacher's Answer Key

Worksheet 1: Keywords

Arbor Day

1.      When the first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872, Nebraska schoolchildren planted more than a million trees.

2.      A day set aside for tree planting.

Conservationist

1.      Conservationists like Gifford Pinchot wanted to harvest timber, but more scientifically.

2.      Someone who believes that resources should be used in moderation.

Earth Day

1.      On April 22, 1970, when the first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States, twenty million people participated in demonstrations and teach-ins around the country.

2.      A day set aside to learn about the environment.

Environmentalist

1.      Perhaps most important, more than 80% of Americans now regard themselves as concerned environmentalists.

2.      Someone concerned with the state of air, water, waste, energy, and public lands.

W orksheet 2: Essay Analysis

1.      What was the purpose of the first Arbor Day?
To get timber for homebuilding, fuel, shade, and windbreaks.

2.      What did Sterling Morton say was unique about the celebration of Arbor Day?
It is the only anniversary established which looks entirely to the future instead of the past.

3.      How had the scale of Arbor Day celebrations changed by 1908?
It was celebrated in every state of the nation.

4.      What did President Roosevelt say to schoolchildren in 1908?
"When you help to preserve our forests or to plant new ones you are acting the part of good citizens."

5.      What was the purpose of the first Earth Day?
To stage a series of simultaneous set of national "teach-ins" to address "the most critical issue facing mankind."

6.      What did Gaylord Nelson say was the most important result of the celebration of Earth Day?
That more than 80% of American's now regard themselves as concerned environmentalists.  

7.      How had the scale of Earth Day celebrations changed by 1990?
It was celebrated in 141 countries around the world.

8.   What do the variety of Earth Day websites say about the current celebration of Earth Day?
The Earth Day celebration is less centralized, but more locally controlled and diverse.

Assessment 1: Test

  1. Describe the origin of Arbor Day.
    Arbor Day was first proposed by a Nebraska farmer in 1872 as a quick way to get timber to the new settlers on the treeless, tall grass prairie ecosystem.  More than a million trees were planted across the state the first year.  
  2. Who were the primary participants in the first Arbor Day celebrations?
    Primarily school children.
  3. Who was President of the United States in 1908 and how did he respond to Arbor Day?
    President Theodore Roosevelt embraced the ideas as part of his conservation agenda.
  4. Summarize the effects of rapid industrialization on the environment and the emergence of the first conservation movement.
    The rapid clearing of the forest due to industrialization startled people into action. 
  5. Describe the origin of Earth Day.
    Earth Day was first proposed by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to be a set of simultaneous "teach-ins" to educate the public about the increasing pollution of America's air, water and soil. 
  6. Who were the primary participants in the first Earth day celebrations?
    Primarily young adults on college campuses.
  7. Who was President of the United States in 1970 and how did he respond to Earth day?
    Richard Nixon signed the Clean Water, Clean Air and the Environmental Quality Acts and established the Environmental Protection Agency.
  8. Give one example of a similarity between Arbor Day and Earth Day.
    Both Arbor Day and Earth Day are events focused on the future.
  9. Give one example of a difference between Arbor Day and Earth Day.
    Arbor Day focused on loss of forests. Earth Day focused on air and water pollution.

Essay 1 / Essay 2 / Worksheet 1 / Worksheet 2  / Worksheet 3 / Worksheet 4 / Application / Test / Reflection  / Answer Key